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Townsend board schedules town hall meeting, discusses wake-boat limits, culvert mapping and Horn Lake parking
Summary
At its March 12 meeting Townsend’s board set an informational meeting on town hall renovations, scheduled a wake-boat public meeting, reviewed a state culvert-mapping mandate and approved shoulder widening to expand parking access at Horn Lake; public comments highlighted fire danger and local events.
The Town of Townsend board on March 12 moved through routine business and a set of infrastructure and community items, scheduling public information sessions and noting a state requirement to inventory small culverts.
Ken Schwebke presented final plans for a 30-by-50-foot addition and renovation to Townsend Town Hall; the board set a public informational presentation for Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Supervisor Chuck DeMoulin said the town will hold a separate information meeting on a proposed wake-boat ordinance Saturday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m.; DeMoulin told the board that restrictions tied to water depth and lake acreage could limit wake-boat operation to only certain lakes among Townsend’s 19.
Board members discussed a State mandate that requires towns to identify and measure small “bridge” culverts (6–20 feet). The U.S. Forest Service has already identified and measured culverts in Townsend; town staff and Bob Habeck will review and submit the town’s data to the state.
To improve access at Horn Lake boat landing, the board reviewed a plan to widen the shoulder on Horn Lake Road by about 200 feet using rip-rap, fabric and gravel to expand the drive area; the county highway department is expected to begin work. The board also recorded standard administrative actions: approval of the Feb. 13 minutes, approval of the treasurer’s P&L report and payment of bills, and approval of an operators license and a short-term rental application. Supervisor Willie Evans moved to adjourn at 6:41 p.m.; Monica Zeller seconded and the motion passed.
Public comment included a reminder from Fire Department Chief Herlache that burning permits are suspended because of very high fire danger; Mike Schilz asked whether town representatives will attend a Lakes & Rivers meeting about wake boats. Festival and Events committee members said they will cooperate while remaining separate; Wanda Laste, president of Friends of Townsend Fire, said the Leap Year raffle netted $17,000 and announced an ATV/UTV ride for Smokey the Bear on June 15. StarLink internet is being installed for the fire department, highway and town hall to provide battery-backed connectivity for emergencies.
Correspondence noted the Marinette/Oconto Counties Clean Sweep scheduled for May 10–11. The clerk later recorded that minutes from this meeting were approved April 9, 2024.
