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Hilbert Board forms fire-department bylaw committee, OKs turnout-gear payment and park donations
Summary
At its May 13 meeting the Village of Hilbert Board approved appointments to citizen committees, created a fire-department bylaw committee (Resolution 2025-05), authorized covering a $2,773 turnout-gear shortfall from department supplies, accepted several invoices and permits, and recessed into closed session on property negotiations with no action on return.
President Tom Roehrig called the Village of Hilbert Board to order at 6 p.m. May 13 in Hilbert, Wisconsin. The Board approved routine minutes and financial reports, reappointed two citizen committee members and took several actions on Fire Department and park matters.
The Board approved Tom Baer and Keith Berchum to serve another term on citizen committees after Roehrig said both were willing to continue (motion: Collins; second: A. Loose; carried). The Board also approved the Village and Fire Department treasurer’s reports and accepted the First Responder report as presented.
On a formal motion and roll call, the Board adopted Resolution 2025-05 to form a bylaw committee for the Hilbert Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Loose told the Board the fire department named Chief Loose, Jason Propson and Kim Bangart to the committee; Roehrig, Pulley and Gehl were named as the Village representatives. The roll-call vote on Resolution 2025-05 was recorded as yes: A. Loose, Collins, Hunter, M. Loose, Gehl and Roehrig; the measure carried.
The Board addressed an invoice from Jefferson Fire & Safety for turnout gear for new members showing a balance due of $17,757. Kieso reported the fire department’s reserved capital account had $14,984, leaving a $2,773 shortfall. After discussing options, the Board approved taking the additional funds from the Fire Department Supplies & Expense account to pay the balance (motion: Hunter; second: Gehl; carried). Member M. Loose abstained from that vote.
Utility and capital projects were reviewed. Staff reported the Sludge Dewatering Belt Press Project at the Wastewater Treatment Facility came in under budget: the project was budgeted at $600,000, the original bid was $574,400, and the final total was $539,232.77, leaving $60,767.23 under budget. Kieso said the Wisconsin DNR 2024 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) has been completed and is due in June; the Board will consider Resolution 2025-06 at the June meeting.
Park and recreation items included approval of a donated flagpole from the Hilbert Lions Club to be placed behind the south baseball field scoreboard at no cost to the Village, approval to pay a $125 C&R Pumpers invoice for a port-a-potty, and confirmation that the Hilbert Athletic Association will pay $259.95 to BSN Sports for a batter’s box template. The Board voted to invoice Hilbert High School for two games on May 2, 2025, at the Village’s standard preparation charge ($25 per game). A proposed park-bathroom remodel drawing was handed to Jared of Robert E. Lee & Associates; Gospelfest offered to pay most of the cost to add a service door to the big pavilion and will provide a labor estimate before work begins.
The Board approved a Temporary Class B license for the Hilbert Lions Club’s Fourth of July picnic and approved the club’s fireworks permit (motion: Gehl; second: M. Loose; carried). Kieso told the Board the Village was not accepted for the Vibrant Spaces Grant; the Large Item Drop-Off Event cost is pending receipt of a final bill from GFL and will be discussed next month.
The Board convened in closed session under Wis. Stat. S.19.85(1)(e) to deliberate or negotiate the purchase of public properties or other specified public business; the motion to enter closed session carried by roll call. The Board later reconvened in open session and took no further action. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. and the minutes were signed by Deputy Clerk Deb Thiel.
What’s next: Resolution 2025-06 (the CMAR acceptance) is scheduled for the June meeting; the Large Item Drop-Off Event cost will be finalized next month.
