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Merton board approves $744,381 road contract, sets 2026 mileage rate and denies claim over fire-department fees
Summary
The Town of Merton board on Jan. 26 approved a 2026 mileage reimbursement rate of 72.5¢ per mile, granted an outdoor wedding permit, awarded a $744,381 road contract to Payne & Dolan and denied a claim alleging excessive fire-department fees after a closed-session review.
The Town of Merton Town Board on Jan. 26 approved several routine and substantive items, including a $744,381 road contract and a 2026 mileage reimbursement rate of 72.5 cents per mile.
Chairman Tim Klink opened the meeting and the board approved the Dec. 22, 2025 minutes. During public comment, Police Chief Wraalstad distributed a town patrol summary; Supervisor Don Herrick asked the chief about concerns involving aerators, Clerk Donna Hann asked about signage for ATV/UTV routes (noting county roads are not posted for ATV/UTV use), and resident Michael Schulz raised a wake-boating ordinance and thanked the DPW for snow removal.
Clerk Donna Hann presented the recommended mileage rate. The board approved a 2026 mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile on a Herrick/Fleming motion.
The board approved an outdoor event permit for Craig and Kimberly Lunaas at N75W30363 County Road VV, and later voted to award the town's 2026 road project (Chardon Drive, Townline Road and an alternate for Pleasant View shoulder widening) to Payne & Dolan for $744,381 after DPW Director Griffin recommended accepting the bids. Griffin said the contract prices include the alternate bid and indicated there might be budget room to add a second project later in the year.
Chairman Klink announced the board would meet in closed session under State Statute 19.85(1)(g) to consult with legal counsel on potential litigation. In closed session, Town Attorney James Hammes reviewed a Notice of Injury and Claim filed by Cramer Multhauf LLP on behalf of Jere' Fabick alleging "Excessive and Unlawful Fire Department Service Fees" and discussed the town's insurance coverage and response options. The board reconvened to open session and voted to deny the claim and send a notice of disallowance by certified mail to Mr. Fabick.
In other business, DPW Director Griffin said the department sold a trailer via Wisconsin Surplus and noted longtime employee John Marchek has worked with the town for 22 years. Griffin told the board the town has an existing salt contract and is adequately supplied. Clerk Donna Hann reminded the board of an election for the Swallow School District scheduled for Feb. 17, 2026. The board approved vouchers and adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
The board made decisions by motion (minutes approval; mileage rate; outdoor event; road contract; vouchers; adjournment) and took formal action to deny the Fabick claim following the attorney's closed-session review. Where motions were recorded the minutes say "motion carried."
