North Bay trustees approve bridge repairs, accept Johns Disposal's rate increase and clear accounts payable

At a Sept. 9 meeting in Racine, the North Bay Board of Trustees unanimously approved a cosmetic bridge repair contract and accepted proposed rate increases from the village's waste hauler while handling routine financial approvals and several deferred items.

The board approved an $11,900 cosmetic repair proposal from M&M Masonry for local bridge work after Trustee Rick Cermak moved the measure and Constable Kristin Wright seconded; trustees recorded the motion as carried unanimously at 7:18 PM. The board also voted to accept Johns Disposal's proposed 2025 pricing: a 2.4% increase for garbage and recycling and a $0.05 per-sticker increase for yard-waste stickers, bringing the sticker price to $1.15 each (sold in packs of five for $5.75). Trustee Paul Schroeder noted that Johns Disposal asked the village to include battery-disposal guidance in an upcoming newsletter, and the board voted to accept the proposal at 7:25 PM.

On routine financial business, Treasurer Robert E. O'Brien distributed financial reports and trustees approved the August 2024 accounts payable final totaling $88,381.97 and a preliminary September 2024 accounts payable of $18,903.30, authorizing the clerk and treasurer to issue payments for bills due before the next meeting. Both motions were recorded as unanimous; the August AP vote was recorded at 7:35 PM and the preliminary September AP vote at about 7:38 PM.

During public comment (scheduled after agenda items 4 and 5), resident Connie Mellem raised two concerns: funding for upcoming greenspace work including any costs tied to improvements at village hall and the lift station, and the sewer agreement the board has on its schedule to expire Jan. 21, 2025. Residents Mackenzie Davies and William Starks asked why a current plat of survey was required for their fence permit application at 111 Shore Acres Drive; Trustee Paul Schroeder said, "A plat of survey should show the actual property lines," and staff explained that the village's August review found the 1973 plat pre-dated subsequent construction and that a current survey helps identify any deed restrictions affecting private drives and setbacks.

In Old Business, trustees directed staff to mail a notice to residents on private drives west of Main Street after revising the draft to add a 30-day time limit, add Lansdale Lane and remove North Street; the motion carried at 7:43 PM. The board also discussed an encroachment application for 3623 N. Main St. and suggested making approval contingent on written confirmation that the Henshaws will maintain village land affected by recent landscaping.

Other items were deferred: a proposed Open Meetings Law training for the executive board pending confirmation from outside sources, a Planning Commission and Board of Appeals term-length item awaiting President Mark J. Schall's presence, and attorney correspondence that had been emailed to trustees but was not on the agenda.

The meeting concluded with an adjournment motion by Trustee Paul Schroeder, seconded by Trustee Rick Cermak, and the board adjourned at 7:52 PM.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Aug. 19, 2024 minutes: mover Trustee Rick Cermak; seconder Trustee Paul Schroeder. Outcome: approved unanimously (recorded as all in favor, none opposed). - Johns Disposal 2025 proposed rates (2.4% for garbage/recycling; yard-waste sticker to $1.15 each): mover Trustee Rick Cermak; seconder Constable Kristin Wright. Outcome: approved unanimously at 7:25 PM. - M&M Masonry cosmetic bridge repair ($11,900): mover Trustee Rick Cermak; seconder Constable Kristin Wright. Outcome: approved unanimously at 7:18 PM. - Accounts payable: August 2024 final $88,381.97: mover Constable Kristin Wright; seconder Trustee Paul Schroeder. Outcome: approved unanimously at 7:35 PM. - Accounts payable: preliminary September 2024 $18,903.30 (authorization to pay urgent bills): mover Trustee Rick Cermak; seconder Trustee Paul Schroeder. Outcome: approved unanimously (~7:38 PM). - Notice to residents on private drives (revise draft to add 30-day time limit, include Lansdale Lane, remove North Street): mover Trustee Paul Schroeder; seconder Trustee Rick Cermak. Outcome: approved unanimously at 7:43 PM.

Next steps and context: The board deferred several items for future agendas, including the sewer-agreement discussion (agreement ends Jan. 21, 2025), Planning Commission term lengths and attorney correspondence. Public commenters were instructed by staff and trustees that a current survey will be required to process the fence permit at 111 Shore Acres Drive to clarify property lines and any deed restrictions.

(Reporter note: all recorded motions in the transcript were described as "all in favor, none opposed." The transcript does not list individual roll-call votes by name; tallies above reflect the five trustees present as recorded in roll call.)