City Council
Regular MeetingBlack Earth, WI · January 12, 2026
Minutes
Minutes
Town of Vermont Board Meeting
January 12, 2026
Vermont Town Hall
4017 County Rd JJ, Black Earth WI 53515
7:00 P.M.
To Join the meeting by phone: +1 347-896-0991 PIN: 481 262 925#
In attendance: Kirk Lynch, Alex McKenzie, Polly Kawalek, Nick Balster (by phone)
1. Call to order and certification of notice posting
Kirk Lynch called the meeting to order at 7:00. Katie certified that the meeting had been posted
according to the statutes.
2. Approval of agenda
Polly made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried 3-0
3. Approval of December minutes
Alex made a motion to approve the minutes. Motion carried 3-0
4. Citizens’ Input
Kirk, as a citizen, brought up the increase in the Mazo transfer sites permits. Mark asked a series
of questions to Nick. Nick expressed some reservations about what Mark planned to do with the
questions.
5. Treasurer’s report
Heather reported a busy month of property taxes. We have collected about 1.5 million dollars in
taxes, most of which is sent to the county, schools and fire districts. The end of year loss is
currently projected at $89,035, to be paid out of reserves.
6. Clerk’s report
There will be a February primary on the 17th. There is a county judge and our county rep
position on that ballot. We paid out the January property taxes to the county and the school
districts. We also paid Burke Truck for new carbide blades.
7. Payment of bills
Kirk motioned to move this to after item 11. Motion carried 3-0.
Alex made a motion to approve payment of the bills. Motion carried 4-0
8. Patrolman Report, Mt. Horeb Fire Department, Black Earth Fire District and District 1 EMS
Reports
Jack reported that the roads have had to be salted a lot even when we haven't needed to plow.
We had some road signs torn down but all of them have been recovered. We got the whole
hillside of trees cut that were overhanging on Moen Valley Road. Black Earth Fire responded to
the brush pile that was being burned. This has not happened before, but was due to that half of
the township being under control of the DNR.
No updates from any fire departments.
9. End of year snapshot
This needs a little more time, for Heather to follow up on some numbers. We will revisit this in
Feb.
10. Planning for Annual Town Meeting in April 2026
We will have garbage as our special topic as well as the reevaluation. We will ask Steve, the
assessor, to attend. We will have the end of the year numbers as well. Katie will try to get Steve
scheduled.
11. Agenda items for February
Shop inventory
Annual Meeting
Garbage
12. Adjournment
Alex made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0
Posted: Katie Zelle, Clerk
The Town Board’s agenda includes a period for public comments. That period, which is not
mandated by state law, is offered to permit orderly and civil discussion of Town public business
and matters. During the remainder of the Town Board meeting, persons other than Board
members and Town officers are permitted to speak only if recognized by the Chair. Public
comment may address any matter pertaining to Town, but must not be repetitive, involve
personal attacks, profanity, or disruptive comments. The Chair may rule any person out of order
and terminate their comment period. By adhering to these principles, we aim to ensure
productive and fair discussions while respecting the rights of all to be heard. We appreciate
active engagement and encourage participation in the governance of our wonderful Town of
Vermont.
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