Town of Liberty Monthly Meeting 1/5/26

Town of Liberty Boad Meeting

Liberty Town Hall

January 5, 2026

6:30 PM

  1. Meeting was called to order by Chair Vidas at 6:30pm
  2. Chair Vidas moved to approve December 2025 minutes after being read with no corrections. Supervisor Hableib seconded, motion carried.
  3. Chair Vidas moved to make the correction from the July 2025 meeting minutes to read: Carrie asked about the lase agreement with the fire department and the town attorney review the lease as there may be something to add or remove that hadn’t been thought of as it’s a 10-year lease. Supervisor Hableib seconded, motion carried.
  4. Chris read the treasurer’s report which was then put in the file.
  5. Dumpster Monitor’s report: Nothing to report.
  6. Equipment and Road report: The town has made a personnel change, and we have concluded employment with our most recent patrolman Allen Mueller.  We have rehired our former patrolman, Orlin Engh, for winter road maintenance.  We are currently advertising and looking for someone to the permanent patrolman.  The board appreciates the work of all individuals who have served the Town, and our priority continues to be providing reliable, safe, and efficient services to our residents.

With regard to equipment, the town had the wing on the Sterling repaired recently.  Orlin said we need to have the exhaust gasket repaired in the future for the Sterling – we will wait until clear weather before getting that into LaFarge Truck Center.

  1. Building permit update: nothing to report
  2. First public comment: Paul made the comment that he enjoyed the minutes not being read.

There were some questions about using something other than gravel on the roads, there was some concern with Old 56 and the upkeep because of future semis going to the new welding business. Terry mentioned that we could widen the road. It was also brought up that we should look at the maps regarding the width of the road and the right of way. Susan Mueller brought up that Timm Bender’s shed is 5 feet over the town line and may have to be moved.

  1. Town Announcements: The internet is installed and WIfi is working. There is a district meeting on the 22nd at the County building.
  2. Discussion on Town adopting a purchasing policy procedure. Chris handed out an idea for this and we will have further discussion and possible adoption in February.
  3. Discussion about Open book and board of review: our town will be reassessed this summer which pushes back our open book date and board of review. We will need to have a short meeting to move the meeting to a later date. There are district meetings coming up that the whole board will need to sign up for so that they can get their board of review training.
  1. Wisconsin State statute 101.123: Susan Mueller presented the board with the state statute and made them aware that we are out of compliance with the smoking in the Town truck. We are in compliance with everything else.
  2. Supervisor Townsley moved that we give the Driftless Humane society a donation of $255.96 to their surgical unit they are building. This is money that we get back from the county for the dog license that is purchased. We receive .50 cents from each one, and this was two years’ worth. Supervisor Hableib seconded, motion carried.
  3. Brain Storming discussion: Chair Vidas wanted the board to think about some goals for the future of the board to help the town. Some ideas were: employee handbook, mission statement, road projects, capital improvement, maintenance plan, community engagement and update ordinances.
  4. CPC updates: Carrie said they are making headway on the surveys. They want to give the people respect by doing a good job looking over everything. The committee will meet 2x in February and March. It was an exceptional turnout with the surveys.
  5. Website and email discussion: It was suggested that we make a list of pros and cons for the website and what needs to be done to improve it. It could be a future record holding item for the Town. Jason is going to work on it. We also will look into getting .gov email addresses for the town.
  6. Updates on capital projects and community grant funds: Chris needs to finish up some paperwork from the fire sign grant. We should receive that money in February.
  7. Second period for public comment: Carrie wanted to say that the purchasing policy is an excellent idea, she also feels the listing of what is right and wrong with the website is what is needed next, she welcomed Pete to the board and wants to know if getting your dog license can be done on-line. Pete brought up the fencing issue with Timm Bender and Mueller’s since it was in the minutes, we will get back to it in February. Paul asked about Cary Industrial Welding, and Cary is appreciative of the Town.
  8. Supervisor Townsley moved that we approve paying the monthly bills for January 2026 of $47,530.13 Supervisor Hableib, seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
  9. Future agenda items: CPC updates, website pros and cons, .gov emails, purchasing policy, board goals, fencing issues and ordinances.
  10. Next meeting date is February 9 at 6:30pm with ordinance work at 6pm.
  11. Meeting was moved to adjourn by Chair Vidas, at 8:05pm, Supervisor Townsley, seconded all in favor motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Engh