TOWN OF BLAINE
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, July 8th, 2026
Blaine Town Hall/Northland Community Center
(PENDING TOWN BOARD APPROVAL)
I. OPENING
PRESENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Supervisor Bryan Holter (via conference call), Clerk Ryan Brennan, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Ron & Sandy Gallagher, Billy Fish, Matt Holter & Mikaela Hughes
CALL TO ORDER: Mike Metcalf called the July 8th, 2026 town board meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the June 10th, 2026 town board meeting minutes as submitted. Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
II. STANDING REPORTS
CLERK’S REPORT: Ryan Brennan sent a letter to Chase Fornengo requesting payment be made for legal expenses incurred by the town to address his previous permit issue. Mike Metcalf said that it can also be placed as a special assessment on his own taxes in order to avoid accruing additional legal expenses. Ryan Brennan posted an ad on Indeed® to fill the roads-maintenance supervisor position, which has in turn received multiple resumes from interested parties. He has also scheduled routine maintenance of the town’s portable privies with Raska Sewer Services, completed the municipal retail report, maintenance-of-effort report, and Board of Review transmittals, canceled insurance coverage on the old plow truck with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, ordered a sign for the public landing reminding users to take their trash with them, and created a new fireworks permit template, and consulted with Tia Bowe from the county on how residents can apply for new address number signs with her department.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mona Velebir reported on bank balances for Community Bank of Siren. Our net balances are currently $29,946.79 for our checking account and $183,887.55 for our money-market savings account. Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the treasurer’s report as submitted. Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
APPROVAL TO PAY EXPENDITURES: Ryan Brennan reviewed the expenditure & payroll summary of the prior month. A discussion took place regarding the paying out of unused PTO for employees after resignation. Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the expenditure & payroll summary as submitted. Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
SUPERVISORS’ REPORT: Bryan Holter facilitated the auctioning of the old plow truck. Mike Metcalf thanked Ryan Brennan for finding the respective title & Josh Fornengo for doing last-minute maintenance on the vehicle before giving it to the recipient.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Mike Metcalf reviewed a PowerPoint presentation with attendees on multiple points, including details on TRIS funding grants, the joint fire association, funding future construction of a new town garage, our 2026 financial forecast, and an unusual increase in this year’s settlement expenses with the county. Ryan Brennan will be looking into any large payments to be made during the remainder of the year. Mona Velebir will be looking into how the town’s mill rate compares with other towns and creating a detailed list of revenue sources the town currently receives. A public hearing on discussing the ATV/UTV ordinance will be scheduled soon, and Ryan Brennan will ensure it is posted in the newspaper right away. A fundraiser for the proposed veteran’s memorial at Hillcrest Cemetery will be held on Saturday, August 22nd. Mike Metcalf thanked Mona Velebir and DOVR for their support in organizing the event. Sealed bids for the N. Markville Rd. resurfacing project and then awarded to Monroe Paving Company, and Ryan Brennan will be sending them a copy of the signed contract very soon. The total bid from Monroe Paving Company came in favorably at $37,916.45.
ROAD CONDITION REPORT: Josh Fornengo stated that the town’s roads didn’t get as beaten up as anticipated from the July 4th holiday. Mona Velebir has ordered street name sign replacements which will be arriving soon.
ROAD EQUIPMENT REPORT: Josh Fornengo stated that the mower is in need of repair as it’s leaking oil. Gravel has also been cleaned out from under the dump truck.
DAIRYLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Billy Fish stated their department managed to navigate through the holiday weekend relatively unscathed, but calls have increased some as expected for the dry summer season.
TRANSFER STATION REPORT: Ryan Brennan stated that Waste Management erroneously charged the town for recycling overage that they themselves failed to dump in a timely fashion over the July 4th holiday. He will be contacting the NWRPC to resolve the matter on our behalf.
III. TOWN BUSINESS
1) A professional services agreement (PSA) was created with Fornengo Transport, LLC to cover the need for roads-maintenance services until we can hire a new worker to fill the role.
IV. CLOSING
REVIEW OF PROJECTS: Town board members reviewed current projects, assignments and follow-ups to town business items.
ITEMS FOR NEXT MONTH’S AGENDA:
1) None
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) The Partisan Primary will take place on Tuesday, August 11th, 2026.
2) The public hearing on the ATV/UTV route ordinance will take place on August 12th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
3) The Veteran’s Memorial Fundraiser & Spaghetti Dinner will take place on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Josh Fornengo motioned to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan W. Brennan, Town Clerk: __________________________________________
Submitted this 8th day of July, 2026
Subsequently approved,
Michael C. Metcalf, Town Chairman: __________________________________________
Approved this 12th day of August, 2026