VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
November 10th, 2025
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, November 10th, 2025.
Village President Shane Trott presided and called to order the meeting at the Village Hall facility at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were Galen Brainerd, Darlene Wundrow, Tim Dolan, Jim Johnson and Mark Zimmer. Kim Grasley was absent. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes attended also.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to approve the October 6th, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT:
Casey Gudis attended the meeting to give the Board an update on the garbage truck building. The crew has completed insulating and installing plastic. Steel will be installed within the next couple weeks.
Garbage Building Garage Door Install: Gudis is asking that the sliding back door on the south side of the building be replaced with a regular garage door with opener. A quote was submitted by Flambeau Door in the amount of $6,980.00. Discussion was had on concerns with the budget. Wundrow stated that the item was not a necessity at this time. No action was taken.
Curb Stop Replacement Approval on Coleman Street: There is a curb stop located on a property on Coleman Street that needs replaced as there is a tree bending the curb stop and blocking access to it. Gudis asked if it was an item that the crew should try and tackle before this winter or wait until spring. The Board discussed that with the weather, it would be best to wait until the spring to complete the work.
The crew has also been busy getting the park and cemetery closed for the season.
There was a water line leak on 2nd Street that was dug up and replaced. Now that the leak was located, Gudis has seen a drop in approximately 12,000-18,000 gallons on the daily usage.
WE Energies will be here within the week to run a gas line in to the garbage building.
The streetlights that were ordered months ago are still on back order. TJ Electric stated that they are anticipated to be delivered within the first couple weeks of December.
Tri-State Pump was here and did their annual inspection of the lift stations. All pumps were pulled and inspected. There was one part that needed replaced but otherwise, everything passed inspection.
All equipment has been serviced and ready to go for the winter season.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
John Benson – Possible Variance Requests: John Benson was not able to attend the meeting, however, Jeremy Velie attended the meeting to answer any questions on behalf of Benson that the Board would have. Benson purchased a vacant buildable lot on N. Highway 40. Trott read questions from an email from Benson in regards to his requests. Benson asked: “would a three-season Amish cabin….not fully insulated to the Wisc. Uniform Building Code residential standard….be acceptable for a lot on the far corner of the Bruce Village limits. Or does it have to be four-season, insulated per the Wisc. UBC.” Trott stated that would have to go before County & State building inspection.
Secondly, Benson asked: “could I erect a biffy temporarily, and use the existing well on the lot, to bring an RV on the weekend, and pull it away at the end of the weekend, for the two years we wait for the Amish to build the cabin?” Trott said there are ordinances in place regarding living in campers but not against coming on the weekends and staying a few days at a time. Trott stated this ordinance would not apply to this situation. In response to the biffy and well, Trott and Brainerd stated that the permits and regulations would go through the County. Dolan stated that Benson should also look in to getting a camping permit through the County.
Colleen Kopras – Bullying: Curt & Colleen Kopras attended the meeting to ask the Village to pick up the garbage cans that were delivered to the property they own on Main Street back in January. Colleen stated that they do not want the cans and have never used them. She discussed her invoice for the cans and the interest that is collecting on it. Wundrow stated that Kopras’s have not formerly asked to be put on the agenda regarding the cans and invoice. Trott stated that they were told to come in during regular business hours and request to have services discontinued if the building was vacant. If they were to do this, the cans can be collected, but late fees would still be applied. Trott stated that if she wanted to talk about garbage, then she needs to be on the agenda for garbage discussion. Trott stated that if Kopras’s wanted to discuss late fees, that it would need to be on the agenda, if they wanted services discontinued, they need to come in or contact the office during regular business hours and do so then. Hayes announced that Colleen had been asked to be put on the agenda for bullying and she needed to stick to that topic, otherwise, the Board needs to proceed through the agenda. Trott stated that the Board was going to move on through the agenda as the topic is not aimed at bullying, which was the agenda item. He stated that if garbage wanted to be discussed, it needed to be put on the agenda, and also, if they no longer needed services, they need to contact the Village Hall during regular business hours, and that if the building was not occupied, they do not need to have the service. Brainerd asked if Kopras’s have stopped in the office during regular business hours and discontinued services. Colleen stated they were never given that option.
Nora’s Cupboard Pantry: The Village was approached by the Village of Weyerhaeuser regarding installing a 24-hour food pantry outside of the Village Hall. The pantry is a soda machine cooler, but does not need electrical, it is stocked with only non-perishable foods. The pantry was started after a mother and daughter from the Weyerhaeuser area passed in a car accident, the daughter’s name was Nora. There would be no cost to the Village. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to approve installing the pantry on the west side of the building, carried.
Trevor Richards – Library Update: Trevor Richards attended the meeting to give the Board an update on events happening at the Library. A display was up for the month of October showing books that have been banned or challenged, such as Charlotte’s Web, To Kill a Mocking Bird and several other classics. The library received a $1,000.00 donation from a library patron to purchase digital audio books. The same patron wants to donate her art collection to the Library. This would allow patrons to check out art, just as a any other Library item. This would allow patrons to swap out art work in their home at any time. January thru March the Library will be doing a ‘Winter Reading Program’.
The Library already has a program in place called the ‘1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge’. The Library is thinking of starting a ‘1,000 Books Before You Turn 100’ as an adult challenge program that will be coming hopefully in the new year.
Lastly, Richards stated that the Library is waiting on the County for the budget allocation.
Trott reported that the newest Library Board representative for the Village of Bruce is Sherry Hemm. Hemm is currently a volunteer.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Please state your name – Limited to 3 minutes per person)
Mark Charron asked the Board if they have any plans in the future to take on dumpster service through the Village or let property owners continue their dumpster services through the company of their choice. Trott stated that as of now, the Village hasn’t looked in to the costs of providing dumpster services. If the Village does decide to provide its own dumpster services, it won’t be for some time.
Reverend Paul Carlson attended the meeting to discuss the notification he received in the mail regarding his delinquent utility account. His concern is his recycle bin. He stated that he will not pay for his recycling cart. He stated that he dropped the cart off at the Village Shop. He does not recycle, therefore, does not need a recycling can. After his allocated time, Trott stated that his time was up. Carlson asked what the Board was going to do about the issue. Trott stated that it was public comments, no action can be taken.
APPLICATIONS:
Closed Session:
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brainerd to go in to closed session for considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, under Wisconsin Statues 19.85 (1)(e) and (1)(c), motion carried.
All responded yes – Closed session at 6:14 p.m.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Dolan to reconvene to Open Session – at 6:22 p.m. – Motion carried.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wundrow to deny an operator’s license to Jennifer L. Hoyt, with Zimmer opposing, the motion carried.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to approve an operator’s license to Bethany A. Murphy, carried.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to approve an operator’s license to Kelly Jo Javenar, carried.
Bow Hunting Permit: Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to approve a bow hunting permit to Jim O’Donnell, carried.
Building Permits:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to approve a building permit to Pam Wundrow to install a driveway and garage on her property located at 1211 N. 2nd St., carried.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve a building permit to Jeffrey Bakken to reinforce roof trusses on his home located at 119 E. Arthur Avenue, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Works:
Alley Paving: Monarch Paving will be here within the week to pave the alley. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Alley Paving’ item until the December, 2025 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds: The LRIP application was submitted to the DOT for 1st Street.Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds’ issue until the December, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion: Nothing new to discuss this month. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion’ item until the December, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Administration:
Private Well Ordinance Revisions: The current private well ordinance that is in place needs to be updated with current code references per DNR. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to update section 9-1-53- of the Village of Bruce Code of Ordinances – Private Well Abandonment with current state code references, carried.
Finance:
Public Hearing November 10th, 2025, 5:00 p.m.-Proposed 2026 Budget: Trott reported the Public Budget Hearing for the proposed 2026 Budget was held prior to the November 10th Board Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Review, Discussion & Approval of 2026 Budget & : Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to approve the Village of Bruce 2026 Budget of $617,977.00, carried.
Set Levy, Including Approval of All Internal & Unresolved Matters: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Dolan to approve setting the 2026 Levy at $139,204.00 and approve all internal & unresolved matters, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $59,780.62, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Village Hall Veteran’s Day Hours: The Village Hall will be closed on November 11th, 2025 in Observance of Veteran’s Day
Village Hall Thanksgiving Holiday Hours: The Village Hall will be closed on November 27th and November 28th, 2025 for the Thanksgiving Holiday
Christmas in Bruce: December 13th, 2025
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 6:32 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer