HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 5/15/1923SPECIAL SPRING MEETING OF BAYFIELD COUNTY BOARD, May 15, 1923.
At Ten' o'clock A. . , the Special Spring Meeting of the Bayfield
County Board of Supervisors was duly called to order by Chairman Donald
C. Bell,
A notice was received from the Town Clerk of the Town of Bell,
stating that i'i. Marion Juel, former Chairman of the Town of Bell, had
resigned and Mr. James Baker was duly appointed by the Town Board of said
town to fill the vacancy. The notice read as follows;
You are hereby notified that on -the lst day of May, 1923, the
following named person was appointed to the office of Chairman in and for
the town of Bell, in the County of Bayfield, ,5disconsin:
James Baker, to fill the vacancy of H. Marion Juel, resigned,
acid that said James Baker has qualified as such Chairman.
DATED this 4th day of May, 1923.
Geo. Jones,
Town Clerk.
On motion, Mr. James Baker was duly admitted as a member of
the County Board, .representing the- tovm of Bell.
Roll Call showed the following members present: Nourse,
Regelein, Pease, Kjarwick, Baker, Karow, Ewing, Soronen, Bartlett,
Curry, Bradfield, Helmer, quires, Yelstrand, Kobelt, Axness, Lawrenz.,
Froney, Taipale, Mihalak, Okerstrom, Habelt, Lamont, Lavin, Tetzner,
Wachsmuth, Boutin, W eizorek, Goulette, Warden,.Arntson, Handberg, Posey,
Potwin and Bell.
The reading of the minutes of the last Annual Meeting held
December 5 and 6, 1922, were, on motion, duly dispensed with and the
minutes on proper motion were duly approved.
It was moved and seconded that an election of Chairman of
the County Board be held --tile election to be conducted by Formal and
Informal ballots. Motion carried.
Chairman Bell appointed as tellers, H. h1ourse and Roy Okerstrom.
Result of the first Informal Ballot was as follows:
H. Wachsmuth Four (4)
0. M. Axness. One (1)
D.C. Bell Sixteen (16)
Geo. Curry One (1)
R:QyxOker.s.trom Two (2)
Soronen Eleven (11)
TOTAL VOTES: Thirty Five (35)
A second informal Ballot was ordered taken. Result of
Second Informal Ballot was as follows:
P. Soronen Seventeen (17)
D. C. Bell Eighteen (18)
TOTAL VOTES: Thirty Five (35)
It was moved and seconded that the second informal ballot
be made Formal. Said motion was carried unanimously --all members
present voting AYE.
As a result of vote, Donald �1. Bell, was duly elected Chairman
of the Bayfield County Board for the ensuing term.
The Board then proceeded in the election of Vice Chairman.
The same Tellers continued to act.
Motion was made and seconded that Peter Soronen be elected
Vice Chairman by Acclamation. Notion carried, all member of the Board
voting AYE.
Peter Soronen, was then duly elected Vice Chairman.
Motion was made and seconded that the Board proceed in the
election of an official paper. Motion carried --all members voting AYE.
Motion was made to make the rate of publication for the
Official Paper of the Board at.$,40 per folio. The motion carried --all
members of the Board voting AYE.
Special Spring meeting of Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923
The result .df-the first informal ballot for the paper was as follows:
Bayfield County Press Four (4)
Bayfield Pfogress Five 5)
Iron River Pioneer Two �2)
WashbUtne r Nevus Five ( 5 )
Washburn Times Nineteen (19)
A motion was made that the Informal Ballot be made Formal. Motion
carried. Result of vote: AYES: All. Nay: Toone.
As a result of the election, the Washburn Times continued to be
the Official Paper for Bayfield County for the ensuing year.
It was moved and seconded that a Trustee representing Bayfield
County in the Tri-County Sanatorium, be elected: Motion carried.
Motion was then made that J. P. OiMalley be re-elected Trustee
of the Pure Air Sanatorium for next year.
AYES: 35.
NAYS: none.
J. P. O'Malley was therefore re-elected Trustee representing
Bayfield County in the Pure Air Sanatorium.
The Board then proceeded in the election ofa County Clerk, a
vacancy having been caused by the death of the former Clerk, Mr. J.. Yderstad.
The following applications were thereupon read: �
Town of Eileen,
Bayfield County
To the Members of the Bayfield County Board:
I hereby present my name for your camsideration
to fill the unexpired term of County Clerk.
Briefly, I may state that I have been a resident
of Bayfield County for the past fourteen years; previous
to which I was engaged in the newspaper and publishing
business in Ashland. Also filled the position as Physical
Director of the Public achools of that city. Have served
on the Town Board of the Town of Eileen for three terms,
and have always''stood for good and economical government.
While I may not be as widely known as others
in our County, I have nevertheless been brought in -contact
with our various County Officials, to advance the: interests
of our County, agriculturally, morally and educationally,
as doubtless these officials will vouch for if questioned
concerning these problems in their various departments.
I feel confident that if elected, I will fill this
important office efficie-ntly and to the best interests of
the taxpayers of this County. If integrity, ability and
capacity for;vmrk are any recommendations, am certain that
your judgment -will not be amiss if you elect me to fill
the unexpired term.
Yours for -the best interests of Bayfield County.
R. B. Achilles.
May 14, 1923
To the Honorable Bayfield County -Board:
I hereby tender my application to the appointment
of County Clerk of Bayfield County.
Ludwig Tranmal.
J
621
Special Meeting of Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923
April 23, 1923
To the Hon. Board -of Supervisors,
Bayfield County,
Washburn, Wis.
Gentlemen-:
I hereby make application for the position
of County Clerk to fill -the -vacancy that now exists.
I have served several years, -as a .,member of the County
Board'andits various committees, and have had consi-
derable experience- in town and school affairs having
served in nearly every office.
I have had several years experience in
accounting, having served several years as assistant
auditor for the Great Northern RailRoad at the
Minneapolis Union Depot, have also served about five
years as Sec.-Treas. of the Bayfield National Farm Loan
Association where my accounts have been -under Federal
Inspection.
Owing to the experience I have had as above
mentioned, I feel confident that I an qualified for
the above mentioned office, and if appointed, will
endeavor to carry on -the office in a business -like
manner.
J
Thanking you in advance, for your -kindest
consideration in regard to my application,- I remain
Very truly yours.,
11 C . W. Sinith.
Washburn, Wis.
May 12 , . 19-23
To the Han. Board of Supervisors,
Bayfield,County, Wisconsin.
Gentlemen:
I submit to you herewith my application
to be appointed County Clerk of Bayfield County,
and ask your candid consideration of the same.
Respectfully yours,
F. A. Bell.
Washburn, Wis.
May 14, 1923
To the Hon. 'County Board,
Bayfield County_; Wisconsin
Ge n tl eme n : .
I hereby make application for the -appoint-
ment to the off ice of County Clerk, and if elected,
will endeavor to fill the office -w'ith satisfaction --
to all.
Yours respectfully;
Geo. Y. Morgan.
Bayfield, Wis:
May 14, 1923
To the Chairman and Members of the
Bayfield County Board,
ffashburn, Wis.
Gentleman:
I hereby, make apylicati'on'for` the appointment
as County Clerk for -the unexpired term of J. Yderstad.
I have resided in the Town of Bayfield for
the last ei'ght years and have been Town Clerk for the
past two years.
I have had fifteen years experience in
accounting.of various kinds and feel confident that I
can fill the position as County Clerk to your satisfaction.
Yours truly,
E. L. Holston,
Special Spring Meeting of Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923.
Washburn, Wis.
May 14, 1923
Mr. Chairman and Members of Bayfield County Board,
Gentlemen:
I submit for your consideration my application
for the County -.clerkship; Appointment of same to be
made by the County Board. In brief, my, qualifications
which I feel fit me for the position are as follows:
I was born and raised in Bayfield County.
I'am 28 years of age, married and have a family.
I am a graduate of the 'NPrJashburn High School,
and the New Era Business College of Superior, Wis.
I have been employed by the DuPont Company in
their accounting department since 1915.
Yours truly,
Levi Anderson.
Mr. E. 1'. Daniels, of Iron River, and A. M.. Warden, of
Washburn, made verbal application for the office of
County Clerk, thus making nine(9) applicants for the
office.
After the reading of the applications, the Board proceeded
in the election of a County -Clerk. The same tellers, Mr. Okerstrom
and Mr.. Nourse, continued to act.
Result of the First Informal Ballot:
E. L. Holston, Two (2); Levi Anderson, Four (4); Geo. F.
Morgan, One (1); F. A. Bell, Three (3); C. W. Smith, Five"(5);
A. B. Achilles, Three (3); L. Tranmal, Ten (10); E. F. Daniels,
Four (4); A. M. Warden, Three. (3). Total votes, 35.
No Choice.
Result of Second Informal Ballot:
E. L.
Holston, One (1);
Levi
Anderson, Two (2:); Geo. i". Morgan,
None; F. A.
Bell, Three (3);
C. W.
Smith, Four (4); A. B. «chilles,
Four L.
Tranmal, Twelve,
(12);
E. F. Daniels, Five (5);
,(4);
A. M. Warden,
Four (4); Total
vote,
35.
No choice.
Result of Third Informal Ballot:
E. 1'. Daniels, Six (6); L. Tranmal, .Fifteen (15); F. A. Bell,
Two (2); A. M. Warden, Three (3) L. Anderson, One (1); C. 1. Smith,
Four (4); A. B. Achilles, Four (4). Total vote, 35.
1'o selection.
Motion was then made, that the Fourth"Informal Ballot be
taken into consideration as to selecting the four highest candidates
to remain in the race --the remainder of the -candidates to be dropped.
Motion carried.
Result of Fourth Informal Ballot:
E. F. Daniels, Four (4) L. Tranmal, Sixteen (16); F. A. Bell,
Two (2); A. M. Warden, Two, (21; L. Anderson, One (1); C. W. Smith,
Four (4); .A. B. Achilles, Four (4).
,As a result of this ballot, Daniels, Tranmal, Smith.and Achilles
remained in the race.
Result of Fifth Informal Ballot:
E. F. Daniels, Six (6); Ludwig Tranmal, Twenty -Two (22);
C. W. Smith, Four (4); A. B. Achilles,,Three (3). Total vote, 35.
Motion was made and seconded that the Fourth Informal Ballot
be made Formal and Ludwig Tranmal be 4he duly elected County Clerk
of Bayfield County. Motion carried unanimously.
r 623
Special Spring Meeting of Bayfield County Boa_°d, flay 15, 1923
B
The following is a.report from the Road and Bridge Committee:
To the Mlem.bers of the County Board of Bayfield County,
Gentlemen:
`ffe beg to submit the following report concerning
matters that have come before us up to this time.
1. The dam of -the Iron River Light & Power- Company, went
out in December, and swept away -a considerable section -of
State Highway No. 10 just West of Iron River. Immediately
upon hearing of this washout, Commissioner Friberg and
your Committee notified the Division Engineer and.District
Attorney and called a meeting at Iron River. We have held
several other meetings in connection with this matter,
attempting to arrive at some basis of joint re -construction
with the Iron River Light 6 Power Company, ascertaining
if' there is any cause for action for damages against the
Light &. Power Company, and attempting to get estimates of
cost of re -locating the. State Highway so as to avoid any
connection with the Light I Power Company.- The District
Attorney will advise you as to liability of the Light and
Power Company and it is then for the Board to 'decide as
to whether or not you want any action for damages started
against the Light & Power, Company and T. F.-Machrniller,
as your Committee has no° authority to commence any legal
action for the County. We have attempted to obtain all
information ,possible as to the best solution of this
problem and for that reason w-e have as yet made no
arrangements for reconstruction. A report of estimates
of cost of-,re-constructi�:n at the old location will be
available from, the Division Engineer. The new location
will take in some right-of-way of the Northern Pacific.
Railway and the Railroad Company has informed us that
they will grant us this right-of-way. Mr. 1acklifiller,
of the Light & Power. Company, strongly maintained up to
a short time ago, that he�wculd stand no part of the
cost of re -construction. After we had obtained figures
and were considering seriously taAtn�41r11,ce�tiQz�-:oelAn>e
bhe-�. dam arld tpower;:house,, eheo-i s -!,now'-apparently indl fined'.. Ir
to stand some portion of the cost of re -construction -
at the old location. As the re-construction°at this
point will take up'a considerable part of the summer and
it was absolutely necessary to provide some detour so
as to permit through travel on Highway No. 10, and as
ouR Commissioner estimated that it would cost at least
a thousand dollars to provide a detour at. any place
and as the ddtour known as the Fair Grounds road was
the mast suitable, we made an agreement with -the Town of
Iron River that°we would pay not exceeding 61,000.00 towards
th_ecost of a wooden bridge across Iron River on the so-
called Fair Grounds road anduse this road as a detour.
An Agreement was drawn up by the District Attorney and
Attorney Sauve, the latter for the Town of Iron River.
This agreement being signed by the Town Board of Iron
River and your Committee and specified that we would stand
up to a $1,00.0.00 of"the cost of.the new bridge, and in
consideration of this, the Town of Iron River agreed not to
take advantage of the County Aid law for town bridges
for a period of at least ten years at this location,
2. We held a meeting with Division Maintenance Engineer
herlock and made up the maintenance budget for the year
as follows
Patrolmen $26,880:00
Extra help 2,500.00
Signs and marking 1,000.00
Patrol Supt. Budget 2,000.00
Gang maintenance- 15 428.00
Total ,'47,808.00
Of the Gang Maintenance money, the following allotments
have been made:
Highway No. 13 South of Nash 6 miles grading $3,000.00
surfacing 4,500.00
Highway No. 13 North of 71ashburn 1 mile grading 300.00
surfacing 1,000.00
culverts 200.00
Highway No. 13 at Red Cliff, 2 miles surfacing 2,000.00
Herbster lq, " " 500.00
Total $11,500.00
- The remainder of the Gang Maintenance Money, about $4,000.00
has not been assigned.
r
Special Meeting of The Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923
3. After consultation with 11Ir.'.Sherlock and considering
that we have thirty-five (35) patrolment on full time
and as the Commissioner's time is fully taken up with other
work so that these patrolmen-,', could no,t have the supervision
they should have under former arrangements, o,,e d6cided
to engage a Patrol Superintendent, Fixing his salary at 0125.00
per month and necessary expenses in traveling. This
ex,;)ense comes out of the auto license money or maintenance
budget. We believe this is a good investment asit furnishes
the best supervision over the pattolmen and has already
had noticeable effect. We believe we were fortunate in
obtaining for this.position, Mr. Marry B. Curry, a young
man. of'experience and ability in this line of work.
4. We were called to Superior on May 2nd to let the contract for
the Grandview to Drummond Federal Aid project. This was let to
the Ross Paulson Company of Granton, Wisconsin for a total
sum of $59,268.70, of which one third or $19,756.24 is paid
for by the County, one-third by the State and one-third by
the Federal Government. This money was made available
in 1921, being a part of the bond -issue and the County's
estimate share of that time was in the neighborhood of
$22,000.00,.so there ought to be some money left over on
this project. Anyone interested in the bids on this project -
will find a copy of -same in the Commissioner-'s office.
5. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the Resolution passed
by your Boaril for hiring of County machinery by towns
must follow the following rules:
1. Applications must be filed with the Highway Commissioner
and will be allowed in the order received.
2,.. In -grading of new roads inspection of same will be made
by County -Highway Commissioner before- s tarti,ng• work b %
County machinery.
3. The Town shall furnish boarding place for tractor and
grader operators and see that oil and gas is brought
out to them.
4. As the season is late this year, and there is consider-
able County work to do, County machinery may not be
available for the TaTins to any great extent:
6. Copy of letter from State Highway Commission in -re Sioux
River Bridge.
Mr. John Friberg, Highway Comr.
Bayfield County, Wisconsin
Dear Sir:
Subject: Sioux River Bridge.
Ne were requested by you some time ago to furnish you
with an estimate of cost for rebuilding the above bridge
on the present site, and also the estimated cost for build-
ing a structure on the section line. We have prepared these
estimates as requested. At the present location we have esti-
mated the cost of a steel arch having a span of 150 feet
with a, rise of 25 feet. There are three 1:6' I-beam approach
spans on each end of this structure. The roadway is 201.
We estimate a structure of the kind including 10% for
incidentals and inspections, to be about v20,000.00.
This figure is for the bridge only and there possibly
should be some allowance for earth work and the approaches.'
This estimate is based on the assumption that the new
structure is -just far enough below the present bridge to
clear - the old bridge.
We also have an stimate for a proposition running -
through on the section line. We have held to a 6% approach
on both sides and have provided for a drainage structure
which provides for the same area of waterway at this point
as exists at the present locati°on during highwater. We
would estimate the cost of a proposition of this sort to
be around $70,000.00. This figure also includes 10%
for incidentals and inspection. We are sexiing to you z,
enclosed a print of our drawing X586 which shows the
general outline of the steel arch which we propose to use
at the present location. We will do nothing further toward
preparing plans for*this structure until we hear from you.
Very truly yours,
C. H. Kurch,
Ass't. Bridge Engineer.
625
Special Spring Meeting of Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923
John Friberg.
County•Highway Commissioner.
Respectfully submitted,
E. F. Daniels,
0. M. A.xne s s,
Peter Soronen,
County Road and Bridge Committee.
Motion made and seconded that the above report of the Road
and Bridge._Committee be accept-ed and placed on file. Motion carried unan-
imously.
The following communication from the District Attorney was
thereby read as follows: _
May 9, 1923
Mr. 0. M. Axness,
Vason, Vis.
Dear air:
As
I shall not be able to attend the County Board
meeting to be -held next Tuesday,.I am herewith submitting to
you a statement of the situation in regard to the loss of. the
highway fill:at Iron River, which was destroyed by flood last
December,,insofar as such situation -appears to require a report
from me.
t
Immediately upon information of thedestruction of
the highway at Iron River, I attended a -meeting of the Road
and Bridge Committee at Iron River, to ascertain, if possible,
the extent of the damage and the cause thereof. %We inspected
the part of the Highway which was so destroyed and also
inspected the reservoir dam some distance above the highway,
the breaking of which caused the flood which destroyed the
fill. We found that the water, at the reservoir dam had
been raised considerably above the previous levels maintained
at that dam. The reservoir has a very large area for storing
an enormous quantity of water. The markings on the bank and
trees showed that the ice had formed on the surface of the
reservoir at a considerably higher level than had previously
been maintained at that dam.. We also found that several
additional flash boards had been placed on the dam previous
to the breaking in order to increase the quantity of water
while repairs were being made on the generator operated by
water power at the -Iron River light plant. The dam is a
very old dam and was- not properly supported -nor strengthened .
so as -to withstand the increased pressure upon it caused by such
increase in height of the water and consequently it gave way.
The breaking of this dam was, the cause of the destruction of
the highway below. It -is my opinion that the Iron River Light
and Water Company, together with the manager and- agents �of
the Company, -who actively participated in the. maintenance of-
the.increased level of water in the storage reservoir are
liable for the loss caused to the County by the destruction
o'f the highway at that point.
I cannot give the County Board any assurance as to
the financial ability of any of,the persons who may be liable
for such damage, nor whether judgment if obtained against
them can be,collected. However, I presume that if judgment
can be obtained against them, such judgment -can be�collected.
At a subsequent meeting of the -Road and Bridge
Committee at Iron River, Mr. Mackmiller, manager of the
Light and 4'Tater Plant, together-witth C. F. Morris, his attorney,
attended the meeting of the committee, at which time a dis-
cussion was.had as to the liability of the company for the
damage --caused by the breaking of the reservoir, and also
there was a discussion as to the terms on which a re-
building of the.dam and highway as one construction operation
might be resumed. The Light and Water Plant, through Mr.
Morris as its attorney, categorically denied any liability
on its part for the loss caused by the breaking of this dam.
- - I would recommend that an action be maintained
against the persons who may be found to be liable, as
stated above, such action to be commenced at such time as may
be deemed advisable by the Road and Bridge. Committee, or'by
the District Attorney, as the County Board prefers. The action to be
maintained to recover all damages for which the defendants may be
found liable on the destruction of State Highway 10 at Iron -River,
as aforesaid. I am submitting herewith a proposed farm of
resolution, which the County Board might adopt or if not in
satisfactory form, it may be readily changed to conform to
the wishes of the County Board, when action is.taken.
Very sincerely yours,
John U. Fisher
District Attorney.
626
Special Spring Meeting of Bayfield County Board, May 15, 19,3
Motion was made and seconded that the opinion -of the
District Attorney be accepted as read, and placed on file together with
tho report of the Road and Bridge Committee. Motion carried unanimously.
The following resolution was thereupon duly read:
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Board has been advised by
the District Attorney that Bayfield Counts has a cause of action
against the owner, or owners of storage dam at Iron River, known
as the Mud Lake Dam.
NOW THEREFORE BE'IT RESOLVED, that the district attorney
of Bayfield-County be,.and_ he_.is_hereby authorized and directed
to commence an action for damages suffered by Bayfie'ld County
on account of the destruction of a portion of State Trunk Highway
No. 10, in the Town of Iron River, by reason of the breaking and
giving away of said storage dam, said action . to be coi7i menced
against such corporations or persons. as, may in the judgment of
said District Attorney be liable in damages for.the destruction
of said.highway; the said action shall be commenced by said
District Attorney�at-such time as he may deem it advisable to
do so.
DATED May 15th, 1923.
H. Lamont.
The above resolution ae1presented by Mr. Lamont, was adopted
by the following vote:
J
AYES: Nourse, Regelein, Pease, Kjarwick, Baker, 1sarow,
Ewing, Soronen, .Bartlett, Curry, Bradfield, Helmer, Squires,
Melstrand, Kobelt, Axness, Lawrenz, Froney, Taipale, Mihalak,
Okerstroml, Habelt, Lamont, Lavin, Tetzner, achsmnuth, Boutin,
Weizorek, Goulette,-Warden,.Arntson, Handberg, Posey, Potvin,
Bell.
NAYS,: None.
Mr. J. R. McCl� n-, Division Highway Engineer of this
Northern Division No. 8, gave an interesting and enlightening
communication to the County Board concerning the reconstruction
of Highway No. 10, near Iron River, which was washed out
by the breaking of the Mud Lake Dam.
Motion was then made and seconded that the Board adjourn
for one hour at noon. Motion carried.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bell at 1:30
P. M.. Roll Call showed the following members present: -
Nourse, Regelein, .Pease, Kjarwick, Baker, Karow, Fwing, Soronen,
Bartlett, Curry, Bradfield, =gelmer, _ Squires, !�-- elstrand, Kobelt,
Axness, Lawrenz, Froney, laipale, Mihalak, Okerstrom, Habelt,
Lamont, Lavin, Tetzner, Wachsmuth, Boutin, rIeia:orek, Goulette,
Warden, .Arntson, Handberg, Posey, P.otvin,' Bell.
Motion was made and seconded that the bridge across
Sioux River in Township forty-nine (49), Range five (5), known
as the Sioux River Bridge on the Four Mile Creek Road, -remain
in the same place. -_ Metion carried unanimously.
The following communication from J. J.Fisher, District
Attorney, in reply to an inquiry concerning the fund from which
the salaries of the Highway Commissioner and his assistants should
be paid, was thereby_ read as -follows:
May 10, 1923
Mr. John Friberg,
Washburn, Wis .
Dear Sir:
Replying to -your inquiry regarding the fund from
which the salary and expenses of yourself and your assistants -
shall be paid, I would say that I have considered the statement
made to you last December by C. F. Morris, then District
Attorney4 and I have looked up the statiAt(:e in relation to the
question.
62'r
Special Spring Election Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923
It is my opinion that Mr. blo ris's statement is
correct, and that the salary and--traveling-expenses of yourself
and y_,ur assistants must be paid out of the general fund of"
Bayfield County, and cannot be paid out of the County Road and
Bridge Fund. My reason for this is that the statute establish-
ing the _office of Counter Highway Commissioner specifically
provides that your salary.and traveling expenses must be paid,
from the general funds of the County. Where specific direction
for the performance of an act is given by statute, we cannot
deviate from those directions.; but must--observe-and follow
them. Since the fund from which you are to be paid is desig-
hated by statute there will be no warrant or authority for
making payment of such salary for expenses out of any other
fund. Mr. Morris'.s letter is returned herewith.
Very sincerely yours,
JOHN J. FISHER
District Attorney.
December 22, 1922.
Mr. Jchn Friberg,
County Highway Commissioner,
Washburn, Wis.
Dear Sir:
In answer to your inquiry whether your salary as
County Highway Commissioner -is payable out of the two
mill tax voted by the County Board for Highway purposes,
or out of the general funds of the county, I beg to
advise that I am of the opinion that your salary is payable
out of the general fund, and cannot be taken from the County
Road and Bridge Fund, Paragraph (c) of section 1317m-6.2
of the statutes provides:
"The salary and the necessary traveling expenses
of the County Highway OTommissioner and his
assistants shall,be paid monthly out of the
general funds of the county, after being audited
and approved by the county committee."
Sub-Saction six of section 1317-4 of the Statutes provides:
"County Board shall each year levy a tax of not
over two mills on the dollar on all taxable
property in the county to maintain the county
road and bridge,fund. Such tax shall be in addition
to all other highway taxes and shall be kept in
a fund known as the county road and bridge fund,
separate and distincttfrom the general funds
of the county; and expenditures from it shall
be made only for the purpose of constructing
and maintaining highways and bridges in accordance
with the provisions of this act and for the pur-
pose ofpurchasing, operating or renting, and
maintaining machinery, quarries, and gravel pits
used in such construction and maintenance."
This language is too plain for interpretation. Tt
means just what. it says. Your salary, and the salary of your
assistants should not be paid out of the two mill county
Road and Bridge fund.
Yours truly,
C. F. Morris.
Motion made and -seconded that the foregoing opinion of the
District Attorney be placed on file. and the County Clerk be
instructed to abide by said opinion. Motion carried unanimously.
The follo-vjing motion introduced by Roy Ii. Okerstrom, was on
proper motion, duly passed and ordered to be placed on file:
BE IT RESOLVED, by the County Board of Bayfield County,
assembled in session this 15th day,of May, 1923, that the action
of the Road and Bridge Uommittee in closing certain portions of
the State and County Highways to heavy bus and truck traffic
during the period these roads are•in need of special attention
for the purpose of maintaining them suitable for ordinary traffic,
be, and said action, is hereby commended, 'and
Special Spring Tuleeting, Bayfield County Board, lilay 15, 1923
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it be the sense of this
Board that such action be taken.b y such Road and Bridge
Committee, or other duly authorized officials of this County,
whensoever the conditions of said roads require.
Respectfully submitted this 15th day of May, 1923.
SIGNED: Roy H. Okerstrom.
The following report of a special committee appointed to
investigate a resolution as presented at the annual meeting of the
Board in December, 1922, was thereupon read as follows:
May 15, 1923
Mashburn, Wisconsin
We, the undersigned committee appointed to investigate
the Resolution presented at your last meeting proposed to
detach 'Sections one (1) to Six (6) inclusive in Township 46-6
from the Town of Mason and attaching same to the Town -.of Keystone
beg to report as follows:
We held a hearing in the Town of Mason on Friday,
I - Tay llth, after posting notices at 14ason and Benoit to the
effect wherein we heard arguments for and against this
resolution. At that hearing, we found that there were only
three resident tax payers there who favored the Resolution,
and three non-resident tax payers who residecl in the Town
of Keystone and owned land adjoining in the Town of Mason
who favored the Resolution. The remainder appearing before
your committee were opposed to the Resolution. In checking
over the amount of acreage cleared and total acreage represented
by those at the hearing, we find that farmers owning
306 acres cultivated and 872 acres wild land opposed this
change and farmers owning 70 acres of plowed land and 167
acres of wild land represented those favoring the Resolution.
We attach hereto as a part of this report a Resolution
passed at the annual meeting in the Town of Ya.son and also a
petition from settlers living in the territory proposed to
be set off opposed to the detaching of said sections. We find that
a majority of the farmers and taxpayers of said territory are
opposed to.the change and desire to remain in the Town of
Mason. We find that the only ones who seem to favor it being
set off reside immediately adjoining Benoit station.
We also ascertained that as far as the distribution of
road money and scht-.ol service was concerned, that this Section
of the Town of Mason had been treated fairly and had received their
just proportion of expenditures. In view of the above after
careful consideration, we recommend to your body that the
Resolution proposed to detach said Sections from the Town of
Mason and attach same to the Ton of keystone be not granted.
We are of the opinion that the statement contained in the
Resolution passed at the Annual Meeting in the town of Mason is
a fair solution and that the same should be considered as a
very good reason for leaving Township 46-6 intact.
Vie therefore move that the Resolution above referred to
be not. adopted.
H . Lamont _
E. i'. Daniels
Martin Johnson.
Motion was made and seconded, that the above resolution or
report be accepted and placed on file. Motion carried.
Motion was also made that the petition of the tax payers of
the Town of Keystone concerning the above resolution be
rejected. Motion was •duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The following pet-ition of the Town of Clover, was thereby duly
read:
To the County Board of Bayfield County:
The petition of the undersigned town board of the town of
Clover,- County of Bayfield, respectfully represents that on
the 18th day of April, 190:3, at the adjourned annual meeting
of said town, the electors thereof voted to construct a bridge
lying wholly within said town, as described in the resolution here-
inafter mentioned; that at the same time due provision was made
7
Special Spring Meeting of Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923
for the payment by. the said town of Clover of the proportion of
the cost of constructing such bridge required by law to be paid
by the said town; as appears from the following,, which is a true
copy of said resolution:
"RESOLVED, by the qualified electors of the town of Clover,
County of Bayfield, duly assembled in adjourned annual town
meeting, this 21st-day of April, 1923, that the town board of
said town, be, and it is hereby authorized to construct a bridge
lying wholly within said town, over the -Cranberry --river at a
point where the Section line between Section 20 and Section 29
crosses the river, at.a total cost not exceeding 5,000.00, to be
defrayed in part by the said town of Clover, and in part by the
County of Bayfield, as provided by law; and the said town board
is hereby directed to levy a direct annual tax sufficient to pay
the -proportion of such -cost so to� be paid by the town of Clover, and
to take such action as may be required by law in order to secure
an appropriation 'by the county of Bayfield to pay the proportion
of such cost required by law to be paid by said -county.
AND FURTHER, that the total valuation of said town of Clover,
according to the last assessment, as equalized bSr, the County Board
on the 5th day of-'eceijiber, 1922, was 754,305."
Wherefore your petitioners pray for an appropriation to
be made by the'said county of Bayfield, to aid the construction
of such bridge as provided by law.
DATED this loth day of Ray, 1923.
PETER SOROPEN
JOHN FORSBERG
E. R. PHILLIPS
Motion made and seconded that the above petition of the town of
Clover be referred to the Finance and Budget Committee to be brought
up at the Fall meeting. Motion carried.
The following report of the Special Committee appointed to
investigate road in the Town of Keystone was thereby duly read as
follows:
REPORT of Special Load Committee to investigate road in
Town of Keystone starting one-half (2) mile north of Benoit,
thence running Tallest four and three=fourths (4 3/4) miles
and nother one-half ( 2) mile to the Mason-Ino Road.
To the Hon. Members of the Bayfield County Board,
U`entlemen:
The committee found the road in a rather poor condition,
to be acceptable for transfer to our secondary system. The
first one-half (2) mile being in a fari condition but far
from wide enough to meet Bayfield County 6 tandard. The next
four and three -fourths miles (4 3/4) were more or less 10sa.,ne condit(r t,4
lots of -rocks, narrow, poorly ditched, and contained a -number
of wooden culverts, also an old wooden bridge over .Fish Creek
with about sixteen (16) foot span. This bridge would need to
be eeplaced almost immedia.ely we-e it placed on the County
aecondasy System. The last half mile was much the same as
the first half mile,- the main drawback being too narrow. In
all, we found nine corrugated galvanized culverts and eleven wooden
ones, and the general shape or condition of the entire road would not
warrant a recommendation from this committee to have same placed'
o'n the Bayfield County S-econdary System.
a
It would cost our County.at least $5,000.00 to get this
road in shape to come up to standard requirements, and under
the circumstances, -,=,e cannot recommend its transfer from town
to County, but -we do, however, recommendo:a postponement since
we were informed'by the town chairman, Mr. A. P. Melstrand, that
they would do'considerable work on it during the present
road building season and would endeavor to bring it up to
standard.'
Respectfully submitted,
E. R. Tetzner
'T. L. Bradfield
Otto Regelein
Motion was made and seconded that the report be placed on file
to be brought up at the Annual fall Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
630 Special Spring Meeting of Bayfield County hoard, !day 15, 1923
The following petition of L.D. Pease, was thereby read as follows:
Washburn, ',J7i s .
May 15, 1923
County Board of Supervisors,
Bayfield County, Wis.
Gentlemen:
Petition is hereby made that the road running due
West from the Center of Section twenty-eight (28), Township
Forty -Five (45) North lunge Nine (9) west, and connecting
with the Douglas County Trunk Line A, at the West quarter(g)
post of Section thirty (30) be made a part of the -secondary
system of Bayfield County., Wisconsin.
L. D. Pease.
A motion was made and duly seconded that a committee be appointed
to investigate the proposition and report at the Fall meeting. Motion
carried. The Chairman.appointed as a committee of three to act
on the matter: Geo. z1. Curry, Mm. Arntson and S. E. Squires:
A petition signed by ten i:ax-payers of the Town of Namekagon
was thereupon duly read:
To the County Board of Bayfield County:
We, the undersigned citizens and land owners of the
Town and village of Namekagon, do '_Hereby petition your
Honerable Body to change the routing of County Trunk (D)
between Cable and Grand View, to run North through the
town and village of Namekagon, thence North through
Section (6) Township Forty-three (43) and Section thirty-
one (31) in Township forty-four (44). thence in a
westerly direction to the intersection of Trunk line
as at present located or known as the school house corner.
This improvement will benefit the agricultural interests
also add to the development of this part of the country and
will be a better, safer and more level road especially
as far as tourists from the East are concerned.
SIGNED: Ten tax payers.
Motion was duly made and seconded, that the proposition be
referred to the Load and Bridge Committee, with full authority
to make the change. Motion carried.
Resolution of 71m. Potwin, was thereby read:
WHEREAS, at an adjourned annual meeting of the County
Board of Bayfield County, there appears to have been a
resolution offered by.one member -of said body and apparently
was passed by this Board, and the Tri-County Sanatorium
being a combination of three of the most northern counties
and built by the moneys collected by Ashland, Bayfield and
iron Counties, do not believe it -to be right or just that
anyone County should pass such a resolution without first
bringing the attention to the several "county boards, and that
where there is necessity for any criticism that not only
the several county boards, but the superintendent and all
concerned in the management should be heard, and
111HEREAS, it was then and now is the sense of the
majority of the Bayfield County Board, that Dr. M. 0. Hosmer,
was a good and efficient advisor both to the patients and
employees, and that had his instructions been carried out,
that all would have been benefited there7py, it is further
the sense of this Special Meeting, May 15, 1923, to right
th.e wrong that has been done, not only to .Dr. M. S. Hosmer, but
to the several County Boards who are interested in the
Sanatorium, and
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board that the resolution herein
referred to be, and the same is hereby rescinded.
DATED, this 15th day of May, 1923.
SIGNED:
1,11E. P o t,rr in .
Motion was made and duly seconded that this resolution be
laid on the table. Motion was lost --the NAYS having the majority.
Special Spring Ieeting, Bayfield County Board !,,lay 15, 1923
1+11otion made and seconded to appoint a committee of three to in-
vestigate t?iis resolution and report immediately. 1,11otion carried. The
Chairman appointed on this committee; Franey, 1'otwin, and 1'aipale.
Upon hearing the report, a itotion was made and seconded by the
Board to disregard entirely the report of committee concerning the
sanatorium and resolution made in regard to Dr. Hosmer and allow the
matter to drop. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Tdir. Geo. Cup^ry, that the question of location of
that portion of State Trunk Highway, No. 1.0, crossing Iron River near
the village of iron River, be left entirely in the hands of the Road
and Bridge Co=,iittee and Highway Commissioner, together with Division
Engineer Mr. McClean, and that they be given full authority to act in
the matter.
Motion duly seconded and- passed.
The following resolution was thereupon read as follows:
`,gash burn, 'rfisconsin"ay 15, 1923
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of Bayfield County, that
Sections one (1s) to six (6) inclusive, Township Forty -rive (45),
Range Six (6) (Section l to 6-45-6), be, and are hereby detached
from the Town of Lason and attached to the Town of Pratt. in said
County. 13E IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall
take effect commencing with assessment of Mlay 1, 1924.
SIGNED: Alois F-labelt
0. M. Axness.
Motion made and seconded that this resolution b,e adopted. 1.1otion
carried unanimously.
The following resolution or petition signed by certain tax -payers
of the town of 'vdashburn, was thereupon read: '
To the County Board of Bayfield County,
State of �r'Jisconsin .
Gentlemen:
" The undersigned freeholders and residents of
said County,,do hereby petition your honorable body to open and
put in reasonable condition for travel, the public highway running
from the South -`!Vest corner of the MV of NVdj of Section Pour (4) ,
in Township forty-E'ight.(48), Range Five (51, thence running `Nest
to the center of Section five (5) in said Township and range,
a distance of one-half mile.
That said highway was laid out and brushed:.ln11921
by the town board of the town of 'Washburn, within which town the
said road is located, but said town board has refused and neglected
to open up and put in reasonable condition for travel said highway
for more than one year, and that after repeated_ solicitations it has
been impossible to get any action by said town board;
That this petition is made as by 6ection 1338, provided
as the only means of securing attention, and your Honorable Body is
hereby urged to take immediate action in said matter -as by said
Section 1338, provided as some of the people dependent upon this
highway for communication with the outside world have lived in -the
vicinity for eighteen years, and it is time that relief was had.
Dated, May 14th, 1923.
SIGNED: Seventeen Tax -Payers
Toy=an of Hashburn .
After.a considerable amount of discussion on the subject,
a motion was made and seconded that the resolution be rejected.
Motion carried unanimously.
f,32
Special Spring Meeting Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923
The following communication from R. W. Smith,' County Treasurer,
was thereupon read as follows:
'Washburn, `talis . May 11, 1923
Finance Committee,
Board of Supervisors,
Bayfield County, Wis.
Gentlemen:
Before the Annual Meeting of the County :Board
last Fall, I presented -to your Committee a budget for the year
1923 of �3,500;00 to run the office of the County Treasurer.
This amount was for some reason cut to 3,000.00, by your.
Committee. As all other items of the budget were the customary
items of expense, which cannot 'be reduced in any way, I took
it for granted that your Committee had decided that my request for
a full-time clerk should not be allowed. So I advised the Board
by letter that my resignation would be tendered at the -Spring
Meeting.
I was criticised by some of the Board members
after the meeting for not going before the Board when your
committee cut my request for a full time clerk, but it seemed
to me that your Committee should be much better posted than
the average Board member and that you should recommend to the
Board a fair budget for each County office. I did not, and do
not, believe that the $3,000.00 recommended by your Committee
to be a fair budget, and I am writing this to you as a request
to reconsider your action of last fall, and that you recommend to
the Board at it's meeting on 1'y'iay 15th the allowance to me of an
additional$500.00 for clerk hire for the year 1923.
In asking.for this action by your committee,
I wish to call your attention to certain facts andffigures relative
to the operation of the Treasurer's office.
FIRST: Prior to the year 1921, all of the
redemption of tax certificates were -handled -in the office of
the County Clerk. Vlith the installation of the present
system, this work was transferred to the Treasurer's office and
now, due to three years of abnormally -large delinquent tax
returns, has increased the work of the office to such an
extent that a Treasurer could easily keep two full time clerks
and himself busy.
SECOND: For the year ending Nov. 1, 1921,
the fees and penalties collected by the former treasurer,
Alfred Froseth, amounted to approximately $11,900.00. These fees
and penalties are set by State laws to cover the e--pense of
the collection of delinquent taxes. The year 1921, was, up
to that time, the heaviest year in the previous thirty years
and Mr. Froseth, drawing a salary of j2,000.00 a year and
+?800.00 clerk hire, resigned. In the year 1922, the writer
collected in fees and penalties approximately $14,300.00, or
d2,400.00 more than in 1921. After deducting allexpenses,
incidental to tax collections and salaries to the Treasurer and
his clerks, the office earned for the County a clear sum of
$6,000.00 in the year 1922. Does it seem fair to you,,not
to allow an ,officer enough help to properly run his office
when he earns you, net,6,000.00 a year?
THIRD: The delinquent rolls returned by
the various Town and Cities this year include about the same
number of delinquent taxes as last year. So we have three years in
succession of abnormally large delinquent returns and a resultant
accumulation of unpaid taxes that will require years of busy work
in the Treasurer's office before conditions will be normal again.
All the funds expended by the Uounty must be collected by the
County Treasurer first, andit seems to me that the board should
supply enough clerical help to properly run his office:tvr if O
cannotydo the work as it should be done, l do not want to.do.it
at all, and I certain::y cannot run the office satisfactorily_
without,. at least, one full time clerk.
Yours very respectfully,
R. 'U. Smith.
Co. Trews.
"ie recommend that the County Treasurer be granted 500.00
additional clerk hire for 1923--total of 5?900.00 for clerk hire,
same to be paid out of the Contingent Fund.
SIGNED: 0. M. Axness, H. R. Tetzner, Roy Okerstrom, E. F.
Daniels and H. Lamont.
Finance Committee.
3
Special Spring Meeting of the Bayfield County Board, May 15, 1923
!
— -- ----- --__ _-- -- ---------------------------
0
In accordance to the foregoing resolution as offered by
the finance Committee, a motion was made and seconded that the
allowance of an additional ,1500.00 be granted the County Treasurer
for clerk hire for 19123. Motion carried unanimously.
The following motion was presented:
BE IT R•ESO,LVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD, that the County Clerk
and County_ Treasurer.. be - instructed to proceed at once in accordance
with -a resolution adopted at the County Board meeting, -1 arch 14, 19�jS,
and recorded on page 554 of County 131.ard. minutes, Volume 5, and that
the Finance and Budget Committee be.instructed to see that the
desire of -this County Board is carried out and report at next meeting
of the Board.
Dated this 15th day of lvay, 1923.
SIGNED: 0. M. Axness.
Motion was made and seconded that the above resolution
be a dopted. Motion duly passed.
A! -motion wd.s mder;iand .se.pond-ed,-:th`at.r_• an. a-llowan ce.. ofl
even.ty-Five Dollars,.( :75) per<.month be allowed Eleanor Yderstad,
Deputy County -Clerk, -in addition to her regular salary as such
deputy during'."the, tkme.-shez'served -in'-,the office of County Clerk
alone from. T.1arch 1, 1923, until the appointment of the new County
Clerk. Motion carried unanimously: y
The following motion- was presented by 11. C. Helmer
That the CountyT of `Bayfield ;tyke :^out . tax deeds: underdthe
instruct ,.on„of 1-,the . County�Clerk_ and County:" --Treasures .a4d .wade-r -the
Supp,ryision.:-.of ;;th6 ;Finance ,and 1WAget:;Comrnittee, and -...that Two -:Thousand
a ted _ out _ of ; the Contingency Fund to begin
that work.
Motion was duly made and seconded that the resolution
be adopted . Motion duly carried unanimously, and county clerk
and county treasurer instructed to coLmence with the work as soon
as possible.
The following resolution was thereupon read:
To the Hon. T-4Tembers of the Bayfield Count:, Board:
BE IT RESOLVED that the sum of 4P700.00 be
appropriated and taken from the present contingent
fund for the purpose of financing the advertising
of Agricultural ..exhibits to be sent to the 'lisconsin
Products exposition in Milwaukee, ,Northern Wisconsin
Grain Show at Rice lake -and State Potato Show. This
is to be in charge of the Agricultural Committee.and
Agricultural Agent.
Signed:
Geo. Karow
E. R. Tetzner _
L. D.. Pease
The foregoing motion was passed and allowed b t1�
_ following. vote:
Ate: N,ourse;.-Regei.e n, =Pea -set; , Bak:e ?-- •-•Kar.ow:_.. Bradfield':,
.Helmer, Squires, kelstrand, Kobelt, Axness_, Lawrenz, Ilihalak., Okerstrom,-
.Habelt, Lavin, Tetzner, 'Tachsmuthy 'Veizorek, Goulette, Arntson, Handberg,
.Posey, Bell.
NAPE: Kjarwick, wing,.Soronen, Bartlett, Curry, Lamont,
Boutin.
The following resolution was thereby read as follows:
To the Hon. County Board,
,Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
Gentlemen:
BE IT RESOLVED, that each voting district
of the nembers of the County Board of Bayfield County,
elect in the future, their own member of the Road and
Bridge Committee, independent of each of the other
Highway districts in the County.
SIGNED: John Taipale
The foregoing resolution was passed b; the following vote: I�
AYES: 35. Nays: None.ij
J
Special Spring Meeting, Bayfield County Board, May 15, 192.3
The The following resolution of the tax payers of towns of Kelly
and Lincoln wa.seread as follows:
To the County Board of Bayfield County:
We, the undersigned freeholders, residing in said county
of Bayfield, hereby make application'to you to alter a highway
in' said county as follows°:
To build -highway upon township line between town of
'Lincoln and town of Kelly, from the quarter post between
Section 6-45-,5 and Section 31-46-5 to the East line of
Section 2-45-5 and Section 35-46-5, and to vacate present
highway where, said. highs=aay is not upon said town line:
SIGNED:
Thirty -Two tax payers.
Motion was made and duly seconded that the petition be
referred to the Road and Bridge committee with authority to
act as they see fit and report at next meeting of the county
Board. Motion carried .
The following resolution was thereupon read:
RESOLVED, that.the County Clerk be instructed to render
a statement to Ashland and lron Counties -for the Tri-County
Sanatorium on the basis of -the audit report, together with
transactions from January 1, 1923 to May 1, 1923 and monthly
thereafter,, and that settlement -ire demanded on that basis.
0'. M . Axne s s .
Motion was made -and seconded that the above resolution be
adopted. Motion carried unanimously.
The following motion was,.,thereby presented:
BE, IT RESOLVED by the`.County Board of Bayfield County, that the
per diern, mileage, and committee work be allowed to each member of the
County Board as listed below, and the treasurer is hereby ordered to
pay such money and the chairman and county clerk are hereby instructed to
issue an order for the 'total amount of the sums listed below.,
S I GATED
SON C.
BELL.
NAME
PER D IEM
MILEAGE
COM1l. WORK
1.ftILEAGE
i TOTAL
Harvey Hourse
4
1:44
16.08
21.52
Otto Regelein
4
1_.44
35
6.10
11.54
L. D. Pease
12
7.20
120
7.20
i 26.40
Peter Kjarwick
4
.72
i 44V72
James Baker
12
4.84
16.84
George Karow
12
6_ 08
6.08
24.16
Wm. Ewing
12
6.08
18.08
Peter Soronen
12
9.04
21:04
F. H. Bartlett
12
4.32
16.32
Geo . Curry
12
12. 88
14. 88
jll. L. Bradfield
12
5.64
40
6.40
24.04
M., C. Helmer.
12
4.80
16.80
9. '. Squipes
12
2.76
14.76
A. P. helstrand
12
1.68
13.68
Ernest Kobe It
12
3.36
15.36
0. l-. Axness
12
2.76
10.64
25.40
0. B. Lawrenz
12
7.20
19.20
George Froney
12
9.72
21.72
John Taipale
12
6.48
_. .
18.48
Andrew Mihalak
12
1.80
1:3;8G
Roy H. Okerstrom
12
9.24
21.24
-Alois Habelt
12
3,.72
15.72
H. Lamont
12
5004
72
4.32
18.36
L. J. Lavin
12
5.64
17:64
E. Tetzner
4
.48
21.96
26..44
H. Wash smuth
4
1.44
5.44
G. C. Boutin
4
1.44
5.44
R. H. `r,Yeiz9_rek
4
1.44
5.44
Isadore Goutette
4
.12
4.12
A. M. Warden
4
.12
4.12
Wm.Arntson
4
.12
4.12
Geo. Posey
4
.12
8.24
12.36
Ole Handberg
4
.12
12.36
16.48
.7m. P o t w i n
4
:12
8.24
12.36
Don C. Bell
4
1.44 �
4.24
9.68
Special lifeeting of Bayfield County Board, 1,Lay 15, 1923
Special Committee `:Mork
2. F.' Daniels
Martin Johnson
11.60
4.00
IT WAS THEREUPON !-,OVED AND SECONDED that the Special SP:±ing Meeting
of the County Board of Bayfield County be duly adjourned subject to call.
Motion carried.
SIGNED:
ottffty Clerk
ATTEST: ' �-
Co. Board Chairman