12.22.25 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, December 22, 2025 7:00 P.M.
Orfordville Village Hall
Main Board Room
CALL TO ORDER
Village President Dennis Burtness called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were President Burtness, David Olsen, Nick Howard, Nikki Tuffree, and Terry Morris. Also present were Attorney Mike Davis, Nathan Watson from Next Generation Construction, Fire Chief Ryan Perkins, Police Chief Jeremiah Burdick, Don Bomkamp, and Clerk Sherri Waege. Absent were Terry Gerber and Beth Schmidt.
AGENDA VERIFICATION
Clerk Waege verified that on December 19, 2025, copies of the agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Village Hall, Library, and the Orfordville Post Office. There were no additions made to the agenda.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Morris, seconded by Tuffree to approve the December 8, 2025 Regular Board Meeting minutes. Motion carried.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Covenant approval for Mill Valley as required by the Developer’s Agreement. Clerk Waege explained that she recently learned of Covenants for Mill Valley Subdivision that were recorded in 2021. Clerk Waege explained that prior approval of the Covenants is required in the Developer’s Agreement. Motion by Morris, seconded by Olsen to approve the Covenants for Mill Valley Subdivision as recorded in 2021. Motion carried.
Clerk Waege asked Nathan Watson, who was present on behalf of Next Generation Construction, if there were covenants for the zero lot line units in Mill Valley Subdivision. Watson did not know.
Covenants for Rime Ridge Subdivision. Motion by Morris, seconded by Tuffree to approve the draft of the Covenants for Rime Ridge Subdivision. Motion carried.
Developer’s Agreement for Rime Ridge Subdivision. Clerk Waege explained that she was wondering the status of the Letter of Credit, as required in the Developers Agreement. Clerk Waege explained that on November 7, 2025, she was copied on an email from Knutson advising that he would be reducing the Letter of Credit to $55,000.00, as approved by DPW Director Nick Todd. Clerk Waege advised that the Developers Agreement provides for the Public Works Director to agree to the reduction after approval from the Village Engineer. Clerk Waege contacted the Village Engineer who was not aware of the request for the reduction request. Village Engineer Nick Bubolz agreed to a reduction of $76,312.50 on November 18, 2025. The approval from Engineer Bubolz was all that was needed to reduce the letter of credit per the Developer’s Agreement. Attorney Davis was able to reach out to Knutson during the meeting, who advised that he was waiting for approval from this meeting to reduce the Letter of Credit. Clerk Waege explained that the Developers Agreement allows for the DPW Director, upon approval from the Village Engineer, to agree to the reduced Letter of Credit so no action from the Village Board was necessary. No action was taken.
Clerk Waege asked Watson if he had knowledge of the $10,000.00 that was to be placed in a Trust Account with Nowlan Law to cover reimbursement fees for Engineering and Legal Expenses, as required by the Developer’s Agreement. Watson did not know. Clerk Waege explained that she checked with Tim Lindau at Nowlan Law and he said the money had not been received. Clerk Waege will follow up with Knutson on the status of the requirement.
Consolidation Plan for Orfordville Fire Department. President Burtness explained the details of the next steps for establishing a Joint Fire Protection District. President Burtness explained that he has met with the Footville Fire Commission to discuss consolidation. Approving a document to start the talks of consolidation will be required to secure future funding. Chief Perkins explained the process of how to move forward to continue to be eligible for personnel funding from the state, as outlined in the grant that was awarded. Don Bomkamp explained that it is a lengthy process as he has experience with consolidation from his former employer. Once the document is approved to create the combined new entity, the departments can move forward with discussion on operational details. No action was taken.
TREASURER REPORT
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Howard to approve the November Treasurer Report. Motion carried.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Morris, seconded by Howard to approve the vouchers with a check range of 39092-39158. Motion carried.
VILLAGE PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
President Burtness stated the following:
“The Children's Christmas Benefit would like to offer Parkview families a drive-thru grocery giveaway to families that could use a few extra groceries this holiday season. This will be held at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday the 23rd) at the Orfordville American Legion parking lot. Each family will receive a case of mixed canned goods, a bag of groceries and a crate of pints of milk (half chocolate/half white). We ask that each family please bring a box or container to put the milk in. There will be no proof of need required and will have complete anonymity. “
“I would like to thank everyone who is involved in the community for all you have done this past year to make life here better for everyone. Some things are small and don’t feel like they are as important as things that are more obvious to many. Remember that while what you do may not make a difference to everyone, but it may make all the difference in the world to that one person who you helped.”
Please continue to follow the website for information on the Village and local events.
ADJOURN
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Howard to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Dennis Burtness -Village President
Sherri Waege-Village Clerk