1.26.26 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, January 26, 2026 7:00 P.M.
Orfordville Village Hall
Main Board Room
CALL TO ORDER
President Burtness called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were President Burtness, David Olsen, Beth Schmidt, Nick Howard, Nikki Tuffree, and Terry Morris. Also present were Victor Ballard, Debbie Davis, Jeb McMahon, Bruce Polheber, Al Stark, Attorney Bryce Becker, Attorney Mike Davis, Chief Jeremiah Burdick, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege. Absent was Terry Gerber.
AGENDA VERIFICATION
Clerk Waege verified that on January 24, 2025 copies of the agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Village Hall, Library, and the Post Office. There were no additions made to the agenda.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Howard to approve the January 12, 2026 minutes. Motion carried.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
Bruce Polheber of 407 Brett’s Way was present in regard to the new stop sign on Brett’s Way. President Burtness explained that Polheber is welcome to discuss it when the agenda item is discussed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Operator Licenses. Motion by Morris, seconded by Schmidt to accept the Police Committee’s recommendation to grant an Operator Licenses to Dan Pun and Sheva Pun. Motion carried.
Land Division for 633 Hill Street. President Burtness explained that the Planning Commission recommended approval. Motion by Morris, seconded by Olsen to approve the Planning Commission recommendation to approve the Land Division for 633 Hill Street, which will create a vacant lot adjacent to the lot with the improvements, as requested by Jeb McMahon of MicMahon Properties. Motion carried.
Zoning Change for 633 Hill Street. President Burtness explained that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change from R-1 Single Family to R-2 Two Family zoning for the newly created lot.
Debbie Davis of 703 W. Beloit Street was present and asked what it would do to her taxes. Morris explained that the zoning change will not affect her property taxes as her taxes are based on the assessed value of her home. Davis asked about sidewalks. Morris explained that there are no sidewalks planned. Davis brought up the narrow street and asked how the house would be placed on the lot. Morris explained that the house will have to comply with the required setbacks like every other house in town. McMahon explained that Hill Street is narrow; however, it really only serves the property on the end. Tuffree explained that the R-2 zoning will allow a two family home to be built. President Burtness explained that the zoning change only effects the new lot.
Victor Ballard of 663 Hill Street was present and asked how a two unit home would look surrounded by single family homes. McMahon explained that the lot will be 98 feet wide which is a wide lot in comparison to other duplexes in the Village. McMahon further explained that he would prefer to have zero lot line duplexes with a garage in the center. Morris asked if the duplex will be a rental or be sold individually with zero lot line in the middle. McMahon explained that he would prefer to not be a land lord and would like to sell them as zero lot line homes. McMahon added that he would like to build them as zero entry, which means accessible entrances. Schmidt explained that there is a need for zero entry homes in the village.
Davis asked if there will be upgrades to the road. Morris explained that there are no upgrades planned. Morris further added that whatever is built has to comply with zoning ordinances.
Motion by Morris, seconded by Olsen to approve the Zoning Change Request of Jeb McMahon of MicMan Properties from R-1 Single Family to R-2 Two Family zoning for the newly created lot approved above for 633 Hill Street. Motion carried.
HydroCorp Proposal for the Water Utility. DPW Director Todd explained that the bid from HydroCorp is to install radio read units on 345 homes in the Village. DPW Director Todd further explained that will complete the radio read installation, which will save much time reading meters for the staff. DPW Director Todd explained that they will be installing new meters in homes themselves to work with the radio reads. Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Tuffree to accept the Public Works Committee Recommendation to approve the bid from HydroCorp for $14,436.50 to install radio read units on water meters in the Village. Motion carried.
Sign at the Intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 213. President Burtness explained that he spoke with Al Stark who would like signs to recognize local athletes that have won state championships. Stark explained that he believes there are 14 state champions that go back to the 1970s. Stark explained that Brodhead has signs on the entrance to the City recognizing local athletes. President Burtness explained that he would like to utilize the sign at the four way stop. President Burtness explained that the electronic message center on the sign no longer works and that Parkview has given up rights to the sign, which was partially owned with the Village. DPW Director Todd explained that there are some problems with the lighting in the sign. Discussion was held on not having the sign lit. Discussion held on the businesses that paid to have their business advertised on the sign. The business signs would have to be removed to accommodate the new signs recognizing the athletes. Stark explained that he has the resources to make the changes. The board explained that they are open to changing the sign. Stark will get prices and work with DPW Director Nick Todd. No action was taken.
Amend Ordinance 304-13B for a Stop Sign Request on Brett’s Way. DPW Director Todd explained that a resident on Jordan Place requested a stop sign on the Southwest corner of Brett’s Way. DPW Director Todd explained that he has had some close calls when going down the hill on Jordan Place while in the snow plow. Bruce Polheber of 407 Bretts Way explained that he was not against the stop sign but did not understand why it was needed. Attorney Mike Davis explained that the ordinance currently allows for a stop sign on the Southwest Corner of Brett’s Way and Jordan Place. Polheber asked why there were stop signs placed at the intersection of Pine Street and Rime Streets. Chief Burdick was present and explained that there were many complaints about speeding from the homeowners on E. Rime Street. Discussion was held but no action was taken as the ordinance already allows for a stop sign at the intersection that must have never been put up.
TREASURER REPORT
Motion by Morris, seconded by Tuffree to approve the December Treasurer Report. Motion carried.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to approve the vouchers with a check range of 39239-39279. Motion carried.
VILLAGE PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
President Burtness updated those present on the following:
We want to welcome Green County Fence and Deck to our business park. They are located next to the Bright Start daycare. https://www.greencountyfenceanddeck.com
Premier Outdoors LLC owned by Dominic Citta is also new to the village and will be located on the corner of Dodge and Viking Dr in the Business Park
Links to local businesses will be available on the Village website along with ongoing updates for many topics related to events in Orfordville at https://orfordvillewi.gov/
It has been decided after joint meetings by the Footville and Orfordville Fire Commissions that at this time the proposed merger of the two Fire Districts is not in the best interest of the districts.
ADJOURN
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Howard to adjourn at 7:49 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Dennis Burtness
Village President
Sherri Waege
Village Clerk