VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

                 Regular Board Meeting          Monday, January 12, 2026

                                                                                    

1). Village President Aaron Nemec called the regular meeting of the La Farge Village Board to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Emergency Services building, at 201 South Cherry Street.

 

Roll Call - Present at the meeting:

All Board members: Dave Fish, Karen Leis, Terry Jensen (via phone), Barb Melvin, Jill Stoltz, Aaron Nemec, and Cathy St. John.

Also: News reporters Lonnie Muller and Bonnie Sherman, Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, Utility Clerk Greg Lawton, and Police Chief Steven Palmer.

            

2). Verification was given of meeting publishing in the La Farge Episcope, and of posting at Farmers State Bank, La Farge Post Office, and Village Office on Thursday, January 8, 2026.    

         

3). Fish moved, Melvin seconded to approve the previous meetings minutes which were sent out in advance: (12-8-2025/Regular Village board meeting; 12-8-2025/Medical Committee meeting; 12-26-2025/Police committee meeting; and 1-8-2026/Police committee meeting) with an amendment to the 12-26-2025 Police Committee to reflect the motion to return to open session and adjourn was Melvin, Nemec. (Carried).    

             

4). Correspondence:  Lawton gave the board members the date for the upcoming La Farge Fire Department annual banquet of March 7, 2026, which all board members and employees are invited to.

   

5). Public Comment: None.

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6). Utility business:  

** Haugrud reported the new FEMA map will become effective in 2027.  We will be sent notice from the DNR this summer or fall on what we need to adopt.

 

7). Old Business: None.     

 

8). Three operator license applications were received.  First, Jordan Clark for the Town Tap.  She completed her schooling on 1-7-26 and has a clear background.  Second is Kandi Blaha for Dollar General.  She holds a current license in the City of Hillsboro and had her training previous to that, and her background check was clear.  Fish moved, Stoltz seconded to approve both licenses.  (Carried).

 

The third operator license application was Cortney Newberry for Dollar General.  Chief Palmer recommended no temporary license to be issued at the time of the application and to wait for the full board meeting.  She completed the training on 10-20-25.  Her background is lengthy, including OWI and resisting/obstructing in 2023.  They were not criminal penalties according to Chief Palmer.  Nemec reminded the board that a denial was made in the past for someone with a similar record.  St. John moved, Stoltz seconded to deny the application.  (Carried).    

 

9). Leis moved, Fish seconded to convene into closed session, in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes section 19.85 (1)(c), for considering employment of a candidate for the Administrative Assistant/Evidence Custodian position.  (Carried).  

 

**Closed session**

 

10). Fish moved, Leis seconded to return to open session and continue the meeting. (Carried).   

 

11). The Police committee recommended hiring Deb Korus for the Administrative Assistant position.  Fish moved, St. John seconded to hire Deb Korus. (Carried).              

    

12). Police report.

**Chief Palmer had nothing significant to report other than he had a couple of large investigations and used some vacation in December.

  

13). Committee Report/Update:

**Brief discussion on whether there may be a clean up event again this year as the Nuisance Committee inquired about it.  Last year it was held in April and with donations, the event was basically paid for.  Fish thought we could possibly offer it one more time.  Discussion at next meeting to occur to determine whether to hold it again this year or not.

 

14). Fish moved, Leis seconded to approve the payment of the bills.  (Carried).

  

15). Jensen moved, Melvin seconded to adjourn. (Carried).  Adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

 

       

   

                                                                                      __________________________________      

                                                           Greg Lawton, Utility Clerk