09-17-25 Town Board Meeting
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, September 17, 2025
The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls was called to order by Chairman Michael Dorsey on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. Proper notice was given as the agenda was posted at the town hall and on the town’s website September 12, 2025. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. Present by roll call were Chairman Michael Dorsey, supervisors Katie Appel, Will Bergmann and Jeremy Hall. Supervisor Brent Priebe was absent. Also present were town clerk/treasurer Janet Krueger, public works employee Steve Jacobs, and legal counsel Adam Jarchow. Others in attendance were Brittany Arnett, Francis McLaughlin, and arriving at 7:00 p.m. Dale Gunderson.
Hall/Appel moved to approve the agenda; motion carried. Hall/Bergmann moved to approve the minutes as printed for the August 20, 2025, and August 25, 2025, town board meetings; motion carried.
No public comment was had.
Committee, Commission and Employee Reports: Mr. Jacobs gave the highway report. Ms. Krueger presented the clerk/treasurer’s report. Hall/Bergmann moved to approve payment of vouchers #25-230 through #25-253 in the amount of $186,707.95; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 4-0. The 2025 year to date budget summaries were reviewed. Receipts for the period ending August 31, 2025, amounted to $334,417.74, cash balance on August 31, 2025, was $582,465.45. The plan commission minutes; zoning logs and building permit log were reviewed. There were no supervisor reports. Chairman Dorsey stated the cemetery has found a group to fix headstones.
New Business: Hall/Appel moved to adopt Resolution 25-30 approving a special exception for a pet shop/boutique with pet grooming and training at 1982 US Highway 8; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 4-0.
Resolution 25-30
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO BRITTANY ARNETT TO OPERATE A PET SHOP/BOUTIQUE IN A
NON CONFORMING STRUCTURE IN THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
WHEREAS Brittany Arnett, lessee of property owned by River Valley Properties LLC filed an application with the Town of St. Croix Falls to operate a pet shop/boutique with pet grooming and training at 1982 US Highway 8, located in the NW ¼ of NW ¼ of Section 35, T34N, R18W, and identified as Tax Parcel No. 044-00978-0000, and
WHEREAS Chapter III, Section C, 3. Commercial District, c. (2) changes of use in non-conforming structures or property requires a Special Exception; and
WHEREAS per Chapter I, Section I, (3) the Plan Commission did conduct a public hearing on the matter and did recommend approval on September 10, 2025, for the special exception with conditions to operate pet shop/boutique with pet grooming and training in the NW ¼ of NW ¼ of Section 35.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby concur with the Town Plan Commission to grant a special exception to Brittany Arnett to operate a pet shop/boutique with pet grooming and training at 1982 US Highway 8, located in the NW ¼ of NW ¼ of Section 35 and identified as tax parcel #044-00978-0000 subject to the following conditions:
- The business will be on a one year probationary period during which any complaint will lead to an automatic review of the special exception and/or conditions by the Plan Commission and/or Town Board;
- The special exception shall terminate upon the sale or transfer of ownership of either the parcel of land or the business itself; and
- The Business must obtain and maintain all proper permits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this special exception is conditioned on the applicants obtaining the necessary and required permits, if any, from Polk County and various agencies of the State of Wisconsin; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this special exception must be exercised by application for the necessary permits within twelve (12) months of the date of this Resolution.
Hall/Bergmann moved to adopt Resolution 25-31 approving a kennel at 2217 150th Avenue; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 4-0.
Resolution 25-31
A RESOLUTION GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION
TO DENYCE AND FRANCIS MCLAUGHLIN TO OPERATE A KENNEL
AT 2217 150TH AVENUE IN THE TRANSITIONAL DISTRICT
WHEREAS Francis and Denyce McLaughlin, property owners, filed an application with the Town of St. Croix Falls to operate a kennel at 2217 150th Avenue, located in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 17, T34N, R18W, and identified as Tax Parcel No. 044-00426-0000, and
WHEREAS Chapter III, Section C, 5. Transitional District, f. (9) kennels, when located not less than three hundred (300) feet from any lot line shared with premises devoted to residential use requires a Special Exception; and
WHEREAS per Chapter I, Section I, (3) the Plan Commission did conduct a public hearing on the matter and did recommend approval on September 10, 2025, for the special exception with conditions to operate a kennel in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 17.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby concur with the Town Plan Commission to grant a special exception to Francis and Denyce McLaughlin to operate a kennel at 2217 150th Avenue, located in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 17 and identified as tax parcel #044-00426-0000 subject to the following conditions:
- The special exception shall terminate upon the sale or transfer of ownership of either the parcel of land or the business itself; and
- The Business must obtain and maintain all proper permits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this special exception is conditioned on the applicants obtaining the necessary and required permits, if any, from Polk County and various agencies of the State of Wisconsin; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this special exception must be exercised by application for the necessary permits within twelve (12) months of the date of this Resolution.
Appel/Bergmann moved to approve Resolution 25-32 adopting the amended schedule of penalties and cash deposits; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 4-0.
Resolution 25-32
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF PENALTIES AND CASH DEPOSITS
FOR VIOLATION OF TOWN ORDINANCES
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, has village powers under Section 60.10(2)(c), Wis.Stats., that grants general police powers as set forth in Section 61.34(1), Wis.Stats., to act for the good order of the Town, for its commercial benefit and for the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby amend the schedule of penalties and cash deposits for violations of the Town’s ordinances:
| Ordinance Title or Category | Offence | Penalty |
| Zoning Ordinance & Building | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| Code Ordinance | violation | |
| Failure to obtain a land use, building, | Violation | Cost of the permit is two (2) times the ordinary fee |
| sign or special exception permit | ||
| Junked Vehicles & Appliance on | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| Private Property (Ordinance 12-03) | violation | |
| Behavior of Animal Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| (Ordinance 00-03) | violation | |
| $50 for impound fee | ||
| Adult Entertainment Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation | ||
| Outdoor Burning Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation | ||
| Swing Away Mailbox Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation | ||
| Snow and Debris Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation | ||
| Driveway & Highway Access Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation | ||
| Subdivision Ordinance | Violation | $1000 for each lot or part of a lot so disposed of, |
| Leased, or Offered | ||
| ATV & UTV Ordinance | Violation | As defined in Wis. Stats. 23.33 |
| Intoxicating Liquor & Fermented Malt | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| Beverages Ordinance | violation and possible denial, suspension or | |
| revocation of license | ||
| Public Nuisance Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation | ||
| Temporary Vendor Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation | ||
| Event Permit Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation | ||
| Regulation of Motor Vehicle Races & | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| Other Motor Vehicle Performance Events | violation | |
Penalties and costs may be added as a special charge on the tax roll.
If a penalty in the above table conflicts with a penalty expressly defined in a specific Town Ordinance, the Ordinance shall control.
Nothing in this Schedule shall preclude the Town from maintaining any appropriate action to prevent or remove a violation of any provision of the Town’s Ordinances.
SECTION 2 – SCHEDULE OF CASH DEPOSITS
| Ordinance Title or Category | Offence | Deposit |
| Zoning Ordinance & Building | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| Code Ordinance | violation, plus current court costs | |
| Failure to obtain a land use, building, | Violation | Cost of the permit is two (2) times the ordinary fee, |
| sign or special exception permit | plus current court costs | |
| Junked Vehicles & Appliance on | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| Private Property (Ordinance 12-03) | violation, plus current court costs | |
| Behavior of Animal Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| (Ordinance 00-03) | violation, plus current court costs | |
| $50 for impound fee | ||
| Adult Entertainment Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation, plus current court costs | ||
| Outdoor Burning Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation, plus current court costs | ||
| Swing Away Mailbox Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation, plus current court costs | ||
| Snow and Debris Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation, plus current court costs | ||
| Driveway & Highway Access Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation, plus current court costs | ||
| Subdivision Ordinance | Violation | $1000, plus current court costs |
| ATV & UTV Ordinance | Violation | As established by Wis. Stats. 23.33, plus current court |
| costs | ||
| Intoxicating Liquor & Fermented Malt | Violation | $500, plus current court costs |
| Beverages Ordinance | ||
| Public Nuisance Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation, plus current court costs | ||
| Temporary Vendor Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation, plus current court costs | ||
| Event Permit Ordinance | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| violation, plus current court costs | ||
| Regulation of Motor Vehicle Races & | Violation | Not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per |
| Other Motor Vehicle Performance Events | violation, plus current court costs | |
The following Schedule is established for use with citations issued in accordance with ORDINANCE NO. 07 – 02 Ordinance Relating to Issuance of Citations for Violations of Town Ordinances.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Resolution 21-13 be repealed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this schedule shall become effective upon passage and posting thereof.
The clerk informed the Board it is time to consider LRIP “Local Road Improvement Program” project. A LRIP project will be consider next month. Discussion was had with Mr. Gunderson on options to make the snowmobile trails safer in the road right of ways and options to prevent damage to the road surfaces.
The October town board meeting will be held October 15, 2025, with a special town board meeting to follow for the budget workshop. There being no further business, Bergmann/Hall moved to adjourn the meeting; motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Minutes prepared by town clerk Janet Krueger.