The regular monthly meeting for Jackson County Forestry & Parks Department was held at 8:30am on Tuesday,
February 14, 2023 at the Jackson County Courthouse. Those in attendance were: Ed Chamberlain, Jerrold Schmidt,
Dale Hoff, John Higgins, Tom Clark, James Zahasky, Dave Spaude, Jeremy Breheim and Ashley Stetzer
The regular meeting was called to order at 8:30am by Chairman Ed Chamberlain
A motion was made by John Higgins to approve the minutes from the January meeting. The motion was seconded by
Tom Clark, all members voted in favor.
A motion to approve the bills for payment was made by John Higgins, seconded by Dale Hoff. All members voted in
favor.
Christina Kizewski, DNR wildlife biologist and Zach Clausing also from the WI-DNR were present and gave
updates.
Dave Spaude gave a Forestry update and informed the Committee that January saw as many as 8 different loggers on
the forest. Currently 2 jobs are active. Timber revenue for January was approximately $60,000.
Jeremy Breheim noted that parks are cleaning up limbs from the heavy snowstorm in December. Solar panels are
being installed at the Wazee shop.
Jim Zahasky informed the Committee that trails are currently closed. The new Trail Foreman is working on mowing
trails at this time.
A donation from Midwest Specialty Products was made in the amount of $1,000 towards tree planting in Jackson
County. They also donated in 2022.
Jim updated the Committee on the current trail groomer. Bunnell Industries offered $29,000 to buy back the current
groomer. After discussion a motion was made by John Higgins, seconded by Jerry Schmidt to approve selling the
groomer back to Bunnell, all members voted in favor.
A discussion on the current hunting and fishing rights ordinance and if things should be changed was talked about by
the Committee. After discussion a motion was made by Jerry Schmidt to keep the current ordinance as it is and not
make any changes, the motion was seconded by Tom Clark, all members voted in favor.
There are currently 2 timber sales that have expired. Forester Dave Spaude recommended offering a free extension to
sale JC-2591 with no penalty due to poor winter conditions. Dave recommended JC-2592 be extended with penalty.
A motion to approve Dave’s recommendations was made by Tom Clark, seconded by John Higgins, all members
voted in favor.
Jim presented the Committee with the 2023 Annual Work Plan. A motion to approve the Work Plan and the
Resolution was made by John Higgins, seconded by Tom Clark, all members voted in favor.
A request for planting bids was recently advertised. Superior Forestry was the only bidder at $89.25/1,000 totaling
$6,997.20. A motion to approve Superior Forestry for the planting job was made by John Higgins, seconded by Tom
Clark, all members voted in favor.
Dave Spaude discussed with the Committee the Bat Habitat Conservation Plan Resolution. This resolution is in place
to follow protocol that protects the endangered bat habitat with little impact to harvest of timber. A motion to
approve and sign the resolution was made by Tom Clark, seconded by John Higgins, all members voted in favor.
Park Manager, Jeremy Breheim, discussed hiring a seasonal park lead/security worker. This would be a new position
and would replace the current LTEs that work through the Sheriff’s department. Funds that currently were allocated
to the Sherriff’s department would be used to pay wages for this position. Officer Nick Grey was present in favor of
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this new position and stated the Sheriff’s Department would assist in training this new person. A motion to approve
was made by Tom Clark, seconded by John Higgins, all members voted in favor.
A timber sale recently took place within the park boundaries. A motion to approve paying 10% to the townships and
allocating the remaining funds to be used for chip sealing was made by John Higgins, seconded by Tom Clark, all
members voted in favor.
A motion to adjourn at 10:00am was made by John Higgins, the motion was seconded by Tom Clark All members
voted in favor. The next meeting will be at the Jackson County Courthouse at 8:30am on March 14, 2023.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:00am
Next regular meeting date: March 14, 2023
These minutes will be approved at the March Meeting
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