The Helvetia Town Board approved its 2026 budget and awarded a $99,000 contract for road work during its annual meeting on Tuesday, April 21.
Chairman Jeff Opper called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Six citizens attended, along with board members and two students observing. The board first approved minutes from the 2025 annual meeting.
The board then reviewed and unanimously approved the 2026 budget. It also reviewed completed 2025 road and facility projects, which included brushing, graveling, and grading on Carper Road; seal coating on Lutz Road; gravel on Phelps and Moen Lake roads; patching on Swamp Road; basement insulation at Town Hall; and the purchase of a grinder head and new tables.
For 2026, the board outlined planned road work on Carper Road, Swamp Road, Lutz Road, and Moen Lake Court. It is planned to review bids for the Carper Road project.
After reviewing three bids for Carper Road repairs, the board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid from Waupaca County for $99,000, with no surcharge. Justin Hintz made the motion, seconded by Mike Grassl. The board said it would compile a separate list of additional road work for Chad Bestul Construction.
The board scheduled an Open Book session for May 5, remotely, with assessor Scott Ziller, and a Board of Review for May 12 from 5-7 p.m. at Town Hall. Mike Grassl agreed to be available for the review.
Supervisors were directed to report property damage, labor, and road impacts from recent snow plowing, an ice storm, and flooding by May 5, with an additional $5,000 budgeted for snow plowing.
The board recognized longtime Clerk Doug Hines for 35 years of service, presenting him with a plaque and a gift.
During public input, resident Jamie asked about improvements to Betsey Lane and Sleepy Hollow. The board acknowledged the road conditions and said Chad Bestul would grade and gravel 200 feet of road, while the county would patch potholes.
The next annual meeting is scheduled for the third Tuesday in April 2027 at 7 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
