Meeting Minutes:

Helena Township

Board of Supervisors – Meeting Minutes

8/19/2026 | New Prague Fire Hall

CALL TO ORDER. Workshop meeting was called to order by Chairperson Wermerskirchen at 5 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

PRESENT. Chairperson John Wermerskirchen, Supervisor Edward Nytes, Supervisor DeAnn Croatt, Deputy Treasurer Patricia Peterson, Clerk Heather Taylor DuCharme, Deputy Clerk Kimberly Carlberg, Road Overseer Jeff Haag, and Doug Johnson. Not Present: Treasurer Nathan Hutton.

MEETING DISCUSSION.

1. Haag provided updates regarding:
2. Reviewed Andrew Vistad’s planned presentation and provided feedback to the Board. Haag will contact Vistad with notes for updates/changes.
3. Township was contacted by Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park about a broken sewer pipe on Juniper. It was determined that the pipe is either the responsibility of the City of New Prague or Cedar Lake Area Water and Sanitary Sewer District.
4. Waterway to Raven Stream overgrown near Lavonne Street. Supervisors will check on easements and view the area during fall road review.
5. Raven Stream Park playground equipment condition is fine but the park could use some new equipment. Fire Chief Steve Rynda called Taylor DuCharme to advise that the fire association approved a donation of $1,500 toward playground equipment for the park.
6. Art Johnson Trucking replaced four signs. Haag will do the rest when his medical restrictions are lifted.
7. Property owner emailed regarding new construction and driveway permitting on inherited property. Haag advised him to start with Scott County for initial permits and then come back to the Township.
8. Discussion of fall road review (scheduled for 9/28/2026 at 3 p.m. meeting at the Fire Department). Carlberg to post quorum notice.
9. Property owner contacted Croatt regarding additional dust coating by an alfalfa field next year. Haag will send information to Croatt for Croatt to provide property owner regarding costs.

2. Snowplow and Winter Road Maintenance Quote Review. Only quote received was from Art Johnson Trucking. Supervisors compared 2025 quote to 2026 quote and discussed. On motion by Croatt/Nytes, quote approved and accepted as presented; carried unanimously.

3. Taylor DuCharme provided updates regarding:
4. Received the annual road mileage certification letter request from Scott County (no changes).
5. Update on campaign finance report posting requirements.
6. Email received from Scott County regarding Meyer split.
7. Chad Sandey emailed the City of Jordan regarding the updated contract status (no response yet).
8. Follow up and update provided from primary election. Board discussed improvements to election site layout and access. Taylor DuCharme to order additional signage.

4. Carlberg provided updates regarding upcoming calendar dates and reminders, including about discussion on the second cut timing for ditch mowing.

5. Nytes updated the Board regarding weed control measures taken at the Bisek Farm on CR 15 (they sprayed and cut the weeds).

6. Croatt provided updates regarding:
   1. Upcoming MAT L&R meeting scheduled for 9/15/2026 at the MAT offices. Carlberg to post notice of possible quorum.
   2. The need to determine who will attend the annual MAT conference and post notice of possible quorum.
   3. Upcoming public hearing.

7. Wermerskirchen provided updates regarding:
   1. New Prague Fire Department.
   2. Additional discussion of Raven Stream Park playground equipment. Wermerskirchen and Peterson will continue researching options for new or used equipment for the park.
   3. MAT provided feedback on the grading issues at CR8 and Vermont Avenue. Wermerskirchen will contact Bob Ruppe and ask for additional legal advice, including possibly sending correspondence to the property owner.
   4. Additional information and updates provided by MAT.

MOTION TO ADJOURN/CONTINUE. At 5:45 p.m. on motion by Nytes/Croatt, adjourned; carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted                                                                 Approved

Dated:                                                                                                   Dated:                                                                                  

Clerk                                                                                                      Chairperson