The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Steven Frame. The Clerk certified the meeting notice had been posted at the Black Earth State Bank, Amcore Bank in Mt. Horeb, on the Town Web Site and on the door of the Town Hall; also published in the News Sickle-Arrow and Mt. Horeb Mail newspapers.

Present were: Chairman, Steven Frame; Supervisors, Bill Hanson, David Dybdahl, Mark Sherven and Doug Meier; Town Clerk Marian Swooda, and Treasurer Sarah Danz.

Steve Books, a candidate for County Supervision from District 30 at the primary election on February 17 appeared before the meeting to discuss his candidacy. He served a two year term on the Mt. Horeb Village Board and favors local control, cost effective budgets, clean air controls and land use planning.

Motion was made by Bill Hanson seconded by David Dybdahl and carried to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2004 meeting.

Treasurer Sarah Danz reported all accounts balanced at the end of January as shown by independent reconciliation of accounts carried out by the clerk and the treasurer. An ending cash balance of $327,204.03 at the end of the month consisted of $42,307.98 in the investment account; $291,089.36 in the savings account and a minus $6,193.31 in the checking account.

Deposits for the month totalled $360,502.42. Tax collections came to $338,749.85, title company assessment searches $125.00, a site visit fee $325.00, a DNR distribution of Managed Forest contract cancellation fees $2,845.94, interest on accounts $325.26 and transportation aid $18,131.37.

The Clerk Marian Swoboda pointed out that total liabilities & equity shown on the Janaury 31 balance sheet was the same as the previously reported cash position ($327,204.03) arrived at by subtracting the net income for January (-$274,733.25) from the prior year cash carryover ($601,937.28) consisting of $580,922.17 from December 2003 tax collections and a 2003 cash carryover of $21,015.11.

The Clerk reported the 2004 budgeted operating expense figures had been entered and shown on the January 31 Income & Expenses vs. Budget report. As noted total highway expenditures are budgeted at $187,091 and general government at $66,738.00.

The Clerk distributed copies of the 2003 State Department of Revenue financial report prepared largely to help the State Department of Transportation determine the distribution of highway aids. Data was obtained from December 2002 and 2003 town operating reports and from the treasurer's tax settlement statements from the county. Revenues and expenditures balanced out at the end of the year at $1,425,656.OO.The board expressed appreciation for the timely and accurate completion of the report.

To keep the board informed on the State Elections Board voter registration project, the clerk reported that the proposed form for registering voters in the state was distributed for review at the January 16 meeting. The number of data elements appeared extensive. Local governments will be responsible for registering voters within their jurisdictions. The data will be centralized with the State Elections Board. The Election Board was unsure when the process would begin.

The Clerk brought to the attention of the board a memorandum from Dane County Planning & Development regarding State Historical Society Data on historic buildings in the Town of Vermont. Such information is being shared with town's throughout the county because state law requires that comprehensive planning must address the issue of historic preservation and specifically an inventory of historic structures. Also brought to the attention of the board was the announcement of a leadership in local government workshop to be held on February 26 at the Town of Burke starting at 7:00 p.m.

Motion was made by Bill Hanson seconded by Doug Meier and carried to approve the payment of bills paid by checks #9910 through #9947 dated in January 2004 totaling $635,235.67. Also to approve the payment of bills totaling $437,215.92 (including revenue reapportionments to the county and schools totaling $437,421.92,) covered by checks #9948 through #9954 dated in February 2004.

The discussion on the recreation event permit postponed in January was again discussed. Mark Sherven suggested increasing the fee from $25.00 to $75.00 with a refundable deposit of $200.00. Several reasons for the deposit were suggested: (1) to insure that the site or roads were cleared of all debris (2) directional or other signs were removed (3) that paint had not been used on the roads. The clerk was asked to draft a letter explaining the reasons for the deposit. The board also felt that at least a 2 million dollar liability insurance policy covering the event should be required and that delays in traffic movement should be minimized.

A recommendation from the Plan Commission was considered to approve the home site application from Shawn & Jackie Page at 9890 Moen Valley Road if it was determined that rezoning was not necessary and if county setback requirements had been worked out.

With the showing of a map indicating that county setbacks requirements had been achieved (65' rear, 20' back and 50' front) by obtaining a quit claim deed for added footage at the rear of the proposed house from Randy & Cindy Page along with a copy of a letter from Norbert Scribner, Dane County Planning & Development, stating that a change in zoning classification was not necessary pursuant to S.10.16 (3) (a), Dane County Code Of Ordinances,

Motion was made by Doug Meier seconded by David Dybdahl and carried to approve the home site location at 9880 Moen Valley Road.

Upon recommendation of the Plan Commission,

Motion was made by Bill Hanson seconded by David Dybdahl and carried to approve the rezoning request from Mark & Sharon Nortman to rezone the one acre of land being transferred from the Town of Vermont (SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 32) to the Town of Blue Mounds from A-1EX to RH-2 with recognition that a potential building site was not included.

Mark Sherven speaking on behalf of the committee, including himself, Steve Frame and Dave Haugen, told the board the committee had at the board's request checked into four different truck chassis makers: Peterbuilt, Sterling, Freight Liner and International through three dealers; Capital City, Cooley, and Truck's Inc. Plow & equipment was checked out through Monroe Equipment, Madison Truck & Equipment and Burke. Members of the committee also went to six locations to check out the trucks under consideration: The Town's of Spring Green, Bear Valley, Berry, and Springdale; Washington County and the City of West Bend.

The lowest truck chassis bid (an International) came from Trucks, Inc., Monroe, Wi ($59,762.00). The lowest plow & equipment bid came from Burke, Madison, Wi ($52,450.00). Burke also offered the highest trade-in on the current town plow truck ($21,500); $6,500 more than the next highest offer.

Following a review of the bid specifications, which were handed out.

Motion was made by Mark Sherven seconded by David Dybdahl to approve the purchase of an International Truck Chasis from Trucks, Inc., Monroe, Wi in accord with the bid received for $59,762.00; also to approve the plow and equipment bid from Burke, Madison, Wi for $52,450.00 together with the acceptance of a trade-in offer of $21,500 for the current town plow truck bringing the total cost of a new town plow truck to $90,712.00. The question was called for and the motion was carried.

Chairman Frame advised with the passage of the motion he would seek out financing options and report back to the board.

Motion was made by David Dybdahl seconded by Doug Meier and carried that the meeting stand adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Marian Swoboda, Town Clerk