MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

APRIL 12, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 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 front door of the Town Hall; also published in the News Sickle-Arrow and Mt. Horeb Mail newspapers.

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

There was no citizen input to report.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion was made by Mark Sherven seconded by David Dybdahl and carried to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2004 meeting by adding the sentence "The board will decide at a meeting following the event whether or not the deposit will be returned." to the end of the paragraph under Revised Recreational Activity Permit Application.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

Sarah Danz, Town Treasurer, reported that the independent reconciliation of accounts carried out by the clerk and treasurer balanced at the end of March with $66,946.76 in the investment account, $65,643.13 in the savings account and a minus $33,224.86 in the checking account. She said funds would be transferred tomorrow from the savings account to the checking account to cover the April disbursements. Total assets at the end of the month was $99.365.03.

Deposits for the month came to $25,099.56; $85.30 from interest on accounts, $60.00 from dog licenses, $125.00 from title company assessment searches;$267.25 from personal property taxes and $24,562.01 from the state lottery program.

REPORT OF THE CLERK

Marian Swoboda, Town Clerk, presented the balance sheet and the income & expenses vs. budget report. The balance sheet showed the same cash balance on March 31 as the reconciliation of accounts, $99,365.03. She reported that income and expenses through the first quarter of the year were in line with the projected budget.

The Clerk also shared copies of the Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return and the Quarterly State Unemployment Insurance Report with the board. The tax return balanced with the monthly payments made by the town. The unemployment report covers everyone on the payroll except elected officials. Copies of the town's Taxation District Exemption Summary Report for 2004 was also shared. There are only two general property tax exemptions in the Town of Vermont; Savanna Oak Foundation, Inc. and the Vermont Lutheran Church. Foundations file for tax exemption directly to the town assessor on forms prescribed by the state.

The Clerk also informed the board that MSI Insurance, the town's current insurance carrier, recently merged with Country Insurance & Financial Services headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. The company is rated A+ (Superior) by the A. M. Best Company, the leading provider of insurer ratings. The Harold Gerrits Agency located in Menomonee Falls will continue to be the Town's agent.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion was made by Steve Frame seconded by Doug Meier and carried to approve the payment of bills check #9989 through #10043 totaling $43,900.29

MAZO BASEBALL DIAMOND DONATION REQUEST

Todd Ruhand appeared before the board seeking a donation to help finance the renovation of the softball diamond at Mazomanie. After reviewing the budget and other donation commitments,

Motion was made by Mark Sherven seconded by Steve Frame and carried to table the request.

2004 BOARD OF REVIEW ALTERNATE MEMBERS

Motion was made by David Dybdahl seconded by Mark Sherven and carried to approve the appointment of John Urness, Jackie Berg, Donald Parrell, Virginia Urness and John Coffin to serve as alternate members of the Board of Review for 2004.

AREA COOPERATION COMPACT REPORT

The State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue is required to annually survey municipalities to assess the extent of participation that exists between them. The board was asked to identify efforts between the Town of Vermont and other municipalities. The waste disposal program, purchase and sharing of highway equipment and patrolman exchange programs, trading of snow plowing and mowing responsibilities where road layouts make it more convenient and efficient were mentioned.

UPDATE ON VOTER REGISTRATION

The clerk reported that while we still do not know the deadline for completing the voter registration mandate we do know that the process for collecting the data will be up to the town. We are waiting for the state to tell us what data to collect. Poll workers agreed to help with the collection of data.

BICYCLE RACE EVENT

The Clerk reported that a permit application for holding the second Horribly Hilly Hundred(s) Challenge Ride through the Town of Vermont on June 12 has been sent out to its sponsor the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce but a reply has not been received. The board was informed that although the activity was held last year the group failed to pay the $25.00 fee.

Motion was made by Doug Meier seconded by Steve Frame and carried that the Horribly Hilly Hundred(s) group must pay last's year fee before a permit is issued for this year.

The Clerk reported that the question of requiring liability coverage on bicycle races held in the town was raised with Harold Gerrits, the town's insurance agent, and he fully supported the idea.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Black Earth Fire District's revenue is behind expectations. Next meeting is May 13. There was no EMS District 1 meeting last month. The access survey for disabled persons was completed and filed. Steve Frame attended a "brain storming" meeting on voter turnout called by the Town of Mazomanie along with the chairs from the Towns of Black Earth and Cross Plains and others. Education within the schools was seen as a top priority. Steve also attended the Dane County Towns Association meeting. Eighteen town's were represented. There was strong support for having the proposed Council of Governments deal only with water quality. Mark Sherven and Steve Frame attended the Wisconsin Towns Association meeting and became Board of Review certified by taking the training offered. Dave Haugen completed the annual roadside brush cutting. David Dybdahl reminded the meeting that the county's proposed ordinance amendment #8 creating a maximum allowable driveway slope of 12% is still in committee. Barbara Grenlie asked the board to take a look at the issue of transfer of building sites for the town.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Town Chairman Steve Frame made the following annual committee appointments:

Bill Hanson - Black Earth Fire District representative

David Dybdahl - EMS District 1 representative

Mark Sherven - Village of Mount Horeb representative

Steve Frame - Mt. Horeb Fire District and EMS representative

Steve Frame and Barbara Grenlie - Driveway Committee

Steve Frame, Mark Sherven, Dave Haugen - Road Committee

APPRECIATION TO DOUG MEIER

This being the last meeting of Doug Meier's term on the board, Chairman Frame expressed appreciation on behalf of the board for his service to the town.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by David Dybdahl seconded by Mark Shervan and carried that the meeting be adjourned.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Marian Swoboda, Town Clerk