MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

August 8, 2005

Call to order and certification of notice posting. The clerk certified that the notice had been posted at the Black Earth State Bank, at John Bird Accounting in Black Earth, Amcore Bank in Mt. Horeb, on the town web site www.townofvermont.com, and on the front door of the town hall. It was submitted for publication in the News Sickle-Arrow and the Mt. Horeb Mail, but was not published

Present: Chairman, Steven Cowan; Supervisors, Bill Hanson, David Dybdahl and Mark Sherven; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz. Absent was Supervisor Barbara Grenlie.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion to approve the agenda was made by Steve Cowan, seconded by Mark Sherven and approved.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

The chairman noted that funds for replacing the walk-in door in the Town garage should be included in the 2006 budget. Correspondence included the annual report from Northwest Dane Senior Services which was sent with thanks for our contribution to their funding.

CITIZEN INPUT

There was no citizen input.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mark Sherven moved that the minutes from the July Board meeting be approved, Bill Hanson seconded, and the minutes were approved. As part of the discussion of the July meeting, Mark Sherven noted that the proposed contract with MEI for building inspection services limits on-site visits with the Planning Commission, for the establishment of a home site envelope, to 5 per year. Board consensus was that there not be such a limit, and it was requested that the chairman negotiate removal of that limitation from the contract.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Income for the month of April was $166,720.83. By far the largest component was the $138,528.83 School Tax Levy Credit from the State of Wisconsin. We also received a State transportation aid check as well as the 2% Fire Dues aid from the State, neither of which arrived in time to be reflected in the June deposits and so are shown in July. Treasurer and clerk reconciliation showed that accounts were in balance, with the sum of all Town accounts showing $52,969.51.

Mark Sherven raised a question concerning the manner in which the 2% fire dues payment to the Town ($2,883.88 in 2005) by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce is distributed, since it is his belief that we are the only local municipality that pays that amount out to its fire districts. Further research on the subject is required.

A motion was made by Mark Sherven and seconded by Dave Dybdahl to accept the Treasurer’s report, and the motion was approved.

CLERK’S REPORT

The May balance sheet showed total liabilities & equity at the end of the month of $52,969.51, with total checks written for May of $162,606.77. This included a check for $138,528.83, which was a pass-through of school funding.

The clerk noted that the Town will be required to purchase an additional voting machine before January 1, 2006 in order to be in compliance with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The purchase will be coordinated by the Dane County Clerk’s office, with a grant covering most of the cost of the purchase.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Approval is sought for payment of bills for July, 2005 paid by checks numbered 10587 through 10612. This includes check 10587 for the propane contract and 10588 for office supplies from Quill which were discussed at the last meeting. It was noted that the monthly bill for the Patrolman’s dental insurance sometimes arrives too late to be included in the normal bill paying sequence, and that it would reduce the likelihood of error if the check was written as part of normal bill paying.

Motion was made by Bill Hanson and seconded by Dave Dybdahl to approve payment of bills for July.

CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR CREMATORIUMS IN BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS

This subject was tabled at the July meeting, but Board consideration has been made moot by the expiration of the comment period.

CONSIDERATION OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATION BY BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB FOR SEPTEMBER 4^TH RIGHT STUFF CENTURY EVENT

A recreation permit application and check for the $100 application fee has been received by the Town, together with a route plan and a certificate of insurance. The event organizers requested that, because they will only be using 1.2 miles of Town roads, the deposit be waived. It was observed that there has not been a history of complaints concerning this event. Dave Dybdahl moved that the application be approved without the requirement for a deposit. Mark Sherven seconded the motion and the application was approved. The treasurer asked for guidance with respect to handling the deposit check from the Atkins Citizen Racing Club for the Blue Mounds Classic Bicycle Race. The consensus of the Board was that the check should be deposited and a refund check issued at the time that a representative from the Club appeared at a meeting to request it.

APPOINTMENT OF EMERGENCY PLANNER AND ALTERNATE EMERGENCY PLANNER

Dane County has requested that the Town supply the names of an Emergency Planner and an Alternate Emergency Planner. On an interim basis, the chairman appointed himself as Emergency Planner and the clerk as Alternate Emergency Planner. Information on the requirements and responsibilities for these positions will be forthcoming from the County. Steve Cowan moved that further consideration of the topic be tabled until that information is available.

AMENDMENTS TO THE 2005 BUDGET, INCLUDING BORROWING FOR GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY

Several items will require unbudgeted 2005 financial commitments, including the Comprehensive Planning resident/property owner survey. The UW River Falls Survey Research Center has expressed a willingness to accept the majority of their payment from the Town’s 2006 budget, which will likely eliminate the need for either 2005 budget reallocation or borrowing. Though the Board would like to review the survey questionnaire, Bill Hanson moved that unless strenuous Board objections surface, the Planning Commission be authorized to proceed with conducting the survey through UW River Falls. Mark Sherven seconded the motion and it passed.

The Town does not presently have a bank line of credit for unexpected expenses. The Board felt that establishing a line of credit is advisable, though the procedure for doing so and the requirements for specific citizen approval need to be investigated. Bill Hanson moved that the subject be tabled until more information can be obtained.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mark Sherven indicated that the Mt. Horeb EMS Fire Board grant application for the funding of future paid personnel requirements was submitted in June. This could be worth approximately $100,000 over a five year period.

Much of the Black Earth Fire District meeting was spent discussing building maintenance and an agreement with the Town of Mazomanie. Of particular interest to the Town of Vermont is the upcoming purchase of a new fire truck, for which the Town will be assessed a share of the cost.

Some progress has been made in determining the future need for upgrading the Town fuel tank. It appears that both a certified site assessor and site installer will be required. Since uncertainty remains regarding the requirements, further consideration of the subject was tabled.

DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER MEETING

Bill Hanson has requested that we add Town of Vermont Ordinances to the September agenda. We expect a driveway permit application from Michael & Barbara Morkri for what is currently property owned by Karsten & Jackie Berge.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Dave Dybdahl and seconded by Mark Sherven that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45.