MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

September 12, 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 also published in the News Sickle-Arrow and the Mt. Horeb Mail.

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion to approve the agenda was made by Barbara Grenlie, seconded by Bill Hanson and approved.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

The Town was notified by letter of Dane County Ordinance Amendment No. 10 revising land division and subdivision regulations. No Board action is required.

The Dane County Land and Water Conservation Department has sent a letter notifying local government officials and others of new regulations governing manure storage facilities and manure management.

The Black Earth Fire District meeting is coming up on September 15^th, the main topic will be the budget. Other mid-September meetings include an EMS preliminary budget meeting and a meeting to choose the county steering committee which will select Dane County highway projects to receive TRIP funding in 2006 – 2007.

In addition to TRIP funding, the Town is considering application for a Small Hazards Elimination grant.

CITIZEN INPUT

Igor Steinberg, a resident living on Bell Road, asked that the Board consider reaffirmation of the location of the end point of Bell Road. Mr. Steinberg’s concern was noted, and it was confirmed that the topic will be addressed under a later agenda item.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Bill Hanson moved that the minutes from the August Board meeting be approved, Dave Dybdahl seconded, and the minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Deposits for the month of August were $60,769.97. The largest component was a July property tax payment from the Dane County Treasurer of $58,866.70. Treasurer and clerk reconciliation showed that accounts were in balance, with the sum of all Town accounts showing $95,373.82.

There was further discussion of 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, it was concluded that the Town’s handling of these funds is proper.

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

CLERK’S REPORT

The August balance sheet showed total liabilities & equity at the end of the month of $95,373.82.

A call was received from Charlotte Johnson, she expected assessments to be mailed on September 12th. We received a bill from her for $5,000. The contract states that her final payment (half) is due after Board of Review.

The County Clerk has strongly suggested an alternative maintenance contract provider for our voting machine, which will decrease our costs somewhat and provide improved service.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Approval is sought for payment of bills for August, 2005 paid by checks numbered 10613 through 10641. Check 10613 for $450. was written early in the month and resulted from a January underpayment of our MATC assessment. Check 10614 for $200. was also written early in the month to Dane County Zoning for the Kelliher Road culvert project.

Motion was made by Dave Dybdahl and seconded by Mark Sherven to approve payment of bills for August.

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

The Board Considered the Plan Commission recommendation to approve the land use application filed by Karsten & Jackie Berge, owners and Michael and Barbara Morkri, applicants for a driveway construction permit and the location of a home site at 3287 Ryan Road. Dave Dybdahl moved approval and Mark Sherven seconded, the motion was approved.

EVALUATION OF UNPERMITTED ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION IN SECTION 16

A roadway improvement in section 16 was undertaken by a private contractor without the required Dane County soil erosion control permit. It is a matter of contention whether the work is a field road improvement or a driveway. Further, It is a matter of contention whether the roadway improvement terminates at a private easement to the Gaskill residence or Bell Road. Since historical records differ concerning the termination point of Bell Road, Mark Sherven moved and Bill Hanson seconded that the topic be referred to the Planning Commission. The motion was approved.

PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE TDS PERMIT APPLICATION FOR CABLE CONSTRUCTION ON DALBY ROAD

Mark Sherven made a motion to approve the application with a second by Bill Hanson. There appears to be uncertainty as to whether Dalby Road is a 3 rod or a 4 rod road, which impacts whether the proposed cable location is in the right of way or on private property. Barbara Grenlie suggested that it might be desirable in the future to have a more accurate means of recording the location of future cable installations. The application was approved.

DISCUSSION OF FUTURE BORROWING OPTIONS FOR THE TOWN

Discussion revolved around whether the outstanding balance on the bank loan for the Town truck impacts the 2006 levy limit. Also discussed was the topic of whether plans to prepay a portion the truck loan should be revised

The clerk and treasurer will present an estimate of end-of-year carryover for preparation of the 2006 budget for the October meeting.

CONSIDERATION OF HIRING SITE ASSESSMENT CONSULTANT FOR RELOCATION OF TOWN DIESEL FUEL TANK

The specific requirements for tank location and construction were discussed, along with the need to locate the property lines to insure proper setback for the tank and container system. We will need to contract with a licensed tank assessor and licensed tank installer as part of the process. Another option is to use the current tank for as long as possible and then obtain a portable tank on loan from our diesel fuel supplier if it becomes necessary.

Consideration will be given to including a site assessment in the 2006 budget.

DISCUSSION OF REVISION OF TOWN ORDINANCES

Bill Hanson indicated that the only way that Town ordinances can now be enforced is through civil court or building permit issuance. The components of an ordinance was outlined, along with the need to have ordinances reviewed by an attorney. It was suggested that the development of ordinances be made a part of our comprehensive planning effort, and that among the first steps is prioritizing the need for ordinance revision and development. A division of effort will be required with the Planning Commission focusing on ordinances related to land use and the Board focusing on more general ordinances.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mark Sherven discussed progress with culvert replacement and repair, along with the completion of sealcoating on Andrew Lane and Stampfli Road and crack filling on Blue Mounds Trail. Kelliher Road culvert repair is on hold because of a required public comment period on the project. Also discussed was the status of the end of Dalby Road and the impact of the cul du sac on the road length to be reported to the state. There is also a need to resolve the status of the end of Bell Road so that the turn-around requirements of Town trucks can be satisfied.

Mark Sherven indicated that the August 17^th Mt. Horeb EMS Fire Board meeting decided that a full time Fire Chief/Administrator should be hired in 2006.

DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR OCTOBER MEETING

It will be necessary to adopt an ordinance appointing Alternate Board of Review Members for 2005. The 2006 budget is expected to be the primary topic of discussion at the October Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Mark Sherven that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:24.