MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

November 14, 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 Bill Hanson, seconded by Mark Sherven and approved.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

The Black Earth Community Club has requested that the Town support them by joining, for an annual fee of $10.00. During subsequent bill approval discussion, a motion to approve a $10.00 annual membership was made by Dave Dybdahl, seconded by Barbara Grenlie and approved, with Bill Hanson voting no, all other Supervisors voting yes.

Steve Cowan has been appointed to the TRIP funding selection committee for Dane County.

There was recently a combined meeting of the Dane County Towns Association and the Dane County Villages Association. Two primary topics of interest were discussed, the delivery of senior services in Dane County and the future of Dane County regional planning.

CITIZEN INPUT

Sharon Gaskill suggested that the board send a card of condolence to the family of the late Sanford Stevenson, who was a long-time resident and served for a number of years on the Planning Commission. Barbara Grenlie moved approval, Mark Sherven seconded, and the motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

David Dybdahl moved that the minutes from the October Board meeting be approved, Barbara Grenlie seconded, and the minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Deposits for the month of October were $19,223.03. The largest component was $18,131.39 for state transportation aid. Treasurer and clerk reconciliation showed that accounts were in balance, with the sum of all Town accounts showing $55,197.53.

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

CLERK’S REPORT

The October balance sheet showed total liabilities & equity at the end of the month of $55,197.53. The only checks of particular note for the month were for $9,900 to Charlotte Johnson as final payment for the 2005 reassessment and $8,182.20 for sand and trucking; the bill for salt has not arrived yet. All other checks written were for routine monthly expenses.

An e-mail from the Dane County Clerk indicates that the estimated cost of the new HAVA-mandated voting machines has gone down while the estimate of state financial assistance has increased. Since the County Clerk’s office supervises the printing and testing of ballots, the County Clerk has requested that municipalities within the county contribute to the purchase of a machine for his office.

The Clerk failed to include an agenda item for the present meeting regarding the Planning Commission recommendation concerning a driveway and CUP application for Don McKay. It was determined that the question would be considered at a meeting the following week, prior to the budget hearing, in order to allow proper notice.

A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Bill Hanson to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Approval is sought for payment of bills for October 2005 paid by checks numbered 10687 through 10716.

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

CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING THE END POINT OF BELL ROAD

Barbara Grenlie, chair of the Planning Commission, reported the Commission’s determination that Bell Road ends 422 feet from the Gaskill property line. Dave Dybdahl moved approval of the recommendation for discussion purposes, Bill Hanson seconded. Discussion revolved largely around the 1932 abandonment of a portion of Bell Road, and a 1992 vote by the Board declining a request to extend Bell Road to the Gaskill property line. The motion to determine that Bell Road ends 422 feet from the Gaskill property line was approved unanimously.

CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO 2005 BUDGET

Because there were delays in the transition between having a building inspector as an employee and the hiring of a contract building inspector, unanticipated 2005 expenses have been incurred for this work. While the expenditures have been more than offset by income, the expense remains as one that was not budgeted.

Additional Planning Commission meetings due to comprehensive planning activities have necessitated expenses beyond those originally anticipated in the 2005 budget. Movement of $1,500 to the Planning Commission was requested.

Steve Cowan moved, Mark Sherven seconded and the Board unanimously approved movement of funds for those purposes.

CONTINUATION OF PREPARATION OF 2006 BUDGET

Budget numbers were adjusted to account for the most recent estimates of voting machine costs, with both income and expense set to $6,250.

Major concerns remains regarding the high expense associated with the Pleasant Valley Road project. It was decided that it would be helpful to present the long-term road maintenance plan to citizens to clarify the maintenance strategy.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

It was noted that the Mt. Horeb Fire Department has passed its budget. The new fire chief/administrator position will be part-time for a portion of 2006.

DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR DECEMBER MEETING

The State Chapter 166 requirements for Emergency Management planning will be discussed at the December meeting. It was also suggested that in the future there be further discussion of Town policy regarding the allocation of development rights among property owners during a land division, and that the need for buyers to seek clarification of their rights prior to purchase be publicized.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Mark Sherven that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04.