MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

December 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 David Dybdahl, seconded by Barbara Grenlie and approved.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

Note was made of the upcoming training sessions in Black Earth for the NIMS.

In conjunction with their annual funding request, Northwest Dane Senior Services has asked if the Board wishes to provide direction regarding the use of these funds or leave decisions to Northwest Dane Senior Services management. The Board reaffirmed prior discussions, indicating that the specific disposition of funds should be left to the agency.

CITIZEN INPUT

Barbara Borns, President of the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association, presented information concerning that organization. She also discussed upcoming work in the watershed to be carried out by the US Geological Survey aimed at improving the ability of planners to predict the impact of development on local water resources. It was noted that money has been set aside in the 2006 Town budget to contribute to that project.

Barbara Borns noted that series of "Good Neighbor" meetings is being organized to eventually include elected representatives from all communities within the watershed to discuss issues that they have in common.

David Stanfield noted that, in the interest of community harmony, tango lessons are being organized.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Three Board meetings took place in November.

With regard to the regular Board meeting on November 14^th, Mark Sherven moved approval of the minutes and Bill Hanson seconded. The motion was approved unanimously, subject to correction of a misspelling under the topic of "Continuation of Preparation of 2006 Budget".

With regard to the Board meeting on November 21^st, called to consider the Plan Commission recommendation concerning the Freisch / McKay application, Barbara Grenlie moved approval, Mark Sherven seconded, and the minutes were approved.

With regard to the Board meeting on November 28^th, called to adopt the 2006 budget, Barbara Grenlie moved approval, David Dybdahl seconded, and the minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Deposits for the month of November were $15,297.86. The largest component was $12,829.60 in State of Wisconsin Shared Revenue. Treasurer and clerk reconciliation showed that accounts were in balance, with the sum of all Town accounts showing $48,988.66. It was noted that little 2005 income is expected to arrive in December, so bills paid in December will largely determine our carryover into 2006.

A motion was made by Dave Dybdahl and seconded by Bill Hanson 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 $48,988.66, in agreement with the treasurer’s report. Note that we will be writing the check for property and liability insurance prior to the January Board meeting in order to insure that it arrives before the due date.

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

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Approval is sought for payment of bills for November 2005 paid by checks numbered 10717 through 10742. Check 10717 for $1,291.83 was written early in the month in order to receive a diesel fuel discount. Check 10742 for $1,096 was written today, and so is not included in the check summary for November, for the same reason. The only checks of particular note were for $5,279.40 to the Dane County Highway Department for salt and our 2006 worker’s Compensation premium of $2,129. All other checks written were for routine monthly expenses. A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Bill Hanson to approve payment of bills for November.

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS

Consideration of Plan Commission recommendations regarding the land use applications filed by the Esther D. Zarndt Estate, James V. Zarndt, Personal Representative, requesting a zoning change from A1-Ex to RH-3 on four parcels of land located in Sections 25 and 36 along with residential building site approvals and approval of driveway construction permits.

Given that 4 separate lots are being created, each was discussed separately.

With regard to Lot 1, Mark Sherven moved and David Dybdahl seconded that the rezoning, building site and driveway applications be approved provided that a driveway easement is available prior to or at the time of driveway inspection. The motion carried, with Barbara Grenlie abstaining.

With regard to Lot 2, Mark Sherven moved and Bill Hanson seconded that the rezoning, building site and driveway applications be approved provided that a driveway easement and maintenance agreement is available prior to or at the time of driveway inspection. The motion carried, with Barbara Grenlie abstaining.

With regard to Lot 3, Mark Sherven moved and Bill Hanson seconded that the rezoning, building site and driveway applications be approved provided that a driveway easement and maintenance agreement is available prior to or at the time of driveway inspection. The motion carried, with Barbara Grenlie abstaining.

With regard to Lot 4, Mark Sherven moved and Bill Hanson seconded that the rezoning, building site and driveway applications be approved provided that a driveway easement and maintenance agreement is available prior to or at the time of driveway inspection. It was noted that Planning Commission concerns regarding driveway side slopes have been addressed by engineering plans submitted to the Board. The motion carried, with Barbara Grenlie abstaining.

CONSIDERATION OF CITIZEN REFERENDUM REQUEST FOR SPRING 2006 ELECTION REGARDING US TROOPS IN IRAQ

Petitions signed by 171 Town of Vermont Electors were submitted to the Board requesting that a referendum be placed on the spring ballot stating:

"Do you agree or disagree with the following resolution?

Barbara Grenlie moved to accept the petitions and allow the question to be placed on the spring 2006 ballot. Bill Hanson seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

The referendum question was accompanied by a cover letter discussing the origins of the referendum and the specific wording chosen, along with a request that the letter be placed in the minutes. Barbara Grenlie moved that the letter be included in the minutes, Steve Cowan seconded, but the resolution failed. The letter will be included in supporting materials retained in the supporting document file.

DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 166, WISCONSIN STATUTES, REGARDING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF NIMS RESOLUTION

An introduction to the National Incident Management System was give at the Mount Horeb Fire Station on December 5, with one Board member and the Clerk attending. Future meetings will be held in Black Earth in January.

A resolution was introduced providing for the Town’s adoption of the National Incident Management System:

Barbara Grenlie moved adoption of the resolution, Bill Hanson seconded and the resolution passed unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mark Sherven reported for the Road Committee that the grant for Bohn Road guardrail reconstruction has been approved. The Mount Horeb Fire District has approved the purchase of a multi-purpose pumper/squad.

DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JANUARY MEETING

Two Planning Commission recommendations are expected to be placed before the Board in January.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by David Dybdahl and seconded by Bill Hanson that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:46.