MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

January 9, 2006

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

Bruce Ellarson has been appointed to the Planning Commission to replace David Stanfield.

Dane County sheriff’s deputy Skrepenski introduced himself and provided the town with copies of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Citation Tables and Incident Tables for the town for last 6 months of 2005. He encouraged people leaving their homes unoccupied to submit an Extra Patrol Request, which will prompt random inspections of the property. He also recommended the presence of a dog, indications of an alarm system and motion sensing lights as being effective deterrents to break-ins.

Note was made that copies of the comprehensive plans of the Town of Springfield and Town of Windsor have been received in our Town office and are scheduled to be reviewed by the Dane County Zoning and Land Regulation Committee in February and March.

The Dane County Parks Association has announced the availability of Conservation Fund grants, totaling over $1 million, for the acquisition of land or an interest in land that has been identified in the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan. These grants are available to local units of government and not-for-profit organizations.

CITIZEN INPUT

There was no citizen input.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mark Sherven moved that the minutes from the December Board meeting be approved, Dave Dybdahl seconded, and the minutes were approved with several corrections to the wording of site approvals for the Zarndt property, terminology regarding the archiving of supporting documentation and the proper identification of new equipment being purchased by the Mt. Horeb Fire Department. As part of the discussion it was noted that a formal policy for the retention of documentation should be developed.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Deposits for the month of December were $469,519.65. The largest component was $465,895.06 in property tax collections. Also included were $1,852.81 in property tax overpayments from escrow accounts, which are being reimbursed. Treasurer and clerk reconciliation showed that accounts were in balance, with the sum of all Town accounts showing $485,660.97.

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

Because of end of year tax collections, the December balance sheet showed total liabilities & equity at the end of the month of $485,660.97. The checks of note were $3,137.87 for a new transmission for the Ford truck, $6,000 for culvert replacements, and two diesel fuel fills (the first of these was noted at the bottom of last month’s check list). All other checks written were for routine monthly and quarterly expenses. At the bottom of this month’s list are five checks written today for 2006 business

A motion was made by Dave Dybdahl 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 December, 2005 and 5 bills for January 2006 paid by checks numbered 10743 through 10795 (with check 10742 approved at the December meeting).

Motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Bill Hanson to approve payment of bills for December and the motion was approved.

PRESENTATION BY BOB RUTH, COUNTY REPRESENTITIVE FOR DISTRICT 30

Bob Ruth introduced himself as the individual selected to fill out the term of the late Bill Hitzemann as District 30 representative and discussed the process by which he was selected. Also discussed was a recent audit of the Dane County Planning and Development Department, future county plans regarding the delivery of senior citizen services, road maintenance in western Dane County and a proposal to reduce the number of members on the Dane County Board.

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

The Board Considered the Plan Commission recommendation to approve an application to rezone a one acre home site within a 36 acre parcel located in the SE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Section 32 from Ag-1 Ex to R-1 A along with driveway location and driveway construction permit, owners William & Sheryl Batten, applicants Edward (Ted) Hill & Dana Garrison.

Mark Sherven moved to approve the Planning Commission recommendation, Dave Dybdahl seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.

DISCUSSION OF ASSESSMENT MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR 2006

There does not appear to exist a contract signed by both parties for 2006 assessment maintenance. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue provides a model contract for use by assessors and their clients, and it was suggested that the use of this contract be considered in place of the contract provided by the current assessor.

Since there appears to continue to be uncertainty regarding the question at hand, Barbara Grenlie moved to table consideration of the 2006 maintenance contract, Bill Hanson seconded and the motion to table was approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

District 1 EMS reported that there were 18 calls in the Town of Vermont. Technology is being upgraded to allow responders to determine the origin of 911 telephone calls. It was noted that a sign appears in the Mazomanie firehouse advising "Develop a positive attitude. It won’t solve all your problems but it will annoy enough people to make it worthwhile". Bill Hanson moved for inclusion in the minutes, with indeterminate outcome.

Mark Sherven recommended that the portion of the 2% fire dues normally paid to the Mt. Horeb Fire District continue to be paid, but the amount should be deducted from the second annual payment.

DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR FEBRUARY MEETING

Discussion of the 2006 assessment maintenance contract, tabled in January, will be continued. Paperwork regarding the recovery of unlawful taxes has been delivered by the attorney of a town resident, and may be considered.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Mark Sherven and seconded by Dave Dybdahl that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:12.