MINUTES
TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING
April 10, 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 Dave Dybdahl and approved. Subsequently, Bill Hanson moved that the agenda be modified to move the presentation by representative Sondy-Pope Roberts (item 9) and the introduction by our new Community Deputy for the Dane County Sheriffs Department, Josalyn Longley (item 10) ahead of routine business. Mark Sherven seconded, and the motion was approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Wisconsin DOT has postponed the Highway 78 access control project for at least one year. A private contractor hired by the WI DOT will soon conduct the annual inspection of highway salt storage sheds.
The chairman has submitted a grant application to the county for $1,000 for signage appropriate for bicycle events on town roads.
Thomas Marling, through Marling Lumber, has provided a new walk-in door for the Town Garage at cost. A letter indicating the Board's appreciation will be sent.
PRESENTATION BY REPRESENTATIVE SONDY-POPE ROBERTS
Prior to her presentation, Steve Cowan expressed his gratitude to our representative for her efforts on behalf of the UW and expressed the view that continued efforts are needed to reduce the property tax burden.
Sondy-Pope Roberts indicated that she has introduced a resolution that the legislature address the question of future school funding. She indicated that a number of issues had not been addressed in 2005, including health care. Coming up in the near future is TABOR, which she opposes because it locks into the constitution what she considers to be an unfair tax system. However, any changes in the tax system will require raising some taxes, which is difficult.
INTRODUCTION BY COMMUNITY DEPUTY FOR DANE COUNTY SHERIFF, JOSALYN LONGLEY
She is responsible for covering the Town of Vermont as well as 4 other towns, and is an initial contact person for neighborhood issues which residents would like to discuss. Barbara Grenlie suggested a children-oriented safety presentation by the Sheriff's Department at the annual picnic.
CITIZEN INPUT
Subsequent to the initial citizen input period, Earl Brandt discussed the manner in which the Iraq war referendum question results should be addressed by the Board. Bill Hanson indicated that the subject should be on the agenda for the May meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Bill Hanson moved approval of the minutes, Barbara Grenlie seconded, and the minutes were approved.
Deposits for the month of March were $39,015.18. We received our $24,315.17 State of Wisconsin Lottery Credit, as well as $12,241.69 from the Wisconsin DNR for a withdrawal of land from the managed forest program and $2,011.48 for Payments in Lieu of Taxes. Dog license receipts were $29.00 and interest totaled $417.84. Treasurer and clerk reconciliation showed that accounts were in balance, with the sum of all Town accounts showing $154,665.65.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Bill Hanson to accept the Treasurer’s report, and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
The March balance sheet showed total liabilities & equity at the end of the month of $154,665.65. Our share of the fire truck chassis for the Black Earth Joint Fire District is being paid as well as the 2nd quarter payments to the Black Earth Joint Fire District and District One EMS. Other than those checks and checks written for mandated expenditures to Dane County and the various school districts, all other checks written were for routine monthly expenses.
Material regarding zoning petition 9461, for what we have referred to as Lot 4 of the Zarndt property, was sent for Board review, with no problems noted. The Town Board Action Report will be returned to the county.
Material regarding the ongoing expansion of the Page Brothers mini-warehouses has been provided, also with no objections noted by the Board. A letter to that effect will be provided to the Dane County Zoning Department.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for March, 2006 paid by checks numbered 10879 through 10936. Note that check 10893 was voided and check 10927 is the valid check for attorney services for the months of February and March. Check 10926 was misprinted and was also voided.
Motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Bill Hanson to approve payment of bills for March and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE HORRIBLY HILLY HUNDREDS
No one was present to represent the sponsoring organization, and it was noted that neither a completed application nor permit fee has been received. Mark Sherven moved to direct the clerk to contact the group's representative indicating that no application had been received. Barbara Grenlie seconded the motion and it was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE BLUE MOUNDS CLASSIC BICYCLE RACE
Andy Tautges, Race Director, was present to represent the group and provided the Board with a map of the course and indicated that two off-duty Dane County Sheriff's deputies would be hired to oversee safety at two intersections. Beginning at 10:00, the event will be concluded within two hours. In 2006, the $500 refundable deposit had been reduced to $250 based on favorable past experience with the conduct of the event. This policy was continued in 2006, and the $100 permit fee and $250 refundable deposit were submitted at the meeting.
Bill Hanson moved approval of the permit application, Mark Sherven seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION TO DISCONTINUE A PORTION OF DALBY ROAD
An agreement has been reached with the affected landowner to discontinue the 0.2 mile portion of Dalby Road which lies to the southeast of the recently constructed cul du sac. Recent changes in the statutes have produced uncertainty as to the specific steps which must be taken to accomplish this so as to avoid future uncertainty as to the location of the end of Dalby Road. The current survey on file with the county shows the road ending at the cul du sac, but it is uncertain whether this description, by omitting the discontinued portion, will be adequate.
Dave Dybdahl moved that the subject be investigated by the Road Committee, Mark Sherven seconded and the motion was approved.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE MEMBERS FOR 2006 BOARD OF REVIEW
Four individuals have volunteered as alternate Board of Review members for 2006, Jon Urness, Don Parrell, Virginia Urness and Dave Dybdahl. A resolution appointing them was signed by Board members.
SETTING OF DATES FOR OPEN BOOK AND BOARD OF REVIEW
The assessor has suggested May 3rd from 4:00 p.m. To 6:00 p.m. For open book and May 23rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Board of Review. Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the dates, Bill Hanson seconded and the motion was approved.
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COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Chairman Steve Cowan noted that Norton Urness will be retiring from the Road Committee, to be replaced by John Bird. Mark Sherven has been appointed Chair of the Planning Commission, with Don McKay as Vice Chairman. New Planning Commission members are Eric Haugen and Johanna Solms, replacing Marc Robertson and Marian Swoboda. Bill Hanson will be Board representative to the Black Earth Fire District, with Steve Cowan representative to District One EMS and Don McKay representative to the Mt. Horeb Fire District. Barbara Grenlie will be Mount Horeb Comprehensive Planning liaison.
At his point Steve Cowan thanked Dave Dybdahl for his years of service to the Town.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Successful social events for both the Black Earth Fire District and District One EMS during the previous month were noted. Mark Sherven noted that both he and the Town Patrolman had attended training on asphalt pavement maintenance, and that the Dane County Highway Department would soon be assisting the Town with spring road inspection. Seal coating bids will be considered at the May meeting.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR MAY MEETING
The general topic of recreation events held on town roads will need to be considered. Any further action on the referendum question concerning the Iraq war will need to be discussed, and Barbara Grenlie suggested that the authors of the referendum question be invited for their comments.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by David Dybdahl and seconded by Barbara Grenlie that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:54
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk