MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

    July 9, 2007

    The meeting was called to order at 7:30. 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, Mark Sherven; Supervisors, Steve Cowan, Don McKay and Bill Hanson; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz. Supervisor Barbara Grenlie was absent.

    APPROVAL OF AGENDA

    A motion to approve the agenda was made by Bill Hanson, seconded by Steve Cowan and approved

    CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

    Dane County and the City of Madison are proposing a regional transportation authority for Dane County. It would be an independent agency having jurisdiction over all Dane county transportation. There would be the imposition of an additional 0.5% sales tax to fund transportation activities. It is proposed that 25% of the money generated will be returned to local governments as road aids.

    Bombay Bicycle Club is planning a September 2nd event to be held partially on Town of Vermont roads. They will be reminded of the need for a recreation permit for the event.

    CITIZEN INPUT

    There was no citizen input.

    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

    Don McKay moved approval of the minutes of the June 25th meeting, Bill Hanson seconded, and the minutes were approved. Don McKay moved approval of the June 11th minutes, Steve Cowan seconded and the minutes were approved with a spelling correction.

    TREASURER’S REPORT

    Deposits for the month of June were $14,330.25. We finally received the Small Hazards Elimination grant from the Wisconsin DOT in the amount of $7,320.07. Our insurance company has paid $4,088.85 toward replacement of the garage roof due to hail damage. We received $835.38 in revenue from the sale of weather radios, which has been turned over to Dane County. The remaining deposits included $819.59 from a Managed Forest Land withdrawal, $475 for assessment searches, $215 for liquor/operator licenses, $25 for recreation permits, $21 for dog licenses and, and $505.36 in interest. Treasurer and clerk reconciliation showed that accounts were in balance, with the sum of all Town accounts showing $137,234.63. A motion was made by Bill Hanson and seconded by Steve Cowan to accept the Treasurer’s report, and the motion was approved.

    CLERK’S REPORT

    The new computer has been installed in the clerk’s office and the old computer moved to the basement. DSL service is being installed. All of the weather radios have been sold and a check written to the county. Our insurance agent indicated that insurance coverage of activities such as carriage rides would require "Special Events Coverage" with a premium starting at $300.

    A motion was made by Bill Hanson and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Clerk's report, and the motion was approved.

    PAYMENT OF BILLS

    Approval is sought for payment of bills for June, 2007 paid by checks numbered 11484 through 11519.

    A motion was made by Bill Hanson and seconded by Steve Cowan to approve payment of bills for June and the motion was approved.

    UPDATE FROM DANE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEPUTY

    The community deputy was not present.

    REPORT ON PROGRESS OF PROPERTY REGISTER / LAND RECORDS PROJECT

    Approximately a year ago Johanna Solms, Secretary of the Planning Commission, was asked to form a committee to improve the Town of Vermont land records system. Those chosen were David Stanfield, Virginia Urness and Shirley Brandt. It can now be difficult to track the allocation of Potential Development Rights when property is divided and land ownership changes. A primary goal of this project is to enable property owners to more readily access information concerning any Potential Development Rights associated with their property. A future goal might be to institute a process by which agreements concerning the allocation of Potential Development Rights are recorded with the Dane County Register of Deeds. Completion of the project will require more labor and should be considered as a 2008 budget item.

    The committee will be presenting a display at the August 26, 2007 Town picnic which will provide further information concerning the committee’s work.

    DISCUSSION OF DISPOSITION OF DANE COUNTY BICYCLE PROGRAM FUNDS

    Bill Hanson made a motion that Steve Cowan be reimbursed for his expenditures for the bicycle signs, which was made in anticipation of the Dane County Grant. Don McKay seconded the motion, and the motion was approved.

    COMMITTEE REPORTS

    District One EMS will soon be holding a public hearing regarding the construction of a new building. The Mt. Horeb Fire District has formed a committee to study the long term replacement of the fire station, including the possibility of consolidating services in a new public safety building. The subject is expected to be a regular Fire District Board agenda item.

    Patching and seal coating has been completed for the year. The second mowing of the roadsides is almost completed.

    DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR AUGUST MEETING

    It is expected that consideration of the 2008 budget will begin in August. In addition to existing road maintenance topics, it was suggested that special consideration be given to invasive species control.

    ADJOURNMENT

    A motion was made by Bill Hanson and seconded by Don McKay that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:03.

     

    Marc Robertson, Town Clerk