TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

October 8, 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, Barbara Grenlie, Steve Cowan, Don McKay and Bill Hanson; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz.

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

A large bicycle event passed through the Town on County roads during the past month. Notice was given to the Town the day before the event, and no permit was obtained. The organizers have indicated that they will contact the Town in a more timely manner prior to future events.

CITIZEN INPUT

There was no citizen input.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Don McKay moved approval of the minutes of the September 10^th meeting, Steve Cowan seconded, and the minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT

CLERK’S REPORT

Without final action on the State budget regarding levy limits, we are not able to go much further with the Town budget. We know that our net new construction for 2006 – 2007 is 1.213 percent, so we should be allowed at least that much budget growth.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Approval is sought for payment of bills for September, 2007 paid by checks numbered 11579 through 11615.

A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Steve Cowan to approve payment of bills for September and the motion was approved.

PRESENTATION BY TOWN INSURANCE AGENT AND CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Coverage on Town buildings and personal property has been increased to account for inflation. Other coverages remain basically the same. Workers Compensation premium costs will go up in response to increased payroll and State-mandated rate changes. There was also discussion of the advisability of requiring independent contractors to have workers compensation insurance regardless of whether the State requires it. Possible supplementary insurance to cover horse carriage rides at the Town picnic requires further investigation.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RECENT DANE COUNTY BOARD REZONING PETITION DENIALS

Concern was expressed that it is often not possible to determine the reason for the denial by the Dane County Board of a zoning petition. One possibility is that a denial may result from a recent reinterpretation of the intent of the Town of Vermont Land Use Plan with respect to the need for a minimum 66 foot zoning parcel abutment to a public road. Dane County requires that each ownership parcel, but not each zoning parcel, have a 66 foot abutment to a public road. The consensus of Town Board members and Town Planning Commission members is that it was never the intent of the Town to have a requirement that is more strict than the Dane County requirement. Thus, the existing Town Land Use Plan, and the Comprehensive Plan currently being prepared, are not intended to require that each zoning parcel abut a public road. Clarification the Town’s position on this matter is required. Further discussion is required as to whether revision of the wording of the relevant ordinance is required.

Bill Hanson moved that the Chairman contact the Dane County Towns Association attorney for advice regarding the most appropriate course of action, particularly with respect to a revision of the wording of the Town land division ordinance that would clarify its intent. The motion passed unanimously.

SETTING OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING DATE

The budget hearing is scheduled for November 5th at 7:30, to be followed by a special town meeting to approve the total highway expenditures for 2008 and to approve the 2007 town tax levy to be paid in 2008.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

A 2008 schedule of quarterly payments for the new District 1 EMS building has been approved. The 2008 Black Earth Joint Fire District budget has been approved. The new Mt. Horeb Fire District agreement has been approved as well as the budget. Jack Schulenberg will be taking over as the second snow plow driver for this coming winter. Roadside mowing has almost been completed for the year, as has the state-mandated PASER evaluation of Town road condition. It is expected that winter sand and salt will be delivered soon.

DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR NOVEMBER MEETING

An agenda item is to discuss 2007 bicycle events and current compliance with the recreation event permitting ordinance. It is expected that a report will be available from the Chairman’s discussion with the Dane County Towns Association Attorney.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Steve Cowan that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:52.