The meeting was called to order at 7:32. 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 guardrail on Bohn Road was heavily damaged several days ago by an as yet unidentified vehicle.
We are continuing to meet with FEMA regarding possible reimbursement for damage to Town roads and rights-of-way from the flooding this spring and summer.
There have been communications from Dane County regarding enforcement of erosion control permit requirements in the Town including, in one case, threats of significant fines.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the September 8th meeting, Bill Hanson seconded, and the minutes were approved with a change to the wording regarding Woodland Tax withdrawals.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Deposits for the month of September were $1,442.19. $678.27 was received for delinquent MFL property taxes, $280.00 for building permits, $125.00 for assessment searches, $10 for dog licenses and $348.92 in interest. A motion was made by Steve Cowan and seconded by Bill Hanson to accept the Treasurer’s report subject to submission of the Treasurer’s reconciliation to Board members, and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
As usual, most of this month’s news is related to the roads so will be covered in the road report. Among our many new mandates, we are required to have an emergency plan if voting is disrupted during an election. The largest concern is a power outage, so we are investigating the installation of a transfer switch which will allow an emergency generator to provide at least minimal power to both the Town hall and the garage. The Town Hall roof has now been painted. All other bills were routine end-of-quarter bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Steve Cowan to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for September, 2008 and paid by checks numbered 1173 through 1234, and October check 1235.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Don McKay to approve payment of bills for September and one bill for October and the motion was approved.
PRESENTATION BY TOWN INSURANCE AGENT AND CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Due to a scheduling conflict, our insurance agent is unable to be present. He has been rescheduled for the November meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING REZONE PETITION, HOMESITE AND DRIVEWAY PERMIT FROM MICHAEL AND TRACY YAKTUS FOR THE RICK AND JILL CURKEET PROPERTY ON MOE ROAD
The applicant’s engineer has presented a complete and satisfactory erosion control plan to the Plan Commission. Neighbor’s concerns were considered at the Plan Commission meeting, including those regarding the aesthetic impact of lighting. The Plan Commission voted to recommend that the Board approve the rezone petition, homesite and driveway permit, and Barbara Grenlie moved that the Board do so. Steve Cowan seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously.
REVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION PROGRESS ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Plan Commission is now completing a final review of the comprehensive plan. The only thing that would significantly delay completion of the plan would be if detailed consideration of Transfer of Development Rights is requested by the Board.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO 2008 BUDGET
The Town has received further Managed Forest Land withdrawal taxes from the Wisconsin DNR in the amount of $9,481.86, of which the Town will retain $7,585.48. It was proposed that $7,585 be added to the 2008 Public Works budget. Don McKay moved that the resolution be approved, Steve Cowan seconded and the resolution was approved unanimously.
SETTING OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL TOWN MEETING DATE
The annual Budget Hearing is scheduled for November 10th at 6:30, to be followed by the Special Town Meeting. The regular November Board meeting will follow the Special Town Meeting
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Planning Commission has recently addressed issues regarding cell phone tower location. The District One Board has returned funds not utilized for the new EMS building to the respective contributing municipalities. The Black Earth Joint Fire District approved the budget at the September 11th meeting. There has been discussion of the purchase of a $300,000 squad in 2011; the Town might consider establishing a reserve fund toward that purchase. The Mt. Horeb Fire Department has received a SAFER grant, which will contribute 60 – 70 percent of the money required for the hiring of 2 new staff. This grant will assist toward funding these positions for 5 years.
For the Road Committee, all flood damage projects have been completed and mowing will soon be finished.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR NOVEMBER MEETING
It is expected that the 2009 budget will be approved, as well as further discussion of the comprehensive plan.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Bill Hanson that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk