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, Larry Ziemer and Don McKay; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Don McKay, seconded by Larry Ziemer and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
TDS is seeking local support for federal stimulus funding for high speed internet expansion into currently underserved rural areas. It is expected that the Town will send the requested letter of support.
A Dane County Towns Association reorganization meeting will be taking place in the coming week. There will also be another meeting in June regarding spring weight limits.
CITIZEN INPUT
Sharon Gaskill inquired as to the time frame for the completion of a turnaround at the end of Bell Road. Chairman Mark Sherven indicated that the project is now on hold awaiting the marking of the center point by the surveyor. When that has been completed it is expected that adjoining property owners will be contacted to confirm details of the project and that bids for construction will be requested soon after that.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Steve Cowan moved approval of the minutes of the April 13th meeting, Barbara Grenlie seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Deposits for the month of April were $45,066.83. $19,913.23 was received for State transportation aid, $19,208.22 from an MFL withdrawal, $3,989.33 for lottery credit payment, $1,100 for rezoning applications, $275 for assessment searches, $204.70 for Payment in Lieu of Taxes, $75 for reimbursement for repair expenses for shared highway equipment, $25 for a recreation permit and $276.35 in interest. A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
We have purchased a small machine for producing bound copies of the comprehensive plan, which is the bill paid to Quill Office Supplies. Election Inspectors and Dane County support costs (poll list maintenance, voting machine programming, etc.) were paid for the spring election. Also among our April bills is 2009 crack filling as well as the rental payment for the brush mower and tractor. Board of Review will be on May 19th.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer 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 April, 2009 and paid by checks numbered 1511 through 1545.
Other than the bills discussed in the clerk’s report and some minor highway equipment repair and maintenance bills, all other bills were routine monthly bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Don McKay to approve payment of bills for April and the motion was approved.
UPDATE FROM DANE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEPUTY
Deputy Josalyn Longley provided a listing of calls for service within the Town since February 1st. A number of the calls were for reports by Town residents of suspicious vehicles or activity which were investigated. She reminded people that the Sheriff’s Department extra patrols are available for checking property while residents are away. There was a discussion of the possible advantages of having bicycles display prominent license numbers for law enforcement purposes, but both deputies present indicated that they believed that current enforcement tools are adequate.
PROGRESS REPORT ON GARLIC MUSTARD CONTROL IN TOWN RIGHT OF WAY
Jim Elleson reported that approximately one-third of the Town right of way has been inspected by his crews and infestations of garlic mustard pulled or sprayed. Work done in previous years has been having an effect, as previously treated infestations have been reduced. Some landowners are treating their own properties, others are not, and he suggested that a letter to these landowners might be a useful tool. Supervisor Grenlie noted that the Town does have the authority to expand the noxious weeds list, though reservations were expressed about the expansion of town power in these matters.
Another problem is that neighboring towns are not being as aggressive in their treatment as this Town, so seeds are being spread from these other towns.
CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE FARM PLAN FOR DAVID AND DAWNEEN STEINHAUER AT 5355 COUNTY ROAD J AND DISCUSSION OF DRIVEWAY
The Town’s responsibility is to notify Dane County whether the farm plan presented conforms to Town ordinances and policies. The Planning Commission found that the farm plan does conform and recommended that the Board notify Dane County Zoning of that fact. The driveway committee found that the existing driveway will need few changes to serve the house to be constructed.
Barbara Grenlie moved that Dane County Zoning be notified that the farm plan has been found to be consistent with Town ordinances and policies and Don McKay seconded.
There was discussion of including a requirement in the motion that the existing farmhouse be removed, but there was a consensus that there was no need for that requirement since the property has an adequate number of PDR’s for both residences. The motion as originally presented was approved unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATIONS
The Mad City Velo Bike Club is planning a race event on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend from 10:00 a.m. until approximately 12:30 p.m. Race Director Bob Brunette represented this group, which is expected to have approximately 130 riders. They have supplied a completed Recreation Permit Application and fee, map of the course, proof of insurance and an approved Dane County Permit. Barbara Grenlie moved that the application be approved, Steve Cowan seconded and the application was approved.
Shelby Retzlaff was present to represent the Viking Biking Club’s Insane Terrain Challenge, to be held on July 11, 2009. It is expected that there will be between 250 and 400 riders in a non-timed event. They have supplied a completed Recreation Permit Application and fee and a map of the course. Proof of Insurance and an approved Dane County Permit remain to be secured. Barbara Grenlie moved that consideration of the application be postponed until the June Board meeting, Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved.
Jordan Roessingh was present representing the Tour of America’s Dairyland, promoted by Trek Bicycles. They are planning a professional level race event with between 350 and 400 participants on June 18, 2009. They have supplied a completed Recreation Permit Application and fee and a map of the course. Proof of Insurance and an approved Dane County Permit remain to be secured. Steve Cowan moved that the permit application be approved contingent on receipt of the Proof of Insurance, an approved Dane County Permit and that letter will be sent in advance of the race to residents along the route. Don McKay seconded the motion and it was approved. In order to expedite insurance coverage, the Town will supply a letter indicating provisional approval of the event. It is expected that Proof of Insurance and an approved Dane County Permit will be supplied to the Town prior to the June Board meeting.
Shelby Retzlaff was present to represent the Horribly Hilly Hundreds bicycle event, sponsored by the Friends of Blue Mound State Park. They plan to conduct the event on June 20th and are expecting approximately 1,300 participants. They have provided a map of the course and some details about the event but have consistently refused to apply for a Recreational Event Permit. Board members noted that the original cap of 1,000 participants has been ignored in recent years. Supervisor Don McKay moved that the Town write a letter to Dane County indicating that the event does not meet with the approval of the Town of Vermont and requesting that a Dane County Permit be denied. The motion was seconded by Barbara Grenlie with the amendment that approval of a future Recreational Event Permit application would be considered if the event was scaled back to the original 1,000 participants. Don McKay accepted the amendment to his motion and the motion was approved unanimously.
APPROVAL OF 2009 – 2010 APPLICATIONS FROM TYROL BASIN FOR ALCOHOL BEVERAGE LICENSE AND OPERATOR LICENSES FOR DON MCKAY AND JOSHUA EISELE
The applications were in order and fees paid. Steve Cowan moved that the licenses be approved, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved with Supervisor Don McKay abstaining.
CONSIDERATION OF ROAD COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF WEDGING BID, WITH POSSIBLE APPROVAL
The Road Committee has recommended that a wedging contract with Payne & Dolan, Inc. be approved for portions of 4 roads in the Town: Vermont Church, Braun, Union Valley and Moen Valley Road. Mark Sherven moved approval of the contract, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION REGARDING PREVAILING WAGE CHANGE IN THE PROPOSED STATE BUDGET
The State budget currently under consideration has a provision expanding the coverage of the “prevailing wage” law to construction projects much smaller than has been the case in the past. The Wisconsin Towns Association has recommended that towns pass resolutions in opposition to this expansion of coverage under the law, since it will disadvantage small local contractors and raise the cost of public works projects. Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the resolution, Steve Cowan seconded and the resolution was approved unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE SPRING WEIGHT LIMITS ON ROADS
In order for spring weight limits to be enforceable, the operators of heavy vehicles must not be faced with differing restrictions as they cross from one municipality to another on the same road. Dane County has been conducting meetings on this subject in order to facilitate coordination among municipalities and to provide advice on how to structure ordinances so as to not hamper necessary services. More information will be obtained from future meetings.
DISCUSSION OF THE DISPOSITION OF ARSON REWARD FUND
Private donors created a reward fund a number of years ago in response to a series of fires which were considered suspicious in nature. This fund remains intact and no suspicious fires have occurred recently. While the fund is not an official Town government activity, Supervisor Grenlie is one of the people responsible for the fund and is seeking advice on its disposition. While several suggestions were put forward, no decision was made other than to continue the fund as at present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Road Committee is considering proposing a 30 foot addition to the larger of the two salt sheds. This would allow the Town to consolidate salt / sand storage and free up the space currently occupied by the older salt shed for a future equipment storage addition to the Town garage. The Mt. Horeb Fire Department is planning a reorganization meeting in the next week. The Black Earth Joint Fire District Board recently completed the election of officers, with Supervisor Steve Cowan elected Vice Chair. They have obtained a $61,000 FEMA grant for 11 new radios and are currently projecting the purchase of a $350,000 rescue squad in 2011. The Planning Commission is expected to begin consideration of ordinance amendments required to assist in implementing the comprehensive plan.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JUNE MEETING
Among the items to be discussed are confirmation of the Proof of Insurance and Dane County Permits for several bicycle events, further discussion of spring weight limits, Planning Commission appointments and discussion of a possible salt shed addition.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:26.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk