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 Barbara Grenlie, seconded by Larry Ziemer and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The proposed 2010 Dane County Towns Association budget will result in no increase in the Town of Vermont’s contribution.
The Dane County Board is working on 2 ordinance amendments, OA 2 and OA 9, which will impact land divisions in rural areas by requiring Certified Surveys where none have been previously required and restricting development on hydric soils. The proposals have been sent back to committee but are expected to emerge in some form in the future. It was suggested that this topic be added to the September Board agenda.
CITIZEN INPUT
Jim Elleson noted that Japanese Hedge Parsley is a relatively new invasive species in the town, and consideration should be given to controlling it along the roadsides to prevent mowing from spreading the seeds. It was suggested that a speaker be brought in over the winter to educate citizens on invasive species control, together with a Vermont’s Voice article early enough in the year to provide timely spring control advice. It was noted that the WIDNR has grant money available for invasive species control and the Town may be in a good position to take advantage of such a program. Since it is an appropriate time to consider how much funding should be committed by the Town in the 2010 budget, Jim Elleson will provide a proposed plan of action at or before the next Board meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Don McKay moved approval of the minutes of the July 13th meeting, Steve Cowan seconded, and the minutes were approved. Steve Cowan moved approval of the minutes of the July 21st meeting, Mark Sherven seconded, and the minutes were approved with the 2 Supervisors who had not been present abstaining.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Deposits for the month of July were $36,649.85. $19,913.23 was received for General Transportation Aid, $14,342.53 for the First Dollar Credit of property tax settlement, $2,264.05 in Shared Revenue, $31.00 in Exempt Computer Aid and $99.04 in interest. The total available in all accounts is $71,164.88.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Steve Cowan to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Checks 1630 through 1632 were discussed at the last meeting and check 1633 is for the prepayment of propane, which was approved at the last meeting. Check 1635 was for ink for comprehensive plan map printing and was sent out early.
A number of checks are related to the salt shed addition. Check 1634 is an advance to Brings Construction for the purchase of materials, check 1647 is for surveying because the salt shed addition is within 10 feet of the required property line setback, check 1654 is for tree cutting and trimming behind the Town Hall, and check 1668 is for excavation and the foundation and floor.
Checks 1644 is the contract labor for the Bell Road turnaround and 1645 is for cutting back the large rock on Moe Road.
Other than relatively minor repair and supply expenses, all other bills are routine monthly expenses.
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 July, 2009 and paid by checks numbered 1634 through 1669. As noted, checks 1630 through 1633 were approved at the July meeting.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for July and the motion was approved.
PRESENTATION BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE SONDY POPE-ROBERTS
Ms. Pope-Roberts indicated that as Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, changing the method by which State education funding is calculated is one of her priorities. She also listed the other committees on which she serves, and indicated that citizens should contact her about their concerns, particularly before votes are taken rather than after.
She also noted that she is aware of the possible impact of the proposed 2016 Olympic bicycle events on the Town in that we may be bearing a large share of the cost while deriving relatively few benefits.
REPORT FROM DIRECTOR OF NORTHWEST DANE SENIOR SERVICES
Dee Suchomel, Executive Director of Northwest Dane Senior Services, provided Board members with the organization’s most recent annual report as well as information concerning the impact that proposed 2010 budget cuts would have on public services. Of particular concern is County Case Management. While it has been provided for approximately 30 years, it is not mandated by Federal law and so is particularly vulnerable to being cut. She provided information concerning all the services provided by case managers as well as letters and newspaper articles supporting continuation of the Case Management program.
Barbara Grenlie moved that, based on the report from the Executive Director of Northwest Dane Senior Services, the Board send a letter of support for Case Management funding to the Dane County Executive and others. Steve Cowan seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DRIVEWAY PERMIT FOR RUSSELL CHRISTIAN ON GREENWALD ROAD
The Driveway Committee visited the site and determined that the magnitude of the work required a Driveway Construction Permit rather than a Driveway Improvement Permit. Larry Ziemer moved that the Board approve the Planning Commission recommendation to approve a Driveway Construction Permit, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DRIVEWAY PERMIT FOR JAMES ROBERTS PROPERTY AT 4012 COUNTY ROAD JJ
A site visit by the Planning Commission led to the conclusion that no Driveway Permit is required, so no Board action is necessary.
CONSIDERATION OF SUB. NO. 1 TO ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 1, 2009 – 2010 AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, REGARDING PERMITTED SIGNAGE
Nothing in the proposed Ordinance Amendment was found objectionable by Board members. It was noted that Town regulations are allowed to be stricter than the County Ordinance.
Barbara Grenlie moved that the Ordinance Amendment be approved, Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE SPRING WEIGHT LIMITS ON ROADS
A standard model Dane County spring weight limit ordinance is currently under consideration, which could be adopted by individual towns if they choose to do so. Further Town of Vermont action will await progress on such a model ordinance.
REVIEW OF 2009 BICYCLE EVENTS TO DATE
There have been some complaints that municipalities and emergency service agencies have not been given advance notification of events, as well as disrespectful behavior by event participants toward local citizens. There was also a discussion of the “rolling enclosure” concept and its impact on local traffic, particularly since its seems to be happening on an informal basis rather than only for organized competitive events.
It is hoped that a new Town of Vermont recreation event ordinance will be in place by the spring of 2010.
BEGIN DELIBERATIONS ON 2010 BUDGET
It will be necessary to budget for the replacement of the box culvert on Bergum Road as well as the extra Planning Commission and attorney expenses that that be incurred because of ordinance revisions. Consideration should also be given to the future replacement of the Vermont Church Road box culvert with a wider one, as well as the replacement of smaller conventional culverts which are deteriorating.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Road Committee reported that the second mowing for 2009 has been completed. The concrete work for the salt shed addition had been largely completed. Fire and EMS boards are beginning their 2010 budget planning.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER MEETING
Spring weight limits will be on the agenda, as well as possibly revised Dane County Ordinance Amendments 2 and 9. Further 2009 and projected 2010 work on invasive species control will be discussed, as well as general consideration of the 2010 budget.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Steve Cowan that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:56.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk