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 Mark Sherven, seconded by Barbara Grenlie and approved, with the change that agenda Item 15, Committee Reports, be moved to follow Item 10.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
While boundaries for the proposed Dane County Regional Transit Authority have been drawn so as not to include a number of rural municipalities, those not now included my vote to join. Since the Town of Vermont is not now included, the topic of joining will be on the January 2010 agenda.
It appears that at least one individual will run against the incumbent for the District 30 Dane County Supervisors seat.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the November 9th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved with the correction of the check numbers listed as approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Deposits for the month of November were $13,156.43. The largest portion was a Shared Revenue payment of $12,829.60 from the State. $300 was received for a driveway permit and the remainder was $26.83 in interest.
A motion was made by Steve Cowan and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Regarding November checks, check 1797 was for the engineering paperwork to satisfy Dane County for the Erosion Control Permit for the shoulder work along Moe Road. Check 1803 was for new tires for the International truck and the Town’s property, liability and workers compensation insurance for 2010 were paid by checks 1804 and 1805. Finally, check 1820 is for the quantity of salt actually received from the Dane County Highway Department, rather than the quantity for which we were billed.
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 November, 2009 and paid by checks numbered 1787 through 1822 and ACH transfer 4 for health insurance. Check 1823 is for a November bill that was late to arrive and was written as a December check. All other bills are minor maintenance or routine monthly bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Don McKay to approve payment of bills for November and the motion was approved.
UPDATE FROM DANE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEPUTY
Neither Community Deputy was able to attend so their report has been rescheduled for the January 2010 meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR JOSEPH O’CONNELL ON HIGHWAY F
A field road that accessed a Town road was reconstructed, which necessitated a Driveway Construction Permit. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the permit. Barbara Grenlie moved that the Board approve the permit, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the motion was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Roads are steadily being brought back into good winter condition after our first major snow storm. There are issues remaining with the hydraulic controls on the one ton truck. The State declared a State of Emergency prior to the arrival of the storm, so it is possible that financial assistance will be forthcoming. At their November meeting, the Planning Commission discussed possible Ryan Road home construction with the new owners of the property, which may lead to a January site visit. The Mt. Horeb Fire Department is presently in the midst of personnel issues which include the conduct of the Fire Chief and continuing loss of experienced volunteers.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON DANE COUNTY REQUEST FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITY CPNTRIBUTION TO OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COST OF PROPOSED INTEROPERABLE RADIO SYSTEM
An agreement has been presented by Dane County to all municipalities within the County by which those municipalities would agree to pay a share of the annual operating and maintenance costs of a new narrow band emergency radio system. Until receipt of this proposed agreement, it has been generally assumed that these costs would be covered as part of Dane County’s budget and tax levy.
Chairman Mark Sherven suggested that the Town not participate by the mechanism of not responding to the request for a signed agreement, which would by default mean that the Town has not agreed to participate. He made a motion to that effect, Barbara Grenlie seconded, and discussion continued with concern expressed that:
The Town may as a practical matter have to participate in the County system in the future but the terms offered at that time may be less favorable.
The Town action should be decisive rather than a default refusal by failing to respond.
Once agreement to participate has been completed, there is no guarantee as to the magnitude of future costs.
Mark Sherven amended his motion to a motion that the Town respond to the proposed agreement with a disapproval rather than no action, with Barbara Grenlie agreeing to the amendment. The motion was not approved, with Mark Sherven and Barbara Grenlie voting yes and Don McKay, Steve Cowan and Larry Ziemer voting no.
Since a response to Dane County is not required until after the next Board meeting, Don McKay moved that further consideration of the agreement be postponed until the January 2010 meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF TOWN OF VERMONT ANNEX TO DANE COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of a resolution approving the Annex, Steve Cowan seconded, and the motion was approved.
APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION INSPECTORS FOR 2010 – 2011
The following list was submitted to the Board for approval:
Town of Vermont
2010 – 2011 Election Inspectors
Chief Inspectors
Shirley Brandt
Marguerite Parrell
Alternate Chief Inspectors
Jan Cowan
Marc Robertson
Election Inspectors
Kay Butcher
Marlene Ludolph
Virginia Urness
Don Parrell
Patricia Rue
Bernice V. Mason
Steve Cowan moved that the list be approved, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE SPRING WEIGHT LIMITS ON ROADS
Further conversations have been held with personnel from the Dane County Towns Association concerning a model town road weight limits ordinance, but progress is slow.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JANUARY MEETING
Spring weight limits will remain on the agenda, as well as further consideration of the Dane County interoperable radio cost allocation proposal, possible Town participation in the Dane County RTA, possible rescheduling of a report from a Dane County Community Deputy, possible discussion of legal advice regarding Town vehicle access to turn-arounds and discussion of a proposed 2010 bicycle event.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Steve Cowan that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk