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 Steve Cowan and approved with the change that the Road Committee report was moved to follow Item 3.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
Chairman Mark Sherven noted the recent passing of Mt. Horeb Fire District Chief Chuck Himsel and asked for a moment of silence.
ROAD COMMITTEE REPORT
Patrolman Jack Schulenberg noted that the good weather of the past several weeks had eased the pressure on the Town’s sand/salt supply, which had been substantially depleted by the early heavy snows. He also noted the frost heaving of the road adjacent to a number of culverts, with the effect being most noticeable on the most recently replaced culverts. He suggested that bedding culverts in rock fines rather than gravel in the future might cause them to move more evenly with the adjacent road surface. He also noted that hydraulic issues with the Town’s Ford truck were resolved by the equipment supplier.
CITIZEN INPUT
Town Resident Kevin Kuntz noted that the increasing number of bicycle events is disrupting the lives of residents who need to use local roads. He also questioned the impact of bicycle events which require road closures on residents who have conflicting employment commitments. He noted that as an on-call physician, he may be required to travel from his residence on short notice.
The impacts of these events on Town businesses and the availability of emergency services were the subject of subsequent discussion, as well as the importance of Town roads in our budget and the fact that local taxes are dedicated to keeping the roads in good condition and open for all users. The prospect of road closures appears to be of the greatest concern, and it was suggested that the unacceptability of road closures to local citizens should be communicated to event organizers and Dane County.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the January 11th meeting, Don McKay seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Deposits for the month of January were $619,880.54. The largest portion was $599,189.95 in 2010 tax payment collected in January. $20,313.67 was received from the State as the first 2010 General Transportation Aid payment. $1.85 was received in property tax overpayments, which was refunded and the remainder was $375.07 in interest.
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
A primary election will be on February 16th.
Checks 1873 through 1881 were discussed last month. Two other checks were sent out early, one to the State and one for some overhead lights for the garage and salt shed. Checks 1891 through 1894 are mandated pass-through payments to the State, Dane County and the school districts.
Other than some minor repair bills, all other bills are routine monthly bills.
A motion was made by Steve Cowan and seconded by Barbara Grenlie to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for January, 2010 and early February, 2010, paid by checks numbered 1882 through 1913 and ACH transfer 1 for health insurance.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Don McKay to approve payment of bills for January and early February, 2010 and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF SUSTITUTE 1 TO ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 21, 2009-2010 AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, REGARDING RESIDENTIAL USES IN THE A-1EX EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT
Supervisor Grenlie pointed out that the language of this amendment disallowed the use of rental income as qualifying farm income, contrary to historical and current practice. She also raised a question concerning the portion of the amendment referring to day care facilities. Don McKay also raised a question about the impact of this ordinance amendment, if any, on Town ridgetop development restrictions.
Barbara Grenlie moved that action on the ordinance amendment be delayed until clarification is received concerning the meaning of the rental income exclusion and Larry Ziemer seconded the motion. However, since the deadline for Town action to be recognized by Dane County would not allow time for any clarification to be received and acted upon, both the motion and the second were withdrawn. Barbara Grenlie moved that the ordinance amendment be disapproved, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the motion to disapprove the amendment was passed.
DISCUSSION OF SUBSTITUTE 1 TO ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 22, 2009-2010 AMENDING CHAPTER 12 OF THE DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR REDUCED REZONING APPLICATION FEES FOR DANE COUNTY FARMERS CONSTRUCTING A PRIMARY FARM RESIDENCE
Since this ordinance amendment has been sent to the Town for discussion only and not action, further consideration was postponed until the March Board meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 45, 2009-2010 AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, CREATING TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (TDR) ZONING DISTRICTS
This ordinance amendment has itself been amended several times at the County level since it was first presented to the Town for consideration. Since it is expected that further information about this ordinance amendment will be forthcoming, action was postponed until the March meeting.
RECONSIDERATION OF DANE COUNTY REQUEST FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITY CONTRIBUTION TO OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COST OF PROPOSED INTEROPERABLE RADIO SYSTEM
Since Dane County’s original financing proposal has not been significantly changed, it was determined that no action was required.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Black Earth Joint Fire District continues to consider the purchase of a new squad for approximately $339,000.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR MARCH MEETING
Items 10 and 11 from this February meeting have been postponed until March. Tim Hyland of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide further information concerning the proposed Centurion Bicycle Races. A representative of the Black Earth Joint Fire District will present information on the proposed purchase of a squad vehicle by the district.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Barbara Grenlie that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk