The meeting was called to order at 7:30. The clerk certified that the notice had been posted at the Black Earth branch of the Cross Plains State Bank, at John Bird Accounting in Black Earth, Harris 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, Don McKay, Barbara Grenlie, Steve Cowan and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Don McKay, seconded by Steve Cowan and approved with the change that Item (13), consideration and possible action regarding contract with Equity Appraisal for revaluation, be moved to follow Item (8).
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The private septic maintenance fee paid to Dane County by septic system owners every 3 years will be shifted to the property tax bill in an effort to streamline the billing process.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Larry Ziemer moved approval of the minutes of the September 13th meeting, Don McKay seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of September were $901.70. $364.05 was received for delinquent property taxes, $330 for building permits, $118 for veteran’s grave care, $25 for assessment searches and $64.65 in interest.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Several checks were sent out early because of early due dates, check 2154 for the additional insurance premium for the newer leased skid steer, 2155 for a road maintenance class for the Town Patrolman, and 2158 to Staples for office supplies. Checks 2160 and 2167 are for the installation and purchase of additional culverts and check 2171 is for wedging on Zwettler and Bell Roads.
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, 2010, paid by checks numbered 2154 through 2201 and ACH transfers 17 and 18 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. Checks other than those discussed in the clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular quarterly bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for September, 2010. The motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CONTRACT WITH EQUITY APPRAISAL FOR REVALUATION
The Town has been out of compliance with State standards for four years. A revaluation in 2011 would allow it to occur at a time of our choosing rather than being required by the State as well as permitting the correction of records that appear to have been in error since the last revaluation. A reserve fund is in place for this revaluation, however an additional $2,200 above our normal annual maintenance fee will need to be budgeted for the Property Assessment budget category in 2011.
Steve Cowan moved that a contract for the revaluation be signed with Equity Appraisal, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
PRESENTATION BY TOWN INSURANCE AGENT AND CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Town insurance agent was unable to attend the Board meeting, however copies of a new contract were provided for Board consideration. Don McKay moved that insurance be continued with the same agent and company for 2011, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION ON VERMONT CHURCH ROAD
The application has been withdrawn for the time being, so no action is currently required.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION REGARDING DISCONTINUANCE OF HERFEL ROAD
Steve Cowan moved that the Board move forward on the subject of vacating Herfel Road and that a resolution to that effect be approved and that a date and time of 7:00 p.m., December 13, 2010 be set for a public hearing on the subject of vacating Herfel Road. Barbara Grenlie seconded the motion and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION REGARDING DISCONTINUANCE OF BELL ROAD (1), ALSO KNOWN AS PAULSON ROAD
Steve Cowan moved that the Board move forward on the subject of vacating Bell Road(1), also known as Paulson Road, and that a resolution to that effect be approved and that a date and time of 7:00 p.m., December 13, 2010 be set for a public hearing on the subject of vacating Bell Road(1), also known as Paulson Road. Barbara Grenlie seconded the motion and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF ELVERS CORNERS AND PECULIAR CORNERS SIGNS
The signs describing the history of these two areas in the Town have fallen into disrepair. Steve Cowan moved that DEW Signs in Black Earth be commissioned to construct replacements for both signs, the replacements to be similar in size and color to the existing signs. Larry Ziemer seconded the motion and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF LINE OF CREDIT WITH STATE BANK OF CROSS PLAINS
The Town has had a line of credit with the Black Earth State Bank, which has recently been purchased by the State Bank of Cross Plains. A new line of credit must be established with the State Bank of Cross Plains.
Mark Sherven moved that the Board of Supervisors of the Town of Vermont establish a line of credit with the State Bank of Cross Plains and that the signatories on any withdrawal of funds under this line of credit will be the Town Clerk, the Town Treasurer and the Town Chairman, with a cap of $75,000 on the line of credit. Steve Cowan seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF 2011 BUDGET AND SETTING OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING DATE
Significant topics in the 2011 budget include the budgeting of $42,000, in addition to $10,000 in the reserve fund from 2010 and the expected trade-in allowance for the existing tractor, for a tractor to replace the existing New Holland tractor.
Other changes include a reduction to $1,000 in expected expenditures for the PRIN group and reductions in several highway categories. The Road Shoulder Maintenance category was increased to reflect expected shoulder work on Bohn Road.
Barbara Grenlie moved that the budget draft being considered at this meeting, subject to detail changes to reflect the revaluation and category shifts discussed at this meeting, be approved for a public hearing at 6:30 prior to the November 8th Board meeting. Steve Cowan seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DANE COUNTY INTEROPERABLE RADIO PROPOSAL
There is not currently sufficient information for town governments to consider the most recent Dane County proposal, though a deadline for a response is the end of October. Inaction by the Town Board is effectively disapproval of the current Dane County proposal.
Mark Sherven moved that the Board do nothing at this meeting, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE SPRING WEIGHT LIMITS ON ROADS
No further information is available concerning the draft model spring weight limit ordinance. An issue which has arisen in other municipalities is that some of the heaviest loads come from agricultural equipment, particularly liquid manure tankers, so care will need to be taken that they are incorporated into any new ordinance.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The road committee reported that winter road salt has been delivered to the Town of Blue Mounds garage, to be moved to the Bard quarry for mixing with chips for delivery to the Vermont Town garage. Consideration is being given to the sale of the Town’s road grader.
Steve Cowan presented an alternative plan for a town garage addition which would be expected to cost less than an addition which duplicates the existing building style.
The Planning Commission is working on Comprehensive Plan revisions.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR NOVEMBER MEETING
The draft spring weight limit ordinance will be on the agenda again. Dane County has proposed Ordinance Amendment 16 10-11, which will be on the agenda. Comprehensive Plan revisions will be considered, with the possible approval of amendments for a January public hearing. Consideration has been given by the Planning Commission to a revision to the driveway permit fee schedule which would reduce the fee for field road access as well as empowering the Driveway Committee to make decisions regarding such permits without full Planning Commission and Board consideration and approval; a recommendation may be forwarded to the Board for consideration. A plan for the blanket rezoning of substandard parcels is under consideration and may be acted on by the Board at the November meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:03.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk