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, Barbara Grenlie and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz. Supervisor Don McKay was absent.
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
A Wisconsin Towns Association district meeting is coming up and all supervisors are invited to attend. Issues affecting towns will be discussed.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the December 13th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of December were $341,635.59. $328,474.05 were 2011 property taxes paid in 2010, $13,114.53 was loan proceeds received from The State Bank of Cross Plains to be applied to our 2010 payment for the Black Earth Joint Fire District Squad chassis and the remainder was $47.01 in interest.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Barbara Grenlie to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Of the December checks, check 2279 is payment for the Town’s 2011 property and liability insurance and went out early. Check 2288 is for two new openers for the garage doors, which were budgeted for 2010. Check 2298 is reimbursement to the treasurer for dog license and tax letter printing expenses that she incurred.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer 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 December, 2010, paid by checks numbered 2278 through 2319, ACH transfers 23 and 24 for health insurance and income continuation insurance, and 2011 checks 2320 through 2324. December checks other than those discussed in the clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular quarterly and end-of year bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for December, 2010. The motion was approved.
APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM SEAT 3 SUPERVISOR
Chairman Mark Sherven recommended that the Board appoint John Smith as the interim Supervisor for Seat 3, to replaced Steven Cowan, who resigned in December. John Smith is the only candidate who has filed to appear on the April ballot for that seat. Larry Ziemer moved that the appointment be approved, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved. John Smith was sworn in at that point and took Supervisor Seat 3 for the remainder of the meeting as well as the appointment as Town representative to the District One EMS Board and the Black Earth Joint Fire District Board for the remainder of the current term.
RECOGNITION OF SERVICE TO TOWN BY STEVE AND JAN COWAN
A letter commending Steven Cowan for his service to the Town as Chairman and Supervisor was presented to Board members for their signatures. A letter commending Jan Cowan for her service as co-chair for the Town picnic was also presented to Board members for their signatures.
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION FROM MDW INVESTMENTS LLC AND VERIZON WIRELESS FOR A COMMUNICATIONS TOWER AT 4268 STATE HIGHWAY 78
Approval of the CUP by the Planning Commission, and later the Board at their December 2010 meeting, was contingent upon receipt of an Engineering Statement from Evans Associates. Since the Engineering Statement, which has now been received, was not available at the December Board meeting, action was postponed to this meeting. Larry Ziemer moved approval of the CUP, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION WITH TEAM SPORTS, INC. REGARDING PLANNING OF BIKING EVENT GOING THROUGH THE TOWN
Four individuals were present representing Team Sports, Inc. and the University of Wisconsin Cycling Team. These groups were responsible for organizing a Collegiate National Cycling Championship race partially through the Town in 2010 and are applying for permission to organize an identical event on May 6, 2011. No problems were encountered during the 2010 event.
Barbara Grenlie moved that the permit be approved contingent on receipt of proof of insurance and Dane County Highway Department approval. Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PROCEDURE FOR BLANKET REZONING OF SUBSTANDARD PARCELS
Further contact has been made with Dane County Zoning regarding this process. An objective is to correct the zoning of substandard parcels without the land owner incurring a recently imposed conversion fee on those acres rezoned. Even if Dane County is in favor of waiving the fee, there is no guarantee that the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection would agree. The relationship between the conversion fee and a town’s participation in the Farmland Preservation program is being explored, as well as the ability of a town to discontinue participation in the Farmland Preservation program. The subject will be considered further at the February meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF GRAPPLE LOADER ATTACHMENT, EXTENDED WARRANTY AND POSSIBLE ANNUAL TRADE-IN PROGRAM FOR NEW TOWN TRACTOR
The recently purchased John Deere tractor will come with a 2 year, 2,000 hour warranty. The Town can optionally purchase the addition of 3 years and 2,500 hours to that comprehensive warranty for $3,511 with a $250 deductable. A more limited additional warranty, covering only the drivetrain and also with a $250 deductable, would cost $1,898.
Another option would be participation in a program to annually trade the tractor and loader for a new tractor and loader with the same specifications for an annual cost of $4,500 with a 300 hour limit for that year.
Further information will be gathered on these options as well as the grapple attachment for the February meeting.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE SPRING WEIGHT LIMITS ON ROADS
Various weight limit options and exception rules were discussed, as well as the general principle that the objective is to limit the use of town roads by exceptionally heavy vehicles which are cutting through the town without having local business.
The Dane County Towns Association has indicated that they are going to organize a program to discuss ordinance options in late January or early February. At about the same time, Larry Ziemer compiled a draft ordinance from a number of ordinances from around the state. His draft ordinance will be forwarded to the Dane County Towns Association, and further local action delayed until more information is available.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF 2010 BUDGET AMENDMENTS AS REQUIRED
John Smith moved and Barbara Grenlie seconded a budget amendment to move $100 from the General Government portion of the 2010 budget to the Culture, Recreation & Education portion of the budget to allow for increased costs associated with the printing and mailing of Vermont’s Voice.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The road committee reported that there has been no response to our advertisement for the grader. A letter will be sent to Alliant Energy indicating that the Town will take the lead in repairing or replacing the culvert damaged during utility line installation, with Alliant paying for the work. The Mt. Horeb Fire District will soon be taking delivery of a new Rescue ambulance. The Planning Commission will be studying roads to be discontinued.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR FEBRUARY MEETING
The comprehensive plan amendments for which a public hearing was held prior to the January Board meeting will be considered for approval. The CUP application by MDW Investments LLC and Verizon Wireless will be reconsidered subsequent to any Dane County modifications of its terms. Spring weight limits and possible road discontinuances will be considered.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by John Smith and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk