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, John Smith, Larry Ziemer and Barbara Grenlie; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisor Don McKay was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by Barbara Grenlie and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Mad City Velo Bike Club has sent out postcards in a timely manner notifying residents of their July 23rd bicycle event. The grader has been sold and payment received.
The Town Chairman received no complaints concerning the recent Horribly Hilly Hundreds bicycle event.
CITIZEN INPUT
Two citizens were present with questions concerning the revaluation. In anticipation of those questions, Town assessor Stephen Mahlik was present to give a brief overview of the process and answer questions. During revaluation the measurement of outside building dimensions will be carried out as well as a brief walkthrough to determine the number and types of rooms and evaluate overall condition.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the June 13th meeting, John Smith seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of June were $6,664.32. $3,074.41 was received from the State for Fire Dues, $1,625 as reimbursement for road damage by a utility installation contractor, $815.55 for MFL Aid in Lieu of Taxes, $296 as a refund of a prior insurance overpayment, $210 for liquor license renewals, $200 for Recreation Permits, $200 for a building permit, $67.67 as a Premier Coop patronage dividend, $60 for assessment searches, $50 for a Driveway Permit renewal, $35 for dog licenses and the remainder was $30.69 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
The Town will be purchasing road salt directly from the State for the first time this fall for a price of $61.86 per ton, which is comparable to the price for the last 2 years. A check for $9.32 has been written to Dane County for inspection of our holding tank pumping records. This is the fee newly added to property taxes which the Town has never before had to pay. Check 2523 is for engineering and permit fees for proposed 2011 road shoulder maintenance. Of the $2,288.88, $952.38 was for Dane County permit fees and the remainder engineering services. Check 2545 is for culvert work on Kelliher Road
A motion was made by John Smith and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for June, 2011, paid by checks numbered 2511 through 2549 and ACH transfers 11 and 12 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. Check 2511 was written immediately after the last board meeting and sent out early and is for the required Register of Deeds filing for proposed road discontinuances. Check 2550 to Premier Co-op is a July check for an invoice that arrived the day of the Board meeting. 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 John Smith to approve payment of bills for June, 2011. The motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS REGARDING DISCONTINUANCE OF DANZ ROAD, SMITH ROAD, RAINBOW FARM ROAD AND ZWETTLER ROAD(2), ALSO KNOWN AS ZWETTLER FARM ROAD
Possible discontinuance of Rainbow Farm Road requires further evaluation. John Smith moved that resolutions calling for public hearings on the discontinuance of Danz Road, Smith Road and Zwettler Road(2) on August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. be approved. Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUILDING INSPECTION CONTRACT
This agenda item is being postponed until the August Board meeting so that further information can be gathered.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF 2011-2012 PROPANE CONTRACT
Given the current volatility in the energy market, there is some question as to the advisability of prepaying for propane at the currently quoted rate. Barbara Grenlie moved that propane be purchased on a cash basis as required for the 2011 – 2012 season, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
FURTHER DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC HEARING OF FIRE SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE
This agenda item was postponed until the August meeting.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF MT. HOREB AREA JOINT FIRE DEPARTMENT PROMISSORY NOTE
Questions have arisen regarding some of the terms of the note. Since immediate action is not required, this item has been postponed until the August meeting so that these questions can be addressed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Black Earth Joint Fire District recently sold a truck for $45,000 and the Fire Board is presently considering the disposition of this money. One option is to use it as the basis of an apparatus fund for future vehicle purchases, another is to return it to the municipalities comprising the district. The Fire Board requested input from participating municipalities concerning this decision. Larry Ziemer moved that the money be dedicated to an apparatus fund, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
Patching has been largely completed and culverts replaced in anticipation of chip sealing next week. We received the necessary State and Dane County permits and have begun shouldering work on Bohn Road in anticipation of a complete resurfacing several years in the future. The Bergum Road box culvert project should be completed by Dane County during the first half of August.
The Mt. Horeb Fire Department continues consideration of the Chief position.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR AUGUST MEETING
Three items have been postponed from tonight’s meeting; the building inspection contract, the proposed Fire Safety and Enforcement Ordinance and the Mt. Horeb Area Joint Fire Department promissory note. Consideration of the 2012 budget will begin.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:44.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk