The meeting was called to order at 7:31. 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, John Smith, Larry Ziemer and Barbara Grenlie; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith.
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
A letter has been received notifying the Town of the Bombay Bicycle Club event on September 4. It begins at Tyrol Basin, a commercially zoned property, and proceeds on Town roads for only a short distance. A recent Dane County Towns Association newsletter makes note of several issues the Town will need to remain aware of, including potential changes to the Farmland Preservation program and a State requirement that a revised employee grievance procedure be adopted by the Town. A revised cost sharing arrangement for the new Dane County interoperable radio system is likely to go forward as the best that municipalities can hope for as far as cost minimization.
CITIZEN INPUT
Barbara Borns was present to outline recent activities of the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association and thank the Town for its donations.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the July 11th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of July were $38,216.50. $20,937.13 was received as the quarterly State Transportation Aid payment, $15,000 from the sale of the Town’s grader, $1,924.44 for State shared revenue, $300 for a building permit, $26 for Exempt Computer Aid and the remainder was $28.93 in interest.
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
The second issue of Vermont’s Voice has been mailed for a total printing cost of $170., substantially less than the first issue which used color on most pages. Chip sealing for 2011 has been completed and is being paid by check 2571.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by John Smith to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for July, 2011, paid by checks numbered 2551 through 2584, August check 2585, and ACH transfers 13 and 14 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. Check 2550, at the top of the July listing, was discussed at the last board meeting. Check 2551 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 2585 is an August check written for the Premier bill that arrived today. Checks other than those discussed in the clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular monthly bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for July, 2011. The motion was approved.
PRESENTATION CONCERNING TOWN INSURANCE AND CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
John Selje representing the Rural Mutual Insurance Company presented a summary of the coverage that he would recommend for the Town and the associated premiums. He also discussed issues that Towns face with respect to insurance, in particular whether the Town is adequately protected by the liability coverage limits currently required of recreation event organizers. Specifics of the proposed policy will be reviewed over the coming month and the topic placed on the September agenda.
REPORT FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NORTHWEST DANE SENIOR SERVICES
The new Executive Director, Angela Velasquez, was present to report on the activities of Northwest Dane Senior Services during the previous year. She noted that recent census data confirms that the national aging of the population is reflected locally. While the Town has slightly lost population since the 2000 census, the population of residents aged 65 years and above has increased by 25 percent. When combined with increasing economic stress, this has produced an increase in the need for senior services at a time of decreased funding.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF DISCONTINUANCE OF SCHAUB ROAD, DAUK ROAD, FOSEID ROAD AND ANDERSON ROAD
Of these roads, only Foseid Road had elicited citizen comment at the public hearing. The primary question was whether access by Alliant Energy to their power lines in the area would be impacted by the discontinuance of Foseid Road as a public way. Written comment had been received from Alliant Energy that they did not anticipate a problem.
Don McKay moved that these four roads be discontinued, John Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved. John Smith moved that a date for discontinuance of August 31, 2011 be specified, Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PLEASURE VALLEY CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON KEN WADE PROPERTY ON MOYER ROAD
Ken Wade has requested that the Town Board approve a resolution in support of his application for State and County Stewardship funding for a conservation easement on property owned by him. He indicated that the easement would further the objectives of the Town land use plan while having no impact on the Town’s tax base. It appears that one or two potential development rights would be given up by the easement, with 8 acres reserved outside the easement on Hoda Drive for one potential development right.
Barbara Grenlie moved that the Board indicate support by resolution for Mr. Wade’s Pleasure Valley conservation easement funding application, John Smith seconded and the motion was approved. It was noted that in order to maintain the accuracy of town records regarding potential development rights, copies of completed conservation easements should be supplied to the Town.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUILDING INSPECTION CONTRACT
Consideration is being given to alternative suppliers of building inspection services. Information packages from Independent Inspections Ltd. and Vierbicher Associates, Inc. were available for review. Tracy Johnson, Manager of the Building Inspection Department of Vierbicher Associates was in attendance to present information and answer questions. He noted that the Town’s building inspection ordinance is out of date and that one of their services would be to provide guidance concerning its revision. The material supplied by both firms will be reviewed over the coming month and the subject will be placed on the September agenda.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF LETTER TO DANE COUNTY ZLR REGARDING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #8 TO CHAPTER 75 OF THE DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE REQUIREMENT THAT BUILDING SITES BE ESTABLISHED BY CERTIFIED SURVEY MAP OR SUBDIVISION PLAT
The Dane County Towns Association will be reconsidering its previously expressed support for OA #8 at an upcoming meeting. Because of town concerns regarding this ordinance amendment, County ZLR consideration of OA #8 will be postponed.
BEGIN DELIBERATIONS ON 2012 BUDGET
This early in budget deliberations for the upcoming year, only major expenditures are generally considered. Since the road maintenance equipment is presently in good condition, a possible office addition to the town garage is the only likely candidate in the major expenditure category, though consideration is being given to replacement of the Vermont Church Road box culvert.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Consideration is being given to the future building needs of the Mt. Horeb Fire District. A list of concerns with the current building has been developed. Progress has been made on the Bohn Road shouldering project.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER MEETING
Further consideration will be given to the building inspection contract, the Mt. Horeb Fire District promissory note and the Town insurance policy.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:29.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk