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, 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 Don McKay, seconded by Larry Ziemer and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
Two other parties have expressed an interest on bidding on the Town’s 2012 insurance policy and will have information to the Board prior to the November meeting. Dane County continues to work on revising Ordinance Amendment #8, with a new revision made available recently. The Town will continue its review of the proposed changes.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the September 12th meeting, John Smith seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of September were $3,209.32. $2,541 was received for building permits, $426.71 for 2010 specials collected, $118 for veteran’s grave care, $59 for a dog license rebate, $35 for assessment searches and the remainder was $29.61 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
On September 19th the Town Clerk and Chief Election Inspector Shirley Brandt attended a training session on the new election laws and procedures. After that meeting the election inspector line item in the 2012 budget was raised from its normal $1,080 to $2,000, since it is apparent that the Town will need more help on election day, particularly with a presidential election in 2012. Checks 2624 and 2655 are for winter road salt and rock chips. We received more salt than we ordered, so when mixed with the chips we are about $2,500 over our 2011 budget for that item. Checks 2628 and 2629 are pass-through funding from the County for the maintenance of veteran’s graves in the 2 local cemeteries. Check 2631 is for a retaining wall on Bohn Road near the creek. 2660 is for the Bergum Road box culvert, 50 percent of which should be recovered from County bridge aid in 2012. It is unclear if a further invoice for that project will be forthcoming.
A motion was made by John Smith and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for September, 2011, paid by checks numbered 2618 through 2660 and ACH transfers 17 and 18 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. September check 2617, at the top of this listing, was discussed at the last 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 Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for September, 2011. The motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF STEPS THAT MAY BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS LOCAL PROPERTY CRIMES, WITH POSSIBLE PRESENTATION BY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE
No one from the Sheriff’s Department was able to attend. Material concerning Neighborhood Watch was provided by our community deputy. Local newspapers are planning to cover the issue of property crime in upcoming issues.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUILDING INSPECTION CONTRACT
Tracy Johnson from Vierbicher Associates was present to discuss building inspection questions, in particular the Town ordinance that covers building inspection. He provided a draft that was referred to the Planning Commission for future review and suggested that he be present to provide technical assistance during the final review process prior to a public hearing.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF MT. HOREB AREA JOINT FIRE DEPARTMENT PROMISSORY NOTE
The promissory note initially presented for approval has been modified to address some potential issues regarding penalty provisions. Mark Sherven moved that the new promissory note be approved, John Smith seconded and the motion was approved.
SETTING OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL TOWN MEETING DATE
Barbara Grenlie moved and Larry Ziemer seconded that the Budget Hearing and Special Town Meeting to approve the 2012 road budget and levy be held on November 7th at 7:00. The budget draft labeled 092611 was approved for the public hearing with the understanding that changes to the 2012 Mt. Horeb Joint Fire Department levy may yet be forthcoming and require some adjustment to the budget prior to the public hearing.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Town Patrolman reported that the final mowing of the season is about half completed, with brush cutting to start soon. The new tractor, obtained through the John Deere trade-in program, will arrive in March of 2012. The Town of Blue Mounds is considering the fire department enforcement ordinance that has been considered by the Town of Vermont.
It appears that any spring weight ordinance will require signage at all Town road boundaries, including roads that are similarly posted by another town.
The Planning Commission has been continuing to study roads which might potentially be discontinued. Those roads remaining to be considered by the Board will in some cases require surveys and/or easements.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR NOVEMBER MEETING
Contracting for building inspection services will be considered 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 9:44.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk