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 Barbara Grenlie, seconded by Don McKay and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
Among the topics discussed at the recent Dane County Towns Association meeting was the potential usefulness of the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission as a resource for future planning activities. The wheel tax under discussion by the Dane County Board was unanimously opposed. Ordinance Amendment 11 amending Chapter 75 of the Dane County Ordinances regarding lot frontage on a public street is under active discussion at the County level. Ordinance Amendment 8, which was opposed by the Town of Vermont, has been postponed indefinitely at the County level. It appears that partial town funding of the operating and maintenance cost of the Dane County interoperable radio system is inevitable. The deadline for Dane County revisions to the Farmland Preservation Program has been extended to the end of 2012. It appears that the only way a town can opt out of Farmland Preservation is with county board approval, though that subject will be investigated further.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Larry Ziemer moved approval of the minutes of the October 10th meeting, John Smith seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of October were $21,289.64. $20,937.13 was received from the State for General Transportation Aid, $200 for building permits, $125 for assessment searches and the remainder was $27.51 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
Nomination papers can begin to be circulated on December 1st for Supervisor seats 2 and 4 for the Spring Election. A reminder that Board of review is this coming Thursday, November 17th, starting at 6:00 p.m. The Board of review will be in session for at least 2 hours, or until adjourned.
Of the October Checks, note that check 2661 is the final billing from Dane County for the Bergum Road box culvert and check 2662 is the final billing for the Bohn Road shouldering project. Check 2663 is for a separate shouldering project on Old Indian Trail. The attorney bill for this month includes Dane County recording fees related to road discontinuances that were passed through from the attorney’s office. Check 2681 is the 20 percent of money received for MFL related fees that we are required to pay to the County each year and check 2682 is a pass-through of tax receipts to Dane County for the septic inspection program.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer 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 October, 2011, paid by checks numbered 2661 through 2693 and ACH transfers 19 and 20 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 monthly bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for October, 2011. The motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DISCONTINUANCE OF HAAG ROAD, LICKEL ROAD, RAINBOW FARM ROAD AND END PORTION OF KELLIHER ROAD
An easement giving access to the property at the end of Haag Road, recently owned by Louise Kubista, has been granted by Myron Norslien. This will allow the discontinuance of Haag Road without compromising access to that property. Investigation is currently underway to determine which adjoining property owners will be granted which portions of Lickel Road if it is discontinued. The options regarding the potential discontinuance of Rainbow Farm Road are being investigated. The provision of a more adequate turn-around on Kelliher Road may require the discontinuance of the end portion of that road and possibly the acquisition of additional land adjoining the current right-of-way.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE BRODERICK ROAD TURNAROUND
The resolution of continuing problems turning Town equipment around at the end of Broderick Road may also involve shortening the road and constructing a new turn-around, but the provision of adequate access to a bordering landowner will require further research.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES
A contract with Tracy Johnson, Johnson Inspection LLC, for future building inspection services has been presented to the Board for approval. John Smith moved approval of the contract, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the contract was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING TOWN INSURANCE POLICY
Four companies have submitted quotations for Town insurance for 2012. Mark Sherven moved that the proposal from Town and Country Insurance Services in Black Earth be accepted. Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DRAFT SUB 1 TO OA 8, 2011 – 2012, AMENDING CH75 OF THE DANE COUNTY ORDINANCES
This ordinance amendment has been postponed indefinitely at the County level. No further Board discussion is required.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF INDEFINITE EXTENSION OF LINE OF CREDIT
The line of credit now maintained with the State Bank of Cross Plains currently requires annual renewal. It is proposed that the line of credit be renewed, with a request that the renewal be for an indefinite period, eliminating the need for an annual renewal. Barbara Grenlie moved that the line of credit be renewed, with a request for an indefinite extension, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
APPROVAL OF 2012 BUDGET
No changes have been made to the proposed budget since the public hearing. John Smith moved approval of the 2012 budget, Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED DANE COUNTY WHEEL TAX
As noted in the Chairman’s report, the proposed Dane County wheel tax was unanimously opposed by town representatives at the recent Dane County Towns Association meeting. Mark Sherven moved that a letter be sent to Dane County Board and the Dane County Executive on behalf of the Town opposing imposition of the wheel tax. Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mowing has been completed for the year and maintenance completed on the mower. A new smaller bucket has been ordered for the tractor to improve safety while loading sand and salt during the winter.
As the Town considers adopting ordinances which have penalties attached to ordinance violations, the need for having an agreement with an existing municipal court rather than relying on Dane County will increase. The Town will need to pass an ordinance establishing a relationship with a local municipal court and the court will have to approve that relationship. Larry Ziemer has been researching this subject and will continue making contact with local municipal courts in order to determine the details of establishing an agreement and the potential costs involved in implementing it.
The Planning Commission has finished work on proposed revisions to Town Ordinances Chapter 7 – Land Divisions and the revised ordinance is ready for board discussion prior to a public hearing. A revised building inspection ordinance will be discussed by the Planning Commission during upcoming meetings.
The existing agreement between the Black Earth Joint Fire District and member municipalities has been in place since 1989 and is in need of review. District One EMS will also conduct a review of their contract.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR DECEMBER MEETING
The December meeting will continue consideration of a possible municipal court agreement, the Planning Commission recommendation regarding discontinuance of Haag road, Lickel Road, Rainbow Farm Road and end portion of Kelliher Road and discussion of a possible Broderick Road turnaround. Also on the agenda will be consideration of the Planning Commission recommendation regarding proposed revisions to Town Ordinances Chapter 7 – Land Divisions with possible approval for public hearing and discussion and possible signing of an intergovernmental agreement between the Town of Vermont and Dane County regarding the proposed county-wide interoperable radio system known as "DaneCom". Also on the agenda will be a discussion of the Farmland Preservation program.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk