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 Barbara Grenlie and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The 2012 Dane County Towns Association budget includes a reallocation of resources to provide more funding to the planning function of the association. More emphasis is going to be placed on communication with member towns. Notice has been received that the Centurion bicycle event will not be occurring in Dane County in 2012. There will be an informational meeting on the Farmland Preservation Program at the Blue Mounds Town Hall on January 10. The dumping of nails on North Road near the intersection with Thumper Road has continued.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
John Smith moved approval of the minutes of the December 9th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved with the addition that Deputy Josalyn Longley was named as providing the Sheriff’s Department update.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of December were $714,835.73. The great majority, $713,321.45, was 2012 taxes collected in December of 2011. $680 was received for building permits, $395 for dog licenses, $100 for assessment searches, $320 for aluminum roads signs that were recycled and the remainder was $19.28 in interest. Carryover from 2011 into 2012 is likely be between $50,000 and $53,000, which includes the approximately $38,000 available as carryover going in to 2011.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Barbara Grenlie to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved. Due to Board concern that bank account balances may exceed insured levels for a period of time during the months that taxes are being collected, Barbara Grenlie moved that the treasurer transfer money to the LGIP account when bank balances exceed one million dollars. Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
The main checks of note for December were for truck repairs. The rear wheels on the International truck were replaced because of cracking, which was check 2747 for $764. The hydraulic pump on the Ford truck was replaced again, which was check 2781 for $707.52. We were given a $500 warranty credit on the repair.
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 December, 2011, paid by checks numbered 2736 through 2781 and ACH transfers 23 and 24 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. December check 2735 to Premier Coop was discussed at the December meeting. There is also a listing of January 2012 checks 2782 through 2789 for approval this month. The first three are fire and EMS district checks due in January, check 2785 is an attorney bill that arrived today, and the final 4 checks are January tax settlement checks due by January 17th. 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 December, 2011. The motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF REVISED BUDGET EXPENDITURE DOCUMENTATION
A draft Quickbooks-generated summary spreadsheet of Town finances was presented to the board for comment. Changes will be incorporated in future months as experience is gained with the process.
COMPLETION OF DCTA SURVEY
The Dane County Towns Association is reordering their priorities to better serve their members, and provided a questionnaire to allow towns a means of commenting on the organization’s past performance and future direction.
CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DISCONTINUANCE OF HAAG ROAD, LICKEL ROAD, RAINBOW FARM ROAD AND END PORTION OF KELLIHER ROAD
Progress is being made on evaluating future options for an improved turnaround on Kelliher Road, but at present there is nothing to report.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE BRODERICK ROAD TURNAROUND
No further progress has been made on improving the turnaround at the end of Broderick Road.
CONSIDERATION OF TOWN POSITION ON STATE-WIDE BICYCLE LICENSING
There has been discussion that the licensing of bicycles might provide a tool for the improved enforcement of traffic laws, as well as providing a further financing mechanism for road improvements. However, the board felt that on balance it would be better for the Town not to take the initiative on the issue, with individual contacts with State government representatives a better option.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE RESOLUTION REGARDING STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM LAND ACQUISITIONS
A recent letter from the State DNR has advised the Town that it will be given an opportunity to comment on conservation easement purchases within the Town by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Since the Town has already expressed support for the 78 acre Prairie Enthusiasts easement mentioned in the letter, and an opportunity will be made available for Town comment at the time of each future acquisition, it is not necessary for the Town to take further action at the present time.
DISCUSSION OF FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM
An upcoming meeting will be held on the subject at the Blue Mounds Town Hall, and the Dane County Towns Association will be monitoring the topic and providing educational opportunities.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE MUNICIPAL COURT AGREEMENT
It is generally considered desirable to have local ordinances enforced locally rather than in Dane County Court both because of the convenience for all concerned and the backlog of cases at the County level. It appears that the Mt. Horeb Municipal Court is the most likely candidate for a court to enforce locally issued ordinance citations. Any citations issued by Dane County, such as by the Dane County Sheriff’s Department enforcing a spring weight limit ordinance, would be heard in Dane County Court.
The cost to the Town of the Mt. Horeb Court would be $275 per year, with the actual court costs of each use of the court paid by the party found guilty of an ordinance violation. In a case where the party receiving a citation is found not guilty, the Town would pay court costs.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENTS IF REQUIRED
A budget amendment containing 2 items was presented for approval, raising the 2011 Public Works budget by $2,500 and the Culture, Recreation & Education budget by $2, with funds being transferred from General Government. Don McKay moved approval of the budget resolution, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Questions have arisen regarding the cost and practicality of painting a center line on several of the more heavily traveled Town roads, particularly North and Bohn Roads. It appears that layout of the lines would be approximately $220 per mile and striping $1,000 per mile. The lines would need to be laid out and painted after every chip sealing and likely repainted once between each chip sealing.
The lack of snow has allowed time for tree trimming along the roads. The IH truck continues to require repairs due to corrosion. Sign replacement with the newer high visibility signs continues and new spring weight limit signs will be ordered soon. The Planning Commission continues to document its procedures so as to provide decision-making continuity as membership changes over time.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR FEBRUARY MEETING
There will be further discussion of a future municipal court agreement, the Planning Commission recommendation regarding discontinuance of Haag Road, Lickel Road, Rainbow Farm Road and end portion of Kelliher Road and a possible Broderick Road turnaround.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Barbara Grenlie that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:52.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk