The amended meeting notice has been posted at the Black Earth Branch of the State Bank of Cross Plains, 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. The original notice, prior to the addition of the building inspection topic, was 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 John Smith and approved with the changes that Item (16), committee reports, was moved to after item (8) and the item concerning building inspections which had been added to the agenda by amendment was to be considered after item (9).
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
It appears from a recent meeting at the Town of Blue Mounds concerning the future of the Farmland Preservation Program that local municipalities are not likely to be allowed to opt out of the program. Revisions to the program need to be completed and accepted by the end of 2012. It appears that the subject of non-conforming zoning parcels will be coming up during the coming year.
CITIZEN INPUT
Earl Brandt suggested that the Town adopt a policy prohibiting the concealed carry of weapons in the Town Hall during elections. This suggestion will be considered at the March board meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the January 9th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of January were $837,504.05. The great majority, $815,869.09, was 2012 taxes collected in January. $20,937.13 was received as General Transportation Aid, $480 for dog licenses, $150 for building permits, $25 for assessment searches, and the remainder was $42.83 in interest.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Next Tuesday is the Spring Primary Election. We had our first propane delivery of 2012, which is part of check 2800. The price was $1.939 per gallon compared to a price of $1.899 had the Town prepaid for this winter. Checks 2802 through 2813 are refunds for overpaid property taxes from escrow accounts. Check 2818 to the Dane County Treasurer is a payment to balance our tax collection account for a combined personal and real estate property tax bill which a resident paid with a single check.
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 January 2012, paid by checks numbered 2790 through 2830 and ACH transfer 1 for health insurance. Because of the sound condition of the income continuation insurance fund, no premiums for that insurance will be due for the next year. January 2012 checks 2782 through 2789 were discussed at the December meeting. 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 Don McKay to approve payment of bills for January, 2012 and the motion was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ford truck is back in service after numerous repairs to the hydraulic system. The Mt. Horeb Fire District is interviewing replacements for a recently resigned employee. District One has put a new squad into service. A new chief, deputy chief and assistant chief have been elected to 2 year terms by the volunteers of the Black Earth Joint Fire Department.
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF LAND SWAP REZONE APPLICATIONS FROM JAMES KIRCHSTEIN JR. AND JAMES KIRCHSTEIN SR. ON STATE HIGHWAY 78
The Planning Commission recommended approval. Don McKay moved approval of all three interrelated zoning petitions, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved with Barbara Grenlie abstaining.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING TOWN DELEGATION OF UNCOMPLETED BUILDING PERMIT INSPECTIONS TO JOHNSON INSPECTION LLC, WITH TOWN COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES AS REQUIRED
The firm which held the Town contract for building inspections prior to November 15, 2011 has ceased operations, leaving a number of building inspections remaining to be completed. John Smith moved that the Town’s present building inspection firm, Johnson Inspections LLC, be authorized to complete outstanding inspections, with compensation by the Town at the rate of $50 per hour plus mileage. Barbara Grenlie seconded the motion and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF REVISED TOWN ORDINANCES CHAPTER 7 – LAND DIVISIONS
Barbara Grenlie moved and Don McKay seconded that the Town adopt the Planning Commission ordinance revision. Two changes were made by the Board to the draft presented at the public hearing in order to reflect the reassignment of duties from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to other State agencies. The amendments to Ordinance Chapter 7 were approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF FIRE SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE
Changes suggested at the public hearing restricting the ordinance to the Mt. Horeb portion of the Town and more completely specifying the source of the regulations being enforced have been incorporated into the ordinance presented to the Board for approval. John Smith moved that the Ordinance Chapter 9 presented to the Board be adopted, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved with Don McKay abstaining.
CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DISCONTINUANCE OF HAAG ROAD, LICKEL ROAD, RAINBOW FARM ROAD AND END PORTION OF KELLIHER ROAD
Marc Brody, who resides at the end of Kelliher Road, was present and provided information concerning alternative turnaround options for the end of that road. Consideration of the options will continue.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE BRODERICK ROAD TURNAROUND
No further progress has been made on improving the turnaround at the end of Broderick Road.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING MUNICIPAL COURT AGREEMENT
Mark Sherven suggested that the Board approve continuation of further negotiations with the Mt. Horeb municipal court regarding a contract for court services, with a draft to be presented at a future Board meeting. In the future, ordinances passed by the Town may have to be drafted to take advantage of the increased enforcement authority provided by a local court. Larry Ziemer moved that the Town proceed with negotiations regarding the municipal court agreement and the drafting of any ordinance required to implement the agreement, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING TOWN POLICY ON PAINTING OF ROAD CENTER LINES
Barbara Grenlie moved and John Smith seconded that no further consideration be given to the painting of center lines and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR MARCH MEETING
There will be further discussion and possible action regarding Town policy on concealed carry within the Town Hall, consideration and possible recommendation for public hearing of an ordinance extending terms for elected town official due to recent election law changes, discussion of progress on the transition to a new building inspection provider, the possible future 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 John Smith that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:43.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk