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 Larry Ziemer, seconded by Barbara Grenlie and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
At a recent Dane County Towns Association meeting there was discussion that sand to be used in the frac mining process is not readily exploitable in Dane County because of the depth at which such deposits are found. Gravel is more readily available and so is more likely to be subject to mining locally. Progress is being made on farmland preservation legislation and cell tower regulation.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the February 13th meeting, Don McKay seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of February were $146,666.40. The majority, $96,407.44, was 2012 property taxes. $44,318.87 was received as Dane County cost sharing for the Bergum Road box culvert which was replaced in 2011. $2,754.38 was received from the State for Payment in Lieu of Taxes, $1,700 was received for site visit and driveway permits, $1,064.85 from TDS as a share of a culvert replacement, $97 for a Workers Comp insurance refund, $240 for dog licenses, $25 for assessment searches, $19.42 was principal and interest on Special Assessments and the remainder was $39.44 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 first 8 checks for the month of February are for tax payments received by the Town which are then distributed to the State, Dane County and school districts. Check 2853 for Dane County septic system fees is in the same pass-through category. Checks 2865 and 2866 totaling $282.55 are for Vermont’s Voice postage and printing, which is on track to allow 4 issues in 2012 while remaining within the budget.
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 February, 2012, paid by checks numbered 2831 through 2869 and ACH transfer 7 for health 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 John Smith to approve payment of bills for February, 2012 and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING APPLICATION TO AMEND EXISTING CUP TO ALLOW 15 FOOT EXTENSION OF CELL TOWER AT 4264 STATE HIGHWAY 78
This amended CUP is to allow co-location of ATT equipment on the tower in question. The tower will remain below the height at which lighting would be required and there has been no objection to the increased height from local residents. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
Don McKay moved that the CUP amendment be approved, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATION FOR JUNE HORRIBLY HILLY HUNDREDS BICYCLE EVENT
Shelby Retzlaff was present representing the Friends of Blue Mound State Park, Inc., sponsor of the Horribly Hilly Hundreds bicycle event. Chairman Mark Sherven noted that both staggering the start of event participants and changing the event route between years lessens the impact on local residents. Concern has been raised in the past concerning the adequacy of the commonly used $2,000,000 aggregate insurance coverage for an event as large as a 1,300 participant bicycle event. This subject will be investigated.
Because the permit application was not made available to the Board prior to the meeting, a decision concerning granting of the permit will be made at the April meeting.
UPDATE CONCERNING COMPLETION OF OPEN BUILDING PERMIT INSPECTIONS
Of 23 building permits issued by Municipal Engineering & Inspection Services which remain valid, it appears that 29 inspections remain to be completed. Johnson Inspection LLC has begun completing these inspections as required, with compensation paid by the town. It is hoped that this money will be recovered from the remaining assets of MEI, since permit fees were paid to MEI in advance for these inspections.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO DANECOM AGREEMENT
Wording in the original agreement provided a cutoff date for participation approval by individual Dane County municipalities. Several agreement approvals were made after that date, so an amendment was drafted to insure that those later approvals would be considered valid. John Smith moved approval of the amendment, Don McKay seconded and the amendment was approved with Barbara Grenlie voting no.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING TOWN HALL CONCEALED CARRY POLICY
Earl Brandt suggested at the February board meeting that concealed carry be prohibited in the Town Hall during elections and it was agreed that the subject would be considered at the following meeting. Dane County Sheriff was present to discuss the details of the relatively new Wisconsin concealed carry law. Additionally, several citizens were present offering opinions regarding the issue of posting the Town Hall during some or all periods of time.
Barbara Grenlie moved that the Town Hall be posted to restrict firearms, Larry Ziemer seconded the motion and the motion was not approved with Barbara Grenlie and Larry Ziemer voting to approve and Mark Sherven, Don McKay and John Smith voting not to approve the motion.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC HEARING OF ORDINANCE TO EXTEND TOWN OFFICER TERMS IN RESPONSE TO ELECTION LAW CHANGES
Recent election law changes potentially led to a gap in time between the end of the current terms of elected officials and the beginning of the terms of newly elected officials. This required an ordinance to extend the terms by one week to match the new law. Because it is an ordinance, a public hearing will be required prior to board action. Larry Ziemer moved that the ordinance be approved for a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on April 9, 2012, John Smith seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION OF POSSIBLE FUTURE DISCONTINUANCE OF HAAG ROAD, LICKEL ROAD, RAINBOW FARM ROAD AND END PORTION OF KELLIHER ROAD
This subject will be on the agenda in April since further research is required into the options available regarding some of the roads in question.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE BRODERICK ROAD TURNAROUND
A recent legal opinion by our Town attorney indicated that a shortening of Broderick Road to a turn-around area convenient for Town purposes would substantially inconvenience landowners who presently rely on the full length of the road for practical access to their property. While concerns remain regarding the provision of an adequate turn-around at the end of Broderick Road, discontinuance of the end portion of the road appears not to be presently feasible.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
For the Road Committee, the Town Patrolman reported that the new tractor, obtained through an annual trade-in program, has been delivered. Spring brush cutting has been completed. Approximately half the sand/salt stockpile remains from the mild 2011-12 winter, meaning the shed can be refilled with about 28 loads this coming fall. The mild winter has also made it unnecessary to post roads to enforce the newly enacted spring weight limit ordinance. A new full-time employee has been hired by the Mt. Horeb Joint Fire Department. The Black Earth Joint Fire Department is considering updating its agreement with participating municipalities. District One EMS recently had an appreciation dinner for their personnel, where it was noted that the Town might consider having an emergency AED (defibrillator) at the Town Hall for cardiac emergencies. Progress is being made on a municipal court agreement with the Village of Mt. Horeb, which will require that the Town pass an enabling ordinance at some point in the future.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR APRIL MEETING
The Recreation Events Permit application for the Horribly Hilly Hundreds will again be considered, along with a possible municipal court agreement with the Village of Mt. Horeb and the possible approval of the discontinuance of Haag Road, Lickel Road, Rainbow Farm Road and end portion of Kelliher Road for a public hearing.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:52.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk