The 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. It was also published in the News Sickle-Arrow and the Mt. Horeb Mail.
Present: Chairman, Mark Sherven; Supervisors, John Smith, Barbara Grenlie and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisor Don McKay was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by John Smith and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Wisconsin Towns Association will be hosting a town and village workshop on September 11th in Mineral Point. On July 3rd the Town Chair issued a burning ban effective until further notice covering the Town of Vermont. The Zoning and Land Use Regulation Committee of the Dane County Board will appoint a subcommittee at the July 17th meeting to continue work on the Dane County Farmland Preservation Plan update. Town of Vermont concerns regarding the Plan update will be forwarded to that subcommittee. The 2012 Horribly Hilly Hundreds bicycle event created more problems than in the recent past; written comments concerning the event from residents are being requested. The Wisconsin Honor Ride in support of veterans will take place on July 21st; no Town permit is required since Town roads will not be used.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the June 11th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of June were $4,086.53. $2,538.10 was received as our final Dane County cost sharing for the Bergum Road box culvert, $829.87 from the State for MFL Aid in Lieu of Taxes, $300 for assessment searches, $300 for a building permit, $118.56 as a Premier Cooperative Patronage Dividend and the remainder was $37.45 in interest.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Barbara Grenlie to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Our next election is the fall primary on August 14th. We have our ballots, so anyone wishing an absentee ballot should apply in writing whenever convenient. In person early voting doesn’t start until July 30.
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 June, 2012, paid by checks numbered 3003 through 3044 and ACH transfer 11 for health insurance. Check 3003 is for office supplies and was sent out early. July checks 3045 and 3046 are for invoices that arrived today and are included in this month’s summary. All checks are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular quarterly bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by John Smith to approve payment of bills for June 2012 and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR CARL AND KAREN JOHNSON AT 3361 NORTH ROAD
The Planning Commission conducted a site visit to inspect work that had been completed. It was concluded that a 50 foot portion of the graveled area adjacent to North Road would be returned to its previous state by August 31 and the driveway permit application would be withdrawn. The application fee was retained to cover the cost of the site visit.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATION FOR SEPTEMBER 16TH FAIRSHARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE COALITION BICYCLE RIDE
The only question arising was the desire of the Town to have event participants individually identifiable, preferably through back tags. Julie Garrett, present representing the event organizers, agreed that back tags would be used. Barbara Grenlie moved that the application be approved, John Smith seconded and the application was approved with the understanding that details will be forthcoming concerning the method by which residents along the route will be notified of the event.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF DISCONTINUANCE OF LICKEL ROAD AND END PORTION OF KELLIHER ROAD
Engineering work and permits for a turnaround on Kelliher Road are in process. For that reason, further consideration of the Kelliher Road agenda item is postponed.
An easement is currently being negotiated to allow continued convenient access to a residence on Lickel Road after the road is discontinued. The Board does not intend to discontinue Lickel Road unless such an easement is in place. For that reason, Board action on this discontinuance is being postponed.
REPORT ON CONFERENCE REGARDING BICYCLE EVENTS
On March 27th a conference was held bringing together private and government groups and individuals to discuss bicycle-related planning. Information was presented concerning the route improvement priorities of various bicycle groups as well as Dane County capital improvement plans. Of particular local interest is the proposed connector between the Military Ridge Bicycle Trail and Brigham County Park; the route for this has yet to be determined since negotiation with private landowners continues.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION REGARDING DISSOLUTION OF CAPITAL AREA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
The position of CARPC executive director has been vacant for a considerable length of time, and there is concern among some towns regarding budget and operational oversight of the organization. While some progress is being made, there is sentiment among some towns that the dissolution of CARPC must remain an option if progress toward reform is to continue. The Dane County Towns Association has supplied a draft resolution calling for the dissolution of CARPC, a version of which has been presented to the Town Board for consideration. Barbara Grenlie moved that the resolution be approved, Mark Sherven seconded and the resolution was approved, with the understanding that a formal request to the Governor for CARPC dissolution will be held in abeyance if progress toward restructuring the agency continues.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DECISION CONCERNING A SURVEY REGARDING TOWN HALL CONCEALED CARRY POLICY
There has been a citizen request that the Board pass a restriction on the carrying of concealed weapons in the Town Hall. In order to gauge public opinion on the question, Larry Ziemer moved that an informational article be included in the Vermont’s Voice newsletter along with a survey to be returned to the Town post office box. Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved. There was discussion as to whether the surveys should be numbered to prevent the return of duplicates, but no action was taken on that suggestion.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DECISION CONCERNING A SURVEY REGARDING TOWN-WIDE CONTRACTING FOR TRASH AND RECYCLING PICKUP SERVICES
Barbara Grenlie moved that a survey concerning Town-wide garbage and recycling pickup be included in the Vermont’s Voice newsletter along with a survey to be returned to the Town post office box. John Smith seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION REGARDING IMPROVEMENT OF WISCONSIN HEIGHTS AREA HIGHWAY SAFETY
A recent fatal accident at the entrance to Wisconsin Heights High School has emphasized that this is one of the most hazardous sections of highway in the area. Barbara Grenlie moved that a letter be sent to the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation requesting expedited improvements to this road prior to the start of school in the fall. Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF TOWN OF VERMONT ORDINANCE CHAPTER 12 ESTABLISHING A JOINT MUNICIPAL COURT
John Smith moved that the ordinance be approved, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF 2012 – 2013 PROPANE CONTRACT
Two vendors have submitted bids for service over the coming winter. Sufficient questions remain that John Smith moved and Larry Ziemer seconded that the Town Chair be given the discretion to make the final contract decision for 2012 – 2013, and the motion was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Jack Schulenberg reported for the road committee that 2 days of the second mowing for the year have been completed, with a third mowing unlikely to be required because of the dry weather. Asphalt patching will be completed soon so that roads will be ready for chip sealing.
Kathy Smith reported that several new things will be tried at the Town picnic this year. Box lunches will be available to those wishing to have lunch at the top of the ski hill, and an ice cream social is planned for the end of the day.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR AUGUST MEETING
Items brought forward from the July meeting will include the possible discontinuance of Lickel Road and the end portion of Kelliher Road.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by John Smith that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:01.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk