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, Don McKay, Barbara Grenlie and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisor John Smith was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by Don McKay and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Town’s previous building inspector, MEI, Inc., ceased operations before completing building inspections for which it had been paid by the Town. After consultation with our attorney, it has been determined that attempting to recover those funds would not be cost-effective.
Several incidents of reckless driving have occurred recently in the Town, including one hit-and-run accident.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Don McKay moved approval of the minutes of the September 10th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of September were $292.44. $118 was received for veterans grave care, $111.24 for 2011Specials, $20 for garage addition plans and the remainder was $43.20 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
Checks for this month include final 2012 payments for fire and EMS service. Check 3121 is for engineering services for the Kelliher Road turn-around and check 3124 is for the construction of that turn-around as well as shouldering work on Greenwald Road. Check 3150 is for the completion of shouldering work on Bohn Road. Check 3154 is for winter road salt; we haven’t yet received the bill for chips and trucking, so we don’t yet have a final total for our winter mix. Checks 3155 and 3156 are for veterans graves aid, which is a pass-through of funds received from Dane County.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer 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 September, 2012, paid by checks numbered 3113 through 3157 and ACH transfer 14 for health insurance. Check 3113 was discussed at the September meeting and checks 3114 and 3115 were sent out early because of early due dates. Check 3157 is an October check written today. 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 September 2012 and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION FROM JOHN BRINGS AND LOUIE BRINGS FOR SMALL BUSINESS AT 4182 RYAN ROAD
Application materials were not complete for the September Planning Commission meeting, so this item will be considered at their October meeting.
DISCUSSION OF SURVEY RESULTS AND POSSIBLE DECISION REGARDING TOWN-WIDE TRASH PICKUP
In a recent survey regarding whether Town-wide trash pickup should be instituted, 40 residents voted yes and 47 voted no. Larry Ziemer moved that the Board not pursue Town-wide trash pickup at this time, Mark Sherven seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF SURVEY RESULTS AND POSSIBLE DECISION REGARDING TOWN HALL CONCEALED CARRY POSTING
In a recent survey regarding the question concerning whether the Town Hall should be posted to prohibit the carrying of firearms, 55 voted yes and 30 voted no. Barbara Grenlie moved that signs be posted prohibiting the carrying of firearms in the Town Hall, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING UNPERMITTED DRIVEWAY AT 3361 NORTH ROAD
Town concerns regarding this driveway have been addressed, and no further action is required.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF USE OF TOWN HALL FOR JUNE 2013 SPRING ART TOUR
Some artists potentially interested in participating in the Spring Art Tour do not feel that they are in a position to open their homes to the public. For this reason the organizers are investigating the availability of other venues, including the Vermont Town Hall. Concerns were expressed that since artists are selling as well as displaying their work, the use of a public building for the event might be inappropriate. Concerns were also raised regarding building security. Barbara Grenlie moved that use of the Town Hall not be permitted, Mark Sherven seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS TO DANE COUNTY REGARDING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO DANE COUNTY ORDINANCES CHAPTER 11 AND 14
Comments were submitted by Supervisors Don McKay and Barbara Grenlie regarding these proposed ordinance revisions. These comments were generally critical of increased restrictions and permitting costs which would be detrimental to the conduct of business without providing commensurate environmental benefits, and provided the basis for Board discussion of these amendments. Larry Ziemer moved and Barbara Grenlie seconded that a summary of this discussion be forwarded to Dane County and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS TO DANE COUNTY REGARDING AMENDMENT 11 TO CHAPTER 75 OF DANE COUNTY ORDINANCES REGARDING THE MINIMUM 66 FOOT PUBLIC ROAD ACCESS
This ordinance amendment would change the current requirement that 66 feet of frontage on a public road is necessary for a lot to be created and allow the use of easements, including shared easements, to provide access. In practice the required 66 feet was often attained through the use of a “flag” of land unsuitable for driveway construction, with actual access provided by an easement. This change would benefit the Town of Vermont because it would eliminate the unnecessary creation of “flag” lots. Towns wishing to retain the current rules could opt out of the new regulations. Larry Ziemer moved and Don McKay seconded that comments favorable to this ordinance amendment be forwarded to Dane County, including the opinion that the easement option should be readily available to landowners and not considered an exception to standard practice, and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF DANE COUNTY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 12, 2012-13 REGARDING DEFINITIONS OF AGRICULTURAL USES AND REVISIONS TO THE A-1EX (EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL) DISTRICT
The Dane County Towns Association as well as the Town of Vermont Planning Commission recommended approval of this ordinance amendment. Larry Ziemer moved that the Board approve Amendment No. 12, Don McKay seconded and the amendment was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF DANE COUNTY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 13, 2012-13 REGARDING REVISIONS TO THE A-4 (SMALL LOT AGRICULTURE) DISTRICT
The Dane County Towns Association as well as the Town of Vermont Planning Commission recommended approval of this ordinance amendment. Larry Ziemer moved that the Board approve Amendment No. 13, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the amendment was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF DANE COUNTY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 14, 2012-13 REGARDING REVISIONS TO THE A-B (AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS) DISTRICT
The Dane County Towns Association as well as the Town of Vermont Planning Commission recommended approval of this ordinance amendment. Larry Ziemer moved that the Board approve Amendment No. 14, Don McKay seconded and the amendment was approved.
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF 2013 BUDGET AND SETTING OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL TOWN MEETING DATE
Refinement of the 2013 budget included the addition of $1,500 to the annual salary of the Clerk, $356 to the annual salary of the Treasurer, $200 to the quarterly salary of the Chair and $100 to the quarterly salary of Supervisors, subject to citizen approval at a special town meeting. Per Diem compensation for Planning Commission members will be increased to $40 per meeting, matching Supervisor’s per diem. Money in the 2012 budget but not spent in 2012 for the proposed addition to the town garage will be added to a 2013 budget reserve fund category, with an additional $30,000 of 2013 funding for that project. The budget hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on November 5th, followed by the Special Town Meeting to approve elected officer wages, road expenses and the levy.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Road shouldering work, including tree removal will be taking place on Forshaug Road over the coming weeks, along with tree removal and trimming on Stanfield Road. Bids are being requested for the replacement of the power broom which fits the IH truck. Winter stone chip / salt mix has been delivered and mowing has been completed. The Planning Commission requests that the Board provide guidance regarding future policy options regarding the implementation of Transfer of Development Rights.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR NOVEMBER MEETING
Possible agenda items include consideration and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit application for a small business at 4182 Ryan Road, consideration and possible approval of the discontinuance of the end portion of Kelliher Road, discussion of future policy options regarding Transfer of Development Rights and discussion and possible approval of the purchase of a road maintenance power broom.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:52.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk