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: Supervisor Barbara Grenlie as acting Chair; Supervisors, Don McKay, and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisor John Smith resigned effective November 3rd and the position was vacant at the beginning of the meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by Don McKay and approved with the changes that items 16 (power broom purchase) and 19 (Committee Reports) be moved to nearer the beginning of the meeting to allow the departure of the Town Patrolman.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
American Transmission Company has put out a summary report dated September, 2012 proposing a new transmission line along the “Cardinal Bluffs” from Dubuque to Middleton. While the line is not expected to be constructed until 2019, the Town of Vermont is within the “study area” for this transmission line.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Don McKay moved approval of the minutes of the October 8th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of October were $21,371.85. The majority was $20,937.13 for our last 2012 Transportation Aid payment. $225 was received for building permits, $85 for assessment searches, $57.50 as the Town’s dog license rebate, $10 for dog licenses, $9.36 for Specials and the remainder was $47.86 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
At the recent election we had 583 voters on election day and two absentee ballots that came in after election day and were counted at Municipal Board of Canvass on Friday, for a total of 585 votes cast out of 643 voters in the poll book and 32 who registered just before or at the election. That is an 87 percent turnout.
There were only a couple of checks of note in October. Check 3159 is the 20 percent of MFL withdrawals and timber cutting tax paid to Dane County. Check 3161 for $2,133 is for design services for the new garage addition. Our winter stone chips from Bard materials were paid with check 3178 for $6,871, which brings the total expense to fill the salt shed for the coming winter to $13,714.
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 October, 2012, paid by checks numbered 3158 through 3203 and ACH transfer 15 for health insurance. October check 3157 was discussed at the October meeting and check 3158 was sent out early because of an early due date. 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 Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay to approve payment of bills for October 2012 and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE VACANT SUPERVISOR SEAT 3
Chairman Mark Sherven is asking the Board to approve the appointment of Todd Culliton to Supervisor seat 3 to fill out the term of Supervisor John Smith. Larry Ziemer moved that the appointment be made, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved unanimously. As a part of the reassignment of duties due to the Supervisor resignation, Doug Meier was asked to become a Planning Commission member, to which he agreed.
UPDATE FROM DANE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEPUTY
Deputy Josalyn Longley was present and provided the 2012 calls for service to date. Recent complaints concerning reckless driving are being investigated.
ESTABLISHMENT OF FEE FOR DRIVEWAY PERMIT RENEWAL REQUIRING DRIVEWAY COMMITTEE SITE VISIT
Driveway permits were issued for a number of years before the requirement that they be renewed after 2 years was instituted. Consequently, an unknown number of permits have now expired, sometimes without the knowledge of the permit holder. The Planning Commission has recommended that there be a process for renewing expired permits for driveway plans which are consistent with current driveway construction standards. Larry Ziemer moved that a special renewal fee be instituted of $100 plus $35 for each year the permit was not renewed. The intent is to recover the cost of a Driveway Committee site visit plus the years of non-renewal, while providing an incentive to comply with the normal $25 per year renewal process. The overall fee is expected to be less than would be required for a new driveway construction permit. Barbara Grenlie seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
Because it is not practical to identify outstanding un-renewed permits, it was suggested that a notice be enclosed with tax bills to bring the issue to the attention of property owners.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF ROAD MAINTENANCE POWER BROOM
The 5 foot broom currently owned together with the Town of Mazomanie was originally designed for use on the front of a tractor. It is too narrow to allow a single sweeping pass per lane and is not able to cover the road edge without putting the weight of the truck on the pavement edge. A 10 ft. wide replacement, to be owned solely by the Town of Vermont, will cost approximately $10,100 and is expected to last many years. Barbara Grenlie moved that the broom be purchased, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved, with Don McKay voting no.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Town Patrolman reported that progress continues on the replacement of older road signs and the placement of posts for spring weight limit signs.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING APPLICATION TO RENEW DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR ERIC AND KRISTA THOMPSON ON RYAN ROAD
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a renewal of the expired driveway construction permit for this property for a $250 fee. However, calculation according to the guidelines approved earlier in this meeting produces a fee of $275. Don McKay moved approval of renewal subject to the $275 fee, Barbara Grenlie seconded 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
Don McKay moved approval of the Conditional Use Permit for John Brings as property owner, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF DISCONTINUANCE OF END PORTION OF KELLIHER ROAD
Don McKay moved that the end 255 feet of Kelliher Road be discontinued, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE POLICY OPTIONS REGARDING TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS AND POSSIBLE SCHEDULING OF JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION
There are a number of policy options available for the implementation of Transfer of Development Rights. In 2010, Dane County provided a summary of these policy options for consideration by the towns, which need to be reviewed. Because of the upcoming holidays, it was decided to let the Planning Commission consider a January joint meeting date at their December meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE RENEWAL OF ASSESSMENT MAINTENANCE CONTRACT WITH EQUITY APPRAISAL
Larry Ziemer moved that the 2013 – 2014 contract with Equity Appraisal for an annual cost of $8,000 be approved, Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved.
APPROVAL OF 2013 BUDGET
Barbara Grenlie moved that the 2013 budget incorporating adjustments based on public hearing comments be adopted, Don McKay and Larry Ziemer co-seconded the motion and the budget was approved.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR DECEMBER MEETING
Among the topics to be on the December agenda is a draft of a letter to be sent with tax bills bringing the need for annual Driveway Construction Permit renewal to the attention of property owners who may have outstanding permits. Also on the agenda will be setting a joint meeting date with the Planning Commission for a discussion of Transfer of development Rights policy and a discussion of the proposed ATC power line that may impact the Town of Vermont.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:54.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk