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: Chair, Barbara Grenlie; Supervisors, Kevin Kuntz and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisors Don McKay and Todd Culliton were absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by Kevin Kuntz and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Town has received Dane County permits for the Forshaug Road project. The Chair negotiated a more flexible time window for the project in order to allow for weather delays.
Discussion of a possible Wind Turbine Siting ordinance awaits attorney input.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Larry Ziemer moved approval of the minutes of the May 13th meeting, Kevin Kuntz seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of May were $850.82. $382.10 was for a building permit, $220 for liquor licenses, $150 for assessment searches, $50 for driveway permit renewals, $22.01 for Specials and Interest and the remainder was $26.71 in interest.
A motion was made by Kevin Kuntz and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Check 3454 is for a used cross conveyor to fit the new International truck, purchased from the Village of Mt. Horeb. Check 3475 is for builders risk insurance covering the town garage addition while it is under construction. Check 3478 is for engineering fees related to obtaining an erosion control permit for the Forshaug Road project.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Kevin Kuntz to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for May, 2013, paid by checks numbered 3453 through 3478 and ACH transfer 10 for health insurance. Check 3453 was for an invoice that arrived the day of the May meeting and was discussed at that meeting. Checks other than those discussed in the clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular monthly bills. A question was raised concerning the efficacy of garlic mustard control, which will be brought up when the 2014 budget is considered .
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Kevin Kuntz to approve payment of bills for May 2013 and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING HOMESITE AND DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION FROM DON PARRELL ON BLUE MOUNDS TRAIL
The Driveway Construction Permit was approved at the May meeting and at this time no further action is required.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING REZONE, HOMESITE AND DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION BY STEVE SCHULTE, BOHN ROAD AND CTY JG
These applications are not yet ready for Board consideration.
DISCUSSION OF 2013 TOWN PICNIC PLANNING
The 2013 picnic will be August 25th. Two individuals have volunteered to assist in picnic planning. Kathy Smith, who co-chaired the picnic in 2012, indicated that she would provide transition help. Picnic notification as well as a request for further volunteers will be in Vermont’s Voice.
UPDATE ON STATUS OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATION FROM TEAM SPORTS INC. FOR JULY 4TH WEEKEND USA CYCLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BICYCLING RACE
This permit had been granted on the condition that the Town of Vermont portion of the event not be held on July 4th as originally planned. Review of the on-line schedule of events indicated that the event would now take place on July 3rd and 5th, so no further action was required.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC HEARING FOR WIND TURBINE SITING ORDINANCE
This topic is not yet ready for Board consideration.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF LETTER TO DANE COUNTY REGARDING PUBLIC NOTICE AND INVOLVEMENT IN TAX PAYER FUNDED LAND ACQUISITION PROCESS
This topic is not yet ready for Board consideration.
REPORT ON WISLINE FRAC MINING EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
While oil and gas deposits suitable for extraction by frac mining do not appear to occur in Wisconsin, this state does provide a source of high quality sand suitable for use in frac mining in other states. Since the mining and transportation of this sand can have significant impacts on local environmental quality and infrastructure, regulation of the industry may be desirable. Since Dane County is covered by zoning, regulation by the Town of Vermont requires that the Town have Village Powers (subsequent to the Board meeting it was determined that Village Powers were adopted at the 1990 Annual Meeting). Also, while regulation is permitted, banning the mining of this sand is not permitted because a ban does not pass the court test of reasonableness. The Town of Berry has adopted an ordinance, as well as an accompanying application, which the Town of Vermont might consider as a model. The WisLine material will be forwarded to the Planning Commission.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE EMS DISTRICT INSURANCE OPTIONS
Dane County is proposing to eliminate funding for vehicle and liability insurance for those EMS districts in the County that avail themselves of this service; some districts, including the Mount Horeb Area Joint district, already provide for their own insurance. This subject was discussed at a recent Dane County Towns Association meeting, with a Dane County representative present. Among the County arguments was that double coverage often occurs because of the way that insurance policies are written, and the EMS districts can build increased insurance costs into the fees charged to users and their insurance companies, though districts pointed out that charges billed to individuals often don’t get paid.
APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR 2013 - 2014
Planning Commission members will remain the same, with the Chair being Todd Culliton and the other Board representative being Don McKay. Citizen members will remain Johanna Solms, Jim Elleson, Eric Haugen, Scott Moe and Doug Meier.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Jack reported for the Road Committee that wedging bids have been received for two potential projects. The new tractor has been delivered and is now in service and being used for mowing. A final decision needs to be made on which roads are to be chip sealed and a contract signed. Relocation of the TDS wiring along Forshaug Road will take place soon in advance of the start of that project, which is scheduled to begin during the week of June 24th. The new truck is expected to be delivered to the Town at the end of June. A grease bank was mistakenly omitted from the specifications for the new truck, but will be added by Burke Trucks at their cost. It will soon be necessary to list the current IH truck for sale, with Wisconsin Surplus an often recommended sales option.
At the meeting of the Dane County Towns Association it was reported that discussion continues regarding having a County Supervisor who represents rural towns be a member of the Zoning and Land Regulation Committee, but nothing is yet assured. Also at the meeting the Chair of the Dane County Board addressed the future of the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission, indicating that an audit of the Commission’s expenditures had been authorized. The Dane County Executive has sent a letter indicating that he will approve this audit after the CARPC has submitted its 2014 budget sometime in August. In the new State budget is a proposal for a $50 per mile increase in General Transportation Aid for municipalities in 2015.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JULY MEETING
It is expected that there will be a report on whether village powers were approved for the Town. A follow-up on June bicycle events is planned. A Town wind turbine ordinance may be approved for public hearing as well as consideration and possible approval of a letter to Dane County regarding public notice and involvement in tax payer funded land acquisition process if the Planning Commission has acted upon it.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Kevin Kuntz and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:56.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk