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 with the change that the Road Committee portion of Committee Reports was moved to item 9.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
It was noted that General Transportation Aids to towns will be increased in 2015; rural elected officials working on behalf of that increase were thanked for their effort. Enforcement of town ordinances by citation will require adoption of an ordinance allowing that authority. A model ordinance is available as a starting point for attorney review. The Town has been informed that Safe Harbor, a non-profit group, will be sponsoring a motorcycle ride through the town. A question for future consideration is whether a Recreation Permit application should be required.
CITIZEN INPUT
A question was raised regarding road closures during road repair and maintenance. Roads that are completely closed will be posted at either end. This summer’s chip sealing schedule was also of concern.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kevin Kuntz moved approval of the minutes of the June 10th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of June were $1,120.97. $861.53 was MFL Aid, $104.40 was a Premier Coop patronage refund, $75 was for a building permit, $50 for assessment searches, $10 for a dog license and the remainder was $20.04 in interest.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Kevin Kuntz to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Because the new International truck will be delivered in a few weeks, consideration will need to be given to sale of the old truck. The main Harris Bank office in Mt. Horeb will be closing in September, so consideration will need to be given to a new notice posting location. Check 3493 is the first draw by S & D Builders for the new garage addition. Check 3494 is for a combined bill for surveying related to the turn-around on Kelliher Road and the new garage addition. Check 3497 is for our annual tractor trade-in and the 16 additional hours above our contracted 300 hours on the tractor we traded in. Trade-in cost this year was $5,500 rather than the budgeted $4,500 because we in theory traded for an upgraded model. However, the new tractor has 5 less horsepower and is lacking some of the features of the tractor we traded in.
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 June 2013, paid by checks numbered 3479 through 3521 and ACH transfer 11 for health insurance. Checks 3479 and 3480 were for invoices that arrived the day of the June meeting and were discussed at that meeting. 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 Larry Ziemer and seconded by Kevin Kuntz to approve payment of bills for June 2013 and the motion was approved with the understanding that check 3521 would be held until an inquiry regarding it had been answered.
ROAD COMMITTEE REPORT
Forshaug Road improvements are partially completed and seeded-in, the remainder of the work is expected to be completed this week. Asphalt patching is almost complete in preparation for chip sealing. Drywall finishing is currently in progress on the garage addition, which should be completed within two weeks. $40,000 has been offered for the old International truck, an offer that will be considered at the August meeting.
SOLICITATION AND DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING 2013 BICYCLE EVENTS
Russ Larson, representing Race Day Events, supplied information regarding participation in the June 15th Horribly Hilly Hundreds. No citizens were present to comment on that event and there appeared to be general satisfaction with how it had been conducted.
Meribeth O’Connell was present to comment on the USA Cycling National Championships conducted on July 3rd and 5th. While the organizers of the Horribly Hilly Hundreds made a significant effort to clean up the course after the completion of their event, Ms. O’ Connell indicated that a consideration amount of trash remained along the roadside after the National Championships race. She also indicated that what had been described as a limited and brief “rolling closure” of the road on which she lives was instead a complete closure to farm equipment during both days of the event.
Among the topics discussed was how the permit fee structure might be revised to reflect the inconvenience to Town residents caused by large events or road closures and whether events which effectively close roads should be allowed at all.
Representatives of both the National Championships and the Sheriff’s Department will be invited to the August Board meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC HEARING OF WIND TURBINE SITING ORDINANCE
The Planning Commission has recommended that the Board approve the Wind Siting Ordinance for public hearing. Larry Ziemer moved and Kevin Kuntz seconded that a public hearing on the ordinance be held at 7:00 p.m. prior to the August 12th Board meeting and the motion was approved. It was noted that an ordinance amendment changing the Board meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. had been approved for public hearing earlier in the year, the hearing to be held at such time as another hearing made scheduling convenient; that hearing will immediately follow the Wind Turbine Siting Ordinance hearing.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Larry Ziemer reported that a draft Dane County Chapter 75 Ordinance Amendment was under consideration at the County level. It would relax the current requirement that all lots include a 66 ft. frontage on a public road, allowing the substitution of easement access. Discussion of this topic and possible submission of comments for a future County hearing on this ordinance amendment will be placed on the August Board meeting agenda.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR AUGUST MEETING
Agenda items are expected to include discussion and possible action regarding the July 3rd and 5th USA Cycling National Road Championships bicycle race, discussion and possible approval of an Ordinance Regulating the Siting of Wind Energy Systems, discussion and possible approval of an Ordinance Amendment changing Board Meeting time to 7:00 p.m., discussion and possible approval for public hearing of a Citation Ordinance, discussion and possible action regarding the proposed Dane County Chapter 75 Ordinance Amendment Regarding Lot Frontage on a Public Street, consideration and possible approval of the sale of the International truck and begin deliberations on 2014 budget.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Kevin Kuntz and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:32.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk