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, Don McKay, Todd Culliton and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisor Kevin Kuntz was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by Todd Culliton and approved with the understanding that the report from the Executive Director of Northwest Dane Senior Services may be moved toward the beginning upon her arrival.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Chair had nothing to report from correspondence received by the Town since the last meeting.
CITIZEN INPUT
Barbara Borns was present representing the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association. She reported that there would soon be a dedication of a remeandering of a portion of the creek. The Association has been assisting with creation of a walking path to the Wisconsin Heights High School from Mazomanie which will be partially along Black Earth Creek. She also reported on recent personnel changes at Northwest Dane Senior Services and will be present to introduce the new Executive Director.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Todd Culliton moved approval of the minutes of the August 12th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of August were $166,461.66. $110,201.16 was our final 2013 tax settlement, $40,000 was payment from the Town of Alden for the 2005 International truck, $15,415.81 was the August Special District Settlement, $350 was for a Planning Commission site visit, $180 was for a building permit, $118 for Veteran’s Grave care, which is distributed to the cemeteries in the Town, $100 was for recreation permits, $80 was for a driveway permit and the remainder was $16.69 in interest.
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Todd Culliton to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Check 3548 for the International truck chassis was discussed at the last meeting. A 2013 – 2014 propane contract with Premier Cooperative was signed for 2,300 gallons at $1.299 per gallon. The replacement tank is in place and the gas line to the new garage addition completed. Check 3549 for $2,987.70 is for the prepaid propane. Check 3554 is for this year’s chip sealing, check 3557 is for the Forshaug Road shouldering project and check 3566 is for the wedging on Forshaug and Union Valley Roads. The allowable levy limit will increase by $2,364 for 2014.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie 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 August 2013, paid by checks numbered 3548 through 3586 and ACH transfer 13 for health insurance. 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 Todd Culliton to approve payment of bills for August 2013 and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING REZONE FROM A1-EX to A-2 FOR MICKELSON REVOCABLE TRUST PROPERTY AT 4212 DALBY ROAD
Rezoning was requested, to be accompanied by a deed restriction stating:
Land uses on the A-2 lot are limited to a single-family residence and agricultural uses.
If grandfathered home located on the parcel is to be replaced, existing home must be abandoned by removal of building and/or all utilities including plumbing.
A replacement homesite and driveway location must receive Town Board approval.
No new development rights exist on property.
Don McKay moved that the rezone be approved with the deed restriction, Todd Culliton seconded and the motion was approved.
REPORT ON 2013 TOWN PICNIC
Barbara Bird, an honorary Town resident, was instrumental in organizing this year’s picnic and was present to report on the event. 93 people registered, though the number present was estimated at 123. She suggested that donations no longer be requested from those attending since an adequate reserve fund has been built up for unanticipated expenses. The Board will need to determine the disposition of the existing donation fund.
REPORT FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NORTHWEST DANE SENIOR SERVICES
Paulette Glunn is the recently appointed Executive Director of Northwest Dane Senior Services. She was present to report on recent activities and request a 2014 level of financial support from the Town comparable to what has been provided in the past. She estimated that at present about 10 Town residents currently use Northwest Dane Services, but that number fluctuates. An effort is being undertaken to expand the reach of the mobile hot meal program to more participants as well as further publicizing the variety of programs offered to seniors.
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS REGARDING PROPOSED DANE COUNTY CHAPTER 75 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING LOT FRONTAGE ON A PUBLIC STREET
Towns do not have a vote with respect to Dane County Ordinance Chapter 75 Amendments, but comments have been requested. Todd Culliton will summarize board comments to the County.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CHANGES TO SHORT TERM AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION EVENTS APPLICATION
The Planning Commission recommended raising the permit application fee to account for the fact that more time should be spent reviewing the applications. It was also recommended that event organizers provide notification to all Town residents rather than only those along the event route. One problem that will likely remain is that informal practice prior to an event is often as disruptive to residents as the event itself.
As currently written, the ordinance indicates that the permit fee structure is to be determined by the Board prior to July 1st. This wording leaves open the option of revising the fee structure for the year at the January Board meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF 2013 BUDGET AMENDMENTS AS REQUIRED
One 2013 Budget amendment is required at this time, transferring $10,000 to the Capital Outlay Budget from 2012 Uncommitted Carryover. Barbara Grenlie moved that the amendment be approved, Larry Ziemer seconded and the motion was approved.
CONTINUED DELIBERATIONS ON 2014 BUDGET AND SCHEDULE FURTHER BUDGET MEETINGS
A change in the 2014 budget is that the state now mandates that employees pay half of their total retirement contribution, with the employer paying the other half. In the past, the Town has paid all of the patrolman’s retirement contribution. Additionally, there will now likely be a required town patrolman contribution to their health insurance premium, though the amount remains to be determined. In the past, the Town has paid the entire premium. All of this needs to be considered when the 2014 patrolman wage is set in a new contract, which remains to be done. A decision will need to be made on whether roadside invasive species control should continue.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Mt. Horeb Fire Department is projecting a 4.2 percent budget increase for 2014, though the impact on individual towns remains to be determined. The Black Earth Fire Department will be raising the 2014 levy by about 2 percent. Both departments will be spending significant amounts of money on equipment upgrades.
The Town Patrolman reported that mowing is almost done, those culverts requiring replacement have been completed, with patching of the road surface still to be done. A Few items remain to be completed on the new garage addition. Winter sand and salt will be arriving in about a month. 2013 chip sealing and repairs to unsatisfactory 2012 work have been completed and the work looks good.
Larry Ziemer reported that a court has determined that the shifting of EMS insurance expense from Dane County to local EMS districts should be accompanied by a commensurate increase in local levy limits.
SB71, allowing additional local control over wind turbine siting, remains in committee.
The recently passed State budget has removed all local controls over cell tower siting, which will require passage of an additional local ordinance requiring a Conditional Use Permit.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR OCTOBER MEETING
Topics to be on the October agenda include disposition of the accumulated Town Picnic donations, changes to the Short Term Amusement and Recreation Ordinance application and fee structure, possible approval of the Citation Ordinance for public hearing, possible approval for public hearing of a non-metallic mining ordinance and discussion of an ordinance regulating the placement of cell phone towers
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:26.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk