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, the Harris Bank drive-in office 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, Larry Ziemer, Don McKay and Doug Meier; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisor Todd Culliton was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Don McKay, seconded by Doug Meier and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DaneCom activation has been postponed again. The clerk’s position will be opening up, interested parties should contact the Town Chair or send correspondence to the Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Larry Ziemer moved approval of the minutes of the July 14th meeting, Doug Meier seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of July were $27,625.02. $20,360.24 was the Town’s quarterly State Transportation Aid, $4,025.18 was the annual fire dues distribution, $1,575.04 was for building permits, $1,444.11 was Shared Revenue, $100 was for assessment searches, $64 was for an insurance refund, $21 was for State computer aid, $20.29 was for June Specials and Interest and the remainder was $15.16 in interest.
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Check 3960 for $534 is our second DaneCom payment of the year. Check 3961 is our second and last Mt. Horeb Fire District payment of the year. Check 3965 for $108,742 is for our 2014 chip sealing. The fall primary is tomorrow.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Doug Meier to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PATROLMAN, LIAISON AND FIRE & EMS DISTRICT REPORTS
The Town Patrolman reported that the chip sealed roads have been swept and some mowing done. A substantial amount has been spent during the last month repairing the small truck. The new tractor has been in the shop since June 16th for the repair of electronic problems.
District One EMS has had 10 new people express an interest in working as EMT’s. The Mt. Horeb Fire District remains concerned about problems with the DaneCom radio system. Information concerning Mt. Horeb’s proposed new Fire House will be available at the Districts annual meeting later this fall. The new Vermont’s Voice has been mailed.
The Black Earth Joint Fire District Board did not meet this last month. At a meeting of the Dane County Towns Association the proposed expansion of the Resource Protection Area, largely based on a 500 year rather than 100 year flood plain, was discussed. The additional land that would be added, and where development would be restricted, would equal the area of 1.25 towns. Among the concerns is that the proposed expansion is based on old maps containing potentially outdated information.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for July 2014, paid by checks numbered 3954 through 3983 and ACH transfers 17 and 18 for health insurance and retirement contributions. Checks 3954 through 3957 were discussed at the July meeting. Checks 3984 and 3985 are for August bills paid today. Checks other than those discussed in the Clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular monthly bills.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING APPLICATION FOR REZONE, HOMESITE AND DRIVEWAY FROM STEVE FRAME FOR PARCEL AT RYAN AND MOYER ROADS
The Planning Commission postponed action on these applications since several items remained incomplete. Several perc tests have been completed since the Planning Commission meeting, however other items remain. These applications will be considered again at the August Planning Commission meeting, with Board consideration postponed until September.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATION FROM BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB FOR WRIGHT STUFF CENTURY BICYCLE EVENT
Mark Maffitt was present representing the Bombay Bicycle Club. He was able to provide the Certificate of Insurance for the event as well as a statement concerning the responsibility of his organization for any cleanup after the event. A Dane County Highway Department permit has been applied for. Doug Meier moved and Larry Ziemer seconded that the permit be granted with the conditions that the Dane County Highway permit be forwarded to the Town when available and the remainder of the $300 permit fee be paid. The motion was approved, with Don McKay abstaining.
DISCUSSION OF 2014 TOWN PICNIC PLANNING
Kathy Smith and Julie Schulenberg have been working on picnic planning. A “save the date” flyer has gone out and the bouncy house has been reserved. An article for Vermont’s Voice publicizing the picnic has been sent to the local newspapers. Local craft people have been encouraged to display their work and residents encouraged to local produce and food products for the picnic menu. An ice cream social using ice cream made at the picnic is on the schedule though there is a shortage of ice cream makers. Fishing for kids is also on the schedule.
POLICY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE USE OF CONTINGENCIES IN PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD
Historically the Planning Commission has required that rezoning, driveway and homesite applications be presented as a package before being recommended for approval by the Board. The nature of applications has changed over time as more people are planning for the future of their land without having an immediate plan to sell. In that case they might wish to secure a rezone and the certainty of a future building right without picking out the specific building site or path for a future driveway and securing sanitary, driveway and other permits having a limited life. Feeling among Board members was that there should be continued discussion among Planning Commission members concerning the best way to proceed.
DISCUSSION OF A CELL TOWER LOCATION ORDINANCE AND PERMITTING REQUIREMENT
Larry Ziemer moved and Doug Meier seconded that an ordinance drafted by the Planning Commission be forwarded to the Town attorney for review. The motion was approved.
BEGIN DELIBERATIONS ON 2015 BUDGET
At present there are few new numbers for the 2015 budget. However, two major items will need to be addressed. The first is whether the clerk job description should be rewritten to allow for changes in State law which impact eligibility of the clerk for health insurance and participation in the State retirement system. That rewrite will not necessarily have major financial implications but will require study. An item with significant budget implications is replacement of the 2008 Ford truck, which is requiring increasingly expensive repairs.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER MEETING
The Steve Frame parcel, the clerk position description, Ford truck replacement and the cell tower location ordinance are expected to be on the September Board agenda. Continuing problems with the new tractor will be discussed. A report on the 2014 picnic is anticipated. There have also been reports of road painting associated with bicycle events which will be discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:37.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk