The meeting was called to order at 7:30. The clerk certified that the notice had been posted at the Black Earth State Bank, at John Bird Accounting in Black Earth, Amcore 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: Chairman, Mark Sherven; Supervisors, Barbara Grenlie, Steve Cowan, Don McKay and Bill Hanson; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Bill Hanson, seconded by Don McKay and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Horribly Hilly Hundreds Bicycle event will be this coming Saturday.
Damage from recent rains is still being evaluated, with significant culvert, road edge and shoulder damage already noted, plus tree limb and other debris cleanup will be required.
CITIZEN INPUT
Shelby Retzlaff, Event Director for the Horribly Hilly Hundreds bicycle event, was present. Some Town residents have expressed a concern about the increasing number of riders, now at approximately 1,300. This is above the 1,000 initially indicated as being the cap. Whether future growth will be permitted by the organizers appears uncertain.
Mark Sherven indicated that in future years it would be helpful if the HHH event organizers would attend the April Board meeting prior to future events, as well as obtaining the required recreation event permit. While Ms. Retzlaff indicates that she is the Event Director, she appeared not to be in a position to disclose the identity of all groups or individuals responsible for the event.
Ms. Retzlaff indicated the existence of a grant program operated by the HHH organizers to assist local communities affected by the event.
A topic for future consideration is the disposition of the bicycle events signs owned by the Town.
Jan Cowan was present as Chair of the committee planning the 2008 Town picnic. The picnic will be August 24th at Tyrol Basin. Jan expressed appreciation for the notes kept by prior picnic organizers.
Lisa Orman and Jane Hanson were present to discuss the future of the Vermont’s Voice newsletter. Lisa indicated that she is willing to continue editing and printing the newsletter. Having someone available to solicit contributions to the newsletter is a pressing need, as well as people to fold and mail them. Jane Hanson indicated a willingness to both seek out authors and write some articles as well as contribute photographs. Earl Brandt indicated his belief that the Town government should more actively utilize the Vermont’s Voice to distribute information to Town residents.
The Board and those present expressed their appreciation to Lisa Orman, Earl Brandt and others for their work on Vermont’s Voice.
Jim Ellison reported on progress regarding garlic mustard control. Spring work has been completed but more may be necessary in the fall, with some monitoring during the interim period. It was noted that Town residents have been helpful in locating garlic mustard infestations to be controlled. Also discussed was possible applicability and enforcement of the State noxious weed law, under which the Town could add weeds to the State list as well as appoint a weed commissioner to oversee enforcement. However, action within the Town will not prevent the introduction of invasive species from adjoining towns. Mr. Ellison suggested that a $2,000 budget for invasive species control in 2009 would be appropriate.
David Stanfield indicated that two new people will be joining the group working on development of the Town’s land records system, and others are welcome to contribute.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the May 12th meeting, Steve Cowan seconded, and the minutes were approved, with Don McKay abstaining because he was absent from the May meeting.
TREASURER’S
REPORT
Deposits for the
month of May were $1,525.12. $400 was received for a driveway
permit, $220 for liquor and related operators licenses, $204.70 from
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for Payment in Lieu of
Taxes, a $189 refund from our workers compensation insurance provider
based on our 2007 payroll audit, $40 for dog licenses and $471.42 for
interest. A motion was made by Steve Cowan and seconded by Bill
Hanson to accept the Treasurer’s report, and the motion was
approved. CLERK’S
REPORT Of the 20 weather
radios ordered, 16 were sold and 4 returned to Dane County. Of the
$15,000 budgeted for gravel and patch, we have spent about $9,700.
$2,314 was paid for the leased tractor and brush mower in May, as
well as $1,778 for invasive species control. All other bills for May
were routine. A motion was made
by Don McKay and seconded by Barbara Grenlie to accept the Clerk’s
report, and the motion was approved. PAYMENT
OF BILLS Approval is sought
for payment of bills for May, 2008 and paid by checks numbered 1033
through 1063.
A motion was made
by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Steve Cowan to approve payment of
bills for May and the motion was approved. CONSIDERATION
OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING REZONE PETITION, HOMESITE
AND DRIVEWAY PERMIT FROM MICHAEL SMITH AT 4054 MOE ROAD This agenda item
was postponed until the July meeting. APPOINTMENT
OF PLAN COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR 2008 – 2009 Plan commission
membership will remain unchanged: Barbara Grenlie (chair), Johanna
Solms (secretary), Don McKay, Eric Haugen, Jim Ellison, John Brings
and Bruce Ellarson.
CONSIDERATION
AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION REGARDING LOCATION OF ATC
TRANSMISSION LINES The Town of Dunkirk
has requested a resolution supporting their position that the
northern ATC transmission line route, along the Beltline, should be
chosen as the preferred alternative. Consideration of such a
resolution will be postponed until the August 11th
meeting. COMMITTEE
REPORTS The Plan Commission
will be holding a combined regular and comprehensive planning meeting
on June 23rd.
The new District One EMS building is in use and an open house is
being planned. Mt. Horeb Fire / EMS continues negotiations with a
potential new full time employee. Town roads, road shoulders and
culverts have been seriously damaged in places by the recent rains.
DISCUSSION
OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JULY MEETING Plan Commission
recommendations concerning the Michael Smith applications are
expected to be considered. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made
by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Don McKay that the meeting
adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:16. Marc
Robertson, Town Clerk