MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING

June 14, 2010


The meeting was called to order at 7:30. The clerk certified that the notice had been posted at the Black Earth branch of the Cross Plains State Bank, 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: Chairman, Mark Sherven; Supervisors, Barbara Grenlie, Steve Cowan, Larry Ziemer and Don McKay; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz .


APPROVAL OF AGENDA


A motion to approve the agenda was made by Don McKay, seconded by Larry Ziemer and approved.


CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE


On July 14th County Executive Kathleen Falk will be holding a meeting with a number of representatives of communities affected by large bicycle events to discuss their concerns regarding public safety and convenience issues.


Several issues were discussed at a recent Dane County Towns Association meeting. Included were future plans for a County-wide interoperable radio system, which have been scaled back due to local government disapproval of the expense of the system initially proposed. Also discussed was a recent increase in gang activity in Dane County, progress being made on the development of a model spring weight limit ordinance and the recent reorganization of the Dane County Zoning and Land Regulation Committee. Other topics to be of continued discussion in the future are wind turbine siting and accessory building regulation.


The County is proposing a framework for regulations concerning the Transfer of Development Rights, which will be another topic for future discussion in the Town. The most recent Annual Report for Northwest Dane Senior Services has been distributed to all Board members.

CITIZEN INPUT


There was no citizen input.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES


Don McKay moved approval of the minutes of the May 10th meeting, Barbara Grenlie seconded, and the minutes were approved with the correction that a reference to a Driveway Committee recommendation concerning Variance Appeal 3593 was corrected to Road Committee.


TREASURER’S REPORT


Deposits for the month of May were $694.43. $400 was received for building permits, $210 for liquor licenses, $25 for a recreation permit and $59.43 in interest.


A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Steve Cowan accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.


CLERK’S REPORT


This month we spent close to $1,500 on the paperwork and fees for permits for this summer’s roadwork and just over $2,000 on culverts, but so far we have not been able to accomplish any of that work since we are still waiting for the permits to arrive. Check 2031 covers repairs to the air bleeders associated with the well pump. Repairs to the tractor injection pump and injectors, discussed last month, cost just over $3,600. This repair and the $2,500 purchase of the bale chopper for mulching new seeding along roadsides was covered by the same check, 2057.


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 May, 2010, paid by checks numbered 2026 through 2059 and ACH transfers 9 and 10 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. Check 2026, our first guess at what Dane County would require for our road maintenance permits, was discussed at the May meeting. Check 2027 for our safety deposit box was due before this meeting, as was the $24 premium (check 2028) to cover insurance on the leased tractor and brush mower. Check 2029, for diesel fuel, also went out early in order to obtain a discount.


A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Steve Cowan to approve payment of bills for May, 2010. The motion was approved.


PRESENTATION BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE SONDY POPE-ROBERTS


Representative Pope-Roberts noted that her office might be able to help with speeding up the issuance of permits for road work. She also noted that she has been made aware of complaints regarding the local impacts of bicycle events, and discussion continued as she was asked to look into the manner by which the State and County governments approve events which have major local impacts without consultation with town governments.


Financial constraints which were evident during development of the last State budget will continue during consideration of the upcoming budget, with the pressure on education funding continuing.


Also discussed was the new fee being attached to the State budget for conversion of land from A1-EX to other zoning classifications, and a request for repeal of that law.


CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE RENEWAL OF BUILDING INSPECTION CONTRACT WITH MEI, INCLUDING DISCUSSION OF FEE SCHEDULE


Mark Sherven moved that the new building inspection permit fee schedule be approved, Steve Cowan seconded and the motion was approved.


CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING J. BERGE PDRS


Discussion of the significance of pre-existing CSM’s on the number of Potential Development Rights available to a property continues, along with the issue of whether the zoning of a parcel defined by a CSM is important to its status with respect to Potential Development Rights. Because of the complexity of the issues and the fact that information continues to be made available, Mark Sherven moved to table consideration of the issue, Steve Cowan seconded and the motion was approved. Chairman Sherven directed the Planning Commission to continue consideration of these issues at its next meeting, specifically “whether a separate legal parcel created by a CSM creates a separate ownership parcel”.

CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING J. JOHNSON PDRS


The Planning Commission has determined that no further Potential Development Rights are available to the property in question. The Board concurred, with Barbara Grenlie noting that one more PDR than was actually justified had been granted to the property in the past. Mark Sherven moved that the Board agree with the position that no further PDR’s are available and that in fact, from the Town’s perspective, the property had been granted one too many in the past. Steve Cowan seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.


DISCUSSION OF 2010 TOWN PICNIC


Barbara Bird and Jan Cowan are planning the 2010 Town picnic, with Barbara Bird present for this meeting. Appreciation was expressed for their efforts. Planning is proceeding for the event, which will be held at Tyrol Basin on the last Sunday in August.


DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING FEE SCHEDULE TO BE ATTACHED TO SHORT TERM AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION ORDINANCE


The ordinance requires the Board to set the fees on an annual basis. Steve Cowan suggested that the total permit fee remain at $25 for the remainder of 2010, with tonight’s discussion focusing on the fee beginning with 2011. Steve Cowan moved that the application fee be set at $25, with a further $75 due upon approval of the application. Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved, with Barbara Grenlie voting no, feeling that the total fee should be higher.


DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ADDITION TO TOWN GARAGE


Consideration is being given to adding a storage addition to the Town garage, since some equipment is currently being stored seasonally, at no charge, in buildings owned by the Town Patrolman and second plow driver. In order to insure that all those bidding on the addition are bidding to the same specifications, steps are being taken to have plans drawn up by an architect with the assistance of a professional engineer. Further information will be available at upcoming Board meetings.


APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR 2010-2011


Todd Culliton is being appointed to replace John Brings, who has resigned. The Board expressed its appreciation To John Brings for his 3 year term on the Planning Commission.


COMMITTEE REPORTS


District One EMS elected officers at its last meeting. Five new members have recently completed training, with five more enrolled in the summer class. Increasing staffing at the new Cardinal Glass facility will hopefully provide a continuing source of volunteers.


Mt. Horeb Fire District has added one person to its staff and has been petitioned to add approximately six square miles of the Town of Springdale to the territory it serves.


The first roadside mowing of the summer has been completed. An older ditchbank mower, not used in several years and not required because of the extended reach of the new Woods mower, is being sold. Crack sealing has been completed for the year.


DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JULY MEETING


Items to be discussed at the July meeting include the 2010 Town picnic.


ADJOURNMENT


A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:42.


Marc Robertson, Town Clerk