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, Don McKay, Steve Cowan and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz . Supervisor Barbara Grenlie was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Steve Cowan, seconded by Don McKay and approved with the change that Item (11), report on the 2010 Town picnic, be moved to follow Item (9). Item (11) was in fact taken up after Item (5).
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
A thank you letter was received from the organizers of the Centurion bicycle race.
CITIZEN INPUT
Barbara Borns, Town resident and member of the Board of Directors of the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association, was present to report on their activities, thank the Town for being a member of the organization and to encourage future Town involvement.
Stan Morley was present to discuss the refurbishment or replacement of signs near Elvers and Peculiar Corners. Several bids have been received for the replacement option, and those will be discussed at the next Board meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Steve Cowan moved approval of the minutes of the August 9th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
REPORT ON 2010 TOWN PICNIC
Jan Cowan, co-organizer with Barbara Bird of the picnic, reported that 113 people were registered at the picnic, compared with 155 in 2009 and 117 in 2008. A water slide and bouncy house along with a catch-and-release fishing contest were available for the children. The chair lift was available for rides to the top of the ski hill.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The largest deposit for the month of August was our July tax settlement payment of $124,377.45. Other amounts received were a $3,504.98 MFL yield payment, $500 received for our old Woods mower sold to a Black Earth resident, $365 for building permits, $120 received from potential bidders on the proposed Town garage addition for plan sets, $100 for a driveway improvement permit, $50 for assessment searches, $10 for a dog licenses and $42.22 in interest.
A motion was made by Steve Cowan and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
September 14 is the Fall Primary election. We have renewed the annual lease for the Bobcat skid steer and received a new machine. Payment for the extra hours on the old machine is check 2129 and payment for the 2010 – 2011 lease on the new machine is check 2130. We have complete plans for the proposed garage addition, payment for which is check 2132. We finally were able to install our culverts, payment for which is check 2150.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for August, 2010, paid by checks numbered 2123 through 2153 and ACH transfers 15 and 16 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. Checks 2123 and 2124 were written the day of the August Board meeting and discussed at that meeting. 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 Steve Cowan and seconded by Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for August, 2010. The motion was approved.
REPORT FROM DIRECTOR OF NORTHWEST DANE SENIOR SERVICES
Dee Suchomel, Executive Director of Northwest Dane Senior Services, was present to provide information concerning the organizations current activities benefiting Town of Vermont residents. Demand for overall services has increased during 2010, and appreciation was expressed for the Town’s ongoing budget commitment to Northwest Dane. Federal mandates may impact the future of local senior service providers as funds may be reallocated to more centralized “one-stop” programs.
CONSIDERATION OF PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING REVISED REZONE AND HOMESITE APPLICATIONS FROM THOM GRENLIE FOR PROPERTY ON FORSHAUG ROAD
Further action is being requested to correct a rezoning package approved by the Board earlier in 2010 which inadvertently created a substandard remainder parcel. The Planning Commission recommended approval of Ordinance Amendment 10171 as modified by Dane County. Mark Sherven moved approval of the rezone, Don McKay seconded and the motion was approved with the understanding the Land Use Intent Form covering these properties would in the future show that there are no remaining Potential Development Rights associated with original property from which these lots were derived.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF REVISED DRIVEWAY ORDINANCE
No residents other than Board members were present at the public hearing concerning revisions to the Driveway Ordinance. Don McKay moved approval, Steve Cowan seconded and the ordinance was approved.
DISCUSSION OF ROAD COMMITTEE ACTION REGARDING BIDS FOR ADDITION TO TOWN GARAGE
Bids for the Town garage addition have come in higher than hoped. For this reason, Mark Sherven moved that further consideration of the project be at least temporarily postponed. Steve Cowan seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 10, 2010 – 2011 AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, REGARDING CHANGES TO THE LIMITED COMMERCIAL (LC-1) ZONING DISTRICT AND ESTABLISHING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The general objective is to improve the ability of small businesses to start up in rural areas. Both the Planning Commission and The Dane County Towns Association recommended approval of this zoning amendment. However, concern was expressed that the 35 foot height limitation within the ordinance would be in conflict with the 24 foot Ridgetop Protection Zone height limitation established by the Vermont Comprehensive Plan. Other concerns included a requirement for 10 foot high vehicle fencing which some might find more intrusive that the sight of the vehicles themselves. Business size limitations might also inhibit the growth of successful businesses within this zoning category, requiring the business to move.
Larry Ziemer moved approval of the Ordinance Amendment with the inclusion of a comment regarding the height limitation issue. Steve Cowan seconded the motion and the ordinance was approved with Don McKay voting no and Barbara Grenlie not present.
CONTINUED DELIBERATIONS ON 2011 BUDGET AND SCHEDULE FURTHER BUDGET MEETINGS
Only a few budget categories could be usefully discussed at this meeting, since we are waiting for information on several items over which we have no control. The PRIN group is to be funded at $3,000, there were minor adjustments to donation amounts, and further consideration was given to the purchase of a replacement tractor.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSED RTA SALES TAX REFERENDUM
The Dane County Towns Association has recommended that a referendum be held. Mark Sherven moved that the referendum be held, using the same wording as presented to the Board at the August meeting. Don McKay seconded the motion and the motion was approved with Larry Ziemer voting no.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Repairs continue to be an ongoing problem with Mt. Horeb Fire’s Rescue 40 vehicle; a new vehicle is on order. A number of EMS members are working toward having the Mt. Horeb facility and staff established as having paramedic status by 2012 or 2013.
The new leased skid loader has arrived. The main IH truck unloading apron should be replaced soon. Winter salt has been contracted for delivery this fall. There was an incident during a recent culvert installation in which a vehicle was damaged as it traveled through the work zone.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR OCTOBER MEETING
The 2011 budget will be discussed again at the October meeting, as will a possible ordinance covering spring road weight limits. There is an amended proposal from Dane County regarding a new interoperable radio system. The abandonment of 2 dead end roads within the Town will be discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Steve Cowan that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:31.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk