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, John Smith, Larry Ziemer and Barbara Grenlie; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Barbara Grenlie, seconded by Don McKay and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
John Bird has donated 2 fireproof cabinets to the Town, which are now in the basement of the Town hall. David Stanfield has produced a film Legend Lake: a Talking Circle, which is to be shown in April at Monona Terrace in Madison as part of the Wisconsin Film Festival.
Chairman Mark Sherven will be a member of a Dane County Towns Association committee working on a draft spring weight limit ordinance.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the February 14th meeting, John Smith seconded, and the minutes were approved with a change to the discussion of proposed State wind turbine siting rules.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of February were $397,720.94. $386,804.68 was 2011 property taxes paid in 2011, $3,833 was for building permits, $3,432.58 for MFL yield payments, $2,751.04 was Payment in Lieu of Taxes from the State, $350 for Planning Commission site visits, $336.91 for delinquent personal property taxes, $100 for a recreation permit, $50 for a driveway permit renewal and the remainder was $62.73 in interest.
Investigation will continue concerning the level of risk associated with having Town deposits in excess of $250,000 at a single bank.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
A new expenditure category was paid by check 2375, which was money collected by the Town on our tax bills to fund the Dane County septic tank inspection program.
A motion was made by John Smith and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
February check 2366 was discussed at the last meeting. Checks 2367 through 2370 were tax settlement checks written to Dane County and the school districts which we were required to send out early. Approval is sought at this meeting for payment of further bills for February, 2011, paid by checks numbered 2371 through 2406 and ACH transfers 3 and 4 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. Checks other than the one discussed in the clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular monthly bills
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for February, 2011. The motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF SHORT TERM AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION EVENT PERMIT APPLICATION BY MIDWEST SPORTS EVENTS FOR JULY 31 WISCONSIN GRAND FONDO BICYCLE EVENT
Gloria West was present representing the event organizers. 300 – 400 riders plan to race 3 to 5 times around a 22 mile loop based on the proposed Chicago Olympics course. All residents along the course will receive hand delivered notices, first in the spring and then later immediately prior to the event. All riders will be identified by tag numbers. A preliminary cleanup will be carried out immediately after the event, with a further inspection the following day. EMS services will be contacted and a doctor will be on site at the event. Crossing the center line is an automatic disqualification from the event.
Mark Sherven moved that the permit be approved contingent upon receipt of the remaining $75 of the permit fee, proof of insurance and approval from Dane County. John Smith seconded the motion and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SINGLE OWNER TOWN ROADS
The Planning Commission is now grouping potential road discontinuances into those which are relatively easy to evaluate for possible discontinuance and those which will require more study. General decision making criteria are being developed from this process, which is expected to continue at the next Planning Commission meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PROCEDURE FOR BLANKET REZONING OF SUBSTANDARD PARCELS
Current State legislative proposals have the potential to influence what if any future Town action is required regarding this subject. For that reason, any consideration of Town action will be postponed until next month’s meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PURCHASE OF GRAPPLE BUCKET
Sloan Implement has agreed to sell the grapple bucket which the Town wishes to purchase for $4,550, which is the lowest bid. John Smith moved that the grapple bucket be purchased, Barbara Grenlie seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING OFFERS RECEIVED FOR TOWN GRADER
No offers have been received from the advertisement for the grader on the Wisconsin Towns Association website. Barbara Grenlie moved that the asking price be lowered to $18,000 and advertising expanded to the Wisconsin Towns Association printed newsletter. Larry Ziemer seconded the motion and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING POSSIBLE IMPACT ON TOWN OF STATE BUDGET
At this time it is difficult to determine the impact of State budget discussions on present and future Town of Vermont budgets. It appears that recycling grants from the State will be discontinued starting in 2012. It is expected that there will be a $2,532 decrease in State Transportation Aid starting in 2012, though there may be some increase again in 2013, as well as a decrease in Shared Revenue amounting to $2,570. It is expected that there will be no levy limit increase allowed in 2012.
Larry Ziemer proposed a board resolution in opposition to State budget cuts that affect local governments, schools and medical care and instead suggesting selective revenue increases. There was no second to the proposal for a resolution. It was suggested that the topic be both on the April Board meeting agenda as well as a topic of discussion at the Annual Town Meeting on April 12th.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Black Earth Joint Fire District has taken delivery of their new squad vehicle and it will be put into service near the end of April. District One EMS has taken delivery of a new ambulance. The Town Patrolman recently attended the annual spring road maintenance class. New overload springs are required on the International truck. There is concern that construction along Kelliher Road may create some road damage because of the soft conditions. There has also been damage to Dalby Road caused by landscaping after underground utility installation.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR APRIL MEETING
It is expected that there will be a report concerning the level of risk associated with having Town deposits in excess of $250,000 at a single bank as well as continued discussion of Planning Commission recommendations regarding single owner town roads, blanket rezoning of substandard parcels, offers received for the Town grader, the potential impact on the Town of the State budget and suggested topics for discussion at the following night’s annual Town meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk