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 Larry Ziemer and approved with the change that the update from the Dane County Community Deputy would be inserted into the agenda upon her arrival.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The February Groundhog Day Blizzard has been declared a disaster, so the Town will be eligible for some expense reimbursement from FEMA. A thank you letter has been received from Northwest Dane for our 2011 contribution. The Town will participate in a new on-line educational opportunity being offered by the Wisconsin Towns Association for an annual cost of $100. The Dane County Towns Association is helping organize a process for moving forward with a model spring weight limit ordinance.
CITIZEN INPUT
Board member Don McKay requested an update on progress being made toward replacement of the Elvers and Peculiar Corners signs. It appears schedule conflicts and a delayed spring have prevented sign installation, but further progress is expected soon.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Barbara Grenlie moved approval of the minutes of the March 14th meeting, John Smith seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of March were $1208.52. $1,160 was for dog licenses and the remainder was $48.52 in interest. Tonight is the last meeting for departing Treasurer Sarah Danz; she requested that the Board keep her on the payroll through the end of April to allow her time to train the incoming treasurer and provide further transition assistance.
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
We had 441 voters at the April 5th election, which was about 70 percent turnout. We have not been told if there will be a recount.
Three checks were sent out early, check 2407 for office supplies, 2408 as a settlement for a collision with the small plow truck and check 2409 as payment for the new tractor. The checks for Vermont’s Voice printing and postage use up 71 percent of that budget item for 2011.
A motion was made by John Smith 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 March, 2011, paid by checks numbered 2407 through 2447 and ACH transfers 5 and 6 for health insurance and income continuation insurance. Checks other than those discussed in the clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular quarterly bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer to approve payment of bills for March, 2011. The motion was approved.
PRESENTATION BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE SONDY POPE-ROBERTS
The next biennial budget is expected to be passed more rapidly than in past years. Briefings by the Joint Finance Committee have not yet begun so there has not been time to be made aware of all of the details within the budget. Representative Pope-Roberts requested input from the Board regarding the impact of revenue sharing and transportation aid cuts on the Town. While the cuts are not welcome and are significant, the Town expects to be able to adjust to those cuts. The projected savings to the Town because of greater employee health insurance and retirement contributions will be minimal in the short run because the Town Patrolman’s contract determines the Town contribution.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF ROAD COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF CHIP SEALING BIDS
Two bids were received for 2011 chip sealing, from Fahrner Asphalt Sealers LLC for $81,752 and from Scott Construction, Inc. for $78,586. Chairman Mark Sherven recommended and moved approval of the lower bid from Scott and John Smith seconded.
Problems with the 2008 chip sealing by Scott were resolved satisfactorily in 2010, leading to a willingness to consider and accept their 2011 bid. Concern remained among some Board members that Scott’s performance in 2011 be monitored. The Scott bid was approved, with Barbara Grenlie voting no.
UPDATE FROM DANE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEPUTY
Deputy Longley provided the Board with a list of calls within the Town over the first quarter of 2011. Many were to assist EMS calls, with no notable trends or patterns among other types of calls. She asked to be informed of upcoming bicycle events.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 37, 10-11, AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, DEFINING SMALL SCALE ELECTRICAL GENERATING STATIONS AND REQUIRING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR SUCH USES IN THE A-1 EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
There is some uncertainty concerning whether the Ordinance Amendment 37 presented for Board approval will be superseded by a revised version. Since there is only one version before the Board for approval, and since discussion suggested that it is an improvement over existing ordinance provisions, Larry Ziemer moved approval, John Smith seconded and Ordinance Amendment 37 was approved with the provision that the comment section on the Town Board Action Report be used to affirm that the approval was of the version mailed to the Town by Dane County Zoning on March 9, 2011.
DISCUSSION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SINGLE OWNER TOWN ROADS
A list has been prepared of all Town roads and it is proposed that all roads be reviewed with the goal of having the Planning Commission develop a set of criteria to evaluate their potential for discontinuance. The original concept of “single owner road” has been found unsatisfactory, and it is expected that the term “road/driveway” abandonment will be used in the future. The criteria enumerated so far include that abandonment may not result in the land-locking of parcels, abandonment must not prevent development of existing Potential Development Rights, abandonment must not force construction of a new driveway, and any conversion of a road to a private driveway should not require a new easement or joint driveway agreement. The Planning Commission has not yet reviewed roads in all sections of the Town, and will provide the Board with a list of the most likely abandonment candidates when review is complete.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING POSSIBLE IMPACT ON TOWN OF STATE BUDGET
This topic was discussed during the appearance of Representative Pope-Roberts.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PROCEDURE FOR BLANKET REZONING OF SUBSTANDARD PARCELS
Consideration of Town action will be postponed until next month’s meeting.
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 and monthly newsletter. Wisconsin Surplus will be explored as an alternative sales option, with information to be presented at the next Board meeting.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DISTRIBUTION OF TOWN FUNDS AMONG FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Any Town funds not in the State of Wisconsin investment pool are held in the State Bank of Cross Plains, where FDIC insurance coverage is provided for deposits of up to $250,000. During December and January of each year, tax collections lead to the Town having deposits of over $250,000 for several weeks until checks are written to the County and the school districts for their portion of tax receipts. Using the State investment pool to hold amounts in excess of $250,000 would provide protection against failure of the State Bank of Cross Plains, but a $10 wire transfer service charge would be incurred each time money was moved in either direction. Since tax collection deposits in excess of $250,000 will not recur until December, the incoming treasurer will explore the options further before that time.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE MEMBERS FOR 2011 BOARD OF REVIEW
David Dybdahl and Don Parrell have agreed to be alternate BOR members for 2011. John Smith moved approval, Larry Ziemer seconded and the list of alternates was approved.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Mark Sherven announced that for 2011-2012 the Road Committee will be Mark Sherven, John Smith, Dave Haugen and Jack Schulenberg. John Bird received thanks for years of service on the Road Committee. Don McKay will be Chair of the Plan Commission, and along with Mark Sherven and the Plan Commission Vice Chair will act as the Driveway Committee. Jim Elleson was thanked for his service as Plan Commission Chair. Representative to the Black Earth Joint Fire District and District One EMS will be John Smith, with Mark Sherven as alternate. Representative to the Mt. Horeb Fire District will be Mark Sherven, with Don McKay as alternate. Town liaison to nearby towns and villages will be Larry Ziemer.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Concerns regarding contractor mud and parking on Kelliher Rd. have been addressed. Dalby Rd. will be chip sealed this year, partially due to damage caused by a contractor for Alliant Energy, which will share the cost. The new tractor has been received and the leased tractor / arm mower is now in use.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR MAY MEETING
Candidates for road discontinuance will be discussed, as will blanket rezoning of substandard parcels and future marketing options for the Town grader.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Barbara Grenlie that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:28.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk