The meeting notice has been posted at the Black Earth Branch of the State Bank of Cross Plains, at John Bird Accounting in Black Earth, the Harris Bank drive-in office 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. An amended notice was posted at the Black Earth Branch of the State Bank of Cross Plains, at John Bird Accounting in Black Earth, the Harris Bank drive-in office in Mt. Horeb, on the town web site www.townofvermont.com, and on the front door of the town hall.
Present: Chair, Barbara Grenlie; Supervisors, Don McKay, Larry Ziemer, Todd Culliton and Doug Meier; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by Todd Culliton and approved with the insertion of two additional agenda items.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A letter has been received concerning the failure of DaneCom to be operational. A report has been received concerning the recent activities of the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association. A letter has been received regarding the USA Cycling National Championships to be held partially in the Town in early July emphasizing that local roads will not be closed during the event.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Todd Culliton moved approval of the minutes of the May 12th meeting, Don McKay seconded, and the minutes were approved with the correction of the representatives to the Black Earth Joint Fire District.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Because of the early meeting date the treasurers report this month is limited to the register of May checks written as of the meeting date.
A motion was made by Todd Culliton and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
At this point a limited number of checks have been written for May. Notable are checks 3891 for crack filling for 2014 and 3906 for asphalt patch. We have yet to be billed for 2 loads of patch, which will bring the total to date for 2014 to about $13,000 compared to a budgeted $25,000.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Todd Culliton to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PATROLMAN, LIAISON AND FIRE & EMS DISTRICT REPORTS
The patrolman noted that the new tractor has arrived, mowing will begin soon. The Mt. Horeb Fire District has approved continuing with the collection agency they have been working with. $12.90 has been returned for every dollar spent on collection. Fire Board officers have been elected. Because of the growing number of paid employees, the Workers Compensation bill for the Fire District will increase from $10,637 to $35,846. A period of time without injury claims will reduce this over time.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for May 2014, paid by checks numbered 3890 through 3906 and ACH transfers 13 and 14 for health insurance and retirement contributions. 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 Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay to approve payment of bills for May 2014 and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF 2014-2015 APPLICATIONS FROM CRESS SPRING FARM COOPERATIVE, 4035 RYAN ROAD FOR A CLASS B ALCOHOL BEVERAGE LICENSE AND OPERATORS LICENSES FOR JEFF FORD AND MORGAINE REINL
Since the applicants wish only to sell beer and wine but not liquor, it appears that a more limited license (Class “B” rather than “Class B”), would have met their requirements while preserving the Town’s remaining “Class B” license under the State quota. However, selling wine would require a “Class C” license, which is not specifically mentioned in their Conditional Use Permit. Since currently there are no other applicants for the “Class B” license, and these licenses are subject to annual renewal, Don McKay moved that the applications be approved, Todd Culliton seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING REZONE APPLICATION FROM DEBRA BARSNESS FOR 5507 CTY J
Chair Barbara Grenlie recused herself from participating in the discussion. Don McKay moved that the rezone be approved, Doug Meier seconded and the motion was approved, with Barbara Grenlie abstaining.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL REZONE FOR DAVID SUTTER ON HIGHWAY F
This rezone was previously approved by the Town, but conditions were added by Dane County. While the Board has reservations about the manner in which the conditions came about, there was no desire to inconvenience Mr. Sutter. Don McKay moved that the rezone be approved, Todd Culliton seconded and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF 2014 TOWN PICNIC PLANNING
Kathy Smith and Julie Schulenberg have been working on picnic planning. They wrote articles for Vermont’s Voice and the local newspaper publicizing the picnic and introducing some new ideas, including inviting local craft people to display their work, the use of local produce and food products on the picnic menu and an ice cream social using ice cream made at the picnic. Timing of publicity was discussed, with a “save the date” flyer expected to go out in June, a Vermont’s Voice article in July or August and local newspaper coverage immediately before the picnic. It was decided to rent a bouncy house for the picnic.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF DANE COUNTY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 26, 2013-2014 REGARDING ABANDONED NONCONFORMING MINERAL EXTRACTION SITES
At the time the agenda was assembled it was expected that a new draft of the proposed ordinance amendment might be available for consideration. However, it is not presently available, so this item will be considered at a future meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF MOUNT HOREB JOINT FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ORDINANCE
There apparently have been instances in which the Mount Horeb Joint Fire Department has been bypassed for the delivery of emergency services, depriving them of income. They have proposed a sample ordinance for each municipality served by them to restrict competitive services. A majority of Board members felt that the wording of the proposed ordinance was too broad. Larry Ziemer moved that the ordinance be adopted and Barbara Grenlie seconded for the purpose of allowing a vote. Four Board members voted no, with Larry Ziemer voting in favor of the ordinance.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAM
A draft ordinance has been presented to the Board for consideration. It is felt to be a relatively conservative approach to the transfer of development rights that will allow experience to be gained. While it is the Board’s desire to move the ordinance to public hearing in the fall, there is a need for increasing public awareness of the proposed TDR process prior to a hearing. Insertion of a draft ordinance as well as explanatory material in the early August issue of the Vermont’s Voice is an option for increasing public awareness. Dane County has provided explanatory material regarding TDR’s, the Town may be able to extract useful material from that document.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE REQUEST TO MGE TO CONDUCT TOWN OF VERMONT FEASIBILITY STUDY EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED 2017 DATE. ALSO DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE GRANT OF PERMISSION FOR MGE TO SERVE AND PERMISSION TO APPLY TO THE PSC FOR APPROVAL TO SERVE THE TOWN OF VERMONT
Madison Gas & Electric is proposing a 2017 study of extending natural gas service into the Town of Vermont. That study may be expedited at the request of the Town Board. Don McKay moved that a letter be drafted making that request for an expedited study, Todd Culliton seconded and the motion was approved. No action was taken regarding a grant of permission for MGE to serve the Town or regarding an application to the PSC for approval, since more information is required regarding those possible actions.
APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR 2014-2015
Planning Commission members will remain the same, with the Chair being Todd Culliton and other Board representatives being Don McKay and Doug Meier. Citizen members will remain Johanna Solms, Jim Elleson, Eric Haugen and Scott Moe.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JULY MEETING
As noted at the May meeting, the cell tower location ordinance will be considered at the July meeting. Also on the agenda will be a policy discussion regarding the extent to which the Planning Commission should forward items with contingencies to the Board. Planning for the 2014 Town picnic will be discussed as well as the proposed Mt. Horeb Joint Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services ordinance and a possible report regarding the Horribly Hilly Hundreds bicycle event.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Todd Culliton and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:36.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk