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.
Present: Chair, Barbara Grenlie; Supervisors, Larry Ziemer, Don McKay and Todd Culliton; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisor Doug Meier was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by Todd Culliton and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Town and Village workshops are coming up on September 25th in Mineral Point. A letter was received from Mad City Velo thanking the Town for the use of our roads for their recent event. A report has been received from the Mt. Horeb Fire District regarding the reported interference in EMS response by Horribly Hilly Hundreds participants. Correspondence has been received regarding Dane County’s lawsuit to overturn a ruling that the shifting of EMS insurance from the County to local districts should result in a corresponding shift in the levy limit.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Larry Ziemer moved approval of the minutes of the August 11th meeting, Barbara Grenlie seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of August were $126,663.92. $125,231.91 was the Town’s August Tax Settlement, $1,094 was for building permits, $275 was for a recreation permit, $50 was for assessment searches and the remainder was $13.01 in interest.
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Todd Culliton to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
Check 4004 is for the annual picnic. Checks 4009 and 4010 are for preparation and paving of the parking lot.
A motion was made by Todd Culliton and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PATROLMAN, LIAISON AND FIRE & EMS DISTRICT REPORTS
Mowing continues and the wet weather continues to result in trees coming down into the roadway. Repairs to the Town tractor have been completed. Painting on the roads, presumably associated with bicycle events, continues to be a problem.
At the August Mt. Horeb Fire Department meeting it was reported that the committee studying plans for a new fire station has begun looking at alternative sites to the one which has previously been discussed. The Fire District’s annual meeting will be on September 24th. Approximately $13,000 was raised by Mt. Horeb volunteers at the July Muster event. Squad 1 continues to be offered for sale at a now reduced price of $425,000.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for August 2014, paid by checks numbered 3984 through 4011 and ACH transfers 19 and 20 for health insurance and retirement contributions. Note that I inadvertently reconciled the accounts before entering the retirement contribution, so it shows up with a September date. Checks 3984 and 3985 were discussed at the August 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 Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay to approve payment of bills for August 2014 and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL REZONE FOR ERIC GROVER PROPERTY ON BLUE MOUNDS TRAIL
Dane County has amended Mr. Grover’s rezone petition, modifying the proposed property line to apparently reduce the percentage of the parcel rated as having an impervious surface. The opinion of the property owner in this matter is at present unknown, and the procedural justification is without recent precedent, at least within this Town.
Todd Culliton moved that the required form be returned to the Dane County Clerk as neither approved nor disapproved, with a request for more information. The request for more information will be copied to Mr. Grover and Dane County Zoning. Larry Ziemer seconded the motion and the motion was approved.
REPORT FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NORTHWEST DANE SENIOR SERVICES
The Executive Director, Paulette Glun, presented the most recent Annual Report for Northwest Dane, and introduced Marn Turley, a recently hired Development Specialist whose role is to seek out funding sources for their activities and to help fund a larger space to serve local senior citizens. The population to be served is expected to expand substantially over time, and they also would like to both consolidate the locations where their services are offered and expand the number of services. The funding request to the Town will rise to $4 per capita in 2015.
REPORT ON 2014 TOWN PICNIC
78 people registered for the 2014 picnic. Numbers were down somewhat over previous years, largely attributed to the hot weather both last year and this year. It was noted that future picnic promotion should mention that the facility is air conditioned. Don and Sue McKay and the staff of Tyrol Basin as well as Kathy Smith and Julie Schulenberg did considerable work to make the picnic a success. Kevin Lucey and family donated produce while Pat and Larry Ziemer donated eggs to the custard desert. Several residents were on hand to display their artwork.
SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ORDINANCE
The public hearing for the TDR ordinance is scheduled for November 5th at 7:30 p.m. This will follow the budget hearing and Special Town Meeting to approve the levy and road expenditures.
The public will be notified of the hearing by a postcard to be mailed on October 20th.
DISCUSSION OF NO PARKING ORDINANCE FOR TOWN RIGHT OF WAY
Blockage of the Town right of way, including turnarounds at the end of dead-end roads, by both vehicles and materials has been an issue. It is unclear what powers the Town has to prevent this under State statute; the No Parking Ordinance authority that we are currently aware of refers primarily to vehicles and does not reference unlicensed vehicles and materials. The Town attorney will be asked to advise the Town concerning the best way to proceed.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ROAD DISCONTINUANCES
Several roads are being considered for complete or partial discontinuance. Evanson Road is being considered for shortening at the request of the property owner at the end of the road. Broderick Road is being considered for partial or complete discontinuance. Rainbow Farm Road and Skog Kledd Road are being considered for complete discontinuance. In the case of Skog Kledd Road, discontinuance is likely to require that an easement be granted to surrounding property owners.
POLICY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE USE OF CONTINGENCIES IN PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD
As part of this discussion it was noted that the Planning Commission can make use of a projector for their group work, which will be purchased with Board expense money that is likely to remain unused.
DISCUSSION OF JOB DESCRIPTION FOR TOWN CLERK
Uncertainty remains concerning the impact of State budget requirements on the eligibility of a future Town clerk for State health insurance and retirement benefits. Additionally, it is not clear whether the job description requires an adjustment in expected hours to reflect the added workload passed on to local municipalities by Dane County and the State. Also to be considered is whether it would be appropriate to contribute either earmarked pretax funds for retirement and health insurance or a general salary increase with no provision as to how the money is to be used. Consideration can also be given to converting the position to a hired position, perhaps combined with treasurer, but only several years in the future.
DISCUSSION OF CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH TOWN TRACTOR
The electrical problems with the tractor have been resolved and it has been returned to service.
DISCUSSION OF REPLACEMENT OF SMALL TRUCK, CONTINUED DELIBERATIONS ON 2015 BUDGET AND SCHEDULE FURTHER BUDGET MEETINGS
Replacement of the Ford truck will be the largest item in the 2015 budget. The copy machine will need to be replaced soon. More numbers will have come in prior to the October meeting.
DISCUSSION OF ROAD PAINTING RELATED TO BICYCLE EVENTS
The source of the painting remains to be determined.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR OCTOBER MEETING
The ordinance being requested by the Mt. Horeb Fire District, the proposed No Parking ordinance, road discontinuances, the clerk position job description and the proposed cell tower ordinance are expected to be on the October Board agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Todd Culliton and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:29.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk