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, Todd Culliton, Don McKay and Doug Meier; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Todd Culliton, seconded by Larry Ziemer and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Chair reported that Supervisor Larry Ziemer will not be running for re-election in 2015.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Larry Ziemer moved approval of the minutes of the October 13th meeting, Don McKay seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of October were $20,803.33. $20,360.27 was the Town’s final Transportation Aid payment for 2014, 306.48 was for building permits, $75 was for assessment searches, $51.50 for County Dog License Reimbursement and the remainder was $10.08 in interest.
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Doug Meier to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
There were 511 voters at the Fall Election, out of 620 registered, and 26 new registrations. Checks 4061 and 4062 are for road salt and stone chips for the coming winter. Check 4064 is for workers compensation insurance for 2015.
A motion was made by Todd Culliton and seconded by Doug Meier to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PATROLMAN, LIAISON AND FIRE & EMS DISTRICT REPORTS
The Town Patrolman reported that sand and salt for the winter has been delivered and that mowing for the year is almost finished. The sander for the Ford truck is nearing the end of its useful life, so replacement should be budgeted. The same is true of the steam cleaner.
The Mount Horeb Fire District is looking at a new marking system for rural residences that will make arriving firemen aware of the driveway length so that they can better plan the layout of their water hose equipment. The Black Earth Joint Fire District has decided that rather than replacing a $20,000 compressor used to fill air bottles, they will contract with the Mount Horeb Fire District.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for October 2014, paid by checks numbered 4057 through 4093 and ACH transfers 23 and 24 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 Doug Meier to approve payment of bills for October 2014 and the motion was approved.
UPDATE FROM DANE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEPUTY
Deputy Alwin was present at the meeting. He delivered the list of calls for service in the Town, totaling 272 for the year so far. Relatively few involve criminal activity, most being for trees down, car/deer accidents and EMS calls. False burglar alarms are also a source of calls. Several approaches to dealing with roadways being blocked by privately owned equipment and materials were discussed.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING DRIVEWAY PERMIT APPLICATION FROM ERIC GROVER AT 4612 BLUE MOUNDS TRAIL
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the driveway permit. Todd Culliton moved approval of the application, Doug Meier seconded and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS REGARDING DISCONTINUANCE OF BRODERICK ROAD, RAINBOW FARM ROAD, SKOG KLEDD ROAD AND A PORTION OF EVANSON ROAD
Beverly Krueger was present to comment on the proposed discontinuance of Broderick Road. The Kruegers have property that is accessed by easement from Broderick Road and feel that they would be disadvantaged by its discontinuance. There is some uncertainty about whether the Krueger easement extends from their property line to the current termination of Broderick Road, or all the way to Bohn Road along the route of Broderick Road. It was decided that the Board would visit the site before deciding whether to move forward with the discontinuance.
Jeff Underwood was present to discuss the proposed discontinuance of Skog Kledd Road. He owns the property underneath the road as well as a house site and outbuildings at the end of the road. He would like to discontinue the road in order to allow him to erect a gate in order to provide for better security for his property. There is currently a trust that owns property surrounding the Jeff Underwood property, and while the trust owns property fronting on Forshaug Road, practical access to that property is by way of Skog Kledd Road. The Board will conduct a site visit to better understand the physical layout, with further consideration of this discontinuance postponed.
With respect to Rainbow Farm Road, there is a single Town of Vermont property owner along the road, though farm fields in the Town of Blue Mounds are most conveniently accessed from Rainbow Farm Road. Doug Meier moved and Barbara Grenlie seconded that discontinuance of Rainbow Farm Road be approved for public hearing. The motion was approved, with Don McKay voting no.
It appears to be agreeable to both the Town and the owner of the property at the end of Evanson Road that the road be shortened to exclude the portion of the road that now passes quite near a residence. Those property owners have agreed to create a public turnaround at their own expense at the proposed new end of the road. Don McKay moved and Todd Culliton seconded that the shortening of Evanson Road be approved for public hearing, and the motion was approved with the provision that a written agreement guaranteeing construction of the turnaround be provided.
It was agreed that the public hearings on the proposed discontinuance of Rainbow Farm Road and the end of Evanson Road and would be held at 6:30 p.m. prior to the January 12, 2015 Board meeting.
DISCUSSION OF JOB DESCRIPTION FOR TOWN CLERK POSITION AND APPROVAL OF POSITION DESCRIPTION
An advertisement for the position will be placed in the two local newspapers, along with a postcard mailing to all Town property owners.
DISCUSSION OF AND POSSIBLE CHANGES TO SHORT TERM AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION EVENT PERMIT APPLICATION AND SETTING 2015 FEES
Doug Meier moved and Todd Culliton seconded that the 2015 fees remain the same as 2014 and the motion was approved. Several changes will be made to the application form, but they will have no substantive impact on the process.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF A CELL TOWER LOCATION ORDINANCE AND PERMITTING REQUIRENT
Don McKay moved and Todd Culliton seconded that a public hearing be held on this proposed ordinance at 6:00 p.m. on January 12, 2015.
DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO CHAPTERS 2 AND CHAPTERS 4 OF TOWN ORDINANCES REGARDING DRIVEWAY PERMITS AND BUILDING PERMITS FOR ENERGY AND COMMUNICATION TOWERS
This item will be postponed until the January 12, 2015 board meeting with the addition that action may possibly be taken on this item at the meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF 2014 BUDGET AMENDMENTS AS REQUIRED
No budget amendments were required.
APPROVAL OF 2015 BUDGET
Todd Culliton moved and Larry Ziemer seconded that the 2015 budget be approved with adjustments to the draft as required to implement a raise for the Town Treasurer as approved at the Special Town Meeting earlier in the evening. The motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF INFORMATIONAL POSTCARD FOR TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING
Because of other pressing business, Larry Ziemer moved and Todd Culliton seconded that the TDR hearing would be delayed until 7:00 p.m. on February 4, 2015. The motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR DECEMBER MEETING
The two road discontinuances upon which no action was taken at the November meeting will be considered. Consideration and possible approval of changes to Chapters 2 and Chapters 4 of Town Ordinances regarding driveway permits and building permits for energy and communication towers will also be on the agenda as well as discussion of the future conversion of the clerk position from elected to appointed.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:46.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk