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September 10, 2008 Regular Monthly Minutes
TOWN OF NEW DENMARK
MINUTES FROM MONTHLY MEETING
SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
The September regular monthly meeting for the Town of New Denmark was called to order on Monday, September 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Gary Moore. After the Pledge of Allegiance the Minutes from August’s regular monthly meeting were read and being no revisions a Motion was made by Sup. Rabas and seconded by Chairman Moore to approve as read. MC.
MINUTES FROM SPECIAL MEETINGS Special Minutes from a meeting on September 3, 2008 of the Town Board, Town Plan Commission and Aaron Schuette of Brown County Planning were read and being the following revisions: Bel Gioioso Cheese acreage should be 14 acres and request to denote in Minute, Charles Winnekens as “Constable”. Motion by Sup. Rabas and seconded by Chairman Moore to approve with corrections, MC.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s books show a balance on hand of $571,846.42 in the money market, $9,000 designated to Town Bridge Fund and $1, 777.71 in checking. Motion made by Sup. Rabas and seconded by Chairman Moore to accept report. MC
COMMENTS OR CONCERNS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk received correspondence in regard to Connor Lane – Board to review correspondence from Attorney Pollen and update will be provided at next month’s meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
ROAD CLASSIFICATION – PODLASIK LANE
Sup. Rabas states Podlasik Lane is officially 1637 feet from the right-of-way of Pine Grove Road. Lori Gezella of 4803 Podlasik Lane raises concern of exposed breaker run which is in front of their home (photos submitted) and if the cul-de-sac is not considered part of the town road, why the property was taken from her father, Dan Skaletski without payment? Ms. Gezella inquires what can be done for the Town to accept the balance of the road? Chairman Moore states the road would need to be upgraded to meet Town specs, ditches added, etc. and this is typically at the cost of the property owner. Atty Sickel states he reviewed the CSM on file and a portion of the roadway has been dedicated as a Town road but the Town also needs to accept a resolution pursuant to Sec. 66.1024. The roadway cannot be accepted until a resolution is made and approved by the governing body. Rich Bretton, resident states various govt. vehicles use Podlasik Lane. Chris DeLarwelle of 1637 Podlasik Lane states Podlasik Lane contains three homes and a business. Mr. DeLarwelle questions the amount of funding the Town receives the road. Sup. Rabas states the Town receives approximately $2,000 for 1 mile of roadway but that money is applied to overall maintenance such as plowing, new grave, grading and upkeep. Residents request chip seal be applied. Chairman Moore states this could be considered next year as it is too late at this time to start a new road project. Ms. Gezella questions what can be done with her section of the road. Atty. Sickel reviews CSM from 1997 and reads the Minutes from August of 1997. The Minutes are vague and unclear if Podlasik Lane was accepted by resolution.
Chairman Moore suggests the Bd gather all relevant information. Atty Sickel to review deeds and Ms. Gezella to check with Dan Skaletski if he has any type of paperwork to support their contention the entire road should be classified as a town road. Mr. Bretton requests a dead-end sign be placed on Podlasik Lane. Sup. Rabas to follow-up with this request.
SLOW CHILDREN SIGN – HWY T and CEDAR MEADOWS LANE
Chairman Moore states he received a call from a resident to place a Slow Children sign near Rosecrans (T) & Cedar Meadows because many kids are on bikes in this area. Question raised where the sign would be placed and in which direction? Sup. Rabas to call Br Cty to seek their input. Town does not want to see any child hurt, but there are various locations in the town were children are on bikes and at play. Questionable how effective the sign would be. Motion by Sup. Rabas to table for further review and consideration. Seconded by Chairman Moore. MC
LOCATION OF STOP SIGN AT LANGES CORNER & STEVES CHEESE ROAD
Chairman Moore contacted by resident inquiring about the location of the stop sign on Langes Corner Road and Steves Cheese Road as it currently stops the flow of traffic on Langes Corner. Sup. Rabas states there are a number of houses in that area and buildings are close to the intersection. Sup. Rabas states question could be directed to Brown County for their input as to proper sign location or whether four way should be added. Motion by Chairman Moore and seconded by Sup. Rabas to check with Br Cty as to their input on location of stop sign. MC. Scott Gehrke states they recently purchased the home on the corner of Steves Cheese Road and would like to see the stop signs stay in place on Langes Corner due to the speed and volume of traffic through this intersection. Steves Cheese is posted as 35 mph and Langes Corner posted as 45 mph.
ORDINANCE TO SWITCH CLERK & TREASURER FROM ELECTED TO APPOINTED POSITIONS: Atty Sickel reads proposed Ordinance to adopt resolution to switch the Clerk and Treasurer from elected to appointed officials. The Town Board would need to adopt this ordinance and publish and/or post 45 days prior to the November election. The question would then be put to the residents on the November ballot as a referendum to approve or disapprove. Chairman Moore states he is proposing this change in order to keep continuity within the Town as Town Bd members change and to avoid popularity contests in these positions. The duties of the Clerk and Treasurer are much more complex then they were in the past and he would like to see the best qualified individuals in these positions. Chairman Moore opens topic up for public comment: Mr. and Mrs. Johnson of Town Hall Road believes it is a bad idea and is very zealous of his right to vote. Rebecca Gehrke questions how the appointed process would work? Chairman Moore states applications would be accepted and reviewed for qualifications, similar to a job application process. Questions raised as to who is more qualified to appoint these positions, the Town Bd or the residents? Norbert Hansen agrees with the right to vote but when they worked on drafting the new ordinances it was decided to seek an appointed Clerk and Treasurer from a liability standpoint. Atty Sickel states there are many more requirements for these positions today then 50 years ago. Gay Mashal questions if the ordinance is adopted and voted to switch to appointed, can it be changed back to an elected position? A resolution would need to be made by the Bd to revert back to elected. Chris DeLarwelle questions if residents could be involved in the application/screening process – such as a committee to review potential applicants. Chairman Moore states this is something that could be considered. Chairman Moore feels as the Town Bd changes, the Bd ultimately needs someone they can rely on. Chairman Moore states there is good and bad to appointed and/or elected positions and wanted to propose this option in order to keep some continuity in Town. Kathy Janssen questions if the appointment would be for 2 or 3 years. Chairman Moore states 3 years is recommended because the additional year is then extended to the incoming Town Board. Sup. Rabas states over 80 towns have switched to an appointed vs elected Clerk and Treasurer in 2008. Joe Kobes questions why the Town Bd cannot have split terms. Chairman Moore states they are unable to stager terms because they have a three person Bd. Sup Rabas questions why the ordinance does not combine the Clerk/Treasurer positions. Attorney Sickel states that is an option but the Town would be required to undergo an audit each year, the ordinance would have to be re-written and put to the residents as a referendum to eliminate the individual positions and create one newly combined position for an appointed Clerk/Treasurer. Motion by Chairman Moore to adopt the ordinance for an appointed Clerk and appointed Treasurer. No second. Motion does not carry. Clerk and Treasurer positions to remain elected.
ASSESSOR’S REPORT: None.
TOWN ROAD & BRIDGE UPDATE: Sup. Rabas states shoulders to be added to Langes Corner and he was advised there will be a substantial increase in the price of salt for this year.
VIKING RESCUE SQUAD UPDATE: Ltr from Jenny Pantzlaff of Viking Rescue read by Chairman Moore. Letter addresses 18 areas of concern that were previously raised by the municipalities. Viking was to have a response to the Town by September 1 with proposed remedies to these areas of concern. Sup. Rabas states he does not like the language “could be” and no permanent timeframes have been set. Tom Knap: First responder from the Town Franklin present and requests the Town consider Viking’s proposal and allow them to finalize these recommendations at the Bd of Director’s meeting on September 24th. Chairman Moore would like to clarify he was to meet with Bob Serkora and Jenny but was never informed of the meeting until 10 minutes prior to the scheduled date and time. Sup. Rabas would like to see some time parameters added to these recommendations. Motion by Chairman Moore and seconded by Sup. Rabas to table until next month for further clarification after the Board of Directors’ meeting. MC
Motion by Chairman Moore to revert back to OLD BUSINESS. Seconded by Sup. Rabas. MC
OLD BUSINESS: Atty. Sickel provides updated information about dilapidated buildings. He has reviewed the properties in question. The Town can start an action by requesting the Building Inspector and Assessor to prepare reports stating repairs to the properties would be unreasonable and the cost of those repairs would exceed 50% of the assessed value of the property. Upon receipt of these reports, the Town Bd can declare these properties are unsafe and make a determination to raise the buildings. Notice of this declaration is given to the property owners, the buildings are tagged uninhabitable and the property owner has 20 days to respond. The cost of raising would be applied to the property assessment bill. Motion by Sup. Rabas and seconded by Chairman Moore to propose building inspector and assessor prepare reports for the Town Bd as to value and needed repairs for these properties within the next month. MC
Motion by Chairman Moore to revert back to NEW BUSINESS. Seconded by Sup. Rabas. MC
APPROVAL OF INFORMATIONAL BUILDING PERMITS
Richard Bradley: Request to enclose and roof 40x50 existing slab. Motion by Sup. Rabas and seconded by Chairman Moore to approve upon approval of Building Inspector. MC. Scott/Rebecca Gerhke: Request for new foundation and construction of 20x24 addition to existing home located at 5295 Steves Cheese Road. Deck to be removed. Motion by Chairman Moore and seconded by Sup. Rabas to accept contingent upon approval of Building Inspector. MC. Brent Petersen of Hwy NN: Recoveron Restoration to add new trusses and roof system to home damaged in fire. Motion by Sup. Rabas and seconded by Chairman Moore to approve contingent upon approval of Building Inspector. MC. Chris/Sheryl DeLarwelle of Podlasik Lane to construct a 30x20 shed. Question if lot line adjustment is recorded. Chris states he believes it is. Motion by Sup. Rabas and seconded by Chairman Moore to approve contingent upon the lot line adjustment being recorded with Brown County. MC
CORRESPONDENCE: Packet of Highway/Road listing to be updated and filed with the State by October 1, 2008. Sup. Rabas to complete.
PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Sup. Rabas and seconded by Chairman Moore to approve and pay bills. MC
Motion by Chairman Moore and seconded by Sup. Rabas to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. MC
Prepared by:
Michelle Wallerius, Clerk
Approved: October 13, 2008
Archive:
August 31, 2010 Special Town Board Meeting Minutes
August 17, 2010 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2010 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2010 Regular Monthly Meeting for July
June 15, 2010 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
June 14, 2010 Regular Monthly Meeting for June
May 18, 2010 Special Town Bd Meeting - Garbage/Recycling contract
May 4, 2010 Regular Monthly Meeting
April 20, 2010 Plan Commission - Zoning Code Updates
April 13, 2010 Draft - 2010 Annual Meeting Minutes