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October 24, 2007 Special Meeting
Maine Minutes
October 24, 2007
Special Meeting
Maine Town Hall
6111 N. 44th Avenue
Wausau, WI 54401
Minutes:
Chair Hoenisch called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m.
The first item of business was discussion with the public works employees regarding any changes to their wages, health care subsidy, vacation and personal hours. John Marquardt and Scott Cyzan expressed concerns regarding sick days that are currently not included in their personnel policy. The guys stated that in case of a major illness or surgery it would be helpful to be able to accrue some sick days up to a certain limit but not be paid for them when you leave the job.
Chair Hoenisch asked the workers if they had given any thought to tools or equipment that should be included in the 2008 budget. They said a transit would be great for their road projects. John suggested purchasing cement blocks to create an enclosure for the salt pile. Discussion followed about the possible purchase of a new tractor backhoe with a 4 in 1 bucket and trying out demo machines from several implement dealerships.
Chair Hoenisch asked Scott Cyzan if he had gotten an estimate on replacing the rear main seal for his truck. Discussion followed that do to the truck’s mileage and labor cost of pulling back the transmission to replace the seal, it would be cost effective to replace the clutch at the same time.
John Marquardt explained that the heaters on his mirrors are not working. He asked if he could order a different style due to problems with blind spots on the current mirrors which have caused him to have several close calls.
John Marquardt also stated that his truck was due for transmission servicing and he was told to get an estimate from Northwest International.
Next item of business was discussion with Duane Grunenwald regarding lawn and snow maintenance at the Town Hall. Supervisor Schult had questions regarding trimming around the shrubs and Mr. Grunenwald explained that it is difficult to trim any closer without cutting the shrubs. Chair Hoenisch had questions regarding trimming of the ditch line and how that can be improved. The Supervisors explained that they are considering a flat summer rate.
Chair Hoenisch explained to Mr. Grunenwald that last winter she had to shovel out the west emergency hall door several times. She emphasized that this door must be kept open at each plowing due to a serious liability issue, should anyone become trapped inside the building. Mr. Grunenwald stated that he will make sure the doors are shoveled out better. The Town Board stated they will contact him regarding their plans for the lawn and snow maintenance.
The next item of business was the Fire Department’s 2008 budget with Captain Bob Pound. Captain Pound explained each account line and what would be needed in those categories for 2008. Captain Bob Pound explained that the Town will be receiving the Marathon County Federal radio grant money for approximately $22,000.00.
Chair Hoenisch questioned the officer’s salary which has not been increased in over 8 years. Treasurer Grunenwald stated the officer’s should’ve received a salary increase at the time the training per Diem was increased. Chair Hoenisch also suggested that Mr. Pound be re-imbursed for his time for writing grant applications. Chair Hoenisch explained that he’s been very successful in obtaining grant funding.
Captain Pound stated that there has been discussion regarding the fact that the Fire Department truck loan is not paid off when the Town went and purchased a new tractor / mower / sweeper and paid it off in one year.
Chair Hoenisch explained that the workers need good equipment to do our road work and doing the short term borrowing was the only way the Town can get around the 2% tax levy. She explained that at the time Tanker 1 was purchased, the Fire Department’s loan for the approximate two year old Engine 1 was not paid off. People’s Bank recommended that the Town consolidate the two loans for a ten year term at a low interest rate, which kept the payment the same and did not cause property taxes to increase. People’s Bank felt that a fire truck has a life expectancy of 20 years and was comfortable with a ten year loan. The Town Chairman and Town Supervisor at the time, were Fire Department members and they had approved the ten year loan. Captain Pound discussed the amount of contract revenue the Fire Department is receiving and stated that the Town should be able to pay off the truck sooner with that revenue. Chair Hoenisch explained that the Town Board should attend a Fire Department drill to present the budget so that we can correct the misconception of the Town Board spending Fire Department contract money on road work.
The Board worked on the 2008 Budget. Chair Hoenisch distributed a copy of the projected expenses and revenues for the balance of 2007. Discussion followed on the amounts needed for the proposed 2008 road projects and a possible new road project loan due to the 2008 tax levy restraints. The garbage / recycling contract with IROW was also discussed. Chair Hoenisch explained that there will be another workshop after the Clerk and she prepare a draft budget.
Next item of business was discussion and possible action regarding office equipment maintenance and building maintenance. Chair Hoenisch explained that there is a lot to take care of at the Town Hall. Such as computer trouble shooting, equipment installation, the internet cable needs to be brought through the inside wall and run above the ceiling to junction box, internet connections installed in wall plate instead of wireless router, phone / internet jacks by Rich’s desk (Charter’s been called twice to come and do it, but no one has come), door repairs / replacement, door sill plate repair, weather stripping on doors, drywall repair, painting touch-ups, office window glass replacement, install border blocks /mulch around the shrubbery, PW equipment repair. Chair Hoenisch stated that these items need to be done and she does not believe its fair to her husband to always ask him for help and to donate his time. Someone needs to be hired to help maintain this building and do the equipment maintenance. The road workers also ask him for assistance or advice at times with mechanical problems. It is better if that person is an employee, because then that person is covered by the Town’s insurance. Chair Hoenisch stated that if the Town Board does not feel comfortable hiring her husband, then they need to come up with a different solution for all the maintenance issues.
Clerk Walter stated that her computer has been giving her problems since the day she took the Clerk’s job in April. She has been complaining about the computer and no one has offered to help accept Skip Hoenisch. He was the one that got my computer going in May when it crashed. So, when it crashed again last week on Monday, the day the Clerk was supposed to do payroll, she asked Chair Hoenisch if she could call Skip because he is the only one around here with computer knowledge. Clerk Walter didn’t have days or weeks to wait for some computer place to look at it. Skip came up Monday after work to look at it but nothing could be done. Chair Hoenisch called the Supervisors to get a verbal ok on purchasing a new computer, because without a computer we couldn’t do all the budgeting paperwork. Skip assisted them Monday night to purchase a new computer. On Tuesday he took a day of vacation to setup the computer and printer. He installed the software and transferred all the data from the old laptop. Clerk Walter explained it’s not fair to expect Skip to donate all his time when at other jobs, you have a computer person to help you.
Supervisor Shore stated she’s seen Skip’s work and he does a great job and she would be willing to make a motion to hire him as a part-time employee to do the maintenance.
Supervisor Schult stated that the Town Hall’s front doors should just be replaced instead of trying to repair what’s there. He also explained that on the outside of the Town Hall, the flashing which was never installed between the siding and the brick, needs to be done soon before more condensation gets behind the brick. Chair Hoenisch suggested that his construction company give the Town a quote on doing these jobs.
Supervisor Shore made a motion to hire Skip Hoenisch at $12.00 an hour for building and equipment maintenance effective October 15, 2007. Seconded by Supervisor Schult. Motion carried. Chair Hoenisch asked if the Supervisors would like to approve a work order before the job is started. They stated that just a time slip documenting the work would be sufficient.
Chair Hoenisch distributed a draft from Brokaw, on the Water Main agreement to the Town Board members to review.
Supervisor Schult made a motion to adjourn at 11:02 p.m. Seconded by Supervisor Shore. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted and approved on November 12, 2007.
Tammi Walter
Town of Maine Clerk
Last modified: 03/22/07.
Archive:
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