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September 10, 2007 Board of Supervisors Meeting
Maine Minutes
September 10, 2007
Board of Supervisors Meeting
Maine Town Hall
6111 N. 44th Avenue
Wausau, WI 54401
The Board of Supervisors of the Town of Maine will hold a regular monthly meeting at the Maine Town Hall on Monday, September 10, 2007. Accounts Payable will be reviewed at 6:00 p.m. with General Business at 7:30 p.m.
September 10, 2007
Board of Supervisors
Minutes:
Chair Hoenisch called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Chair Hoenisch explained to the audience that the meeting had been called at 6:00 p.m. to allow time for a zoning project review with the Zoning Administrator and Attorney Frokjer.
Chair Hoenisch explained that bills will be previewed and approved at end of meeting.
Clerk Walter stated that she has August 13th, 16th and September 5th meeting minutes that will need to be approved. Chair Hoenisch asked the Supervisors to make a motion to dispense of the reading of the minutes and make any changes or corrections. No corrections were made. Supervisor Shore made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Supervisor Schult. Motion carried.
Chairperson’s report:
Chair Hoenisch reported that North 14th Avenue, between Decator and the City limits was just paved. Also the 28th Avenue sub division road off of Rainbow Drive just had a binder coat put on it because when American Asphalt got there to pave, a new home is being built and all the concrete footings and trucks were in the way. So until all the trucks are out of there, then the final coat will be put on.
Chair Hoenisch reported that the workers are finishing up on all the culverts they have installed.
Chair Hoenisch reported that the Supervisors and she will talk later about Erdman’s property that is for sale. The Town has been working with a potential buyer for this property, meaning we might have to find a different location for our yard waste site. John Marquardt has offered his property as a temporary site. By spring, a new site will be up and running.
Chair Hoenisch reported that the Town had its large item cleanup August 27th, 28th and 29th and it was a huge success.
Chair Hoenisch reported that the Zahn’s requested a speed cart. Chair Hoenisch has called the Sheriff’s Department and waiting for a call back to see what can be done.
Supervisor’s report:
Supervisor Shore reported that she just attended the National Association of Towns and Townships in Washington D.C. There were very important issues that the Legislatures reported on.
The first was about public service volunteerism. There are two bills back to back for this. The first bill is the “Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act”. The second bill is the “Local Official Taxing Act”. She explained that this means they want a tax exemption for volunteers on social security and any gifts that are given to them. This would be an exemption for volunteers such as first responders, fire fighters, commission members and elected officials from the Town that make under $1300.00.
Supervisor Shore explained that the 2010 census was one of the items of discussion. The Census Bureau wants to obtain an accurate census in 2010. This helps us with our federal funding allocation for our Town and also determines the number of U.S. representatives we will get from Wisconsin.
Another item of discussion was the “Unreasonable Mandate of Voting Act”. This bill will affect how we vote and mandate the type of voting machines we use. They want all municipalities to go back to paper ballots by 2008 due to problems with electronic voting machines.
Homeland Security was another important issue that was discussed. Local officials must have NIMS training, which we do, to be eligible for federal aids or grants in the event of a disaster. They made it very clear that Homeland Security does not just mean terrorism, but any danger to our municipalities. Terrorists set up in small Towns because they don’t attract much attention. The Towns must work together on security planning because Homeland Security will listen to a larger municipal group rather than just one individual Town.
Supervisor Shore reported that China is growing a plant called jatropha on any available land they can find. Jatropha is a hardy seed bush that produces seeds that contain over 30% oil. It is considered an ideal raw material for bio diesel production.
Supervisor Shore read the 2007 Farm Bill which was discussed at this meeting.
She learned that CO2 is now a pollutant and regulation is now being proposed.
Lastly, she stated that at the convention it was noted that Town’s are the foundation of government.
Supervisor Schult reported that all culverts are finished on Rainbow Drive, 20th Avenue (north of Rainbow Drive), North 28th and North 29th Avenue (north of Emery and Dixie Drive). He also stated that now the workers and himself will be getting ready to do some work on Grove Drive, Playground, Belmont, and Naugart Circle. They plan on doing a rock lift on these gravel roads and other work before the snow hits.
Treasurer’s Report: Marilyn Grunenwald reported on the Town’s bank accounts ending August 31, 2007:
Money Market Account Balance 07/31/2007 $ 527,455.19
Deposits and Interest $ 259,247.95
Expenses $ 390,567.01
Money Market Account Balance 08/31/2007 $ 396,136.13
Town of Maine Checking Account $ 6,416.25
Certificate of Deposit for Garbage and Recycling
Special Assessment Account $ 31,755.88
Fire Department Petty Cash Checking Account $ 1,752.48
Fire Department Money Market for Memorials
and Special Donations $ 20,479.81
Municipal NOW Account $ 216,426.61
Supervisor Schult made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Supervisor Shore. Motion carried.
Zoning Report for August 2007- Zoning Administrator Rich Grefe reported that he had issued six permits and completed fourteen inspections in the month of August.
Other Business:
A. Discussion and possible action on a resolution to vacate the un-built roads in the Assessor’s Plat No. 1 subdivision.
Chair Hoenisch explained that this has been an ongoing issue since January or February of 2006 when Steve Zahn came in with a tax bill that had less acreage than what he purchased from Rose Rosenau. Shortly after that Rose Rosenau came into the office because she had an interested party in a 5.9 acre parcel at the end of 55th Avenue and there was an access issue. Steve and Pam Zahn came to the Town some time ago, asking the Town to vacate the roads that are running thru their farm land. After much research and hiring the services of Diane Lorbiecke at Guarantee Title Company to do a title search, it was determined that the Assessor Plat roads had been deeded to the Town. A special meeting was held with Assessor Plat property owners on September 5, 2007.
Chair Hoenisch asked Attorney Frokjer to explain the sub division and road issues. Attorney Frokjer stated that this was a 60’s subdivision and the sub division plat was accepted by the Town in the 70’s.
The convents were never followed. Lots were divided, land was farmed and portions of the platted roads were never built. The land for the roads was deeded to the Town; however with the roads not being built, the Town is receiving no tax revenue from that land. Also the Town is not receiving lease revenue for the road area that is being farmed.
If a developer would wish to develop the land and the Town was forced to build Town roads, it would cost the taxpayers several hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Town is not supposed to be a developer.
The Town is proposing to vacate the un-built roads under State Statue 82.10 to conform to what is happening in that subdivision today. The Town would alter the roads and create cul de sacs. Part of the process would be to get access for Rose Rosenau’s land because the Town cannot land lock any land. If this is not done now, we are setting the Town up for future problems. We need to work at being a community and doing what is best for the Town.
Attorney Frokjer explained the proposed map from REI showing where 53rd, 55th and 57th Avenues would end with a cul de sac. He explained what road area would be vacated and that the Town would deed that vacated road area to the adjoining property owner. He stated that there will need to be some surveying done for the cul de sacs.
The process starts by the Town approving a resolution this evening and setting a hearing date for land owners to attend. The Clerk will need to notify all land owners along 53rd, 55th and 57th Avenues of the hearing by registered mail at least 30 days before hearing. The meeting notice will need to be published with a Class 3 notice.
The Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation and Marathon County Land Conservation will also need to be sent a registered letter notifying them of the road discontinuation.
George Vondrasek explained that the Town Board at the time that Bernice Zahn was developing this sub division had given her such a rough time that she threw in the towel and never finished the subdivision. He asked who was going to pay for the cul de sacs and the cost for the surveying. Attorney Frokjer explained that the Town will need to pay for the cul de sacs and that Rose Rosenau is going to pay approximately $4,000.00 toward the project since she sold Town road land to Steve Zahn.
Mr. Vondrasek asked why the Town was doing this if they don’t want to be the developer?
Supervisor Schult explained that it was never the Town’s job to acquire land and build a road, but this is an old problem that needs to be cleared up.
Eugene Dehnel asked if the proper way to build a cul de sac was to place it in the middle of the road. Chair Hoenisch explained that it will go straight down 57th Avenue and the circle will be south and east of 57th. Chair Hoenisch explained to Mr. Dehnel that the land we need for the cul de sac on 57th would come entirely out of his parcel since Mr. Vondrasek is not gaining land but Mr. Dehnel is gaining several acres.
Eugene Dehnel asked what will happen if in 20-30 years, a developer comes in with a subdivision; can the cul de sac be changed? Attorney Frokjer stated the cul de sac can be removed.
Duwayne Grunenwald asked why a cul de sac is needed. Chair Hoenisch explained that the plow trucks need a place to turn around without backing into residential driveways. Supervisor Schult made a motion to approve a resolution to vacate all undeveloped roads in Assessor’s Plat No. 1 except for roadway needed to create cul de sacs, seconded by Supervisor Shore. Motion carried.
B. Discussion and possible action on a resolution to approve the Department of Natural Resources recycling contact person.
Chair Hoenisch explained that the Town Clerk was the Department of Natural Resources contact person because as Clerk she completed the grant paperwork. When Chair Hoenisch completed the April 2007 grant, the DNR notified her that we need to change the contact person if she as Chairperson was going to do the grants. The contact person, per the DNR must be designated to a person or title. Supervisor Shore made a motion to approve the Town Chairperson as the designated DNR recycling contact person, seconded by Supervisor Schult. Motion carried.
C. Discussion and possible action to change hall rental fees for 2008 Town hall rentals.
Chair Hoenisch explained that we’ve had problems with wedding receptions, family reunions and large birthday parties. Chair Hoenisch advised the Supervisors that we need to increase the fees for larger parties and decrease the allowable capacity. Chair Hoenisch stated we need to do a security deposit fee charge sheet that will be part of the contract, so that people know what part of their deposit they will forfeit if they do not obey the rules.
Clerk Walter explained that after some of the parties, the tables have food left on them and need to be washed, the building is full of flies from the doors being held open, there are cigarette butts in the landscaping rock and litter in the shrubbery.
Discussion followed with the audience sharing some ideas, especially not to raise fees, which penalizes everyone. Pam Zahn suggested withholding the security deposit from people who abuse the facility. Word would get around in a hurry that the Town toughened up on its rules. This item was tabled to allow the Chair and Clerk to draft a proposal for fees, capacity and security deposit charges. This will be on a later agenda.
D. Discussion and possible action on Public Works/Fire Department fuel tank replacement. This item was tabled do to Northwest Petroleum sending us the wrong tank quote.
Open discussion from audience without action by the Town Board – There was none.
The next Board of Supervisor’s Meeting will be October 8, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
Chair Hoenisch invited residents in the audience to stay if they wished because the Supervisors will be reviewing and approving bills which they were unable to get thru at beginning of the meeting. She also explained that she needed to discuss the Erdman property/road issues with Supervisors and Town Attorney.
Chair Hoenisch distributed maps of the Erdman property which is for sale and explained that she and Mr. Grefe had met with Erdman’s surveyor and potential buyers regarding road access to the approximately 55 acres that is for sale. Discussion followed on the seven homes that are currently accessing their properties via shared driveways. Chair Hoenisch explained she will be holding a meeting to bring all property owners up to speed on these access issues.
The Supervisors reviewed and approved the bills payable that Clerk Walter presented to them.
Motion by Supervisor Shore, seconded by Supervisor Schult to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted and approved on October 8, 2007.
Tammi M. Walter
Town of Maine Clerk
Last modified: 03/22/07.
Archive:
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