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September 2, 2008 Special Board of Supervisors Meeting

Maine Minutes

September 2, 2008
Special 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 special meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

Agenda

1. Call meeting to order 1:00 p.m. � Betty Hoenisch, Chairperson
2. Travel to 1601 N. 44th Avenue.
3. Discussion of possible location of proposed cul de sac in relations to the wetlands and waterways � U. S. Army Corp of Engineers Project Manager, Simone Kolb and DNR Specialist, Keith Patrick.
4. Adjournment.

I certify that this agenda was posted at Red Granite Bar, Richard�s Supper Club, Schmidt�s Bar and the Town Hall, 6111 N. 44th Avenue on or before August 29, 2008.

Tammi M. Walter
Town of Maine Clerk

Any person in need of reasonable accommodation should notify the Town forty-eight (48) hours prior to a meeting. Contact Tammi M. Walter, Town Clerk, by phone at 675-5607 or in person at the above address.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Special Board of Supervisor Meeting

Chair Hoenisch called the special meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. at the south end of N. 44th Avenue by the Reuben Roehl property.

Present were Chairperson Hoenisch, Supervisor Shore, Supervisor Schult, public works employees John Marquardt and Scott Cyzan, DNR Specialist Keith Patrick, Army Corp Engineer Simone Kolbe, REI surveyor Tom Radenz, Bill Freund, Radant family members, Roehl family members and Neil Seidler.

Chair Hoenisch explained that the Roehl property is for sale. One of the parties that made an offer of purchase on the property called the Town because Roehl�s deed does not show access past the north property line. Chair Hoenisch stated that this was a fact finding meeting and the DNR and Army Corp of Engineers were here to determine wetland locations. Tom Radenz from REI was present to help determine the centerline of the road and to help map out possible cul de sacs for the Town.

Neil Seidler introduced himself and handed out a Seidler family letter dated September 1, 2008. Mr. Seidler proceeded to explain that N. 44th Avenue had been built by the Town before his father, Elmer Seidler purchased the land south of Radant�s and Roehl�s properties. Because the Seidler family has two eighty�s in Managed Forest Land they need the Town road for public access to those parcels. The Seidler family strongly objects to the Town�s proposal to vacate a portion of N. 44th Avenue.

Chair Hoenisch explained that this a very old problem dating back to the 1940�s and had the road been built properly back then we would not be here today trying to find solutions for this issue. She stated that the southern portion of N. 44th Avenue clearly was not a road maintained by the Town. State Statutes have given Town�s the option to vacate un-built roads due to the financial burden the road building costs would be to all of the taxpayers. She explained that on August 4th the Plan Commission members viewed the road and at their meeting recommended that the Town Board not build the road any further than is currently maintained due to the precedence that would set. Chair Hoenisch also explained the private way type easement the Town is suggesting for the area vacated so that the Radant�s, Roehl�s and Seidler�s all have access to their properties.

Sue (Radant) Gantner explained that the Radant family has concerns that they will not be able to get permission by the DNR to cross the wetlands to access the southern portion of their property. She said that several members of the Radant family have discussed the possibility of building on the land and they prefer a Town road for their access.

Chair Hoenisch explained to DNR Specialist Keith Patrick and Army Corp Engineer Simone Kolb the areas that had been discussed at the August 4th meeting as possible sites for cul de sacs. The Town is asking them to help determine where would be the best location for the proposed cul de sac.

Surveyor Tom Radenz said he would walk the area with Mr. Patrick and Ms. Simone to locate the wetland areas which he then would map for the Town.

The entire group walked the trail to the end of Roehl�s property. Discussion followed on road building, cul de sac, wetlands and culverts issues.

Mr. Seidler and members of the Radant family continued to voice their opinion that because the Town had accepted land for the continuation of N. 44th to the end of Roehl property and the Town was getting road aids on 528 feet they were not maintaining, the Town should build the road so they all have access from a Town road. Town Board members explained that due to the road building costs it would be more cost effective to pay the road aids back to the state. Chair Hoenisch said that first the Town will find out who put the extra road aid length on the original paser chart. If the mistake was made by the Department of Transportation then the Town should not be liable. The Town Board also stressed the importance of not setting precedence for future development that may force the Town to fund road building.

DNR Specialist Keith Patrick asked Mr. Seidler what reasons he could provide that would convince the DNR and Army Corp to permit the widening of the un-built portion of N. 44th Avenue. Mr. Seidler stated that they do not want to develop their land but need to retain access for hunters, bird watchers and nature people that use the road to access the Seidler�s MFL land. Mr. Patrick also explained the criteria and permit process an individual or Town would need to complete for the DNR to permit the disturbance of the wetland areas. Mr. Patrick stated that at the present time the DNR would only allow a 12 foot wide easement in the area that currently is a trail thru the Radant and Roehl woods. Mr. Patrick said that the 12 foot wide easement should be sufficient access for the current usage.

Supervisor Schult asked what would happen when the culverts fail that cross the wetland and stream areas. Mr. Patrick stated that the DNR would allow the culverts to be replaced because that is considered maintenance.

Supervisor Shore made a motion to adjourn at 2:05 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Schult. Motion carried.

Respectively submitted and approved on September 8, 2008.

Tammi M. Walter
Town of Maine Clerk

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