Town of Somerset 12/7/11 Minutes

Town of Somerset

Town Board Meeting

Minutes

Wednesday,

December 7, 2011

Chairman Schachtner called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. Present were Germain, Plourde, Demulling, Rauch and Schachtner. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Rauch, seconded by Germain to approve the agenda as provided. Motion carried. Public input-Matt Foucault spoke concerning the Walker petition group gathering signatures on town hall property. Foucault stated he is disappointed that the group is on the town hall property and asked the board to consider drafting a policy to prohibit political groups from petitioning. Foucault was informed that legal opinion has been sought on this issue and for the time being no policy will be enacted.

Clerk’s & Treasurer’s Report: Motion by Plourde, seconded by Demulling to approve the November 2nd meeting minutes with the amendment to the public hearing section that the mill rate for the Town is $2.07 per $1,000, not $2.03; the levy to remain the same at $690,521. Motion carried. Motion by Germain, seconded by Rauch to approve the November financial report as provided. Motion carried.

Building Inspector’s Report: Motion by Plourde, seconded by Rauch to approve the Building Inspector’s report for November. Motion carried.

David Thompson - $200.00 Fee for Deed Recording with Setback Waiver: Waiver approved at county on November 17, 2011, however, the recording/surveyor fee is $200.00. Thompson stated he is not going to pay the entire fee; however, he is willing to pay the $30.00 recording fee. Wert stated he will not pay anything. Motion by Germain, seconded by Rauch to postpone until January meeting so Demulling can get more information. Motion carried.

Consideration of Renewing Building Inspector’s 2-Year Contract with Brian Wert Inspection Agency: Much discussion. Contract currently states it shall automatically terminate at midnight on December 31, 2011, unless renewed. Motion by Demulling, seconded by Rauch to postpone this issue until January 4th meeting. Motion carried.

New Business - Lynn Berg/Salvation Army Grace Place - Programs/Fundraising: Lynn Berg spoke to the board about all of the programs going on at Grace Place and the bell ringing campaign.

Appoint Election Inspectors for a 2-Year Term and Set Hourly Rate of Pay: The Town did not receive any lists from political parties on the appointment of election inspectors. Motion by Rauch, seconded by Plourde to appoint Donna Belisle, Renee Rivard, Deborah Wolf, Marin Hansch, Lois Martell, Shirley Higgins, William Lawson, Rita Lawson, Audrey Wittig, Wendy Erickson and Helen Clemas as election inspectors for 2012-2013 and set the hourly rate of pay at $11.00 per hour, plus meals. Motion carried.

St. Croix Economic Development Corporation – Request for Membership at $1,000: Motion by Germain, seconded by Demulling to deny the request for membership to St. Croix Economic Development Corporation. Motion carried.

Approval of Memorandum of Understand with County for Statewide Voter Registration: Motion by Demulling, seconded by Plourde to approve the 2012-2013 Memorandum of Understanding with St. Croix County for Statewide Voter Registration. Motion carried.

Approval of Payments to Taxing Districts on 2010 US Fish & Wildlife Refuge Grant: Motion by Plourde, seconded by Rauch to approve distribution of the 2010 US Fish & Wildlife Refuge Grant received in 2011 to the taxing districts. Motion carried.

Delinquent 2010 Personal Property Tax Bills - Consideration in Further Action - Ronning Construction & Builders & Matthew Paulus Excavating: Matthew Paulus was present at the meeting. Ronning Construction was not present. Motion by Germain, seconded by Rauch to waive the interest fee of $42.30 on the Paulus 2010 personal property tax bill of $282.16. Paulus agreed to pay half now and half within 60 days. Motion carried. Motion by Plourde, seconded by Demulling to contact the homeowner, Nicole Knowles at 1693 - 56th Street, regarding the Ronning Construction and Builders 2010 delinquent personal property tax bill and interest charges totaling $324.46 prior to commencing legal action. Motion carried.

St. Croix County Farmland Preservation Ordinance - Update from Public Hearing Held November 30th: Schachtner attended the public hearing on November 30th. Chip Traiser requested that he be included in farmland preservation. Town Board consensus was that if Traiser wanted his property to be included in farmland preservation they were in favor of his request because there is a deeded Hwy. 35 restricted access for driveways, the land is located in the northern part of the town and is currently farmed.

Old Business: None

Animal Control Report: Motion by Demulling, seconded by Rauch to approve the November Animal Control report. Motion carried.

Fire/Rescue Commission Report: Plourde read the report from Belisle. 29 calls during November; 326 calls for 2011 compared to 298 in 2010. A LUCAS device for CPR compressions valued at $15,000 was donated by a generous Somerset family. Belisle gave a brief demonstration of the equipment. Dry hydrant at Pine Lake has been winterized. Motion by Demulling, seconded by Rauch to approve the Fire/Rescue Commission report. Motion carried.

Parks & Rec Committee Report: No meeting.

Planning Committee Report: Reviewing Comprehensive Plan; some Census data has been obtained.

Transportation & Facilities Committee Report - Road Projects, Equipment Update & Improvement Projects at Town Hall: Road projects done. Narrowband radios upgraded and installed in equipment. Ventilation system, panic doors and handicapped opener are installed but need electrical wiring. Recycling shed wall construction will be started mid-December.

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Jeri Koester, Clerk

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