Town of Somerset January 2, 2013 Minutes

Town of Somerset

Town Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Chairman Schachtner called the meeting to order at 8:00 pm at the Town Hall. Present were Germain, Demulling, Plourde, Rauch and Schachtner. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Demulling, seconded by Rauch to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Public input-none.

Clerk’s/Treasurer’s Report: Motion by Plourde, seconded by Germain to approve the December minutes. Motion carried. Motion by Germain, seconded by Rauch to approve the December Financial Report. Motion carried.

Building Inspector’s Report: Motion by Plourde, seconded by Rauch to approve the Building Inspector’s Report with the report updated with Barry Boardman’s final inspection date. Motion carried.

Animal Control Report: Motion by Demulling, seconded by Germain to approve the Animal Control Report. Motion carried.

Fire/Rescue Commission Report: Plourde read the report from Belisle. 28 calls for December. 373 calls for 2012 compared to 342 for 2011. Plans continue for new engine purchase in 2014. Department is updating brush gear/firefighting equipment with money in budget and DNR grant. Motion by Germain, seconded by Rauch to approve the December Fire/Rescue Commission Report. Motion carried.

Parks & Rec Committee Report: Next meeting January 7th Nick Schaff from the DNR in attendance to discuss St. Croix River Bridge Crossing Project/Mitigation Funds.

Planning Commission Report -Heidi Schmitt - Request for In Home Business/Hair Salon at 1673-68th Street: Schmitt stated she’d like to have a salon in her home for family and friends/no advertising. County stated it is a minor home occupation and it meets the county’s guidelines. Demulling inquired about septic. Schmitt replied it was in compliance with the County. Motion by Demulling, seconded by Plourde to approve the in home hair salon for Heidi Schmitt at 1673-68th Street and requested Schmitt provide the Town with a copy of her Wisconsin license once it is transferred over from Minnesota. Motion carried.

John & Bryce Montpetit - Request for Waiver from Design Standards of 66’ Road Frontage for Lot and Request to Approve 1 Lot CSM off of 58th Street: Doug Zahler/S & N Land Surveying presented the 1 Lot CSM off of 58th Street. Property is zoned Agriculture. Rauch stated that after much discussion, the Planning Commission recommended approval. The question came up as to if the road would need to be constructed after three lots or three residences and could the bigger/remaining parcel be considered a lot. Motion by Plourde, seconded by Germain to approve the 1 Lot CSM for John Montpetit as presented with the design waiver. Motion carried.

The Kraemer Company - Request for Amendment to County Special Exception Permit Requirement on Limiting Aggregate Removal at Rivard Quarry-302 Old Scout Camp Road: Buck Sweeney/Axley Attorneys represented The Kraemer Company on the amendment request to the County’s Special Exception Permit. Operational & Recreational Plan calls for 20,000-30,000 cubic yards in the Special Exception Permit at Rivard Quarry. Stillwater Bridge/DOT projects might require more material, therefore, The Kraemer Company would like to request an amendment to the volume of materials removed. The amount of aggregate is driven by the market demands and The Kraemer Company requests removal of the 20,000-30,000 cubic yards in their Special Exception Permit to enable them to bid on state/DOT projects. The Town has received several written requests in opposition to the amendment. Entered into the record are written and oral objections by the following individuals:

• Kelly Davis 1700-38th Street, Somerset written statement in opposition to removal of the 20,000-30,000 cubic yards from permit, concerned with noise, blasting, crushing and back up alarms on vehicles.

• Paul & Deb Meyer 324-165th Avenue, Somerset - Deb Meyer read a statement in opposition to increased mining and protecting the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Concerns with dust, blasting, truck noise and erosion.

• Jo Bell Whitlatch 1801 Edgewood Lane, Menlo Park, CA (daughter of Catherine Bell) - letter read concerns with protecting beauty of scenic riverway, blasting, crushing, vehicles and expansion of operations.

• Robin & Catharine Carey 322-165th Avenue, Somerset - written statement in opposition to amendment regarding lower property values, dynamite blasting, quiet enjoyment of property, run-off and erosion concerns.

• Robert MacDonald 240-165th Avenue, Somerset-written statement supporting the conditions on limiting the removals of aggregate and not amending the permit. Nuisance noises and protection of scenic river valley.

• Jim & JoAnn O’Connor 290-165th Avenue, Somerset -letter read objecting to blasting and increased operations, concerns over depth of the pit, concerned with damage to house from blasting, devaluation of property value.

• Larry Wolf - 294-165th Avenue, Somerset - written email in opposition to the amendment, blasting, crushing, questions regarding maximum output and hours of operation, detrimental effects on neighboring residents.

• Mary MacDonald Safar 240-165th Avenue, Somerset-written objection to any expansion of operation.

• Jeff & Kris Wroblewski 338-165th Avenue, Somerset-presented colored map, detailed list of adjacent landowners opposed to any increased operations, objections to more blasting and amending the permit.

• Brant & Tammy Jackson, 326-165th Avenue, Somerset -Tammy Jackson spoke in opposition to the amendment due to concerns with blasting and damage to property.

• Tom & Keri Goetl, 280-165th Avenue, Somerset - both spoke in opposition to unlimited removal of aggregate and urged protection of the beauty of the land in the scenic riverway, being good stewards of land.

• Craig Bursch, 272 -165th Avenue, Somerset - present and opposed to more blasting and expansion of operations.

• Judy Langford, 330-165th Avenue, Somerset-opposed.

• Karl & Lora Mae Neumeier, 280-165th Avenue, Somerset -opposed.

• Mark & Jean Hoffman 298-165th Avenue, Somerset both spoke in opposition to the removal of the 20,000-30,000 cubic yards of material and giving The Kraemer Company unlimited removal of material. Mark Hoffman presented St. Croix County’s Ordinance on Non Metallic Mining Operation specifically section 14.5 2 (a) 5 & 6 which states the operation plan shall include the estimated volume of materials to be removed annually and the estimated volume of materials to be removed throughout the duration of the mine; having unlimited and no restrictions is not what the county’s ordinance requires.

• US National Park Service/Julie Galonska, Acting Superintendent - Koester read into the record a 2 page letter received from the National Park Service in opposition to the amendment of Special Exception Permit.

Buzz Sweeney representing The Kraemer Company stated they weren’t looking for unlimited as much as the ability to bid on the State/DOT projects. Sweeney stated that on an average basis they expected to take out 20,000-30,000 cubic yards, but on DOT/State projects it might require additional materials. Jeff Wroblewski stated the noise / blasting is an issue because additional removal of materials would require more blasting. Jean Hoffman stated that if the 20,000-30,000 cubic yards is removed and no amount is put as a condition in the Special Exception Permit, that is essentially giving The Kraemer Company unlimited removal of material.

After a very lengthy discussion, Larry Rauch stated the Planning Commission recommended unanimously that the current permit conditions remain and deny the amendment to the Special Exception Permit requesting the removal of the 20,000-30,000 cubic yards. Plourde stated unlimited removal will impact surrounding residents. Motion by Plourde, seconded by Demulling to deny the request to amend the Special Exception Permit, leaving in place the 20,000-30,000 cubic yards material removal in the permit. Motion carried.

Planning Commission Report: Commission working on St. Croix River mitigation funds. Rauch stated potential properties have been identified for purchase. January 22 - meeting at county level. Nick Schaff/DNR will be present at the January 7th Park & Rec/Planning Commission joint meeting to discuss the mitigation process. Ellen Denzer will also be invited to the January 7th meeting.

New Business - David Lindstrom Tax Error: It has been discovered that David Lindstrom has had a tax error resulting in double assessment on 16 acres beginning in 2004 until 2012. Discussion on how to compensate Lindstrom for the error. Town can refund and charge back the past two years. Motion by Schachtner, seconded by Rauch to approve the refund and charge back to the Dept. of Revenue for the 2011 tax year the amount of $1,098.96 and 2012 tax year $978.87 totaling $2,077.83 to David Lindstrom. The remaining will be adjusted in 2013. Motion carried.

Draw Names for Placement on April Ballot: Supervisor ballot placement will be as follows: Douglas Plourde, Larry Rauch.

Operator’s License - Earl Mork II: Motion by Plourde, seconded by Rauch to approve an Operator’s License for Earl Mork II. Motion carried

Transportation & Facilities Committee Report: Schachtner reported on last meeting - sign reflectivity, loader to purchase, and Neumann jury duty for January were topics of discussion.

Announcements: WI Town’s Assoc. Meeting - Thursday, Jan. 24, Joint meeting w/Village-Wed., Jan. 30, 7 pm at Town Hall.

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.

Jeri Koester, Clerk

24L

WNAXLP

Tags: public notices, meetings