Town of Somerset Minutes - March 6, 2013

Town of Somerset

Town Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, March 6, 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: Plourde noted information received from Randy Rosburg be entered into the record regarding the question asked at the February meeting: what would the impact on property taxes be if the referendum fails? Rosburg stated in his email if the referendum fails, the average decrease to the taxpayer in the school’s portion of the property taxes would be $177.00 per $100,000 property value. Rosburg added, if referendum passes the taxpayers would see an average decrease in their school related taxes in the amount $18.00 per $100,000 of property value. Motion by Plourde, seconded by Rauch to approve the February 6th meeting minutes. Motion carried. Motion by Rauch, seconded by Germain to approve the February Financial Report. Motion carried.

Old Business - Map & Results from Survey from GS Land Solutions Corner of Road & Property Line on 221st Avenue: Joe Granberg presented maps and documentation on deed research on west end of 221st Avenue survey. National Park Service purchased a conservation easement but not the property in 1976 from the Trustees of the Fourth Baptist Church. As far as can be found, the deeds have not been recorded at the County for the sale of the Fourth Baptist Church property to the new owner. Real Property Dept. is working on this issue and correcting the GIS mapping, Discussion on 221st Avenue road right-of-way, hammerhead turnaround and how to better turn the snowplow trucks around.

Parks & Rec Committee Report - Request for Park Fund Donations from 2013 Somerset Youth Hockey Association & Civic Center and Village of Somerset Parks Dept.: Germain reported on the last Park & Rec meeting. Randy Wiederin, Angel Maack and Dan Mondor were present to make the request for $3,200 for various projects at the Somerset Youth Hockey Association & Civic Center. Wiederin stated Civic Center lost revenue due to the closure of the Stillwater bridge/loss in ice rental. The Civic Center generates revenue for the community and provides services and programs for community members. Germain stated the Parks & Rec Committee made a recommendation that the Town Board make a donation to the Somerset Youth Hockey Association & Civic Center out of the budget, but not out of the Park Fund savings account. Some discussion. Motion by Demulling, seconded by Plourde to take $1,600 out of the general budget and $1,600 out of the park fund savings account to donate for the Somerset Youth Hockey Association & Civic Center. Motion carried. Germain reported on the Park & Rec Committee’s recommendation on the Village of Somerset Parks Dept. request for $21,500 from the Park Fund. Germain reported projects #1. #3 & #4 are not eligible because they are not consistent with the Town’s policy. Project #2 was rejected because there were too many variables. The Town is looking at the Stillwater Bridge and adding connecting bike trails, therefore, careful consideration must be given to allocation of Park Fund donation requests. The Parks & Rec Committee denied the Village of Somerset Parks Dept. request. Motion by Rauch, seconded by Germain to deny the Village of Somerset Parks Dept.’s request for Park Fund donations for 2013. Motion carried.

Building Inspector’s Report & Request for Electronic Records of Inspection Reports from Brian Wert Inspection Agency: Motion by Germain, seconded by Demulling to approve the February Building Inspector Report from Todd Dolan. Motion carried. Next discussion was on obtaining electronic records for old inspection reports. Germain will contact Brian Wert Inspection Agency and see if we can get any electronic records of inspection reports.

Animal Control Report: No animal calls for February; 6 month retainer fee of $300.00.

Fire/Rescue Commission Report: Plourde read Belisle’s report consisting of 20 calls for February. 52 calls so far for 2013, compared with 42 calls the same time last year. Truck committee is meeting regularly to work on new rescue/pumper truck. Motion by Germain, seconded by Rauch to approve the February Fire/Rescue Commission Report. Motion carried.

New Business - Set Open Book & Board of Review Dates/Times: Motion by Plourde, seconded by Demulling to set the Open Book date/time as Monday, May 20th from 2-5 p.m. and the Board of Review date/time as Monday, May 20th from 6–8 p.m. Motion carried.

Appoint Garry Fay as Election Inspector: Motion by Plourde, seconded by Rauch to appoint Garry Fay as an election inspector. Motion carried.

Planning Commission Report - Mitigation/Stillwater Bridge Update: Rauch reported there will be a meeting at the Somerset Town Hall, with St. Croix County Community Development Dept. and WI DNR on Friday, March 15, 9-11:30 a.m. on wastewater and storm water planning and implementation needs.

Requirements for Approval of Certified Survey Maps: Discussion on requirements for approvals of CSM by Planning Commission. Rauch stated slopes, driveway location, contiguous buildable area and perk tests are some of the items required. Planning Commission has a checklist. Surveyor does not need to bring back map the second time, the property owner can come back with the revised map the second time. Consensus was Planning Commission should give all surveyors/property owners the checklist of items needed for CSM approval in writing, prior to the meeting.

Transportation & Facilities Committee Report: Meeting in March postponed until Tuesday, March 12th. Discussion on the purchase of a loader, TRIP D application, weight limits, tree removal, sign reflectivity inspection, programming radios to Village frequency and Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement w/Village.

Announcements: Spring Election, Tuesday, April 2, polls open 7 am - 8 pm.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Jeri Koester, Clerk

33L

WNAXLP

Tags: public notices, meetings