TITLE:  Town of Berry Board Meeting Minutes

DATE: January 17, 2012

TIME:  7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

PLACE:  Town Hall, 9046 State Road 19, Mazomanie, WI 53560

POSTINGS:  DH Repair, Town Hall, Festge Park

 

I.  CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL:  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.  Board members present:  Anthony Varda, Don Witmer-Kean, Chris Upper, Bill Carlson and Jim Laubmeier. Also present Clerk, Brenda Kahl.

 

II.  APPROVE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 19, 2011

Motion Upper/Laubmeier to approve the minutes of December 19, 2011.  Motion carried.  Vote 5-0

 

III.  PUBLIC COMMENTS:  You may address the Board on any item not on the agenda.  A discussion item may be placed on a future agenda.  Public comment may be heard on any agenda item either now, or at the time the agenda item is to be discussed, or at the discretion of the Town Chair at any other time the agenda item is discussed.

 

IV.  DISCUSSION/APPROVE/DISAPPROVE

A.  (2011-10) Buechner Estate, Doug Schwartz, Whippoorwill Rd, rezone 5.86 acres from A-1ex to RH-2 for a home site

Motion Laubmeier/Varda to approve Buechner Estate, Doug Schwartz, rezone of 5.86 acres from A-1ex to RH-2.  Motion carried. Vote 5-0

 

V.  DISCUSSION/ACTION RE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR TOWN GARAGE IMPROVEMENTS

Motion Varda/Upper to accept Cross Plains Construction LLC’s garage improvement bid of $5,925 with project to be done in the Spring.  Motion carried. Vote 5-0. 

 

VI.  DISCUSSION/ACTION RE SHOULD THE TOWN CONSIDER DEVELOPING A TRAILS AND TRAIL USE POLICY

No action taken

 

VII.  DISCUSSION/ACTION RE FRAC SAND MINES

Discussion only.  The Plan Commission will be updating the Comprehensive Plan to include wording re frac sand mines.

 

VIII.  DISCUSSION/ACTION OF PURCHASING VEHICLE TO REPLACE 2000 CHEVROLET TRUCK

No action taken.  The Highway and Capital Equipment Committee has recommended getting another Ford and Dodge bid.  Also further research each vehicle’s reliability. 

 

 

IX.  DISCUSSION/ACTION RE HIGH SPEED INTERNET; CONNECTION WITH CROSS PLAINS FIRE DISTRICT TOWER AND WORKING WITH OTHER MUNCIPALITIES

Discussion only. 

 

X.  DISCUSSION/ACTION RE TOWN PERSONNEL AND POLICY MANUAL

Motion Varda/Laubmeier to adopt the Personnel and Policy Manual and the Handbook Receipt and Acknowledgement document.  Motion carried. Vote 5-0

 

XI.  DISCUSSION/ACTION RE DCTA REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE DANE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCE, REGARDING THE KEEPING OF POULTRY ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS

Motion Upper/Varda to approve Amending Chapter 10 of the Dane County Code of Ordinance, Regarding the Keeping of Poultry on Residential Lots.  Motion carried.  Vote 5-0

 

XII.  DISCUSSION/ACTION RE HIRING KURT MEIER AS PART-TIME SNOW PLOW DRIVER

Motion Varda/Carlson to hire Kurt Meier at $16/hour during the training period and when Orlin Danz decides he no longer requires training supervision then his pay will be increased to $18/hour.  Motion carried.  Vote 5-0

 

XIII.  BUDGETARY MATTERS

A.  Payment of bills

Motion Varda/Laubmeier to approve the payment of bills.  Motion carried.  Vote 5-0

Check #14611-14679 & #3100, excluding check #14640 which was voided.

 

B.  Resolution to designate funds within the 2011 budget, if needed

Motion Laubmeier/Upper to approve Resolution 2012-1, Designating 2011 Budget Funds to reserves.  Motion carried.  Vote 5-0

 

C.  Purchase Stihl pole pruner and trade in current pruner

Motion Laubmeier/Varda to approve purchasing a Stihl pole pruner from Niendorf Enterprises at $300.  Motion carried.  Vote 5-0

 

D.  Authorize Web Committee to spend up to $300/year on web hosting

Motion Upper/Carlson to authorize the Web Committee to renew our hosting contract for no more than $300 a year.  Motion carried. Vote 4-0.  Varda abstained.

 

XIV.  COMMITTEE REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE/COMMUNICATIONS

*Black Earth Fire District: Purchased $4,000 worth of tires; Mitch Hodgson is the new Fire Chief; cost to repair building leakage is around $10,000

*Communications Committee: Article on park shelter re approaching fund raising goal; article on frac sand mining; Chili Day is in February

*Parks Committee: Looking into a matching grant for the shelter and soccer field

 

XV.  DISCUSSION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Status of re-inspection of property at 6127 and 6137 Old Settlers Road

 

XVI.  ADJOURN

Motion Varda/Witmer-Kean to adjourn until the next regular meeting or the call of the chair.  Motion carried.  Vote 5-0.

 

____________________________                ________________________________

Brenda Kahl, Clerk/Treasurer                           Anthony Varda, Chair