Town of Richmond, Walworth County, Wisconsin : Town Board : Meeting Minutes

Treasurer’s Report - Treasurer Seaver reported we need to maintain $10-15,000 balance in checking account to avoid charges; two CDs will roll over shortly, getting minimal interest in all accounts. Taxes are coming in. Motion to approve by Overbeek, Second by Kraus, passed unanimously.

Board Reports

Redenius - Christmas cards from CPA Pat Romenesko, Crispell-Snyder. Meetings - Budget Hearing, Plan Commission, County Visitors’ Bureau, Attorney. Hope people read informational letter sent with taxes. Met with Jim Jacobson re land use change planned for 2012. Delavan/Darien school info was in meeting packet. Letter re hall furnace check. Community Shoppers plan 4% increase in printing costs. Senator Ron Johnson notice of meetings that have passed, but phone info is available.

Overbeek - quiet month.

Kraus - budget hearing, otherwise quiet.

Behrens - budget hearing.

Sheriff’s Liaison/Recommendation for Dan Winger. Chair read proposed letter to be sent to County Sheriff on Deputy Winger’s behalf. Motion by Kraus to approve, Second by Behrens, passed unanimously. New liaison will be Sgt. Tim Otterbacher - attending his son’s swim meet in Sun Prairie tonight. Note that Sgt. Otterbacher may not be able to attend e very meeting as Deputy Winger did. Overbeek noted that Undersheriff Kurt Picknell said to call if Town if not happy with the liaison in the future.

Town Roadman report - light snow on Saturday, now brush cutting, reviewing signs with John Cochrane, plows are ready for heavy snowfalls.

Recycling Committee - note that DP Electronics in Elkhorn takes old electronics at no charge, as does Good will.

Building Inspector - Two permits issued in November - garage demolition and insulation; two new homes built in Town this year.

Building Code Contracts - Greg Guidrey of Cajun Inspections presented his proposal for Commercial Building Inspections. Overbeek expressed concern about electrical and furnace fees - are they on new units only? Guidrey - can be adjusted but need to keep homes safe from carbon monoxide, etc. Replacement of appliances such as washers, water heaters are usually not a problem, furnaces may be. Overbeek - don’t need permits for replacement of appliances except furnaces; exempt all plumbing replacements. Overbeek Moved to approve Cajun Inspections for the Commercial inspections with changes negotiated tonight. Second by Kraus, passed unanimously. Overbeek noted that Mr. Guidry is not required to have office hours, but may do commercial inspections by appointment.

Public Comment - Scott Porter represented Turtle Lake Association to give copy of their grant request letter to the Army Corps of Engineers to Board members. Chair noted he had not personally seen the application letter; Clerk stated she had received one from Cheryl Mitacek prior to November meeting but had not distributed it to Board because it was not on that agenda.

Bartender License - Motion by Kraus, Second by Overbeek, to approve a license for Cyndi M. Dietz, sponsored by Snug Harbor.

Land Management Fees - Plan Commission will ask Neal Frauenfelder to their next meeting to discuss County subdivision ordinance. Commission members ask the Town Board to consider increasing Richmond’s fees to compare with the County hearing fees. Our Variance fee is $50, County’s is $450. Map change fees vary among municipalities from $200 to $1500, ours is $300. Plan Commission members believe higher fees could be a deterrent to land changes; note re variances often different information is given to us than is given to the Board of Adjustment. After further discussion, Overbeek proposed the following: Residential change to $400 plus $200 each additional unit; Commercial - $500, $600, $700, plus $200; Industrial - Mineral $775 plus $50/acre, Sanitary $2,000 plus $200, Other M-1, M-2, A-4, etc. same as Commercial; Wetland - $575; Conditional Uses - same as rezones; Variance (County is $450) increase to $250, effective January 1, 2012. So Moved by Kraus, Second by Behrens, include a waiver for Jim Jacobson who had stated his intentions earlier in 2011 if his request is presented by March 1. Passed unanimously. Chair noted that Mr. Jacobson had spoken to him in June about possible changes and his intention to come before the Plan Commission and Board in 2012.

Town Hall Stove - Clerk and Board had received complaints about the oven - seems to work if turn to 400 degrees, then lower heat setting. Consensus if problems continue, stove will be replaced.

Nomination of Election Inspectors - Chair submitted list of nominees for 2012-2013 election term. Motion to approve by Kraus, Second by Overbeek, passed unanimously.

February meeting date - Clerk asked to move meeting because Primary Election falls on third Tuesday in February. Consensus to hold meeting on Thursday, February 23.

Complaints - Chair met with Attorney; suggested Board reconsider Lehmann issue - send another letter or begin court process? Not much improvement since last meeting with Mr. Lehmann. Consensus to begin court process. Eichstedt - Chair contacted County re junk vehicles that were supposed to be moved by middle of November. Overbeek Moved to proceed with court process, Second by Behrens, passed unanimously. Stonequist rental - camper trailer is gone, need to look at other refuse per neighbor’s complaint - Chair will research and contact owner Stonequist. Re Turtle Lake letters and article in the Gazette - Attorney suggests we do not press issue with the Gazette, just put our rebuttal on our website or send email or letters to residents. Chair read the proposed rebuttal letter aloud. Overbeek Moved to put the letter on the website, Second by Kraus, passed unanimously.

Payment of Bills - consensus to condense agenda printed in newspapers, i.e. omit list of regular reports, etc. Motion by Kraus to approve payment, Second by Behrens, passed unanimously. Discussion about sand/salt on roads re complaints from first snowfall this year - should we put more salt in certain areas. Chair - do we want a written policy for snow emergencies, i.e. trucks out in blizzard conditions? Safety of drivers must be considered. No decision made at this time.

Overbeek Mov ed to Adjourn into Closed Session per WI 19.85(1)© to consider employee compensation and benefits, and possible bonuses. Second by Behrens, passed unanimously.

Motions in Closed Session:

1. Overbeek to increase Town’s portion of Roadman’s health insurance premium to 81.8%. Second by Kraus, passed unanimously.

2. Overbeek to give $400 bonus each to Shirley Steele and Bonnie Wagner. Second by Redenius, passed unanimously.

3. Overbeek to give $500 bonus to Roadman McManaway. Second by Behrens, passed unanimously.

Behrens Moved to adjourn, Second by Redenius, passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Ceas, WCMC

Town Clerk

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