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Draft Minutes August 2, 2007 Regular Monthly Town Board Meeting Vold 7, Page 121 The Regular Monthly Town Board Meeting was held on Thursday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conover Center. Notices of the meeting were posted in accordance with law and informational copies were provided to the media. Present: Full board, Jim Hedberg, Gary & Nancy Vold, Richard Martrinson, Richard Bargholz, Brian Engel, Jean Hanson, Jim Moravec and Laverne Gebhard. Meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance. Jean Hansen addressed the board in the public comment section. She first commended Rich Martinson in his dealings with her and her mother, Marion Sadauskas on the road maintenance of Church and Pioneer Creek. Rich was courteous and considerate of their concerns and handled things in a very professional manner. Secondly, she made known that she was interested in participating in the further development of the park as far as trees as that is part of her expertise. The ATC grant writing and committee for this purpose will be happy to have Hansen as part of the group and will be in touch. Hedberg will provide her with a plat of the property. Bargholz addressed the board regarding the failure of the seal coat on Pioneer Road, especially on the hill and why the road was not completed to Chicago Avenue. He further pointed out that dead end roads were being blacktopped. The board responded stating facts and engineering decisions made by qualified persons under the conditions that are known to them regarding the traffic, conditions and logging operations in the area. Full blacktopping of a road in a town with 100 miles of road and funds to do less than 2 miles per year without major tax impact without consideration of the hundreds of elements is just not possible. Motion was made by Jennrich to approve the agenda, seconded by Champeny and was carried. Minutes of the previous meeting were made in a motion by Champeny, was seconded by Jennrich and was carried. Vold reported that the fire department had 7 calls, 4 lifting help and 2 auto accidents. Vold expressed to the board that a 5 inch “Y” is needed at a cost of $1500 so that two lines can be gated and run water in two lines from the source and the darlie. Funds could be made available in the current budget to cover this needed item. Completing the new pumper now would run approximately $200,000 and it was discussed and found likely that it would be in the best interest of the town to have a special line item (one time charge) on the tax bill and distribute a fee according to the number of parcels. Hedberg will report on this at the next meeting with exact figures. It was also brought up about the height that is being heard regarding the Cranberry Conover transmission lines being 100 – 131 feet. The Fire and EMS are concerned about the interruption and interference that may result in their radio communications because of this and wants a letter drafted about their concerns. Moravec stated that he had been in contact with Sherri and he would have the books turned in by August 24th with notices to come out when Tax Listing gets the data entered. Scheduled meetings of the Board of Review and Open Book are on line. Moravec presented building information regarding the Belless property on Bauer Lane and had made a visual inspection of the property before coming to the meeting. After some lengthy discussion, it was the opinion of the assessor, that any condition on the property is not a factor in the reduction of assessment of other properties but would take into consideration any comparables and other evidence to the contrary at a hearing before the Board of Review. Gebhard spoke stating that she was concerned about the Town not taking any steps in the enforcement of their codes regarding blighted property (10.05 (13). The board after listening to extensive concerns and alleged conditions, stated that they were Vol 7, Page 122 not able to make determinations of what they can not see and they have no right or business to enter upon the property (assessor does) to see anything which is not causing a public health or welfare state in which authorities would also be contacted. Rich Martinson stated from his personal experience, that Gerald Belless is suffering from a life threatening health condition as is his immediate family (daughter) who is loosing their home and is also in like health condition. As for a step son, it is thought that he has not been at the residence to pursue any cleanup because of a similar health threat. When a family just does not have the money to improve the looks outside of their dwelling is not just cause to pursue citations or force enforcement of codes of judgement or degree of unsightliness. Karl Jennrich who works with these things in his regular employment in Oneida County pointed to the fact that the code referenced by Gebhard fell under definitions of Public Nuisances defined in 10.02 and 10.04. In a motion, due to the board’s interpretation of the code, motion was made by Jennrich to applying the code to this property, motion was seconded by Champeny and was passed unanimously. Rhode expressed his regret but stated he understood her concern, the board could not single out this instance when countless others exist not only in Conover but all over the country. Nancy Vold reported 27 calls for July. Rhode presented Hedberg with a subsidy check from John Ruhnge (ERMH) for May and June of $5,990.00. John has certainly been a God-send in investigating and correcting the contracted reporting and funds distribution of our ambulance contract. Martinson reported that Pitlik is moving forward in the projects at hand – Hanson Road and Razorback. Crushing will be completed shortly and a motion was made by Champeny to pulverize and gravel and roll the remaining section of Old 45 Road yet this year. Motion was seconded by Jennrich and was carried. Beavers have been active on East Flowage, Muskrat and Buckatabon. Harriet Sopchik expressed concern of four dead trees on road right of way on Stormy Point that she thinks will fall on the power line and her garage. Rich has contacted WE Energies and if they won’t remove them, Klessig will do for $200. In that order, motion was made by Champeny, seconded by Jennrich to pursue this to its completion. Motion was carried. Champeny asked that the agenda for September include Veolia and Eagle Waste for contracting. Martinson also brought up the Tamarack Springs culvert project to begin next week. Ron Feckett, member of Trout Unlimited, expressed that the lowering of the culverts is not in the best interest of the trout stream. The board was under the understanding that the funding and approval to the DNR cam from that group. Rhode made it clear that this project was not a Town idea and it was the DNR that asked for cooperation of the Town in accomplishing their goal. Correspondence from Ken Lenz of the Tamarack Flowage was received by the Town. The letter praised Rich in his cooperation and professionalism in dealing with the flowage area residents and Mr. Lenz regarding the culvert outlet. Town claims were processed and motion was made by Jennrich for adjournment, was seconded by Champeny and was carried. James M. Hedberg Clerk-Treasurer
Archive of Past Meeting Minutes