Home Page: Meeting Minutes
Selected Meeting Minutes -- Archive of Past Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of: Regular Monthly Town Board Meeting September 6, 2007 Vol 7, Page 123 Notices of the meeting were posted in accordance with law and informational copies were provided to the media. Present: Steve Rhode, Karl Jennrich, Gary & Nancy Vold, Rich Martinson, James Moravec, James Hedberg, Veolia Waste Services (Jennifer & Charlie), Brian Engel, Jean Hansen, John Ruhnke and Kevin Schlosser. The meeting was called to order and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Representatives of Veolia Waste Services were present to answer any questions the board may have regarding information they gave to Karl Jennrich regarding a compacting unit. Board stated that a bidding process would be taking place soon as figures were needed for the budget. Motion was made for approval of the agenda by Jennrich. Was seconded by Rhode and was carried. Motion was made to approve the previous minutes by Karl Jennrich, was seconded by Rhode and was carried. With open book and board of review this month, Rhode asked where the assessment notices were. Moravec stated that they were mailed today. After Rhode stated that the notices were printed more than a week ago, Hedberg stated that the policies of the Town need to address the fact that notices must be mailed out as soon as printed with a statutory minimum before the Open Book – not the Board of Review. Mail takes several days each way and the right of the property owner to review assessments in the assessment roll and to discuss assessment with the assessor needs a period of time. It is the Clerk’s Office that bears the burden of policy explanation and why they did not receive the notice in advance. A legal notice in the paper indicates that the assessment roll is available for review in the Clerk’s Office during regular posted hours and will be there through the open book and board of review. Hedberg explained that one of the topics in the September 13th Community Growth Workshops being held in Minocqua directly relates to Fire Departments, its pay, its fund accounts, taxation and retirement. Although this topic has been covered for years at board member training seminars, Hedberg felt it important that a member of the fire department hear what the law is from the horses mouth rather than from him as it could be mis-understood that he is making the policies for the department rather than our legislators and that can cause animosity between the Town and the department. Two pre-registrations were sent and he hoped that the invitation would be honored. Gary Vold reported very little activity for the fire department. There were two calls and just a couple of rescue lifting assistance calls. Completion of the fire truck was discussed. It was initially thought that a special charge or assessment could be placed on this year’s tax bill to fund the appx. $200,000 cost of completing the equipment on the pumper. With the new roll in, Hedberg stated that it would be a flat fee of $68.80 for every tax bill to obtain $200,000 or a mill rate for special assessment of .480676 which is not acceptable. Hedberg than showed that after March of 2008, three State Loans would be paid off and the $500,000 borrowed for the Highway Projects did not come payable until March of 2009. Hedberg suggested that they obtain authority in a special meeting for getting a State Trust Loan for 5 years at 5%. Gary to get figures for the equipment that is needed to be placed on the truck so the amount is fixed and can be requested. Nancy reported that the Ambulance had 29 runs – 17 to Watersmeet with 6 non-transport, 11 in Conover with 4 non-transport and 1 to Phelps. Hedberg presented a copy of a check for a EMS Funding Grant that was applied for by John Ruhnke. The amount of the funds to Conover was $3929.26 and must be used for EMS related purchases, training etc. John introduced his boss who accompanied him to the meeting – Kevin Schlosser. Ambulance report for July was given and showed a subsidy of $3,664 with a year to date revenue subsidy of over $12,000.00. Vol 7, Page 123 Martinson reported that Hanson Road was paved and done and that the final grade for Church would be on Monday with plans for paving for Wednesday. An apron for McPeak Road was needed and added to the project because of the hauling out of the pits located there – cost approximately $1,000. Pioneer Road has been patched and it was reported that someone known to the property owners on Bay Road were alerted to someone intentionally ripping up the chip seal on Bay Road. The timber cutting has commenced in the Park. Jean Hanson reported to the board that she was interested in do a site survey and GPS plat of the trees in the park and then discuss the placement of new trees. She suggested that private individuals be a part of a program by which they purchase trees and have them in memory or dedicated to someone or something. Mulch and some fencing may be needed for tree protection in the early stages. Martinson stated the Rainbow Playground Equipment near Green Bay was having a closeout sale on the demo/display equipment. Nancy Vold stated that we should consider having some items for smaller children and perhaps an infant swing. It was requested that an update be obtained from what Mary Rasmussen has gotten together for the ATC application request. Discussion was made of the letter received from Laverne Gebhard. It was noted that the article from the Milwaukee paper which discussed various issues in the real estate market had only hi-lutes to topics related to her desires and yet other issues for locations like Conover were not considered. Vilas County Zoning’s Lori Mayo Varro stated that there is nothing out of line warranting a citation or violation. Private domain and public domain are two different issues. Rich Martinson was called by Art Huebner on his personal cell phone while he was attending the funeral of his sister in Campbellsport. Mr. Huebner said he is consistently being harassed at every move he makes. Numerous issues were addressed and all he desires to do is fix up the property so he can use it and not be harassed with every move he makes. He as a zoning official in Milwaukee knows the issues and has been in contact with local authorities as to what he is doing. The board maintains its position that unless health and safety is an issue that is evident, we can not judge and act on one living style. With no other correspondence, town claims were processed and motion was made by Jennrich for adjournment at 833 pm, was seconded by Rhode and was carried. James M. Hedberg
Archive of Past Meeting Minutes