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November 5, 2009 Regular Monthly Meeting
Minutes of: Regular Monthly Town Board Meeting November 5, 2009 7:00 p.m. in the Conover Center Vol. 8, Page 25 The Regular Monthly Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Steven A. Rhode. Present: George Champeny, Rich Martinson, Jim Hedberg, Nancy Vold, Gary Vold, Fred Indermuehle, Brian Engle, John Gaspar, Richard Bargholz, Gloria Wilger and Roger Kerstner. Pledge of Allegiance was stated and public comment by Gaspar inquired about the leased parking area on the West side of the highway. Board stated the area has been used for parking for eternity. The area between owned land and right-of-way was an area that for public safety and economic welfare of the community, was offered to the Town with a lease price of $150.00. Gaspar also brought up about parking even beyond the curb whereby he claims that one can not see when pulling out from K on Highway 45. Again, reasoning has it that this is not a town authority area – the DOT put in curbs and access through the curbs for parking on the East side of Highway 45 and that any concern should be addressed to the property authority. Motion was made by Champeny to approve the agenda, was seconded by Rhode and was carried. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved in a motion by Champeny, was seconded by Rhode and was carried. MSA Professional did not appear as indicated on agenda. The current letter from Attorney Michael Bologna was discussed. The letter indicated that the DOT has incorrect information that appeared on official documents with the Town which lead to the right-of-way adjustment back from 66 feet to 50 feet as indicated in a document the DOT did not have record of. This document 72813 (V17, P9) July 1947. Martinson reported that as indicated in the October minutes, the town removed the fill area from the LaCavalla property and restored the wetland to the satisfaction of the DNR – Rhinelander Office. DNR stated that no permit was required before or after in this situation. Seeding and erosion control was installed and messages were left on the cell phone of Rhondy LaCavalla to contact Martinson. The project is complete and assuming that no other response came from Mrs. LaCavalla, mutual satisfaction prevails. The board expressed disappointment in the fact that rather than a face-to-face method of addressing this encroachment situation, a third party was brought in. No contact was made with any office or member of the Town government when the LaCavalla family realized the problem. The method chosen to address this through a third party is not obligating the Town in anyway for costs incurred in their chosen method. Letter will be drafted to be sent to the Attorney Michael Bologna. Assessor Contract for Bowmar Appraisal Inc. of Appleton was signed by Rhode for renewal of a one year contract which has been satisfactorily completed during the first term. Term of the contract is for 2010. In accordance with regulations regarding the 911 numbering and road signage regulations by the State and Vilas County, Hedberg presented Resolution 109-09 to shorten the name of “Lake of the Hills Landing Road” to comply with the regulation which regulates the length of names etc. The current sign on the intersection with USH 45 does not comply with the current regulations and thereby, the board has the authority to change the name of the road. By Resolution, the new name will be: LAKE HILLS LNDG. The new 911 fire numbering for this road also was changed to meet the new GPS grid assignments. In accordance with 66.30 Wis. Stats., Resolution 110-09 was approved by the board authorizing the Town’s portion of the Feasibility Study for Landfill expansion through 2012 based upon equalized assessed value of the members. Vol 8, Page 26 Discussion was made on a Resolution whereby persons on Marshall Lake desired to have the Town of Conover act as host to a DNR Grant for a study of the weed growth on Marshall Lake. According to Roger Kerstner, the grant is just the first step in gaining the knowledge of what avenues can be used to address the problem, whether the weed is classified as an invasive (EAS) or not. The grant is 25% from the property owners and 75% state funds. With only 7 or so property owners on the lake, a Neighbor’s Group signed an agreement to share the 25% cost of the planning grant. The agreement had a paragraph on the bottom that did not sit right with the Town Board but according to Kerstner, was a form obtained from the web. It stated “Signatures on this letter of understanding imply no legal obligation, only that a good faith effort will be made to meet the stated objectives.” After much discussion, Champeny and Rhode were not in a position to take the obligations as indicated on the Resolution and wanted Kerstner to check into whether or not, stipulations could be put in the resolution as a “condition” of agreement. It was also suggested that perhaps a “Special Charge” be initiated whereby a legal form be drafted that would be acceptable to the County, for a special charge to be placed on the tax bill of the property owners in agreement owning property on the lake. Resolution was rejected and Kerstner will check out the areas of concern by the board. Wisconsin Valley Improvement letters dated 9-14-09 announced that the Recreation Facilities Assistance Program funding was approved for $7250.60 for renovation of the North Twin Boat Landing and $11,802.50 for the South Twin Boat Landing. The Cooperative Agreement between the Town of Conover and Wisconsin Valley Improvement was signed and approved. Funds were made available in the upcoming 2010 proposed budget to cover this cooperative grant funding. The board in the preparation of the proposed 2010 budget discussed the needs of funding for upcoming highway renovations. With the road maintenance, widening and graveling over seal coat on specific roads, any projects in 2010 will need funding beyond what our levy limits will allow. A motion was made by Chairperson Rhode to apply for a highway improvement load from the BCPL. In discussion of the amount, $200,000 was decided upon. Motion was made by George Champeny to secure a State Loan in the amount of $200,000 to be paid over a period of 5 years with the current rate of interest from the BCPL of 3.5% for 2010 highway pavements. Motion was seconded by Chairperson Rhode and was carried. Clerk completing the worksheet for the application. Current principal amounts for payment in 2010 for current loans is $127,770. Gary Vold reported on 2 rescue calls and 1 mutual aid call for the fire department. Ambulance had 9 runs: 7 to Watersmeet with 2 non-transported and 2 in Conover. Donna Cox will be coming onboard and Sue Jensen is not on regular calls/runs. IT Tech training is underway for Kim Jovanovic, Mary Orzech and Teri Meisenburg at Nicolet. Work with Michael Mergen is progressing with forms being completed and data gathered. Martinson reported that Pitlik was done on Twin Lake Road with additional $1800 done beyond the damage area that was authorized by Steve and George. Working graveling Birch Point Road and doing fall grading. Crack Seal project completed also. Warranty brake work was completed on the two newer sterlings. Snow and wind tree cleanup is done. Some area showed that property owners took the initiative to assist in cleaning up the area ahead of the town which is encouraging and helpful. The hostile damage done to the Twin Lake Pier by driving on the decking has caused some $3,000 damage. Will be getting replacement estimate to submit to the insurance company. Some sort of barrier or protection is needed because of this mis-use and abuse. Mr. Pipp’s message regarding the condition of Birch Vol 8, Page 27 Point Road was heard and Martinson said that he returned the call and explained the situation with the rain, gravel supply and what was planned. Martinson requested to have a contracted truck for one day to help haul gravel from LOL to Birch Point so the town could catch up before the weather turns. Approval was given. The park pavilion was winterized and drained for the season. The DOT is pulling out by the Chamber Center. Persons are not sure whether the DOT should be contacted regarding the looks of the project. One side vs the other is so obvious and now without a rail on the West side, persons are thinking we are just being shorted and safety is an issue. DNR made the DOT put in a settling pond for sediment on the East side of the new bridge. It is rock lined so a fence was erected to prevent falling persons if they were fishing from this intended walkway. Martinson still checking for a flag pole for the cemetery. Will report back and Rhode also checking for a source for a 22 foot aluminum pole. Green boxes at the transfer station were set 3 ft apart so that Don can use a snow blower in between them. Correspondence coming from the Humane Society in the form of a letter stating the billing of communities will take place on strays not being picked up within 10 days. The charge will be $90 to each respective town. Steve Rhode to check on the legality of this billing. Town claims were processed. Discussion was made regarding the proposed budget. Nancy Vold and the Highway Department were satisfied with the figures placed in it for 2010. With the value of assessment down, the town did not take the 3% hike allowed and only had a raise in the levy of $904. Gaspar posed the question of a mandate of a surplus. Hedberg attempted to respond by saying the question can not be answered because a mandate would be out of the question. A surplus is funds that are not spent. How can a surplus be mandated and a figure provided when the actual spending of current year’s funds still have nearly 60 days to go with much of those being caught in the expenditure of heating, plowing, sanding, salting and overtime (all of which can not be predicted (OR MANDATED). The budget summary will be drawn up by the clerk. Date for the budget hearing and special town meeting will be on November 25, 2009 at 6 p.m. in the Conover Center. With no other business to be transacted, a motion was made for adjournment by Rhode, was seconded by Champeny and the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. James M. Hedberg Clerk
Archive of Past Meeting Minutes