Town of York
Monthly Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Please Note: These Town Board meeting minutes are posted as draft-only to inform town residents of the topics addressed at the board meeting. These minutes are subject to review and possible revision at next month’s Town Board meeting and should not be considered official until they receive final board approval at that time.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm. Chairman Steve Van Hout, 1st Supervisor Tim Czerwonka, 2nd Supervisor Steve Hermanson, Treasurer Ann Carlson, and Clerk Heidi Hankley were present, as well as Plan Commission Secretary Bethany Storm, and several town residents. Verification of proper notice was given. Meeting minutes for the Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Board Meeting were presented. Steve Hermanson moved to approve the February 11, 2020 minutes as presented; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report- Ann Carlson presented her monthly report and noted that the bulk of the tax activity has wrapped up. She presented the board with a report of the surplus money she’s set aside for various expenses like truck purchases, driveway refunds, and signs. She asked the board to consider her list and let her know if any changes should be made. Steve Van Hout made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as presented; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried.
Bills- Heidi Hankley and Ann Carlson presented bills to be paid. Steve Van Hout made a motion to approve the bills as presented; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
Patrolman’s Report- Steve Hermanson gave the report and noted that several town lanes will need attention this spring. Steve Van Hout said that he has a list of lanes most in need of attention that the town couldn’t get to in the fall.
Plan Commission Report- Bethany Storm reported that the Plan Commission held a special meeting on Saturday, March 7th to address the land and dwelling unit transfer request by Connie and Edward Fox. She reported to Tim Czerwonka that the laptop computer she’s been using to update the dwelling unit database is not working and asked if Tim could check it out. She noted that the next Plan Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 8th due the spring election taking place on April 7th in the town hall.
Public Comment- Tim Czerwonka got an email from resident Steve Demler who reported that there is a deep rut in the road at the intersection of Busy Bee Ln. and Sunnyside Rd. Mr. Demler would like the town to address the rut.
Steve Van Hout reported that he has been researching the cost of curbside trash and recycling collection to find out if it would be comparable or cheaper than the cost of running the Town’s recycling center. He is getting cost estimates from Faherty and Pelliteri. Steve noted that the recycling center is likely still the most economical option, but stressed that residents need to do their part in keeping the center operating smoothly by recycling correctly.
New Business-
- Connie & Edward Fox- Land Transfer- The Foxes presented their land transfer form to the board following approval by the Plan Commission. Steve Van Hout moved to approve the land transfer for two tax parcels (230320002400 and 230320002500) and a single dwelling unit at W7492 Kuenzi Lane; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
- Ron Strommen- Updated CSM for land transfer- Ron Strommen presented an updated CSM for a previously approved land transfer. Steve Van Hout made a motion to approve the CSM (#5311) as presented; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried.
- Mark Muench- Driveway Permit- Mark Muench presented his application materials and payment for a driveway permit for a new home on Lot 4, CSM 5302, on Hwy. 39. He also presented his approved permit from the Wisconsin DOT. Steve Hermanson moved to approve the driveway permit for Mark Muench; second by Steve Van Hout. Motion carried.
- Hensen Builders- Driveway Permit- Dennis Murphy presented a driveway application on behalf of Ron and Karen Berg for a new home on Lot 7 in the Prairie Brook development. He paid the $1800 fee with a check from Hensen Builders and noted that the driveway refund should go back to Hensen Builders. Steve Van Hout moved to approve the driveway permit for Karen and Ron Berg for Section 24, Lot 7, Prairie Brook; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried.
- Update on Nicholas driveway refund- Following a phone conversation with Theresa Nicholas, Heidi reported to the board that Theresa would like an extension on her permit as she and her husband plan to build their home this summer. Tim Czerwonka made a motion to approve a one year extension (expires on 5/19/2021) for their driveway permit with no further extensions allowed; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried. If their project is not completed by 5/19/2021, they will forfeit their current permit and will need to apply for a new permit.
- Final budget adjustments- Ann Carlson presented one final adjustment to the 2019 budget regarding donations, to account for the $7500 donation made to the New Glarus Public Library Capital Campaign. Steve Van Hout moved to approve the change to the 2019 Budget from $300 to $7800 for account number 59720 (donations); second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried. Ann also asked the board to consider three changes to the 2020 budget to add amounts that were previously omitted. Steve Hermanson made a motion to adjust the 2020 budget accounts as outlined below; second by Steve Van Hout. Motion carried.
Account & Adjustment:
58290 (Interest- Ford Truck) $0 to $500
59901 (Refund- Driveway Permits) $0 to $5000
59902 (Refund- Overpaid Taxes) $0 to $5000 - Updating QuickBooks Software- Heidi and Ann reported that the desktop version of the QuickBooks software that they use to keep the Town books will no longer be supported by Intuit/QuickBooks. Heidi presented price options for both the desktop and online version. For two users, the online version appears to offer the best solution both economically and functionally. Steve Van Hout made a motion to approve purchasing online access to QuickBooks for Ann and Heidi with an estimated cost of $480/year; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried. Ann said that she will ask Todd Carlson to help with the migration to the online version.
- Discussion about moving to an appointed clerk and/or treasurer- Heidi and Ann let the board know that they will not seek re-election when their terms end in April of next year. Heidi provided information to the board about options for filling the positions. Items discussed included possibly combining the clerk and treasurer’s positions, moving from elected to board appointed for these positions, or leaving things as they are now. The board will spend the next month gathering information and the topic will be revisited at next month’s meeting. Anyone interested in possibly taking over either position or perhaps a combined position is encouraged to contact Heidi or anyone on the board.
- Dates for Cruz-Air demonstration and small bridge inspections- Steve Van Hout will coordinate with patrolman Wayne Bue and the board members to schedule a demonstration of the used Cruz-Air they are considering purchasing as well as completing the small bridge inspections. Details about these two events will be posted at the town hall and on the Town’s website when they become available.
Old Business-
- Fencing next to bridge on Poplar Grove Rd.- Steve Hermanson provided a new estimate for fencing around the Poplar Grove Rd. bridge that includes a cable system that will accommodate the stream flow. Steve Van Hout moved to accept the bid from Sager Fencing for $2,424; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried.
- Amendment of the Driveway Ordinance- The Board discussed amendments to the driveway ordinance to remove the options of surety bond and cash bond and replace with the following: “Payment may be in the form of a personal check or cashier’s check made out to the Town of York.” Bethany Storm provided suggested language from the Plan Commission to address bridges as part of driveways. She proposes that the following language be inserted as item #4 in Section 6A: “For a driveway or segment of a driveway where the construction requires a bridge.” Heidi will incorporate these changes into a draft document for review at next month’s board meeting.
Adjournment- Steve Van Hout moved to adjourn the meeting; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Heidi Hankley, Clerk