Rushford Town Board Minutes Wednesday, March 2, 2011

  The Town of Rushford Board meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm on March 2, 2011 by Chairman Tom Egan followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Roll call was taken with Tom Egan, Jerry Schoonover, Patrick Kafer, Kathryn Lewis and Peggy Hendricks present.  Also present for all or part of the meeting:  11 additional persons per attendance record on file. 

  Statement of Public Notice   This meeting and Public Notice of Election equipment was posted at the Eureka and Waukau Post office, the town hall door and the town web page.  Notices were mailed to Town Board members and the Zoning Administrator.   Public Notice of Election testing equipment was additionally posted in the Oshkosh Northwestern.  Tom Egan noted that auditing books as listed on the agenda will be taken off.

  Discussion of Enterprise School:  Peter Kromm, Bob Kettlewell and Paul Amundson were present from the Omro School board to answer  questions on the sale of Enterprise School though closed bids which will be taken until April 15^th.  There is 8.5 acres along with the school and split parcels will be considered.  It has cost $10,000-$20,000/yr to maintain the past 2 years.  If anyone has any questions, they can contact Mr Amundson or Nick Curran. 

  Mr Kromm went through a breakdown of the maintenance needs referendum which will be on the ballot on April 5^th.  The referendum questions and mill rate impact is as follows:

o   Curriculum/Technology for 3 years at $200,000/year ($600,000 total)
§  Mill rate impact $.38 per $1000 or $38 per $100,000

  o   Maintenance 10 year bonds $1,000,000
§  Estimated interest rate of 4%
§  Mill rate impact $.09 per $1,000 or $9 per $100,000

  They had a referendum in 1993, 1999 and 2010. 

Mr Bissett was present to introduce himself and to answer any questions.  He is running for Circuit Court Judge, Branch 6 on April 5^th.  He talked about his experience, his endorsements and the activities he is involved in the Community. 

  Discussion with Sherriff’s Department   Deputy Schoonover was present to answer any questions or concerns.  It was asked why there have been a number of patrol cars at the Enterprise School.  He answered that the school has been used for various training for the police force. 

  Public Input:  Charles Mier, Human officer of Rushford asked what he should do if a person has been warned & cited for an animal running at large, and the animal is still running.  The first fine was paid immediately.  Fred Kasten recommended warning the resident, then to impound and fine if the dog continues to run.  This is stated in our animal ordinance under section 5.5 and section 5.6.

  Larry Timm, Towns Assessor reported he has reviewed the sales of residential properties.  There were 15 sales that were considered arms length.  12 of these were homes and 3 vacant lots.  The average ratio came out to 98.7% which means the assessments were very close to the sales price. 

  Clerks Report & Minutes:    Motion by Kafer, 2^nd by Schoonover to approve the minutes as presented for the February 2, 2011 town board meeting.  Motion carried. 

  Treasurers Report was given by Kathryn Lewis.  The balance in the general account is $88,864.36. There is $71,086.85 in 3 separate Fire Truck CD’s.  The Town tax account has $170,075.33.  Motion by Schoonver, 2^nd by Kafer to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried.  Mr Egan inquired where the CD was renewed at from last month.  Ms Lewis replied it went to First National Bank.

  Payment of invoices –Peggy Hendricks read off the invoices which she approved and submitted to the board for approval of payment for an amount of $36,309.47.  Motion by Kafer, 2^nd by Schoonover to pay March’s invoices as submitted.  Motion carried.  Mr Kafer asked where we were in snowplowing costs for the year.  We are at $40,000 with 2 invoices.  There were a couple of complaints about snowplowing in the village of Eureka, but overall it has been good. 

  Communications & Correspondence – Hendricks stated that there is a new Public Health Newsletter in the entry way.  Tom Egan stated that the Department of Health has moved down on 112 Otter Ave on February 23.

  We received a copy of a letter sent from Mr Selsing that he sent to a resident concerning a citation that was not paid.  The attorney gave him until March 1^st.  At this time, the citation had not been paid.  It was asked if this amount could be put on his taxes.  It was thought the resident rents.  It was questioned if both the renter and the owner should be cited.  It is not known if he has vacated the property.  Hendricks will find out if he still lives at the residence and turn it back over to the attorney.

  Tom Egan stated that we received a notice of a Conditional Use permit for Messiah Lutheran Church located at 7394 Liberty School Road, which is in the Town of Omro.  Hendricks will contact the Town of Omro and forward it to them. 

  Old Business:  Kathryn Lewis stated that the board had agreed to a 3 month free trial of EZ Deposit from First National Bank to make check deposits though a scanner at the hall.  It worked out very well during tax time.  The free trial is over and it was asked if we could continue the service for $25/mo.  Tom Egan asked how many checks we receive though the year and it was answered that it varies, but it is a lot less then tax time.   Motion by Kafer, 2^nd by Schoonover to use the EZ Deposit service for $25/mo from December – March or 3 months for tax time each year.  If the price goes up, it will be re-visited.   Motion carried.

  Hendricks stated that she had called the Neenah Animal Shelter and she had not sent out the check for the bill of $160 that was sent since we were not under contract with them.  They were going to get back to the clerk, but had not as of yet.  She did not send out the certified letter as she was waiting to hear back from the shelter.  Since she has not heard from them, she will send out a certified letter explaining since we are not under contract with them, any animal bought in will not be paid by the Town of Rushford unless it was approved by our humane officer, our constable or a town board member. 

  New Business:  Hendricks presented a Prevailing Wage Law Resolution which if approved, will be sent to our state legislatures.  This resolution asks to either repeal the prevailing wage rate law or at the minimum return to the 2009 thresholds which is $234,000.  Motion by Kafer, 2^nd by Schoonover to sign the resolution and send to the state legislatures.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Hendricks presented the new Recycling web pages which were created.  There is a link on the Towns web page. 

  Discussion of Town Hall maintenance/needs:   Egan stated it nice it was to see the flag flying and that the rope was replaced.  A better rope will need to be put on.  Kafer said a thank you note should be sent to Larry & Wayne Remer for coming over with their lift so the rope could be replaced. 

  Kafer mentioned that the light which shines on the lettering on the hall is broke.   It was thought maybe we should wait to have it fixed.  It is a very expensive unit and bulb.  The light which shines on the flag shows a little on the lettering.  In the spring, a lighted sign will be going up in the front of the hall.    

  Upcoming meetings and workshops :  Hendricks asked permission to attend the Spring 2011 CT Form Training March 10^th in Fond Du Lac which is free, and the WMCA District Meeting on March 11 in Manitowoc, which has a $25 registration.  Motion by Schoonover, 2^nd by Kafer for the clerk to attend both meetings.  Motion carried.

There is a “New Siting Rules and Opportunities for Renewable Energy” workshop on March 25 in Oshkosh.
Hendricks reminded everyone that the Spring Election will be held April 5^th and the Annual Meeting will be held April 13^th.

Reports on Meetings that have been attended: 

·         Jerry Schoonover reported on the Omro/Rushford Fire Department District meeting which was held on February 9. 

·         Hendricks reported on the Spring primary election which was held February 15^th.  There were 92 voters.

^·          Jerry Schoonover and Fred Kasten reported on the WTA District meeting which was held in Ripon on February 18^th

Town Zoning:  Pat Kafer asked Tom Egan to look into the $5000 invoice we received from the county for chipping.  Tom explained that we were able to use the chipper free, but when they hooked on with their truck, the costs started accumulating. 

Tom Egan went though the Certificate of Liability from SBA Towers.

County Zoning Committee Report:  Fred Kasten reported that there is a meeting scheduled for next week.  They are working a 3 tier map. 

Building permit Report:   Chairman Tom Egan reported there was 1 building permits issued this past month.  This was for the cell tower for SBA/Verizon on the Dobberstein property for $200,000.

Discussion on Town Maintenance:  Tom Egan reported that the inmates will start brushing for us in April.  They will be issuing a small charge for the equipment they bring out.  For example, they will charge $2/day for each saw they bring out. 

Kafer mentioned that Tim Zillges would like to put a bid in for ditch mowing.  He asked if we will be posting weight limits on any roads.  Tom did not think we would.  A road tour should be scheduled for very early spring with the supervisors.

Motion by Schoonover, 2^nd by Kafer to adjourn the meeting at 9:25.  Motion carried. 

Respectfully submitted by Peggy Hendricks, Clerk