Rushford Town Board Minutes

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

 

The Town of Rushford May Board meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Thomas Egan followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Roll call was taken with Tom Egan, Patrick Kafer, Jerry Schoonover, Kathryn Lewis, and Peggy Hendricks present.  Also present for all or part of the meeting: 10 additional persons per attendance record on file, although several others were present, but did not sign in.

 

Statement of Public Notice:   The Annual Meeting, Rushford Board Meeting, Zoning Organizational, Zoning committee meeting and Representatives Spanbauer office hours were posted at the Eureka post office building, the Waukau Post office, the Town hall door and the Town web page.  In addition, public notice of election equipment testing and the Zoning hearing was published in the Oshkosh Northwestern.  Notices were mailed to Town Board members and the Zoning Administrator.  

 

Tom Egan added an addition to the agenda under New Business to include appointment of the Appeals Board.

 

Sheriff’s Department representative:   No one was present.

 

Guest Speaker Andrew Ballard:  Mr. Ballard went though the policy renewal that the Town has with Rural Mutual.

 

Attorneys Sondalle and Blazel were present to answer questions from the Town electors.  Attorney Selsing was present last month to answer resident’s questions.

 

The decision for the Town Attorney was carried over from the Annual Meeting, April 11, 2012.  Pat Schoonover made a motion to hire Attorney Blazel for our Towns Attorney for one year.  Tom Jackson 2nd the motion.  Motion carried with one nay.

The Town Attorney will be appointed every year.

 

 Clerks Report & Minutes:    Motion by Schoonover, 2nd by Kafer to approve the minutes as presented for the April 4th Town board meeting.  Motion carried.

 

Treasurers Report was given by Kathryn Lewis.  The balance at the end of April in the general account is $333,574.24.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried.  

 

Payment of invoices:  Peggy Hendricks approved and submitted to the board the bills for May in the amount of $18,389.99 for approval of payment.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to pay May bills as submitted.  Motion carried.  Hendricks stated that she received a bill from Radtkes for $4854.75 which was paid from pre-paid funds.

 

Communications & Correspondence:

 

Peggy Hendricks read a letter sent by Wisconsin State Senator, Jessica King.

Tom Egan ad email from the WisDOT   inviting the board members to a meeting for the WIS 441 Tri-County Project which will be held May 10 from 1:30-3 at the Town of Menasha Municipal Complex.

 

Discussion of Town maintenance:  

 

Roads & Brushing:   Mr Egan did not know if the Correctional workers are still cutting or chipping.  Peggy Hendricks will call for an update.  Peggy Hendricks presented the bill that they sent for this month which had dates of service billed the same as last month’s bill.  Hendricks will  inquire about the service dates on the invoice.  Mr Egan read the letter and contract from Ripon Truck which included their rates for mowing and other services they provide.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover for Ripon Truck to do the town mowing with the equipment they see fit unless if the County is less.  Motion carried.

 

Emergency Signs:  Russ Lee was asked if he would like to put up the 911 Emergency Number signs.  Mr Lee said that he should be free in the middle of June and he could do them then if we still did not have them up.  Diggers Hot line should be called before the signs are put up.

 

Ditching on River Road:   Mr Egan had some pictures of ditching that was done on River Road.  The Town did not order it and we are responsible if anything would happen, for some of the ditching comes right up to the shoulder.  The clerk will send a letter to who the board thinks is responsible (Bob Schmitz) telling him that the ditch will have to be fixed and he should be liable for the bill.  He is to contact a board member as soon as possible.

 

 

New Business:  Tom Egan asked the board for approval to appoint Fred Kasten as Zoning Administrator for 1 year.  Motion by Schoonover, 2nd by Kafer to appoint Fred Kasten as zoning administrator for 1 year.  Motion carried.  Chairman Egan asked the board for approval to appoint the same members to the appeals board since they have only met twice in the past 2 years.  The board consists of Steve Demuth, Charles Knigge, Pat Ostrander, Janet Helmuth, Warren Bohn and Helen Larsen as alternate.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to approve the chairman’s appointment as read. Motion carried.

 

Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to have Rural Mutual for the towns insurance needs.  Motion carried.

 

Hendricks stated that last month the application was sent in for the recycling grant.  The DNR sent notice that we were offered an award of $2,884.09 to help offset our costs for this year.

 

Tom Egan read a letter from the County offering the town to purchase a foreclosed property in the Town for nonpayment of taxes. #022 0702-02 Vacant lot on River Rd.  County’s current costs are $2,058.40.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to not purchase the property.  Motion carried.

 

Old Business: 

 

Discussion on Parcel #022 031203, 8858 Edgewater Ridge – James Erdmann:  Hendricks stated that the certified letter which was sent to Mr Erdmann was returned to the town.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to turn this over to Attorney Blazel.  Discussion:  Tom Egan stated he did stop and no one came to the door.  The radio was on and children’s toys present.  He feels there are adults and children residing on the property.  Mr Stokes stated there is activity on the property.  Motion carried. 

 

Town Zoning Committee Report – Dan Stokes:  Mr Stokes reported that they met on April 25.  Mr King had a public hearing for a zoning change on 022 0224 and 022 0231.  Lot 2 on the pending CSM would be changed from A-1 to A-2 and Lot 2 which is 2.855 acres would be changed from A-1 to A-3.  The zoning committee recommends approving the zoning change to the Town Board.  Bill Spanbauer came in to explain he had taken a building permit out in 2007, but because of a family hardship he was not able to build in the allotted time.  Another building permit was issued from the building inspector. 

 

Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to approve the zoning change for Ralph King, parcels 022 0224 and 022 0231 to make the lots conforming.  Motion approved.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to approve the CSM for Ralph King, parcels #022 0224 & 022 0231 with the zoning change of  A-1 to A-2 on Lot 2 and from A-1 to A-3 on Lot 1 as shown on the CSM.  Motion carried.

 

Tom Egan stated he was called on a question about some adjoining property owners who did not receive notices of the hearing.  Hendricks stated that she sends out registered letters to adjoining residents within 300 feet of the property.  This rule is not stated in our Towns ordinance and it is not a state statute.  It is done because that is what she was told when she started as clerk.  There are not any written guidelines for registered letters and this is something that should be added to the Towns ordinances.  Hendricks showed Mr Egan the property owners who were notified and everyone who had adjoining property lines were notified.    Mr.  Jackson stated because of the previous month’s action, the adjoining property owner was the same owner.  This should be clarified also in the ordinance rewrite. 

County Zoning Permit by Fred Kasten:   Fred Kasten reported that they had an informational meeting for towns to opt in or out of County Zoning.  Tom Egan thanked Tom Jackson for filling in for the zoning committee meeting.  Mr. Kasten and Mr Egan had county meetings and could not attend the zoning hearing.

 

Town Assessor Report – Larry Timm:  Mr Timm reported he has sent out notices of tax change to the residents whose tax assessments have changed. 

 

Dog, Constable Report:  Peggy Hendricks reported that Mr Mier rescued 2 cats and took 2 dogs to Traxlers.  A citation was given out for 2 dogs running at large and no tags.  The owner came in and purchased tags and paid the citation. 

 

Building Permit Report – Tom Egan:

 

Steve Doro, 9349 Bell School Road, Omro, WI 

28x84 solar heifer barn, self built

$20,000                 April 4, 2012

 

Matt Walker, # 022 039302, 1719 Koro Rd, Berlin, WI 

Remodeling, fixing roof, residing, new windows for 9413 Bell School Rd, Omro

Done by Al Resop, 417 Van Horn St, Berlin

$45,000                 April 11, 2012

 

County Update:  Tom Egan:  Mr Egan reported they had their organizational meeting,  He was voted Vice chair of the Planning & Zoning, he was put back on the Highway committee.

 

Reports on Meetings that have been attended:  

 

·         Jerry Schoonover reported on the Winnebago Unit WTA meeting which was held on April 5 at the Nepeuskun Town Hall.  The next one will be held in the Town of Omro on July 12. 

·         Peggy Hendricks reported that Representative Spanbauer held office hours at the Town hall on April 30th.  

 

Upcoming meetings and workshops:

 

·         Testing of Election Equipment May 4 at 11 am

·         Election Day on May 8, 2012 and June 5, 2012

·         Open Book May 25, 3-7 pm

·         Zoning Committee Meeting on May 30th at 7:00

·         Board of Review June 2, 9-11 am

 

Motion by Schoonover, 2nd by Kafer to adjourn at 8:30.  Motion carried. 

Respectfully submitted by Peggy Hendricks, Clerk