Town Board Meeting — Minutes

TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, May 9, 6:00 pm Chairman Shawn Sagan called the meeting to order at 6:00pm with Supervisor Campbell, Supervisor Magley, Treasurer Suzawith, Clerk Boshen and 12 citizens members present. The pledge of allegiance was recited and the floor was opened for public comments. Under open floor Mark Wisinski asked if there were any reasons for the employees not being paid on time. Carol Smeester asked why the town is proposing to tear down the changing room at the river (insurance is $35.00/yr). She also questioned removing the pavilion in the park suggesting it be cleaned up instead. Road Crew foreman Parr replied that it has not been used for many years for anything other than alcohol and drug consumption (attractive nuisance). There is also very little time to continue maintenance on these structures with a 1.5 person crew and very low useage. Clerk’s/Treasurer’s reports: Clerk Boshen read the minutes from the February meeting as recorded by Carol Smeester due to the clerk’s absence and it was approved as read. Treasurer Suzawith reported the general money market account balance of $56,517.14; tax money market account of $443,986.08; checking account $2572.84; and equipment cd $220,345.36 and tonight’s balance after paying vouchers is $22,104.50. The Treasurer’s report was approved on a motion by Supervisor Campbell with the second by Supervisor Magley. The ordinance hearing minutes were read into the record and approved on motion by Supervisor Campbell with second by Chairman Sagan. A short information presentation with a question and answer session was provided by a representative of The Stephenson National Bank & Trust about FDIC concerns and the ICS ACT (what it is, what it does, and how it affects the Town’s accounts). The ICS ACT application is a case management system that tracks the LGIP Rate. There are no fees and accounts with over 250,000 are swept into another account or removed as needed. ON-GOING/CONTINUING BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS There was no Plan Commission Report according to Fred Smeester, chairman. Terms were up for 3 plan commission members who were reappointed to the commission by a unanimous vote of the board. The Fire Department Report is on file in the clerk’s office. Mark Wisinski reported on the number of calls the Wausaukee Rescue Squad has calls so far this month, and reminded the board that June 1 is the next quarterly payment due date. After a short discussion on whether the Town should continue to self-paying for unemployment compensation versus paying directly into the program Supervisor Campbell made the motion to continue with the self-pay with the second provided by Supervisor Magley. Motion passed Under the Road Department: a) Chairman Sagan explained why the purchase of a fuel tank would cost the Town more money than they would be saving (insurance, spill-containment , lack of adequate space between tanks, etc.) Also, the current tank should be inspected monthly. Supervisor Campbell made a motion not to purchase the fuel tank with a second by Chairman Sagan. Supervisor Magley opposed. b) Several committee meetings had been conducted previously about the purchase of a new dump truck with no formal motion being made. Supervisor Campbell made a motion to approve the purchase with the second by Chairman Sagan. c) Under continuing Road work Jim Parr reported that patching roads is proceeding as time allows. d) After a brief discussion Supervisor Campbell with Chairman Sagan seconding approved the motion to return the bad portions of McTrusty Lane and potentially several others back to a gravel surface. e) There are several dead end roads (Kingswood Acres, Jackpine, Rodeo are examples) that are difficult for the plow trucks during winter plowing. The board decided to ask the landowners if they would grant permission to create turnarounds. It was also discussed and passed unanimously to grind Hardwoods road and remove the rocks in the road. f) The bi-annual tour of roads was completed on April 29 and Chairman Sagan reported that many of the Town roads are in need of serious help. He proposed that .88 miles of Nutt Road be resurfaces, Bell Crossing 935’, Barker Rd (2 sections) 1295’ and 658’, Amberg St. 1482’ (must be hot mix), Dutton St 468’ x 5, Hancock 297’, Wright St. 297’ and 107’ x35’ in front of shop which total about 2 miles of road work. He also proposed that next year the bad spots on Dow Dam needs to be addressed since no maintenance has been done for many years. g) Jim Parr will call Pat Schlias to find out when/if they have completed the contract for road work in progress. h) It was discussed and unanimously approved by the board to bid out the gravel crushing contract. i) The board briefly adjourned into closed session to determine a suitable salary increase for the road crew foreman. When they returned to the general meeting it was announced that Jim Parr, foreman will receive an increase in wages to $25.00/hr. beginning the first of May. They also decided that any new hire will start between $18 - $20/hr. based on experience, drug test, etc. The question was asked if there was an existing job description of file. Currently Scott Kemmerling is working part time at $13/hr. to help fill in the gap left by Verlyn Giguere’s departure. j) It was decided to temporarily table the discussion on which roads should be upgraded next, and to check with the existing contractors on when they will finish roads started last year. k) Several town buildings in Amberg are in serious disrepair and have become a safety issue, including the Veteran’s Park Pavilion & Outhouse, the swimming hole changing room, the white storage building by the Community Center, and the ball field outhouse. The buildings have been disconnected from their power source already. Chairman Sagan asked for board approval to remove these buildings. Treasurer Suzawith asked if the out houses were being used because most people using these locations hire porta-potties. Carol Smeester protested the removal of the changing house at the swimming hole and volunteered to clean it up. After a brief discussion, both Supervisor Campbell and Chairman Sagan unanimously approved the various buildings. l) The shop roof has been repaired. Cost of materials about $504 with a citizen volunteering the labor and Chairman Sagan completing the painting that was needed. m) Road foreman Parr reported that the small chain saw needs to be replaced at a cost of $250-$300. Board approved on motion made by Supervisor Campbell with second by Supervisor Magley. Credit Card Update: Chairman Sagan reported that the credit card that was approved has now been received allowing the road crew to obtain fuel after the gas station closes. Cemetery Report: A new roof is needed on the storage shed and there are numerous trees that have died and need to be removed as well as stumps that impede the workers with their tasks. It was decided that the dead trees be removed by the workers where possible and bid out the stump grinding as was done in the past. Consider purchase of a new small tractor LS (22 horse power at $21,395) or John Deer (25 horse power at $25000) for cemetery and road work around town (useful additions to purchase would include a loader bucket for use in the cemetery digging graves and moving dirt, 6’ mower deck, back hoe). Additional items that should be considered as maintenance: (Supervisor Campbell motion to approve with Supervisor Magley seconding the motion.) 1) Continue changing the remaining lighting in buildings to LED (gym, shop, outside buildings) 2) Furnace maintenance at community center (both roof and basement furnaces need servicing) Set meeting for 6:00 on May 23 to open bids for gravel crushing, blacktopping, new employee hiring. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm on motion made by Supervisor Magley with second by Supervisor Campbell.