3/4/25

Town of Black Earth Minutes of Town Board Meeting Tuesday, March 4, 2025 1. Meeting call to Order. Town Chair Tom Turk called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Supervisors Joann Bennett, Barb Parrell, Treasurer Brenda Kahl, and Clerk Stephanie Zwettler were present. Also in attendance: Jason Handel, Steve Parrell, Terry Frey, Peter Wood, Sinon Galvin, Peter Weil, and Deputy Jodi Hager. 2. Proof of Posting. An affidavit of posting was provided. 3. Approval of the Agenda. Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried. 3-0 4. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting – February 4, 2025. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to approve the minutes from February 4, 2025, as presented. Motion carried. 3-0 5. Comments by Town residents – non-agenda items. None presented. 6. Financial Report. a. Money Market: $509,612.66 Checking: $12,684.96 b. Approval of checks written. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to approve written checks numbered 12544-12569, including direct deposit paychecks . Motion carried. 3-0 7. Dane Co. Deputy J. Hager report. Deputy Jodi Hager presented a chart of calls for service in the Town of Black Earth for 2025 (a total of 75) and a map showing deputy coverage in Dane County. Deputy Hager also provided copies of Wis §823.08 and Dane County Ordinance Chap. 34.04, both pertaining to excessive noise from “agricultural practice," and answered questions from the audience. 8. Fesenfeld Rd – speed limit. Resident Terry Frey raised concerns about blind spots, bicycles, ATV traffic, and residential development that could result in traffic accidents on the road. Deputy Hager mentioned some measures for reducing speed, including increasing police presence during the day and installing a speed board to monitor vehicle speeds. The Town Board plans to review the speed board reports at upcoming meetings. 9. Noise disturbance – Fesenfeld Rd – update. Town Chairman Tom Turk indicated that he spoke with the property owner regarding the noise complaints from his farming operation. The owner mentioned that he is working on a solution to reduce the noise. The Town Chairman plans to contact him again in a couple of weeks. Minutes of Town Board meeting – March 4, 2025 10. Patrolman’s Report. Town Road Patrolman Jason Handel reported a plumbing issue at the garage, which has been resolved. He burned a brush pile on Sutcliffe Road, purchased new tires for the plow truck after a recent tire blowout, and will sell the used tires. The Town Patrolman will attend the Wisconsin Towns Association Spring Road School in April. 11. Plan Commission. a. Borodinlaan, LLC/Sinon Galvin, approx. 10525 Fesenfeld Rd – driveway construction permit. Joann Bennett presented the Plan Commission’s report and recommendation. Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded the motion to approve the driveway construction permit as submitted by Sinon Galvin. Motion carried. 3-0 12. Solar Energy Licensing Ordinance – review revised draft. The Town Board reviewed the revised draft with amendments from the town attorney. A public hearing will be held in conjunction with the April town board meeting. 13. Reeve Rd bridge. Clerk Stephanie Zwettler reported that the bridge design negotiations between Lynch & Associates and WisDOT will be completed soon. 14. 2025 Road Projects, set bid opening and contract award dates. The Town Board discussed the town roads, compiled repair status information, and identified the roads to be repaired in 2025. Several town roads will need miscellaneous crack -filling, which will be done later in the year as time and materials allow. Barb Parrell moved, and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to approve the identified road repairs, set the bid due date for 5:00 PM on Monday, April 7, 2025; the bid opening for 9:00 AM on Tuesday, April 8, 2025; and to consider and award road repair contracts at the Town Board meeting at 6:30 PM on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Motion carried. 3-0. 15. Horribly Hilly Hundreds – event permit. The Town Board reviewed the event permit application submitted by the event organizer scheduled for June 14, 2025. Joann Bennett moved , and Barb Parrell seconded the motion to approve the Horribly Hilly Hundreds event permit, as presented. Motion carried. 2-1 16. Broadband internet service – update. No update this month. 17. EMS Board Report. The next meeting is on March 6, 2025. 18. Fire Board Report. The next meeting is on March 6, 2025. 19. Discussion of future agenda items. Oakhill Cemetery, Fesenfeld Road, Reeve Rd bridge, road projects, .gov domain switch for email. 20. Adjourn. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Zwettler, Town Clerk