TOWN OF WASHINGTON
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 1st 11 A.M.
GYMNASIUM IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER
MINUTES
A. ROLL CALL: Chairman Dutton Morehouse called the meeting to order at 11 am In addition to Morehouse, present were supervisors Joel Gunnlaugsson, Elizabeth Holmes, James VanRamshorst and Ronald Overdahl. Present in addition to the supervisors were Lee Baxter, Steven Beekman, Jonathan Mann and Greg Jensen, all Town Crew staff.
B. NEW BUSINES:
1. Regular Quarterly Meeting with Town Crew: Morehouse requested the Town Crew bring forward any concerns, questions, thoughts they have. Jensen stated the crew has been busy; he stated there is a request from Red Barn to build picnic tables; he told them to discuss this with the Town office. The crew plans to clean out the Town shop if there are some cold days in the future. They have cut metal at the landfill; they will be putting the new library shelving up and installing it. Greg asked re the businesses’ request for the gray directional signs. He wanted to verify that the payment would be the responsibility of the business owners. There was some discussion re the stealing of street signs; at least twenty have been stolen from the poles and some have been taken along with the poles. The expense of this was discussed and how to attempt to curtail it by publicizing the cost incurred by the taxpayer. It was decided to place an informational piece re the costs in the newsletter; Morehouse said he would have Tyler McGrane research what fines could be imposed.
The grader has been repaired and will be back within a day. Discussion of fixing Bay Point Rd followed. Greg stated it would be repaired in spring. It will be graded back to 20 feet wide and the shoulders repaired. Shoulders will be repaired on other roads as well. Morehouse commented clear cutting will be done on the airport. He addressed the disposal of the cuttings
Steve Beekman brought up problems with traffic when plowing. He stated motorists are not giving enough room for the plows to maneuver. Jim asked Lee to recap an incident that recently occurred when a motorist passed his plow in an intersection. The motorist went off the road into a tree. Lee stated there are state statutes that specify the proper distance—200 feet—to maintain between vehicles and emergency/maintenance vehicles. Jim stated he has done a study on incidents with snow plows and that 95% of these have occurred backing up. He cautioned the crew against backing up as much as is possible. Jim stated it was important to have an article in the Observer or in a boxholder to underline the fact that snowplows have the right of way as well as to address the street sign issues. It was decided to do a boxholder.
To prepare for spring and summer, the picnic tables and the airport project are prime concerns. Greg reminded the Town Board that the public has registered a number of complaints about the School House Beach pit toilet. Morehouse brought up the use of the proposed room tax to pay for such projects. Jim asked re the schedule for cleaning; Greg said it was a pit toilet and could not be effectively deodorized. Management of the pumping schedule and notifying of Town Crew to read the chemicals necessary was discussed. Another issue is people dump their pit toilets into the public toilet, creating clean up issues for the crew. Signs will be made to state this is not allowed. The crew is also making signs to designate numbers for all the airport hangars.
The School House Beach raft was discussed. While the old raft is rusty and dangerous, people complained that the new raft was not as stable and large. The old raft is seen as a liability. The new raft is too light; there was discussion re how to stabilize it. A major issue is the kids see it as a challenge to overload the raft so that it tips. Question is how to provide a safe reliable raft. Joel stated Bruce McClure may have a plan to build a raft. Ron stated Bay Ship Building may have a plan as they build/use rafts in their port. Greg reminded everyone that the crew has to put the raft in and take it out.
Morehouse stated information regarding raft options needs to come to the February and/or March Board meeting to be considered. Greg also discussed the well at Jackson Harbor; he stated it is very shallow and may need to be replaced in the near future.
The Board thanked the crew for their work on the roads
2. Budget Adjustments: Morehouse pointed out that the proposed adjustments are delineated on the handout. Motion: VanRamshorst moved and Holmes seconded to accept the proposed adjustments to the 2006 Town budget. Motion carried. Morehouse explained the auditors required the adjustments as presented. Valerie Carpenter explained on the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, the areas where we were over were applied to the areas we were under.
Louis Munao, taxpayer, questioned how to get in contact with the auditors re questions he has on their process. The name of the auditing firm and the names of the auditors involved were given. It was stated by the Clerk Treasurer that the firm will be on the Island the first week of February to do the Town audit. Clarification of the process of adjustments was given to the Board by the Clerk; after some discussion, the Board agreed this process should be done at least quarterly. Munao asked how the public would know which funds were in which line item, which items were above budget and which below. Carpenter stated the original budget states the amounts budgeted for each line item. Overdahl pointed out the Board sees these budgets monthly; Carpenter stated the Board only can decide to move funds. Munao questioned the amount remaining available to the Town; Carpenter pointed out that funds are in money market accounts that earn higher interest than the checking account. Munao again questioned the auditor’s figures vs. the Town Clerk’s. Attempts were made to clarify the accounting reports; Carol Stayton, taxpayer, stated she had read the whole report and the information Munao wanted was included.
3. Purchase of point-of-use water heater for Clinic exam room; Motion: Holmes moved and Overdahl seconded to purchase the water heater as requested by the medical clinic. Motion carried.
4. Discussion with Town Office staff. See C
C. Possible Closed Session--as authorized under Section 19.85(1)(c) of State of Wisconsin Statutes for the purpose of considering employment, compensation and performance of public employees. Roll Call: Morehouse, aye; Holmes, aye; Overdahl, aye; Gunnlaugsson, aye; and VanRamshorst, aye. Motion carried.
D. Motion to return to open session: Roll call: Morehouse, aye; Gunnlaugsson, aye; Holmes, aye; VanRamshorst, aye; Overdahl, aye. Motion: Morehouse made a motion to accept the resignation of Faith Overdahl, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer. Seconded by Holmes. Motion: Motion by Holmes, seconded by Gunnlaugsson to post the part time position of Deputy Clerk/Treasurer and to publish it in the Observer. Motion carried.
E. Adjournment: Motion: Motion to adjourn by Elizabeth Holmes; seconded by Gunnlaugsson. Meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.