Town Meeting Minutes December 14, 2017
DECEMBER 11, 2017 MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Cedar Lake was held on Monday, Dec. 11,2017 at the Cedar Lake Town Hall in Mikana at 6:30 PM. Present was Ken Leners, Chairman, Tony Wolff and Kory Weiss, Supervisors, Maryhelen Drew, Clerk, and Gladys Roux, Treasurer. Also present were 27 residents. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes from the previous monthly meeting were read. Ken said that the Amish road signs are the decision of the WI DOT, therefore beyond Town authority. The minutes were approved as read by Tony and seconded by Ken. All approved. Under public input, Dale Campbell asked if the $50000 CD had matured? No, the interest was only paid to date. The Board learned that CD’s can not be kept for more than 3 yrs. Also under public input, John Grosser discussed the sheet included in the taxes regarding the non-binding referendum which is to be held in the Town on Feb. 20, 2018. He feels that all property owners who pay property taxes should have the right to vote on this issue. There followed much discussion with Ken stating that legal counsel had said that it is a State Statute that only registered voters in the Town may vote on this. Ken also explained the process that has occurred since the beginning of the discussion regarding the police dept. Several persons felt that the Town of Burlington (down by Lake Geneva) had held a referendum election where all persons who owned property were legal to vote. Ken will check again, but so far, all councils have stated only those registered voters may vote. There followed much discussion. The next items on the agenda were the financial reports from Gladys, Treasurer and Maryhelen, Clerk showing that both are balanced with each other and all the bank accounts. Ken then explained finances as of today, stating that the Town would not begin 2018 with owing any bills from 2017. The Board then had a discussion regarding the Barron Co. Hwy. Dept. bill of $79782. The next item for discussion was a report of past month’s road activities. Mike said that we had snow, then rain, then more snow. The Town Road Improvement Program (TRIP) for 2018 has been submitted for road funds from the State. The road for this project will be Tagalong to East Lakeshore Dr. In 2018, culverts will be replaced with road completion in 2019. Also, he completed the road maps for the Town for the WI DOT and submitted. There followed discussion regarding road work for future. Paul’s Sheet Metal has completed winter maintenance on the new shop and will return to check Town Hall and Police building. As RJ Severude, police chief was absent, a 2 month report will be given in January. Kory said that the Town had put in place a new signed contract a couple of months ago to go to the end of 2017. Need to have a new contract signed for Jan. 1 to March 31, 2018. If the referendum states to maintain the police dept., the contract will be able to be revised. This would be decision for March meeting. In reporting the Birchwood Four Corners Emergency Services District (BFCESD), the new fire truck has been delivered although still needs some accessories. The cost was just under $400,000. The building committee meets once a month to discuss the possible new building. At the last meeting, the committee agreed to pay $35000 to Northwest Builders to draw preliminary designs. In the next couple of months, a grant will be written to submit. We should know by Oct. 2018 what funds each municipality would need for budgeting for 2019. Tony mentioned that all of the information which had been included in the tax bills is also located on the Town’s website. So, anyone looking for information regarding the referendum can find it there. Under old business, Ken had been promised an answer regarding the bridge crossing for the UTV/ATV’s by noon today. He has not received an answer. A discussion was had regarding the opening of the trail over the dam as the snowmobile trail no longer goes thru Mikana. Mike will call Dave Moin for further information. Next on the agenda was Richard Ballou with a report of the Buckthorn Project. This past year they have produced Training video with the help of Ryan VanLandyt, to show how to identify Buckthorn and remove it. They are currently working on a second video. Tony will make sure Buckthorn information is listed on the website. The next item on the agenda is to appoint the election workers for the term of 2018 & 2019. The following names were submitted and approved: Norma Jankowski, Gladys Roux, Carol Osmar, Bev Schmidt, Kathy Leners, Karen Scott, LaVonne Thompson, Grace Reisdorf, Sue Pagenkoph & Carol Schlais. Tony made the motion for the people to appointed. This was seconded by Kory and approved by all. The Board will discuss meeting at Cumberland on March 10, 2018 for the District Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) Meeting. Kory feels that the Board needs to have a policy for plowing and salt/sand. It was determined that the Town Board would hold a meeting on Thurs., Dec. 14 at noon to discuss and make decisions regarding employee policy. Ken made the motion to adjourn the meeting. This was seconded by Tony and approved by all. (8:15) December 14, 2017 Special Meeting The Town Board met in open special session at noon on Thursday, Dec. 14th, 2017 at the Cedar Lake Town Hall in Mikana for the purpose of a discussion and finalizing employee policy. Those present were Ken Leners, Chairman, Tony Wolff & Kory Weiss, Supervisors and Maryhelen Drew, Clerk. Tony had done some calling to other municipalities, as well as the county, to see what each paid their road people. In all cases, overtime was not acceptable. The board also discussed contractors versus own equipment and employees. After much discussion, the following topics were decided, overtime & compensatory time policy, Flexible Work Schedule Policy, Annual Leave policy. All of these would be effective Jan. 1 ,2018. As part-time is not eligible for holiday, vacation time, sick days, or insurance these would apply to Mike’s full-time position only. The Board then discussed health insurance for positions of Patrolman Mike and Police Officer RJ. No health insurance stipend increase for Mike as there had been a $3 per hour stipend increase in 2015 to compensate for this. Ken made the motion to adjourn at 2:45. Tony seconded and all approved. This meeting was noticed 24 hours prior to meeting at Mikana General Store, Quillen’s Big Bear, and Town Hall.]]>