|
TOWN OF ROCHESTER Link to Town Board Meetings
|
|
Link to Town Board Meetings |
March 12, 2001 REGULAR BOARD MEETING 7:30 P.M. Meeting was called to order with Gary Beck, Wayne Schrader, Nancy Klemko, Colleen Holder (Treasurer) and Betty Novy (Clerk) present. Wayne moved, 2nd by Nancy to approve minutes of the February 12, 2001 regular board meeting. Motion carried. Wayne moved, 2nd by Gary to approve March disbursements. Motion carried. Colleen read the Treasurer’s report as follows: TOWN GENERAL FUND BALANCE: $103,961.86 TOWN MONEY MARKET BALANCE: $223,005.50 PARK AND RECREATION BALANCE: $ 15,444.91 HONEY LAKE FUND BALANCE: $ 13,740.39 TOWN ROAD FUND BALANCE: $138,111.65 SEWER UTILITY GENERAL BALANCE: $ 15,331.16 SEWER UTILITY MMA BALANCE: $ 48,378.73 SEWER UTILITY CD’S: $135,155.14 The Clerk reminded the Board of the date set last year for this year’s Annual meeting: April 24, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. Western Racine County Health Department Annual Report: Cindy Armstrong. Cindy reported the need for a local sanitarian is being reconsidered due to a staff change at the State level. The new State sanitarian serving our area seems more responsive. 94% of 2 year olds in the service area have completed their immunizations- a number they are particularly proud of. Chicken Pox vaccines are likely to be required for kindergarten entrance this year due to new state regulation. These are currently being offered. During 2000, 600 free Trigger locks were distributed and free pregnancy testing was available as part of their new programs. A Youth Tobacco Control survey was distributed to area middle school students this year. Results will help plan intervention programs. A Day Care training program was initiated to help those in that profession. There were 70 home visits in the Town. The largest environmental concern in 2000 was dog bites. 700 more flu vaccines were distributed in 2000 than in 1999. Town of Rochester per capita costs were $5.22. 2001 goals include addressing single mom births in the 18 – 24 year old area. Rick Reesemen re: extension of Westwood Drive. A petition including 46 signatures was presented to the Board by Mr. Reesemen in opposition of extension of Westwood Drive to Fuller Road. Some of those signatures are of individuals who have purchased land in Mr. Fullers new subdivision. Gary invited comments from the floor as follows: Tim Ellson, 115 S. Westwood (T. of Burlington), stated reasons he is opposed to the extension: safety of his three school age children, more traffic leaving Westwood onto Highway “A” and additional costs- he questions- “why?” Ed Loik, 28832 Plank Road (T. of Burlington), states privacy, young children and additional traffic as opposition to the extension. Dan Ostrenga, 20 Westwood (Rochester resident), states he purchased his home 24 years ago because of privacy and the fact that he was on a dead end road. He considers the exit from Westwood onto Highway “A” as dangerous and cites increased traffic and speed as opposition to the extension. K. Hendrickson, 5 S. Westwood (T. of Burlington), opposes extension stating extra traffic and extra cost incurred by Fuller as reasons. Jim Larsen, 122 S. Westwood (T. of Burlington) reinforces privacy issues. She has lived there 15 years, is concerned about safety at the Westwood intersection and is opposed to extension of the road. Rick Reesemen echoes sentiments expressed by those who signed the petition. Gary indicated the Town would keep residents informed of any actions on this- but cannot comment on the item as it is currently in litigation. The purpose of the extension is to create a through road vs. two dead ends. Consensus of the Board is that creating a through road improves safety for access reasons. The Board will not make any decisions on this item until recommendation from the Town attorney is received. Land Division by CSM, Parcel #014-03-19-03-013-000 (12.79 acres on Buena Park Road) creating two parcels out of one: EDWIN ELA. Ed explained a lot line adjustment was made to create necessary frontage for each lot with an additional parcel owned to the south of this one. This land is non-tillable. They will retain the parcel to the south for hay crops. The division is being made to accommodate moving a house from N. Browns Lake Drive which is scheduled for demolition. Andy and Jennifer Meyer were in attendance as they will be purchasing one of the lots for this purpose. Minimum frontage, setback and acreage requirements have been met. The Plan Commission recommended approval to the Town Board. Correspondence from the Town Engineer indicates no objection to the CSM. Gary moved, 2nd by Wayne to approve the CSM creating two lots. Motion carried. Road Repair Bid: Knoll Terr., Clover Ln., Fernwood, Timberwood, Wildberry Ave., & Fox Knoll Dr. A bid of $4,975.00 was presented by Jim Dignin (JD Trucking and Landscape) for crackfilling and miscellaneous patching of the above roads. Work will not occur until it warms up enough for water to evaporate out of the road bed. Nancy moved, 2nd by Wayne to approve the bid. Motion carried. Tree Removal Bids, Oak Knoll Road. Jim Dignin reported each tree service was shown the work that needs to be done. In addition to the Oak Knoll Road right of way, these bids include a patch of trees marked for removal on Rowntree Road. (As a sidenote, Jim noted some slippage has occurred on newly laid asphalt on Oak Knoll Road and suggested the Town’s engineer take a look at this.) Removal bids were received as follows: T & T Tree Service: $5,350 (flush cutting all stumps); Complete Tree Service (grinding stumps): $6,750, Laux Brothers Tree Service (chemical treatment of stumps): $6,800. Jim indicated that with regular mowing of the right of way, any new growth should be controlled. Wayne commented that in the future, when hiring Kenosha County to do right of way clearing, costs should be compared with bids from local tree services. Kenosha County did not do a complete job of brush clearing last year. Nancy moved, 2nd by Gary to have T & T Tree Service do the work. Motion carried. A certificate of insurance should be obtained prior to commencement of the work. 2001 Street Project Specifications: Rowntree Road. Recommendations were as follows: pulverize to a depth of 6”, pave a 3” thick by 22’ wide street, create 1’ shoulders on each side. Additional materials will be required for shoulders and to create a 6” pulverized material base for some parts of the road. This will decrease the existing paved surface from 24’ to 22 ‘ and provide for 1’ shoulders on each side for improved drainage. Gary moved, 2nd by Wayne to authorize Jim Schilling, Town Engineer, to put the job out for bids. Motion carried. Gary indicated there is a buried telephone pole in the roadbase. Gary Chart is to inform Jim where this is located. Speed Zoning- N. River Road. A copy of the original ordinance setting the speed limit on N. River Road at 35 m.p.h. was presented along with correspondence from W.D.O.T. indicating the procedure required to lower the speed limit further. This was investigated due to recommendation from the Town Roadman to create a consistent speed limit of 25 m.p.h. along the road (the Village’s portion is 25 m.p.h.), and also address concerns about speeding and safety. Recommendation from the D.O.T. indicated their preference to keep it at 35 m.p.h- lowering to a minimum of 30 m.p.h. only if felt necessary. They do not recommend a 25 m.p.h. zone. Concurrence of the D.O.T. on this item is not mandatory. The Town may reduce the speed to 25 m.p.h. by ordinance as deemed necessary. Wayne moved, 2nd by Nancy to table speed reduction on N. River Road for future consideration. Motion carried. Hwy. 36 Corridor Design Committee Appointment. Correspondence was read from Racine County indicating a start up meeting of the Committee being held Monday, March 26, 2001 at the Waterford Town Hall. Each affected municipality is to appoint one or two committee members. Bob Willard, Plan Commission representative, was in attendance and indicated residents Ken Dahlstrom and Rohda Runzheimer were both interested in the appointment. Neither one will commit until after the initial meeting to determine time of meetings and frequency. The Town Board will attend the meeting as a whole and make the appointment in April. Case/Eagle Park Improvements. Discussion of asphalting and fencing a location for port-a-pots at the park was held. Consultation with the County on this issue indicated future installation of flush toilets near the baseball diamond area- and a request that any improvements the Town wants to make be referred to the County for consultation and approval. Gary indicated he talked to Payne and Dolan about donating asphalt to place under the bleachers by the ball diamond. They agreed, but the Town will have to prep the site -removing topsoil and installing any fencing prior to asphalt installation. Clerk is to contact Jeff Johnson as to whether he would be willing to donate prep work. This should wait until May. At that time a meeting with a representative from the County should be set up to establish specifications for placement of asphalt pads. Municipal Building Issues. Betty reported that quite often last year, visitors to the Municipal Building informed her the building smelled of sewer gas. Last year, a plumber investigated, and thought the source might be dry traps in the sinks and recommended water be run regularly. This has been done. The smell seems to have gone away in winter, but recently the smell was observed again. A suggestion of having the sewer lateral televised was made. Clerk is to have the building inspector investigate possible sources of the smell. Discussion of installing windows in the back hall to help improve air circulation followed. Clerk should get an estimate on installing several glass block sections- with vents. The kitchen countertop is crumbling and needs to be replaced. Estimates for replacement of this should be obtained as well. The kitchen should be painted in conjunction with any improvements. Town Posting Location issues. Betty reported during the last Plan Commission meeting several complaints were made that there is no posting location on the west end of Town. The Plan Commission requested the Board consider changing one of their locations from the Town Hall, the Library and Maas & Sons. A “west end” location offered for posting was the Honey Creek Post office. Upon further consideration, it was realized the Honey Creek Post Office is located in the Town of Spring Prairie, and therefore cannot be used as a posting site for Rochester. The Board could think of no other suitable locations in that area and therefore dismissed the matter for future consideration. Memorial Day Parade Contribution. A request for the annual $50 contribution to the Parade Committee was made. Gary moved, 2nd by Wayne to approve. Motion carried. Operator’s License: Patrick J. Tenant. Gary moved, 2nd by Nancy to approve the license contingent on a health certificate dated within one year of the date of application. Motion carried. Gary questioned whether anyone was able to attend the Town’s Association meeting on March 24th. No Board members are available. The Clerk will attend if no schedule conflicts. A notice of the Racine County Bike Trail meeting at the Waterford Library on March 29th was shared. Gary directed a list of proposed amendments to the Racine County Zoning Code be reviewed by the Plan Commission and Board, with any comments to be made to Frank Risler, Racine County Zoning Administrator. Atty. Phenicie is to be contacted regarding whether a landscape completion bond should be required for Lynch Truck Center before issuing a temporary occupancy permit. Buzz Hurley reported information that the Hwy. 36 Burlington bypass will begin with a raised platform interchange in Rochester, vs. a ground level intersection. Clerk is to check with the D.O.T. on what current plans are in place. Gary reported Payne & Dolan may be willing to locate Verizon’s cell tower on their land vs. Honey Creek, if approached. Gary moved, 2nd by Wayne to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Betty
J. Novy March 20, 2001 JOINT VILLAGE/TOWN BOARD MEETING 6:30 P.M. Meeting was called to order with Christopher Denman, James Joseph, Dennis Saunders, James Henning, Roger Kieffer, Gary Beck, Wayne Schrader and Betty Novy present. William Weidert, Shirley Degner and Nancy Klemko were absent. Frank Price, Fire Chief, and Michael Kempken, Treasurer of the Rochester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, were also present. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss joint purchase by the Town and Village of a new ambulance for the Fire & Rescue Company, who would lease the vehicle from both municipalities on an annual basis for an amount equal to loan payments for the term of such loan incurred for this purpose. At the end of the term, the ambulance would revert to sole ownership by the Fire & Rescue Co. A proposed lease agreement prepared by the Village Attorney was reviewed by those present. Those items which did not apply to this transaction were edited for return to the attorney to draft a final copy. Frank reported on ambulance price and feature comparisons studied by a Truck Committee comprised of Rescue Company volunteers and James Henning of the Village Board. “Med-Tech” offered the best warranty and best service on their ambulances. This is available through Ford Motor Company, more particularly “Miller Motors” in Burlington. Purchase of the ambulance by a municipality qualifies for a fleet discount. This would create a $2,500 cost savings. Municipalities can also borrow at a lower interest rate than a Fire Company could, creating more savings on the purchase. Total cost of the chassis, box and defibrillator was stated as $104,638. The Fire Company recently held a fund-raiser which raised $17,000. This will pay for a new defibrillator on an existing ambulance they intend to keep in service. Both ambulances must carry the same model of defibrillator due to State requirements. The goal of the Fire Company is to have a new unit in service by July 1. Additional equipment will not be needed as one existing squad would go out of service and equipment from that squad transferred to the new. It is requested each municipality finance $52,000 towards the purchase. The maximum term the Fire Company would like to extend the lease (or loan) is 5 years- they would like to see a five year turn around in purchasing new squads. They could go as high as $20,000 annually for a payment (in aggregate between the two municipalities). This money would be generated from rescue service revenues. Dennis Saunders questioned liability on the ambulance. Would the Village or Town be listed as lienholders vs. owners of the ambulance? This item will have to be addressed by the attorney in the lease agreement. Some hesitation to be listed as owner was expressed. A certificate of insurance would be required per the lease agreement; both Village and Town of Rochester should be listed as additional insureds on the ambulance's policy. Representing the Village Board, James Henning moved, 2nd by Christopher Denman to approve borrowing $52,000 for purchase of a new rescue squad for the Rochester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company per the lease terms discussed. Motion carried. Representing the Town Board, Gary Beck moved, 2nd by Wayne Schrader to approve borrowing $52,000 for purchase of a new rescue squad for the Rochester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company per the lease terms discussed. Motion carried. Gary Beck moved, 2nd by James Joseph to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Betty J. Novy, Clerk |