TOWN OF ROCHESTER
Racine County, Wisconsin
Municipal Office Phone:  (262) 534-5742;  Facsimile:  (262) 534-4084
Mailing Address:  203 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 352, Rochester, WI  53167

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November 14, 2005                            REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                        7:00 p.m.

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with Gary Beck, Paul Beere and Mike Weinkauf present.

 

Betty Novy, Clerk-Treasurer, and John Tierney, Engineer, were also present.  Christopher Birkett, Public Works Supervisor, was absent.

 

Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to approve minutes of the October 10, 17 & 27, 2005 meetings as printed.  Motion carried.

 

Mike moved, 2nd by Gary to approve November disbursements as follows.   Motion carried.

 

Town General Fund Disbursements:

Num

 

Name

 

Amount

8037

 

Automatic Fire Protection

 

266.35

8038

 

American Industrial Leasing

 

73.00

8039

 

Baxter Woodman

 

728.88

8040

 

William Miller

 

49.01

8041

 

Cutting Edge Lawn Care

 

1660.00

8042

 

Industrial Towel & Uniform

 

38.48

8043

 

Lange Enterprises

 

503.35

8044

 

Lloyd, Phenicie, Lynch, & Kelly

 

859.68

8045

 

Municipal Services LLC

 

3683.46

8046

 

Memorial Day Committee

 

50.00

8047

 

Memorial Hospital of Burlington

 

815.98

8048

 

Office Copying Equipment Ltd.

 

47.50

8049

 

Laub & Horton, Inc.

 

660.00

8050

 

Onyx Environmental Services

 

9490.32

8051

 

Pats Sanitary Service

 

67.74

8052

 

Racine County Information Systems

 

127.34

8053

 

Racine County Public Works

 

578.07

8054

 

Racine County Register of Deeds

 

3.00

8055

 

Racine County Sheriff's Department

 

14289.36

8056

 

Reineman's Waterford True Value

 

11.99

8057

 

Sam's Club

 

426.61

8058

 

Southern Lakes Media

 

340.14

8059

 

T.D.S. Telecom

 

203.66

8060

 

Village of Rochester

 

61.87

8061

 

Wisconsin Electric

 

1243.96

8075

 

Department of Employee Trust Funds

 

488.15

8062

 

Community State Bank

 

48.95

8063

 

Sandi Swan

 

118.00

8064

 

VIllage of Rochester - Betty Novy

 

90.37

8065

 

Racine County Clerk

 

0.00

8066

 

Office Max

 

54.95

8068

 

Beck, Gary J

 

368.68

8069

 

Beere, Paul E.

 

363.08

8070

 

Birkett, Christopher J

 

1301.36

8071

 

Novy, Betty J.

 

1583.48

8072

 

Romanak, Kathy J

 

375.03

8073

 

Swan, Sandra J

 

987.23

8074

 

Weinkauf, Michael P.

 

363.08

8076

 

Community State Bank

 

1842.60

8067

 

Christopher Birkett

 

471.14

 

 

Total 11010.0 · General Checking

 

44735.85

 


Rochester Sewer Utility District #1 Disbursements:

Num

 

Name

 

Amount

3217

 

Racine County

 

143.38

3218

 

Town of Rochester

 

648.00

3219

 

T.D.S. Telecom

 

74.26

3220

 

Village of Rochester

 

40.42

3221

 

We Energies

 

38.09

3222

 

Western Racine County Sewerage District

 

24410.93

3223

 

Work Horse Software Services, Inc

 

997.50

3224

 

Town of Rochester

 

457.09

3225

 

Town of Rochester

 

628.60

 

 

Total 11010.0 · Sewer Checking Account

 

27438.27

  

Treasurer’s Report.     Betty read the Treasurer’s report as follows. 

Town General Checking Account Balance

$20,869.24

Town Money Market Balance

$254,944.78

Park and Recreation Balance

$48,176.32

Town General CD#4026963

$400,000.00

Town General CD#4026964

$118,750.00

Honey Lake Fund Balance

$25,385.17

Sewer Utility General Balance

$119,872.55

Sewer Utility Money Market Balance

$43,711.45

Sewer Utility CD#40026996

$75,000.00

Sewer Utility CD#40026636

$78,110.69

 

There was discussion on how Sewer Utility revenues are not meeting annual charges from the Western Racine County Sewerage District.  Paul reported on previous conversations with District representatives that gave concern to whether the flow meter in the lift station is giving false readings.  Tierney is to check the flow meter against pump times to see if it is reporting accurately.

 

Sheriff’s Department.  Sergeant Kacmarcik reported the following statistics for October: two accidents; ten speeding citations, twenty-five traffic citations and forty-one warnings were issued.  Complaint statistics were as follows: twenty-eight complaints originated through calls directly to the Sheriff’s Department; Deputy Prochaska assisted with twenty-two additional complaints, originated thirty-eight on his own and performed follow up on two.  He reported 20 work days, 169.75 hours and 2,105 miles driven.   Deputy Prochaska reported one fatal accident on CTH D last month.  There have been several accidents this year on that stretch of STH 20 that exists between CTH D and Sharp Road.  Different factors have contributed each time:  speed, weather and/or alcohol.  A “safe ride” system is being established for the western half of the County that is being organized by the Wisconsin Tavern League.  People will be able to call for a ride when they are too intoxicated to drive.  Trick or Treat presented no problems this year and house numbers are proving to be a great help in emergency calls.

 

 Public Works Department.   Christopher Birkett submitted a written report as follows:

 

 Lift Station

·         Standard exercise of values and generator. 

 

·         The roof irregularity was identified as bowed plywood between the trusses.  It does not appear to be anything serious.

 

 

Roads:                 

  • Still working on shoulder touch-up.

 

  • PASER ratings have been completed.

 

  • Ditch cleaning and shoulder grading is complete.  Drainage should be much better, with snow melt running into the ditch instead of freezing on the road.

 

 

House Numbers:

  • The project is more than half done and should be finished by December 15th.

 

 

Miscellaneous:          

  • Chris attended a snowplowing seminar in Menomonee Falls which was very informative and an evacuation seminar and exercise in Sturtevant.

  

Engineering Report.  John Tierney submitted a report with updates on the 2005 Street Program; Rock Ridge Subdivision; and Stone Property Land Division.  He is working with Payne and Dolan on final closeout of street projects and performing periodic inspection on Rock Ridge.  There was no activity on the Stone land division the prior month.  Surveying is complete for the N. River Road reconstruction project and topography has been platted.  Pavement cores and soil borings have been completed, but

data has not yet been received.  Design is progressing.  Additionally, during survey of N. River Road it was noted

sidewalk ramps in the Fox River Prairie Subdivision were not built to ADA standards.  Consensus of the Board was for Tierney to send correspondence to the developer with direction to reconstruct sidewalk approaches to meet the appropriate standards.

 

Certified Survey Map –  411 N Browns Lake Dr -Creating four parcels out of one

Owners: Gordon & Patricia Hurley

Parcel # 014-03-19-15-017-110

 

Betty reported on Plan Commission review of the land division.  They recommend approval.  Pat Hurley noted one correction made in regards to designation of “Unplatted Lands” on the map.  The surveyor corrected the error.  Gary moved, 2nd by Mike to approval the Certified Survey Map creating four parcels at 411 N. Browns Lake Drive.  Motion carried.     

 

Building Code Ordinance and Fee Amendment Requests:  Jim Deluca, Building Inspector

 

The proposed ordinance was compared with the existing building code.   Most of the ordinance language simply clarifies duties and enforcement abilities of the building/ plumbing/ electrical inspector.  Main changes were identified as follows:

 

  • Requirement of an Occupancy Bond. This would be a bond or cash deposit amount determined by the Town Board which the property owner would forfeit if they occupied the premises before an occupancy permit was issued.  

 

  • Requirement of an Erosion Bond.  This is an additional bond or cash deposit amount determined by the Town Board to ensure all hard surfaces such as driveways and curbs are done and grass is fully rooted and growing. Upon final inspection finding the property in an erosion and dust-free condition, the bond is returned.  The bond may also be utilized by the Town to correct any violations.

 

  • Requirement of a Landscape Bond. This is an additional bond or cash deposit amount determined by the value of landscaping to be done on site per an approved site plan.   This would only come into play for commercial development.

 

Jim explained bonds are ultimately given back to the property owner, but serve as a good tool to get work done.  They have been found beneficial for those municipalities who use them.  Since the Town does not require hard surface driveways, that particular language can be modified.  Jim offered a recommendation to set the grading or erosion bond at $600.00 for residential; and $1,800.00 for commercial development.  Language could also be added that if roads or ditches are damaged in an amount exceeding the bond, costs can be charged to the tax bill. 

 

  • Garages and Accessory Buildings. There was question on whether the Town should adopt size limitations for accessory structures in residential districts.   There have been several complaints on pole barns being built in residential subdivisions. 

 

Jim stated this would probably be best addressed in an “Aesthetics” code.

 

  • Swimming Pools/ Spas. This section clarifies inspection requirements and implements a fence requirement for in-ground pools. 

 

  • Foundation repair and Damp-proofing.  This clarifies foundation repair is not minor and requires a permit to make sure work is done correctly.

 

An outline of permit fees was also reviewed comparing proposed to current fees. Consensus of the Board was that bond requirements appear to be a good tool and directed Jim to forward the ordinance to the Town attorney for review.  The attorney is to make any revisions and prepare the ordinance for action at the December meeting. He is also to prepare a resolution to adopt the new fee schedule.   Jim was also directed to perform a survey of other municipalities that utilize bonds and report on what they are charging.

 

TRIP-D Application:  N. River Road

 

Application materials were reviewed for the State of Wisconsin 2006-2007 Town Road Improvement Program.  If awarded, the grant would provide 50% cost sharing on the N. River Road project.  Consensus of the Board was to forward the application to the Racine County Highway Supervisor.

 

2007 Revaluation Contract:  Kathy Romanak, Assessor

 

Kathy’s proposal to perform a revaluation for the 2007 tax roll was reviewed along with notice of non-compliance from the Department of Revenue showing a 74.56% assessment ratio for 2005.   Under the contract, work will begin July 1, 2006 to bring 2007 assessment values back up to fair market.  Contract costs were stated as $24,871.00.   Kathy’s normal annual salary of $9,000.00 would not be charged during that assessment period.     Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to approve the contract for the 2007 assessment roll.  Motion carried.

 

Approval of Address Change:  28333 Rowntree Road to 950 Rock Ridge Road

 

Correspondence from Racine County Planning was reviewed recommending this address change to reflect movement of the driveway to a new location.   Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to approve the address change to 950 Rock Ridge Road.  Motion carried.

 

Budget Amendment Resolution #1-2005

 

Betty explained these changes are necessary to reflect 2005 borrowing and project funds for N. River Road reconstruction.  Gary moved, 2nd by Mike to approve Budget Resolution #1-2005.  Motion carried.

 

PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

Bill Monnin questioned progress on animal control services.  Gary explained a 2006 contract has been signed with Countryside Humane Society.  They will notify municipalities by July if they are going to provide service in 2007.   In the meantime, an interested resident may submit a proposal to provide these services.

 

Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Betty J. Novy, CMC

Clerk-Treasurer

 

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