UNOFFICIAL MINUTES

 

TOWN BOARD MEETING                                   MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2004

                                                      8:00 P.M.

 

The Board met with Building Inspector David Hendrix at 7:00 P.M. Conditional Use violations and junk cleanup were discussed. Stricter enforcement is needed due to constant delays. David will track his hours spent on this work. The Krizan case goes to court tomorrow. He will push Weber again. It was discussed can the town take away occupancy. David was asked if fines are imposed and he responded up to $250.00 per day. It was decided to put conditional use enforcement on the Plan Commission agenda for discussion. This concluded the meeting with David. 

 

The Board met with DPW Foreman Wayne Myers at 7:20 P.M. Road limits will be reviewed and lifted Friday or Monday. He had another complaint on driveway damage from plowing. Wayne felt we need a driveway ordinance or have building inspector put into the road/culvert bond instructions, “Driveway should be 1” pitch every 4’ from road level (2% grade from final lift)”. The board concurred with having the building inspector inform people or put that in the bond instructions and the driveway cannot be completed until he approves. Clerk Gibbs will send response to the complainant on Susie Ct. Wayne brought up the issue of plowing snow across the road; he took some issue with the tone of Chief Hanrahan’s response. It was suggested there be a meeting with Wayne & John at a Police Commission meeting on this matter. Wayne will proceed with the kennel runs. He was asked if the county requires slurry fill in road cuts on county roads like the town does; Wayne will check and advise. The Board informed Wayne there were many complaints on snowplows tearing up the road shoulders; changes are needed in the shouldering procedures to prevent damage. This concluded the meeting with Wayne.

 

The Finance Committee reviewed disbursements at 7:45 P.M.

 

Chairman John Malchine called the Town Board Meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Present were Supervisors Robert Helback, Chet Kintop, Jean Jacobson and Ralph Schopp, Clerk Kathryn Gibbs, Treasurer Thomas Kramer and 11 citizens.

 

Minutes of the 02/08/04 Town Board Meeting were approved. (Jacobson, Helback).

The Agenda was approved as changed. Melissa Lynn Ackerman requested a delay in hearing her Operator License.

 

Treasurer Kramer read the Treasurer’s Report for Mar 2004 as follows:

 

GENERAL ACCOUNT

Balance Forward                       Jan 30, 2004          $ 79,663.47

Deposits and Transfers                                       122,210.39

Total                                                       201,873.86

Disbursements                                               139,502.78

General Ck Balance                 Feb 27, 2004              62,371.08

 

UNEXPENDED FUNDS

Money Market Accounts                                        $896,002.84

Total General Fund Account                                   958,373.92

 

Debt Service Fund                                            $167,661.06

Metro CD                                                    $ 42,563.91

Metro Landfill MM                                           $ 21,125.61

 

SOLID WASTE FUND

Balance forward                         Jan 30, 2004          $  9,015.57

Receipt and Interest                                        271,635.94

Total                                                       280,651.51

Disbursements                                               277.439.85

Ending Balance                         Feb 27, 2004          $  3,211.66

 

IMPACT FEES

Transportation                                              $ 27,902.13

Fire and Rescue                                                  26,220.24  

Police                                                        12,474.51

Park                                                          16,319.76

Treasurer Kramer received the first portion of the Ag Use penalty collected so far, $3300.00, from a total of about $15-16,000.00. He explained the Ag Use penalty program. Also, he noted the Debt Service transfer originally budgeted for $56,000 will actually be less, about $49,000. Chairman Malchine asked Mr. Kramer for an update on the Carini property. He advised it would be going up for bid in June. Our original $16,000 razing cost is now at $32,000 with interest and penalty. The County has $40,000 in back taxes also. If it sells for $72,000 the town would recoup all of its outstanding amount.

 

Mrs. Jacobson read the Police Reports for January and February 2004 as follows:

January 2004

Hours on Patrol:    355               Miles on Patrol:  3685

Total Complaints:    70                Total Arrests:      75

February 2004

Hours on Patrol:    322               Miles on Patrol:  3449

Total Complaints:    74                Total Arrests:      47

The year-end reports for Police, Safety Patrol and Lake Patrol are also available in the Clerk’s office for review.

 

Mr. Kintop read the Building Inspector Report for February 2004 as follows:

      # OF PERMITS            PERMIT FEES        VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION

Residential       49                  $ 9,080.98                $1,226,500.00

Commercial        0                $      .00              $         .00

 

Park Report: Mr. Schopp noted the project manual for the concession stand is being reviewed and will soon be ready to go out for bids. Mr. Helback added he would be talking with Larry Taylor regarding the plans and drawings he received also.

 

Treasurer Kramer added to his report that First Banking Center is looking for Community Service project ideas.

 

LICENSE APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL:

Brian Moncher, CIB favorable & class completed, present & approved. (Jacobson,Kintop)

Mr. Kintop moved to layover Jaime Patzke and Melissa Betz, Mrs. Jacobson seconded, motion carried.

 

INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE:

Chairman Malchine noted that Candidate for Circuit Court Judge John Jude was present. Mr. Jude gave a brief comment and left literature for review.

 

Chairman Malchine introduced Sheriff Robert Carlson, who was also present, and reviewed the arrangement between the Town and the Sheriff’s Dept. for a deputy to begin and end shifts in the Town. Sheriff Carlson agreed this has been a good arrangement for both entities and offered continued availability and encouraged contact. Racine County Sheriff current issues include the jail overcrowding and how to resolve it. He thanked the Board for their time and indicated he will continue to visit the western municipalities regularly to address their concerns. Mrs. Jacobson asked Sheriff Carlson what the jail was currently built to hold and where it is now. He responded it was originally intended for 144 inmates and currently holds $650. Chairman Malchine thanked Sheriff Carlson for attending.

 

A thank you letter was received from the Waterford Library for the Town of Norway annual pledge received for $7000.00. Chairman Malchine commented on how the Town of Norway has responsively honored its pledge and the continued usage by town residents of the library. Some other municipalities have not honored their pledge.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Adopt Resolution 04-01 for the Town of Norway, Direct Deposit of Payroll for Town Employees, recommended by Treasurer Thomas Kramer: First Banking Center will facilitate the direct deposit program for the town, at no charge, and assist in the set-up. It was questioned as to whether we could mandate all employees to participate. This will be checked out. Mrs. Jacobson moved to adopt Resolution 04-01, Mr. Helback seconded, motion carried. A copy of the Resolution is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

 

Adopt Resolution 04-02 for the Town of Norway, Schedule of Building Permit Fess for the Town of Norway, recommended by Building Inspector David Hendrix: In discussion the previous month, Mr. Hendrix was authorized to bring this change to the board. Even with the increase, the town is still on the lower end of the permit fee scale. Mrs. Jacobson moved to adopt Resolution 04-02, Mr. Helback seconded, motion carried. A copy of the Resolution is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

 

Presentation by Mark C. Lange, Lange Enterprises, Inc. on address numbering sign proposal recommended by Fire Chief Wayne Myers: Mark Lange presented a number of different options for the numbering system signs. They just recently completed signage for the Town of Raymond, and have done the Town of Burlington and many other municipalities, even whole counties. The old style black & white tiles are not as easily found, people don’t display them correctly or they cover them up on their houses. The new signs are available in numerous styles, colors and sizes and are fully reflective. The posts can be galvanized or powder coated. They will do the installation for the whole town. The signs are installed in a specific location, in the right of way, for all residences. Uniform means uniform. Despite our current ordinance, there is not uniform compliance with signs. The estimated cost would be $25.00-30.00 per unit. Both Fire Chief Wayne Myers and Sheriff Carlson spoke in favor of the signs for locating an address in an emergency, especially at night. There was concern expressed about some residents not wanting these signs in front of their houses for aesthetical reasons. Chairman Malchine reminded those present that one of the chief duties of the town board is to provide for the safety of the residents. Mrs. Jacobson moved to layover the item for further study and on-site review, to consideration of the safety of the residents and discussion with the Plan Commission on March 31, Mr. Schopp seconded, motion carried. Mr. Lange stated he would leave the current samples for view and will also provide a sign sample with vertical numbers at the request of the board. He was invited to return for the Plan Commission meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Reappoint Plan Commission members Nancy Pachucki and Patrick Calliari to second 3-yr term, April 2004 to April 2007: Both were in attendance and indicated their willingness to serve again. Mrs. Jacobson motioned to recommend the Town Chairman reappoint Nancy Pachucki and Patrick Calliari to second 3-year terms, April 2004 to April 2007, with high recommendation, Mr. Helback seconded, motion carried. Chairman John Malchine reappointed Mrs. Pachucki and Mr. Calliari to a second 3-year term.

 

Discuss appointment of new Plan commission member to replace Philip Jacobson, 2nd term to expire April 2004: Chairman Malchine recommended David Hanson as his appointment to replace Mr. Jacobson and asked the Board for affirmation of his appointment. Mrs. Jacobson moved to affirm the appointment of David Hanson to the Plan Commission to replace Philip Jacobson for a term from April 2004 to April 2007, Mr. Schopp seconded, motion carried. Chairman Malchine thanked the Supervisors.

 

Review with possible action letter of 2/12/04 from Racine County Economic Development Corporation requesting financial support of countywide strategic plan:  A letter was received from RCEDC regarding support for their countywide strategic plan to address job losses and position the county for economic growth. Due to initial success in implementation, they are conducting an evaluation this fall to refine their efforts and identify more ways to grow the economy. To this end, they have requested our support of the RCEDC and asked the town to join the Partnership with a contribution. There was discussion on the amount of benefit the town derives from RCEDC. Chairman Malchine felt they concentrate on the City of Racine and eastern Racine County more than the rural areas. Mrs. Jacobson differed with his opinion, expressing the benefit is to all of Racine County. It is a partnership of the municipalities in Racine County and is funded by all of them. She has seen first hand what they have done and development in the county does benefit the Town of Norway, directly and indirectly, by way of tax contributions and employment opportunity. They have done a number of things with Burlington, Union Grove, Waterford and others. Mrs. Jacobson moved that the Town become a member of the RCEDC, even if for the minimal amount of contribution of $50.00, Mr. Helback seconded, motion carried. The Join the Partnership form will be completed at the Individual Membership amount of $50.00. Mrs. Jacobson asked what the position of the town is on the Economic Development Plan for the county. She was advised the plan had been presented to the town in the past. At the presentation, the Board’s impression was they were looking for a substantial contribution of funds, and they were not willing to do so. Mrs. Jacobson indicated Norway was the only one who had not signed on to the plan and she did not think there was a monetary requirement. She asked if they could be invited back to present it again for consideration and it was agreed this could be done. Mrs. Jacobson will contact RCEDC to attend the next town board meeting to present the plan again.

 

Approve Hiring of Ryan Hudziak to run Rec Dept. volleyball program, as recommended by Recreation Committee, wage to be set at $7.00 per hour: Mrs. Jacobson moved to approve hiring Ryan Hudziak, wage at $7.00 per hour, favorable CIB received, Mr. Kintop seconded, motion carried.

 

Park Issues:  The rough draft of the specifications for the concession stand/permanent bathroom has been completed and is being reviewed by Larry Taylor. Mr. Helback will be meeting with Mr. Taylor on the drawings received. They are hoping for a May start.

 

Disbursements:

Current General Fund Disbursements:          $ 39,380.67

General Fund bills paid before board:       $ 61,091.45

Tax Account bills paid before board:      $     74.64

SW/Recycling bills paid before board:      $248,228.58

Solid Waste/Recycling Disbursements:    $ 28,848.26

Electronic Fund Transfers for Payroll:      $  9,645.77

 

Mr. Helback motioned to approve disbursements, Mr. Schopp seconded, motion carried.

 

VISITOR COMMENTS

 

Mr. Kozak asked if there were still vacancies on the Plan Commission. Chairman Malchine advised there is still one position open and the town is accepting letters of intent for that position.

 

There being no further business to discuss, Mrs. Jacobson moved to adjourn, Mr. Helback seconded, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 P.M.

 

Submitted:

Kathryn A. Gibbs

Town Clerk