Minutes

January 10, 2024

 

Lowell called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

In attendance: Lowell, Bob, Jon and Jorja

Jon made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Bob and the motion carried.

Bob made a motion to approve the Minutes from the 12-13-2023 Board meeting, seconded by Jon and the motion carried.

Clerk/treasurer reports
Cash and fund balances were read. Tax collections are going well. The last day to pay the full tax bill or the 1^st installment is January 31.

Clerk: extended an apology for not including dog information with tax bill.
There is no primary election scheduled for February. The April Presidential Primary is April 2, 2024.

Jon made a motion to approve the Clerk/Treasurer reports, seconded by Bob and the motion  passed.

 

Supervisor’s reports
Jon: no report

Bob: no report

Lowell – has answered various questions regarding the tax bills

Public works report: was shouldering roads last week and now plowing snow.

 

Sheriff’s report: Nick: 204 calls for the month of December. He cautioned that there is an increase in complaints regarding fraud calls. Unknown callers ask for SS #’s and if people are unaware of the scam they provide the information. The IRS will never call and ask for that information. The County Board passed a new resolution that Deputy Sheriffs are now able to use the County vehicles to travel to and from home even if the residence is not in Walworth County.

 

Ryan Dion, 1^st Assistant Chief, Whitewater Fire Department, presented a detailed explanation regarding the substantial increase in the cost for Fire/EMS services provided to the Town.

The cost increase is attributed to changes the City made in operating the department. There are now 12 full time fire/EMS staff. Having on-site staff has reduced the time it takes for their response to 911 calls. Additionally, there are still some volunteers to augment the full time staff.  Chief Freeman and Assistant Chief Ryan Dion are full time.

The City is no longer billing the Town or the person generating the fire call. The exception is if a resident does notify in advance for a controlled burn. The resident should call the County Sheriff’s department as well as the city fire department. If the calls are not made and someone reports the fire, the City will bill the resident an invoice for $500.00. If the resident leaves the fire unattended the billing will be $500.00. These exceptions do not apply to recreational fires.

Any “ hazmat” incidents may also incur a bill. If there is a motor vehicle fire, the billing is sent to the operator of the vehicle.
EMS incidents will still be billed.

 

Brian Lemke, DNR, was invited by the Board to attend the meeting. The focus of the discussion was the maintenance of State Park Road by the Township on behalf of the DNR. Historically, there has been discussion about the DNR releasing ownership of State Park Road to the Township in exchange for the DNR assuming ownership of Hi-Lo Road. That issue was never resolved. Currently, State Park Road needs extensive repairs. Lowell suggested that if the DNR would pay for the repairs as needed, then the Township would entertain the exchange of ownership. Carl had a quote from one of the contractors and Lowell suggested that Carl and Brian meet to discuss the quote.

 

Bob addressed the issue of lowering speed limits on portions of Clover Valley and Kettle Moraine Dr. He prefers to have all of Kettle Moraine Dr to 35 mph. Lowell made a motion to change the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph on Kettle Moraine from County P to Clover Valley, Jon seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Bob made a motion to change Clover Valley from Kettle Moraine to Engel from the current unposted limit of 55 mph to 35 mph, Lowell seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 2/3 majority.

At this point the speed limit changes made at the December Board meeting and the changes made at this meeting will be incorporated into the Town Code, chapter 46/: Traffic and Vehicles. General Code will make the changes.

 

Preliminary approval for Ordinance to accept 2024 edition Town Code. A notice will be posted and published to notify residents that the new CODE is available for their inspection. If no objections are raised, the Code will have final approval at the Board meeting scheduled for February 14, 2024.

 

A discussion regarding using ZOOM for Board meetings was held. Opinions offered addressed the cost, the extra equipment needed for capturing all the attendees and extra time required. After the discussion, Lowell made a motion to not have ZOOM for Board meetings, Bob seconded the motion and the motion carried.

The Safety Patrol contract for 2024 was presented. Jon made a motion to accept the contract renewal, Lowell seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

Even though the Town and the Lions Club have a verbal understanding regarding the use of their pier for the patrol boat and limited access to the deputies who operate the boats, the opinion was that a letter of understanding would be appropriate. Bob will work out the wording for the letter with the assistance of Jorja and Roberta Flanders, a Lions Club member.

The annual Board of Review training/meeting will take place on Feb. 3, 2024. One member of the BOR must attend the training. Lowell and Jon will be registered to attend.

 

Public input:

Dave Dern questioned why the piers are removed in mid-October when the weather is still warm and people want access the lake. The timing for removing the piers is mandated by the State.

Amy Rodgers expressed how well the roads are being maintained regarding snowplowing.

 

Monthly bills were reviewed and checks were signed.

Jon made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Lowell and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Jorja Boiley, Clerk/Treasurer

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