Town of Whitewater Town Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

7:00pm

The meeting was called to order by Lowell Hagen at 7:00 PM

Participants present: Lowell Hagen, Norm Prusener, Bob Strand, Jorja Boiley

 

Norm made a motion to approve agenda as written; the motion was seconded by Bob, the motion carried unanimously

Norm made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 11, 2021 Town Board Meeting as written, the motion was seconded by Bob and the motion carried unanimously

 

Treasurer report: Fund balances were read. The tax levy for YE 2021 is $325,949

Clerk: The redistricting project is in process. The basis for the redistricting is based on 2020 census. Jorja will be attending a training on 9/22 at the County. The deadline for reporting any changes in the TOW wards is October 15, 2021.

A Clean Sweep event is being held on October 1 and 2, 2021. Please contact Jorja for any details.

Norm made a motion to approve the Clerk/Treasurer reports, the motion was seconded by Bob and the motion carried unanimously.

Supervisors reports:

Norm Prusener: The Hill Drive project is still working with the DNR and County to finalize plans for the construction on Hill Drive. The contract proposal from JNT has been received. Luke Rufus who is in charge of the project on behalf of the DNR indicates that more plan revisions are required and there will most likely be a need for an erosion control plan.

 

Bob Strand: The “stop ahead” sign on Hi-Lo Road was vandalized. Someone removed the sign/post. This was the second time it has happened.

Lowell Hagen – no report

 

Sheriff’s Department incident report:

The major storm was the most notable event during the month.
Fraud calls are increasing. Someone calls asking for help for a family member needing gift cards/donations and asks for personal information. Beware of the scam. – scam.
There were 207 calls in the month of August which is down from 237 in July.

Randall Pollard is requesting a variance for a shed he has already purchased and installed on his property.
He purchased and installed the new shed in the same area where there was a previous shed. He was not aware that he needed a building permit (the new shed is over 100 square feet). When he requested a building permit after the installation, the County denied his request since the location of the new shed was too close to the lot line. He is asking for the Town to approve the variance. Lowell made a motion to keep the shed as is and allow the variance, seconded Bob. The motion carried with a 2/3 majority. Norm voted against the motion. A letter will be sent letter to the county that the Town approves the variance.

Discussion relating to a loan program offered by the State of Wisconsin.  Lowell feels that the Town needs to investigate the possibility of using a loan for the purpose of fixing the town roads. There are 53 miles of roads in the Township and many are in need of repair. The current budget allows for $150,000 annually for road repairs. Norm suggests that before the Town makes any decision about borrowing money, that the Town develop a 5-year plan for road repairs. The concept is to do an extensive road tour with the help of an outside engineer or other committee and determine which roads and in which order need to be repaired. Norm suggests that there may be other repair options other than just repaving that will allow the roads to be maintained in a more cost-effective manner. No decision was made.

Carl Ahrens has on-going discussions with the road supervisors from both Darien and Richmond and feels that there may be grants available that are specific to road repair.

 

A discussion ensued regarding the Town’s liability for damage done to personal property due to storms and potential falling debris and trees. Contact was made with the Town’s insurance carrier who stated that this type of damage is not covered by the Town’s insurance, however, a homeowner would have the ability to file a claim with their personal insurance carrier.

 

The condition on Burr Oak Road is deteriorating rapidly. Carl is concerned about even being able to remove snow during the coming season. The current debris may end up on the resident’s properties. Cold patch will not alleviate the situation. Carl suggests repairing from top of hill to intersection – about 400’. Bob Strand will contact Rock Road and Payne & Dolan to provide quotes for the repair.

Public input:

Bonnie Wood agrees that the condition on Burr Oak very poor and road debris is already settling into the resident’s yards. She indicated that the Scattered Oaks subdivision is also in need of road repair She also shared her appreciation for the hard work the road crews are doing to clean up after the recent storms. She thanks the road crew for the timely removal of a tree in the road near her home.

Claudia Holtz thanked the road crew for the fast clean up after the storm and for the increased evidence of mowing that is being done. She feels there is a noticeable difference in how the areas are being maintained.

 

The board approved and signed monthly bills.

Norm made a motion to adjourn, the motion was seconded by Bob and the motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.

 

Respectively submitted, Jorja Boiley, Clerk/Treasurer