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January 17, 2006 Town Board Meeting
Town Board Meeting of January 17, 2006 Chairman Jeff Long called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. All board members were present along with Attorney Jack O’Brien and Clerk/Treasurer Lois Smith. Guests numbered 59. MOTION/CHRISTGAU: SECOND/SCHUENEMANN: To approve the agenda as posted. MOTION CARRIED. Public Forum: Mr. John Anderson wanted to defer his concern to the meeting in February. He asked that BJ Zoning be put on the agenda. Chairman Long stated he would put it on the agenda. MOTION/LONG: SECOND/SCHUENEMANN: To approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. MOTION CARRIED. Also handed out was the monthly CPA’s December, 31, 2005 report. There were no questions at this time. MOTION/SCHUENEMANN: SECOND/CHRISTGAU: To approve the minutes of the December 20, 2005 minutes. MOTION CARRIED. MOTION/SCHUENEMANN: SECOND/LONG: To approve the minutes of the Special Board Meeting of November 17, 2005. MOTION CARRIED. New business: Audit Duscussion: Taxpayer/elector Ken Ehle began with questions about the tax levy, budget committee, how budget is prepared, who is on the committee? He is part of a group called “Taxpayers of Boulder Junction for Ethical and Responsible Government” (TBJERG) which has been putting paid articles in the Lakeland Times Newspaper with accusations against the town board. One article stated (1-13-06) that TBJERG believed there were serious violations of WI State Statutes regarding the appropriate procedures governing the budgeting and handling of taxpayer’s money. Chairman Long then explained the budget process. The board reviews the prior year budget and makes increases where necessary as to fuel costs, electrical, heat, insurance rates, road expenses, equipment needs and salary increases. Grants, bank loans and donations do not become part of the levy process. The annual report then reports all the additional items. We are looking for ways to improve the annual report that would provide us with a written rather than an oral report from the chairman at the annual meeting. If more citizens attended the annual meeting, the explanations would have been clear and this discussion could be avoided. Mr. Ehle then asked what safety mechanisms are in place for us citizens to be prevented from any wrong. Colleen Swanson then asked Mr. Ehle who is the “we” you are representing, because most of us here support this board which was elected. Approximately 10 people raised their hands representing the TBJERG. Swanson went on to say that we elected these people in good faith to make the small decision while we electors make the big decision. Chairman Long responded by -2- saying the Annual Report could be improved with written explanations of the special items at the April annual meeting. Long also stated BJ was 8th lowest for tax levy in 1994 and 2004 was the 3rd lowest. He went on to say we continue to compete and improve our town. Chairman Long then explained the audit procedures. Our current CPA did the audit for 2002. And had performed the on-site portion (October, 2005) of 2003 and 2004 but then after finding out that his current insurance does not cover government audits and at this time we are the only government that he is representing, he will not be completing the 2003 and 2004 audits. (Chairman Long read the letter from our CPA, Chris Rexroade.) He recommended Jeff Cohen of Schenck Business Solutions, a firm specializing in government audits. We have scheduled the audits for 2003 and 2004 to be performed 1/18 and 19 and 2005 in March, 2006. Hopefully the audits will be available for the February board meeting. This firm does audit Oneida and Vilas counties and towns of Presque Isle and Plum Lake in the area. Chairman Long offered the contract to anyone who might be interested in reviewing it. Not one person of the TBJERG group or others in attendance came forth to review the contract. Chairman Long continued to explain the 2006 budget items that were not included in the levy process: Parks & Recreation donation of $13,000 to finish the skateboard park, TRIP road funds of $26,332, Fire Department grant of approx. $64,000, and Possible ambulance replacement in 2006 from the FD savings and any amount over would be handled with a bank loan. The Winter Park Stewardship Grant of $77,000 was approved and the town would be matching the amount out of room tax savings. The town may be required to pay for the entire project and be reimbursed by the grant and reimbursement could fall into 2007 budget. Comments from other taxpayers: most of us are concerned, why are electors not included in budget process, some would like to form committee to micro-manage financial decisions and audits and what are our safeguards? At this time, Supervisor Jay Christgau spoke up and said that is why we were elected. The electors put there trust in the board and at the next election they can again make a choice. Ehle then stated according to the minutes, the budget was not being amended according to WI State Statue 65.90 (5) and began reading the statute and, therefore, the town was in violation of this statute. Long interrupted Ehle and asked Ehle to continue reading the statute stating that towns are exempt from this section of the statute. Attorney O’Brien also commented on this exemption. -3- Chairman long commented that opinions are important in our democracy. We both win and lose in some situations but will continue to bring unity to the community. MOTION/LONG: SECOND/CHRISTGAU: To approve the contract with Schenck Solutions for the 2003, 2004 and 2005 audits. MOTION CARRIED. Highway M North Bike Trail: Molly Hegeman explained her concern about the safety of children riding their bikes on the road and wants to know why a bike trail can’t be placed on M North to Airport Road. The additional blacktop area added to each side of the highway is not sufficient. She stated she thought easements could be secured from all property owners for the trail. The easements would have to be permanent. Could the speed limit be reduced to 25 mph on this section of Hwy M? Chairman Long stated that is the County’s responsibility. He mentioned if Ms. Hegeman would like to be on a committee to investigate this issue, he would work with her and the committee. He is in support of the investigation of gathering facts for any project to help the town. Costs would have to be determined and then what would be the source of the funds? The room tax receipts were mentioned as a possibility, however, at this time $77,000 is earmarked for the winter park project. Chairman Long’s response to C. Richardson’s concerns at the Dec. 20th board meeting. 1.The town board does allow limited use by the town crew to use the shop after hours. And at this time it is a practice the board does not want to cease. As to the storage issue concern, if they were storing any personal items, they have been removed. 2.As to the issue of hiring practices for part time town crew employees, it has been done on an as needed basis, as to who is available at all times without advance notice. It is very important whoever is hired that they treat our equipment with care. Chairman Long stated we have a good town crew. (Applause at this time for the crew.) 3.As to the snowplowing of the parking areas in front of the downtown businesses, we have a part time employee who works at night and the cost is about $2000 per year. Parking is for the entire town to use and is a practice that will be continued. 4.On the removal of the gas station sign removed from Mr. Long’s property during the downtown project, the sign was on the road right-of-way and the contractor removed it and placed it behind the building and damaged the septic tank for the business. It was at the contractor’s expense for the replacement of the tank. Mr. Long also stated that he donated a permanent easement of his other property for the drainage of water on Hwy M north. This would prohibit him from accessing the property from Hwy M in the future. MOTION/LONG: SECOND/SCHUENEMANN: To continue the agreement with the Northwoods Animal Hospital to handle stray dogs and cats. MOTION CARRIED. -4- MOTION/LONG: SECOND/SCHUENEMANN: To authorize the town clerk to advertise for bids for 2000 yards of ¾” road gravel to be awarded at the February meeting. MOTION CARRIED. MOTION/LONG: SECOND/SCHUENEMANN: To authorize the town clerk to advertise for bids for a box and hoist, heavy underbelly plow suitable for snow and gravel work, 12 one-way highway plow and sander for the 2006 International dump truck. The opening of bids to take place at the February meeting. The clerk is requesting to change the February meeting from the 21st to the 28th as the election is on the 21st. MOTION/LONG: SECOND/CHRISTGAU: To change the February meeting to the 28th. MOTION CARRIED. Correspondence: Letter from the DNR regarding the six year improvement plan of our airport. Chairman Long stated we do not have a plan as we are not making any changes to our airport. He directed the clerk to write a letter stating that fact. The DNR letter, Bureau of Aeronautics wants to make the most responsible use possible of state and federal funds for airports in WI. They are compiling information for the 2006-2011 Airport Improvement Plan. A Statement of Holdings from Freddie Mac for the P&R Program was received and will be filed. Taxpayer/elector Carol Ashley informed the board as to her tax bills for the last ten years and how little her taxes had changed during that time. Three years her tax bill declined and two years there were minute increases. She added it puts everything in prospective as to how the leadership in the community has done. And she added she was very happy with the board and that leadership. Taxpayer/elector Fred Marsh also commented on the tax rate in BJ and that he supports the elected officials. Taxpayer/elector John Titel stated it’s not what you pay but what you get from your dollar and he is pleased with the board. Bills Payable in the amount of $33,718.43 were approved. MOTION/LONG: SECOND/CHRISTGAU: To adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lois J. Smith Clerk/Treasurer -4- -5- -6-