Town of Liberty
July 15, 2019
Chairman Terry Theis called the monthly meeting of the Town of Liberty to order at 6:30 pm. on Monday, July 15, 2019 at the Liberty Town Hall and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present were Terry Theis, Nicole Rakobitsch, Adrian Amelse, Treasurer Karen Peterson and Clerk Lori Polhamus. Citizens present are on the attached attendance sheet.
2. Public hearing on options for Gore Hollow Hill – Theis opened the public hearing at 6:31 pm. It was stated this is a listening session for the Gore Hollow hill issue and part of the process is to have a public hearing for the Board to hear all sides of the issue. Lester Meyer and Barb Ramsden are concerned about the safety and response by emergency personnel with the road closure and it will cost $8.00/foot for Vernon Electric to put in underground wires. Joanne Groves stated they measured the distance for response and it was 1.3 miles either way and that the rescue squad is fine with whatever the Town decides. Laurie Renish asked how many grants the Town applied for and the accident count on Gore Hollow. Ray Renish stated there will be double the traffic from UPS trucks and others and the hill should be seal coated and raise the levy to do it. Peter Groves stated he is against seal coating as other towns are wanting to go back to gravel for cost. John Mathis stated the Town of Forest has seal coated all their steep hills. Jeff Wendal would like to see the costs broke down by road. Myra Daines stated Gore Hollow is not the worst hill on her mail route but would rather go down than up the hill. Residents may also have to move their mailboxes down by the town hall if the road is closed. Gabe Williams asked what happens if the lower part of Gore Hollow is compromised if there is only one way out? Kathy Linskins stated the gravel is all coming onto their property from the hill currently. Burdette Nelson is a bus driver for Kickapoo Schools and she takes the bus down the hill rather than up and the school would like to see the road remain open for their 37 foot bus. There were comments both ways by residents that would like to see the hill remain open and those that would like the hill closed.
The public hearing was closed at 7:15 pm.
3. Clerk Lori Polhamus read the minutes of the June 10, 2019 regular town meeting. Motion by Rakobitsch/second by Amelse to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as read. All in favor. Motion carried. Joanne Groves stated as a point of correction that John Mathes does not speak on behalf of the Kickapoo Rescue Squad.
4. Treasurer’s report. (report attached) Peterson read the Treasurer’s report. Beginning cash balance as of 6/1/19 was $37,121.81 and an ending cash balance as of 6/30/19 of $29,532.05 was reported. Interest year to date on the General Fund was $11.76 and interest earned year to date on the Tax Account was $57.16. There is $75,299.32 available in the tax account. Receipts included managed forest payment, building permits and liquor licenses.
5. Patrolman's Report– the truck is back from the repair shop with a faulty fuse line. The tubes are not installed yet. Polhamus stated the towing charges have been sent into insurance.
6.First Period for public comment – Denise Grass representing Liberty Bar & Blakely Hobbit stated they would like to have the ATV discussion brought back on a future agenda for re-consideration. Peter Groves stated the ditch on Ames Hill Road is completely filled and the County should be contacted to clean their ditch too off County S. Gabe Williams would like to change the location of his driveway on Elk Run and there will be a change of business at his Hwy 56 location.
7.Town Announcements- Theis will be attending Paser training in Mineral Point.
8. Discussion with possible action on dust control on Town roads– the other road work is not complete yet so this hasn't been addressed. This will be added to the road discussion on a future agenda.
9.Discussion with possible action on Premier Coop contract pricing - Motion by Rakobitsch/second by Amelse to approve the deposit pricing with Premier Coop for 2708 gallons at 1.209/gallon and send in a deposit of $270.80. All in favor. Motion carried.
10.Discussion with possible action on back up plan for Town Truck– this item was tabled and we will continue to fix our current truck.
11.Discussion with possible action on local control options for cell towers– this item was tabled until August.
12.Update from Zoning Committee – They met on June 25thand discussed the Town comprehensive plan, reviewed the Whitestown ordinance as an example of a single district, looked at scope of work. The next meeting is 7/30 at 7:00 pm and they will review the Town of Stark ordinance and any issues and concerns.
13. Board may entertain a motion to adjourn into closed session pursuant to section 19.85 (1) (c) WI Stats. Considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility – Review Recycling Attendant applications – the Board remained in open session and only one application was received from Paul Linskens.
14. Reconvene in open session with possible action on items discussed during closed session - Motion by Amelse/second by Rakobitsch to hire Paul Linskens as the recycling attendant effective Saturday, July 20th. All in favor. Motion carried. The Board thanked Carol Theis for her work at the dump.
15.Action & Approval on monthly bills– Motion by Rakobitsch/second by Amelse to approve total bills of $21,001.33 as presented. All in favor. Motion carried.
16.Review of building permits (if any) - There was one permit for Isaac Gjefle for an addition on his existing residence.
17.Second period for public comment -Anne Orso asked about getting a couple of buckets of gravel to put by her mailbox. Carol Theis stated there is a third cabin on Chadwick Hollow that needs a building permit.
18.Future agenda items– Road discussion, capital equipment plan, atvs, cell tower, Gore Hollow information for discussion and property insurance update.
Motion by Rakobitsch/second by Amelse to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 pm. All in favor. Motion carried.
Minutes submitted by: Lori Polhamus, Town Clerk
