Town of Liberty Board Meeting

Liberty Town Hall

September 9, 2024, 6:30 pm

Minutes

Board members present:  Chair Orlin Engh, Supervisor Bill Townsley, Treasurer Chris Abrahamson, Clerk Sharon Engh, Supervisor Amelse

  1. The meeting was called to order by Chair Engh at 6:30 pm
  2.  Supervisor Amelse moved that we accept the minutes as written from August 19, 2024, seconded by Supervisor Townsley, all in favor, motion carried.
  3. Treasurer’s Report:  Chris went over his report, and it is on file.
  4. Dumpster Monitor’s report:  Paul said he ordered the dumpsters, same as previous times for the October 12th clean up days.
  5. Equipment Report:  All equipment is in working order. Cutting edges will need to be ordered for the grader.  An exhaust manifold will need to be put in the backhoe.  Allen is taking over the dump truck duties.  The dump truck will be taken to La Farge for its annual checkup.
  6. Building permit update; We were presented with a variance for Jared Carey.  He would like to put a pole shed on his property.  Supervisor Amelse moved that he put it in the Northeast corner 16 feet off the property line, making it 48 feet from the center of the road with the contingency that Vernon County approves the permit.  It is a 40×80 ft building.  Seconded by Supervisor Townley, all in favor, motion carried.
  7. First public comment:  there was none.
  8. Town Announcements: The fall workshops are coming up in October, you can attend in person in Stevens Point or do them virtually.  We have the new voting booths and will get tables soon for the Town Hall.
  9.  Hazardous Mitigation update:   Brandon Larson was present and informed us of the new revisions and why it is important for us to consider adopting the hazardous mitigation plan.  We will decide at the October meeting.
  10. Updates on Vernon County: Wade Lawler was not present. We will put him on the agenda for next month.
  11. Fire Association updates:  Terry Theis gave a nice, detailed report of what is going on with the fire association.  They have been working hard on recruitment and what they need to be successful.  They now have a checking account. They are hoping to get a new command truck in a few years. They also have a PO box in Viola for just their association.
  12. Special meeting for budget updates:  Theboard met at 5:30 to talk about the budget for 2025.  We asked Chris to work with some numbers based on raising the tax levy by 1.5%-5%.  He said he would crunch some numbers and get back to us with what that would look like.  We will have another talk about it at the October meeting with a public meeting at the end of October.
  13. Citation Ordinance:  Chris would like for the attorney to look over the ordinance to see what we need to do, if anything to make sure it is up-to-date.  Supervisor Amelse moved that we have the Town’s attorney look over the citation ordinance and give us her feedback. Seconded by chair Engh motion carried.
  14. Recycling shed:  It was decided that we would keep the shed.  This way if Paul decides to retire as dumpster monitor, we would still have it instead of building a new one.  Chair Engh rescinded the motion from last month to put it out for bids.  Supervisor Townsley seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
  15. Furnace Update  The bid from Flocks came backat a much cheaper price.  $4295.00.  We are going to use the AARPA funds for this purchase.  Supervisor Amelse moved that we use the AARPA funds to purchase the new furnace from Flocks.  Seconded by Supervisor Townsley, all in favor, motion carried.
  16. Vernon County Community Development grants:  Catherine Fox has agreed to help write this grant for the deck, ramp, painting of the outside of the Town Hall, the inside and possibly new carpeting.  We have had a couple of people look at the Town Hall and will work on estimates for the painting.
  17. Second period for public comment:  Karri asked about getting solar lights for the outside of the Town Hall so that at night when leaving a meeting or voting it isn’t so dangerous to see. Carol Theis wanted to know why we were painting the inside of the Town Hall.  All questions were answered by the board.
  18. Supervisor Amelse moved that we approve paying the monthly bills of $19,949.16 with $15,659.11 coming out of the AARPA funds and the remaining $4290.05 coming out of the general fund. Chair Engh seconded, all in favor motion carried.
  19. Future agenda items:  Hazardous Mitigation resolution, citation ordinance update, budget update (Chris will be out of town), set the date for the budget public meeting, and Wade Lawler.
  20. Next meeting date is October 12th at 6:30pm at the Town Hall
  21. Meeting was moved to adjourn by Supervisor Amelse,  at 8:00pm Chair Engh, seconded at  all in favor motion carred.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Engh