Town of Germantown

Town of Germantown

Regular Meeting Minutes

November 14, 2023

 

Present:               Chairman Gregg Haunroth, Supervisors Tamaya Loewe, Keith Korbein, Ken Jax, Ray Feldman, Zoning Administrator Dick Martin, Emergency Management Director Christopher Leopold, Clerk/Treasurer Susan Ganther, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:                  None

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the town hall.

 

Verification of Posting 

The agenda was posted at the three public places and on the town’s website.

 

Minutes 

A motion was made by Ken Jax, seconded by Keith Korbein, to approve the minutes from the September and October meetings.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Bank Reconciliation 

The reconciliation was read aloud and placed on file for audit.

 

Checks 

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Tamaya Loewe, to approve checks 13871-13911 and efts totaling $8,746.07.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Assessor’s Presentation

Claude Riglemon presented information on legislative changes to personal property (improvements on leased land).  The Department of Revenue has not given best practice guidance on how to implement the changes.  It is Claude’s recommendation that the town pass an ordinance for parking and permit fees which would tie personal property to the real estate it is on.

 

Snow Plowing Policy

A motion was made by Ken Jax, seconded by Ray Feldman, to update the Snow Plowing Policy to include information regarding yards being maintained in the town right of way.  A roll call vote was taken:  Loewe – Y, Korbein – Y , Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Truck Purchase

The current pick-up truck has rusted badly and needs repairs. In place of spending money in repairs a new truck was located by Rudig’s.  The truck is a 2013 Ford F-150 has 104,000 miles and would cost $19,523. 

 Financing options would include adding the cost to the existing equipment loan which would increase the interest rate from 2.68% to 7.5%, or taking out a new loan for just the truck at 7.5% and leaving the existing loan at 2.68%.  Because a new loan payment was not a part of the 2024 budget it would not be an option and increasing the interest rate on the equipment loan would not be favorable to the town.  The Bank of Mauston has offered the following payment option:  a reversal of a principal payment of $11,100 that was paid earlier in 2023 to the equipment loan, and the deferral of the December 2023 loan payments for the equipment and road loans totaling $8,745.80.  This totals $19,845.80.  The difference between these amounts and the cost of the truck would be used to place graphics on the truck doors. 

A motion was made by Ray Feldman, seconded by Ken Jax, to approve the purchase of a 2013 Ford F-150 in the amount of $19,523.00.  A roll call vote was taken:  Loewe – Y, Korbein – Y , Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

ARPA Money

 A motion was made by Ray Feldman, seconded by Tamaya Loewe, to approve the designation of $24,303.37 in ARPA funds to pay half the balance due to Olympic Builders for work on the park.  A roll call vote was taken:  Loewe – Y, Korbein – Y , Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Resolution 2023-9 Amending the 2023 Budget

A motion was made by Ken Jax, seconded by Keith Korbein, to approve Resolution 2023-9 Amending the 2023 Budget.  A roll call vote was taken:  Loewe – Y, Korbein – Y , Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

New Lisbon Fire Contract

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Tamaya Loewe, to approve the New Lisbon Fire contract for 2024 in the amount of $89,195.20.  A roll call vote was taken:  Loewe – Y, Korbein – Y , Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Plat of Sand Point PUD

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Ken Jax, to approve the submitted plats of Sand Point PUD.  A roll call vote was taken:  Loewe – Y, Korbein – Y , Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Operator’s License

A motion was made by Gregg Haunroth, seconded by Keith Korbein, to postpone consideration of an application made by Logan Williamson pending further information being obtained after a background check.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Public Safety

Christopher Leopold recognized the passing of former Emergency Management Director, Fred Cobbs.

In October there were 15 ambulance calls, 5 fire calls, and 130 calls for law enforcement.

Mauston Ambulance keeps moving forward with the expansion planned for 2024.

 

Roads

Crack filling is completed.  Salt and sand have been delivered.

 

Zoning

There were 9 permits issued in October.  6 permits were for new houses. To date, there have been permits issued for 67 new homes this year.

 

Parks/Hall

No report.

 

Board Reports

Tamaya Loewe – Broad band grant money is still coming into the area.

Keith Korbein – Attended the Wisconsin Towns Association Convention.  Several seminars were attended with subject matters including Shared Revenue, short term rentals, lake districts, cemeteries, and liquor licenses.

Ken Jax –              Also attended Wisconsin Towns Association Convention.  He would like to have the board review and update the employee handbook. 

Ray Feldman –  The County is in the process of doing a wage analysis to ensure they are competitive.

 

Public Comment

A question was raised about the right of way on a cul-de-sac in relation to the snow plowing policy.

 

Adjournment

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Tamaya Loewe, to adjourn at 7:18 p.m.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Susan Ganther

Clerk/Treasurer