Town of Germantown

Town of Germantown

Regular Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2025

 

 

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

Absent:            Supervisor Ray Feldman, Clerk/Treasurer Susan Ganther

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:49pm at the town hall.

 

Verification of Posting

Posting was verified by Michaele Korbein.

 

Mauston School District presentation

Jack Hammer presented information in support of the Mauston School District referendum and answered several questions from the public on it.

 

Minutes

A motion was made by Tamay Loewe, seconded by Keith Korbein, to approve the January 14, 2025 Board meeting minutes.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Bank Reconciliation

These were read and placed on file for the yearly audit.

 

Vouchers and Checks
A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Tamaya Loewe, to approve general fund checks 14573-14616 totaling $496,484.37, tax account checks 1582-1586 totaling $4,635,686.18.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Discussion and possible approval of Resolution 2025-1 adding land to Sanitary District 1

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Ken Jax, to approve Resolution 2025-1 to add parcels 290122261.01 and 290122261.02 into the O’Dell’s Bay Sanitary District.  A roll call vote was held: Tamaya – Y, Keith – Y, Gregg – Y, Ken – Y.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Discussion and possible approval of quote for vinyl floor base in the town hall

Capaul’s provided a quote for vinyl floor base that previously was not part of the carpet quote at $3.82/LF for a total of $1375.20.  Carpet cost was being covered by ARPA funds; but the cost for this base would have to be from the budget. No other quotes were gotten as when Capaul’s would remove the old base to do the carpet install, they would be responsible for repairing any damaged walls under the old base before installing the new base.  A motion was made by Ken Jax,  seconded by Keith Korbein, to approve the quote for vinyl floor base.  Motion passed 4/0.

 

Discussion and possible approval of Resolution 2025-2 Amending the budget

A motion was made by Tamaya Loewe, seconded by Ken Jax, to approve Resolution 2025-2 amending the budget.  A roll call vote was held: Tamaya – Y, Keith – Y, Gregg – Y, Ken – Y.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Operator’s License

None

 

     Committee Reports:

Emergency Management

The Germantown helicopter landing site is used quite frequently so would like to keep it in Germantown.  Gundersen Air inspected the possible new location.  Trying to get donations for gravel/sealcoat/sand to move to the new site.

Currently the Ambulance crews are two people short.

Also, they hope all stay safe due to the winter storms and snow coming this week.

 

Roads

The Public Works crew will do their best to remove the 1-3” of snow forecast for tonight.

 

Zoning Administrator

2025 permit totals are:  5 permits issued, of which 4 were for new homes.

 

Parks/Town Hall

Nothing new.

 

     Board Reports

-Tamaya Loewe

-Keith Korbein             Tamya and Keith both attended the WTA Board of Review training.  Prior to the actual training, the WTA provided updates on top items of concern in the state that included transportation funding per mile, stop gap funding for culverts, public safety/fire/EMS funding and extending levy limits for EMS funding, land use intergovernmental collaboration regarding property rights, and town law reform housekeeping.

 

-Ken Jax                                   Nothing new.

 

-Gregg Haunroth                     Looking at putting up a gate to better monitor/control items being placed in the brush dump.  This is due to 400 pounds of metal that was found in the brush and landscaping debris that was brought in.  Metal is hazardous to the machines chipping the brush, which can injure operators during chipping, causing bodily and machine damage.

They are looking at having set hours for it and an attendant, along with better signage to tell what can be dumped and the proper area to place it in because once it is deposited, it is hard to move it around.

The five new home construction building permits issued so far this year are at a higher rate with GEC.  He called the Town’s previous building inspector who said they would charge more than what GEC is now charging.

He has had no response from Senator Marklein on taxes since he is on the State Finance Committee.  He also reached out to our other representatives but has not had a response from them yet either.

 

Public Comment

Question about posting building permits which should be done as per state law, but some have observed this is not being done.  They could ask the building inspector to check this.

One member did not think there was much police presence last summer and hoped there would be more this summer.

Another asked about when the 911/address signs are put up.  Dick Martin noted when landscaping is done to prevent damaging them and doing it twice.  Until then, owners have to put up their own temporary signs.

Concerns were made on how to curb outside grass/debris coming into the brush dump from outside contractors who do work for Germantown owners as well as others who are outside of Germantown.

Someone noted they would like a note about meeting times posted on Facebook.

Question about what roads are scheduled to be worked on this year.  Dick Martin noted this is something they will not know until the find out the cost of materials, review the road evaluation, and then figure out how to best use the funds available. 

Question on when County G will be done; this is not on the County’s radar currently.  Currently they are rebuilding County O from Mauston to Reedsburg.

 

Adjourn

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Tamaya Loewe, to adjourn at 7:57 pm.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Michaele Korbein, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer