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February 11, 2008 Monthly Board Meeting
Town of Fox Lake Monthly Board Meeting Monday, February 11, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Wagner called the Town Board meeting to order with 5 officers present, John Lehman absent, and 11 other citizens. The next monthly meeting will be March 10, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. The Fox Lake Fire Association will meet Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, February 19, 2008 with the polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Town officers will attend the WTA District Meeting at Ripon on Saturday, February 23, 2008. Supervisor Babros made a motion seconded by Supervisor Wissing to accept the minutes of the Town Board Meeting of January 14, 2008. All in favor motion carried. The Treasurer’s report as of January 31, 2008 showed receipts for January, 2008 of $32,270.01, transfer from the Tax Savings Account of $1,485,881.96, transfer from the Municipal Court Savings Account of $4,421.80 and disbursements of $1,712,241.45, with a balance in the regular checking account of $116,280.95. The LGIPF account had interest receipts for January, 2008 of $650.46 with a balance of $189,432.52. The Tax Savings Account had receipts of tax payments of $1,607,564.47 and a transfer to regular checking of $1,485,881.96 with a balance of $986,007.65. The Municipal Court Savings Account had an opening balance of $6,011.33, assessments deposited of $797.40 and a transfer to regular checking of $4,421.80 with a balance of $2,386.93. Supervisor Streich made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Babros to accept the Treasurer’s report. All in favor motion carried. Chairman Wagner had communications from Centurytel and Adams-Columbia Electric requesting blanket approval for the installation of lines in the Town road right-of-ways. The Town Board concurred that such approval should be granted provided that a statement is added that “all lines shall be placed within the road right-of-way at the greatest distance from the roadway and under any existing culverts. Chairman Wagner also received the annual joint powers agreement from the Dodge County Sheriff Department and he will sign and return it. Julie Keach from the Waupun Area School District Referendum Parents Group presented information about the reason for the April 1, 2008 referendum asking that the District be allowed to exceed the state imposed revenue cap by $10,000,000 over the next four years, 2008-09 through 2011-12. The additional funds would be used for operational expenses ($8,000,000) and building maintenance ($2,000,000). The average cost for a property owner with a property valued at $100,000 would be $208 per year. Ms. Keach and John Zegers were available to answer questions. Ted Kahlow stated that a previous referendum had been defeated by a margin of 2 to 1 and further stated that the homes in the Town of Fox Lake far exceed a value of $100,000 and the average cost would most likely be $600 to $1,000 per year if the referendum were to pass. Louis Leizinger commented that the volunteers should be utilized to install the barriers around aerator systems. Town Board reaction was that if an immediate response was required for this task then the Town would need to employ persons who could be directed to complete the task by a deadline. Armond Alsteen reported to the Board that in addition to himself the volunteers who helped install the barriers on Fox Lake were Frank Sadler, Bill Minnema, George Rozanski, Buck Hollnagel and Bill Chapman. The public hearing on the resolution for the road discontinuance and conveyance to Grace Klug and Adam Smith was opened at 8:00 p.m. J. Timothy Lovett, attorney for Grace Klug, addressed the Town Board and presented a letter to be included in the official minutes. Mr. Lovett stated that the allocation process being considered by the Town Board “does not comport with the allocation requirements of the law”. He requested that the resolution before the Board be amended to allocate all included parcels (C, D, E, F) to Grace Klug and direct the two other owners involved to obtain certified surveys and then request the Town Board to award the identified parcels to those owners. In his opinion, the Town Board would then be in conformance with the law. Supervisor Streich made a motion seconded by Supervisor Wissing to reconsider the resolution of January 14, 2008. All in favor motion carried. Supervisor Streich then made a motion that the Town retain the roadway in question but no second was received. Supervisor Babros made a motion to table the resolution until additional input could be provided by Mr. Okon. All in favor motion carried. The public hearing was concluded at 8:15 p.m. Officer Mosher provided the Board with the Police report. In January, 2008 the police officers worked 112.5 hours, responded to 11 complaints, assisted others 6 times, issued 1 warning and 3 citations, and assisted 5 motorists. Officer Mosher also informed the Board that the radio in the squad was no longer operable and a replacement radio was purchased from the Randolph Police Department for $150.00 and a compatible siren was purchased for $136.00 with the cost for installation of these items unknown at this time. Roads concerns expressed included continuing complaints by Armond Alsteen about the end of Chief Kuno Trail and Ted Kahlow questioned the parking of vehicles to close to the roadway at the old Green Bell. In response to a letter from Dodge County, the Town Board agreed to use the County to perform bridge inspections. Martin Walker on Shorecrest Drive would like the Town to investigate an alleged drainage problem on his property; the Roads Committee will contact him and address this issue in spring, 2008. Armond Alsteen stated that the aerators are operating on both lakes and provided a report on the oxygen levels on both Lake Emily and Fox Lake. Oxygen levels should be improving. He asked if the installation of timers to turn the aerator compressors on and off might be considered and he also volunteered to remove the barricades in the spring and to install the barricades again next year, 2008-09. A request from Dave Frie to remove snow from his property at the end of Dunn Road was received and the snow was removed this past week. Mr. Frie would like the Board to revisit his request regarding the barricade at the end of Dunn Road, Supervisors Streich and Wissing will contact him in spring. Supervisor Wissing made a motion seconded by Supervisor Babros to support the Fox Lake Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District request for funds from DNR Lake Management grants for follow-up monitoring on Cambra, Alto and Drew creeks and to prepare an environmental assessment for Fox Lake to address the feasibility and risk of a Spring Aluminum Sulfate treatment. All in favor motion carried. Supervisor Wissing made a motion seconded by Supervisor Babros to support an application by the Lake Emily Fishing Improvement Club for a grant to fund an aquatic plant management plan. All in favor motion carried. Supervisor Babros made motion seconded by Supervisor Wissing to issue an operators license to Pene L. Haffele. All in favor motion carried. Supervisor Babros made a motion seconded by Supervisor Wissing to pay bills subject to audit. All in favor motion carried. Supervisor Wissing made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Babros to adjourn. All in favor motion carried. Edwin W. Benter Town Clerk/Treasurer