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November 30, 2009 November 30, 2009 Budget Hearing
Minutes of the November 30, 2009 Public Budget Hearing
As chairperson for the Public Budget Hearing, Supervisor Misiak called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 PM. Those attending were Supervisor Misiak, Supervisor Osfar, Clerk Allis and Treasurer Sell. There were 44 people in the audience.
Supervisor Misiak reported on highlights of the 2010 Proposed Budget:
Expense
1) The single biggest line item increase in 2010 is for road improvements, up $77,000.
2) Debt retirement is up $43,655 for the first installment on the new rescue truck.
3) Equipment reserves for fire, ambulance and highway increase in total $37,000, consistent with
the Board’s desire to build these reserves each year.
4) Road signs are up $10,000 to provide for new sign requirements.
5) The $92,000 library donation rolls over into 2010 and shows as library expense.
6) Lakes Committee reserve increases $8000 in anticipation of potential AIS issues.
7) Election expense is up $6500 primarily on the mandated purchase of a new voting machine.
8) Maintenance and repair expenses for the community building/library are increased $8000.
9) The 2010 budget for the Fire Department and Ambulance has not changed.
Revenue
1) Equipment expense of $125,000 for a new truck in 2009 is removed from the 2010 budget.
2) Intergovernmental revenues primarily from the state in 2010 are down $20,000 from the 2009 budget.
The audience was given time to look over the budget before questions and answers.
Areas of the budget that were discussed:
Community Building – increase of $8000, for repairs and maintenance. A study committee will be set-up to study the library in terms of maintenance and historical preservation. There are structural, heating and roof concerns. The study committee will be making a recommendation to the Town Board regarding these concerns.
Park – the monies are used for general maintenance, playground equipment, etc. There is a concern regarding the concrete floor in the new pavilion and there is a desire to put concrete on the outside between the pavilion and where the grill area is and where the potential new beverage area will be placed.
Salaries – 2-3% contingency for salary increases for the town employees (town crew and recycling attendant).
Library – increased library 2.7% and librarian salary 2.8%. The Library Board makes the decision regarding the librarian salary increase.
Road & Fire Signs – increased because of the new requirements.
Library Addition – last year it was requested to list this as a reserve.
Lakes Committee – increased because of the AIS. Harris Lake has the curly leaf pond weed, but the amount is not enough to consider treatment.
Supervisor Misiak stated the meeting notices were published in the Lakeland Times on November 13, 2009 and November 27, 2009 and posted in the four places throughout the town.
It was asked what the monies from the sale of the town land was used for or what it will be used for.
A portion of the monies received from the sale of the town land has been used to pay off the loan for the purchase of the 40 acres on County Road W from Plum Creek - $75,000 plus interest. The remainder of the monies is part of the carryover.
Supervisor Misiak closed the public hearing at 7:35 PM.
Minutes of the November 30, 2009 Special Town Meeting of the Electors
Supervisor Misiak called the Special Town Meeting of the Electors to order at 7:35 PM.
Roger Miller made a motion to approve the agenda. Phil Williams seconded and the motion carried.
Unanimous voice vote.
Marjean Schuelke made a motion to approve the highway expenditures of $556,800.00. Dave Munson seconded and the motion carried. A hand vote was taken: yes – 37, no – 0, abstained – 6, one person not a resident of Winchester.
Gary Allis made a motion to approve the 2009 Town Tax Levy of $618,652.38 to be paid in 2010. Jerry Ghiloni seconded and the motion carried. A hand vote was taken: yes – 38, no – 0, abstained – 5, one person not a resident of Winchester.
Rob Schmidt, Jr. reported on a possible grant for the new library. The grant would come from the Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant for Public Facility. If we would accept the grant, the project must be started within 90 days of the acceptance. The grant will pay 50% of the project cost. It would include the furnishings, building, landscaping and parking lot. The town offices would not be included. The town would have to pay for the offices separately. In order to get the grant the Town Board would be responsible for the difference. We already have $91,000 and if we get $200,000 from the grant, the town would be responsible for approximately $94,000. Rob stated in working with a number of grant foundations and individuals in the past 6-8 months, the people want to know when the project is going to start and when will it be finished. They want to know this before they will donate to the project. Rob is asking for permission from the town’s people for the Town Board to send the grant to the Wisconsin Department of Commerce for the Public Facilities Grant knowing that sometime in the future we would have to possibly use town funds for the other $94,000. Rob stated if we would get the grant, there are individuals that would be willing to contribute to the fund. The grant must be applied for by January 2, 2010. There is a 60 day turn around, 30 days to accept the grant and 90 days to start the project.
Supervisor Misiak stated at the 2007 Annual Meeting there was a vote to use only private funding for the new library. This is technically called reconsideration of a vote. To revote at that vote it needs to be posted. In order for us to vote on this, we need to publish a Special Town Meeting and identify it as an agenda item as the reconsideration of the vote of 2007 regarding public funding for the new library. Also, the previously Board, last year at this meeting passed a motion that if any public monies were to be used for the new library that an advisory referendum should be at an election. Given those two constraints, and fully understanding Rob’s time constraints Supervisor Misiak sees no way that a vote today can be in order. There could be an informational show of hands. The question is, is the town willing to commit to some amount of monies that will be tax monies to match whatever amount of monies that the grant will provide. The grant is a 50-50 match.
Marjean Schuelke stated if you apply for the grant, you do not necessarily need to accept it. She also asked about sending out pledge letters.
Supervisor Misiak stated it is his judgment, as acting chairman, that 1) we cannot vote on this tonight, and 2) there is a motion by this Board that any such decision should require an advisory public referendum.
Supervisor Misiak stated the Board would decide when the special election for the advisory referendum would be held. Having the special election in February when a great many of the residents are not here also seems counter to the intent of having as many people involved in this discussion and vote as possible. He is not sure that the Board is anxious to have an early election. He thinks the Board is inclined to want to get as much participation as possible and that would probably suggest a referendum in June or July. This is Supervisor Misiak’s position until the Board meets and discusses it further.
Rob Schmidt, Jr. asked if he is to write a grant. Supervisor Misiak replied Rob cannot write a grant based on what he has already described as above. This item will be put on the December 7, 2009 Monthly Town Board Meeting agenda.
Gary Allis made a motion to have an advisory vote as to how the people feel about building the new library and securing the grant with matching funds. Judy Haberman seconded and the motion carried.
A hand vote was taken: yes – 31, no – 7, abstained – 5, one person cannot vote – not a resident of Winchester.
Dave Munson made a motion to adjourn. Rob Schmidt, Jr. seconded and the motion carried.
Voice vote – unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Minutes of the November 30, 2009 Special Town Board Meeting
Supervisor Misiak called the meeting to order at 8:25 PM. Those attending were Supervisor Misiak, Supervisor Osfar, Clerk Allis and Treasurer Sell.
Supevisor Osfar made a motion to approve the agenda at the discretion of the chairman. Supervisor Misiak seconded and the motion carried.
Supervisor Osfar made a motion to approve the 2010 Budget as printed. Supervisor Misiak seconded and the motion carried.
Supervisor Misiak made a motion to approve the 2009 Tax Levy of $618,652.38 payable in 2010. Supervisor Osfar seconded and the motion carried.
Supervisor Misiak stated the grant application for the new library will be added to the December 7, 2009 Monthly Town Board Meeting agenda.
Rick Clem discussed the community building/library study committee’s duties. He stated the Town Board needs to pass a resolution to establish this committee. Supervisor Misiak made a motion to establish a resolution to form a committee to do a feasibility study of the Community Building and investigate historical buildings of the Town of Winchester. Supervisor Osfar seconded and the motion carried.
Supervisor Misiak made a motion to establish the committee members for the Feasibility Study Committee for the Community Building and Historical Buildings of the Town of Winchester to include: Rich Clem, Chairman; members – Phil Williams, Chuck Peters, Rolf Ethun, Ann Wilson and Marge Engel. Supervisor Osfar seconded and the motion carried.
Rick Clem will have the Community Building checked by the state inspectors in January. Supervisor Misiak stated it is the Board’s responsibility to see if the Community Building is safe for occupancy.
The town Christmas lights are very old and some are unable to be repaired. It was suggested we get new Christmas lights. Supervisor Misiak priced new lights and they are in the range of $400-800 each. The town has fourteen Christmas lights and twelve of them need replacing. Supervisor Osfar made a motion to table any further discussion until the January 4, 2010 Monthly Town Board Meeting. Supervisor Misiak seconded and the motion carried.
Supervisor Osfar made a motion to adjourn. Supervisor Misiak seconded and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Allis
Town Clerk
Archive:
January 16, 2012 Special Town Board Meeting Minutes
January 3, 2012 Monthly Meeting Minutes
December 27, 2011 Special Town Board Meeting/Meeting of Electors
December 5, 2011 Monthly Meeting Minutes
November 7, 2011 Monthly Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2011 Special Town Board Meeting Minutes
October 26, 2011 Monthly Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2011 Special Town Board Meeting
October 3, 2011 Monthly Meeting
October 3, 2011 Monthly Meeting