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Town of Dunkirk
Dane County, Wisconsin
Town Board Meeting Minutes
May 18, 2020
7:00 PM
Dunkirk Town Hall
654 County Highway N
Chairman Monsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Also present were Supervisor Ted Olson, Supervisor Daniel Jenks, Constable Greg Holte, and Clerk Melanie Huchthausen. See attached sign-in sheet for others present.
1. Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge was led by Constable Greg Holte. Due to the corona virus, the Board was six feet apart for social distancing.
2. Approval of Agenda. Supervisor Olson stated a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Motion carried 3-0.
3. Minutes: Chairman Monsen asked if everyone read the minutes. Supervisor Jenks stated a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 4, 2020. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson. Motion carried 3-0.
4. Report on Bills: Supervisor Olson stated a motion to accept and approve the bills payable in the amount $26,816.80 Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Motion carried 3-0.
5. Public Comment: None.
6. Clerk's Report: Clerk Huchthausen gave the Clerk’s Report, a copy of which is attached. Supervisor Jenks stated a motion to approve the Clerk’s Report. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson. Motion carried 3-0.
7. Road Crew: None.
8. Constable Report: (1) Holte received a call from Travis Martinson regarding youth driving trucks in the field on Sam Miles Road. A City of Stoughton Police Department Officer responded and stated it was out of their jurisdiction. Holte recommended Martinson contact Dane County Sheriff if they see the truck again. (2) He has attempted to contact Scott Schroeckenthaler regarding the V&B Property on US Highway 51 without results. The Clerk emailed Dane County Zoning regarding the matter.
9. Plan Commission Report. The Plan Commission met on May 13, 2020. They heard the Petition of Robert Lange. Mr. Lange is planning on amending his Petition, so no action was taken. They also discussed amending the Land Use Plan to include language regarding the Purchase of Development Rights Program. The Commission recommended unanimous approval of the language.
10. Complaints: None.
11. Unfinished Business:
a. Discussion and necessary action on Tower Drive culvert issues.
The Clerk has not had a response from AT&T, nor Digger’s Hotline. Todd Klahn, Highway Superintendent from the Town of Dunn, came out and viewed the location. The Board has requested a written statement from Todd and the Road Crew. Todd indicated to the Clerk that the inlet is higher than the outlet. Paul Tyler called Digger’s Hotline and they responded. They indicated the fiber optic cable is a foot east from the pavement and is at least three feet under the culvert. Verizon has underground phone cable 36” east of the culvert. Tyler believes it is the fiber optic company’s problem if we hit it and it has to be replaced. The Digger’s Hotline woman stated the only way to get a hold of Ameritech/AT&T is to call and say you are a contractor ready to dig immediately. Tyler believes it is silting in pretty bad. Tyler has called Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to perform a survey regarding the drop from Tyler’s waterway and the culvert. He has not had a response. He is looking to clean the waterway from Ruben Ring’s fence line to his, and install drain tile. Dale Beske requested information on the installation of the culvert and the road resurfacing, and the Clerk provided. Supervisor Jenks questioned how the water situation is this year. Tyler stated it is better but there are still non-plantable areas. Dale Beske stated this year they continue to lose land that is too wet to plant. Tyler stated since he has purchased the property there has been problems with water, and that is the reason why he did the waterway work. When Tyler performed the transit work, if you go out 10’ from the culvert there is standing water. Beske ran a level and the culvert does sink in the middle. He stated Eric Heggelund from DNR has confirmed that the culvert is too high. Beske also stated he spoke with Greg Peterson from Dane County that did confirm that the Town took out a 72’ culvert and replaced it with a 72’ culvert. The road work documentation indicates that there was a 3” overlay and questions whether the culvert was raised. Supervisor Jenks stated the water is rushing through but looks like it is ponding up east of the culvert because of grass and debris building up. Chairman Monsen stated when you look at the culvert going east, it looks like a jungle of trees and debris. Beske stated the debris cannot be removed until the water is out of there once the culvert is replaced. Chairman Monsen stated Tyler’s waterway is well maintained but the Altemus property has not maintained their tree lines. Tyler acknowledged that the waterway of the Altemus property has not been maintained as it should have. Beske and Tyler maintain the culvert needs to be lowered and that would improve. Supervisor Jenks stated it has been the two wettest years. Tyler stated the biggest problem is there is fiber three feet under the culvert and locating it. The Town will get the report from Todd. Another option is to have an engineer review the culvert and determine if it is too high. Beske stated the problem he has is that NSCS (based on conversations with Dale) will not do a determination on his property and design a waterway until the culvert is fixed. The land is for sale and cannot commit the new property owner will clean out the ditch.
b. Discussion and necessary action on display case for historical
documents. Supervisor Jenks stated a motion to table the display case until 2021. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson. Motion carried 3-0.
c. Discussion and necessary action on appointment of rural
preservation committee. All applications have been received. Interviews will be held when the corona virus concern has passed. The Board met with Groundswell to discuss the preservation rights program. They have come across some Federal monies available for the Town. The Town had to estimate how many farms might participate in the next five years and they Board stated four farms. The Committee needs to be appointed. The Board will review the applications and discuss at a special meeting on May 27, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
d. Discussion and necessary action on EMS Agreement with the City
of Stoughton. No action taken.
e. Discussion and necessary action on refinancing current loan.
The Clerk provided the current interest rates from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. The interest rates at 1.5% lower than our original loan. In order to refinance, the Town must borrow 25% of the remaining balance in order to obtain these lower rates.
12. New Business:
a. Discussion and necessary action on recommendation of Plan
Commission to update Land Use Plan wording regarding the Purchase of Development Rights Program. Supervisor Olson stated a motion to update the language of the Land Use Plan to incorporate language regarding the Purchase of Development Rights Program. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Motion carried 3-0.
b. Discussion and necessary action on revising the Town Hall Use
Policy. The Clerk will speak with the attorney and the insurance company regarding a liability/waiver. Additions will be made to include a liability waiver/release and a paragraph regarding no application of decorations to the walls, ceilings or ceiling fans. The rental fee will also increase to $20.
13. Future Agenda Items.
14. Adjournment: No further business, Supervisor Olson stated a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Motion carried 3-0.
Submitted 06/01/2020
Melanie Huchthausen, Clerk
Attachments:
List of attendees
Copy of Bills
Copy of agenda for May 18, 2020 meeting
Copy of Clerk’s Report
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