MEETING MINUTES
Date Description & Time Location Meeting Status

 Town of Dunkirk

Dane County, Wisconsin

Town Board Meeting Minutes

 

August 16, 2021

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, Treasurer Bonnie Smithback, Road Crew member John Bothum and Clerk Melanie Huchthausen.  See attached sign-in sheet for others present. 

 

1.      Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance.  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Constable. 

 

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 August 2, 2021.  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 $368,519.50. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks.    Motion carried 3-0.

 

5.  Public Comment:  (1)  Jeanne Schwass-Long was in attendance to give her Commission on Aging Report. 

 

6.  Clerk's Report:   Clerk Huchthausen gave the Clerk’s report, a copy of which is attached and made a part of these minutes.  Supervisor Jenks stated a motion to approve the Clerk’s Report.  Motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson.  Motion carried 3-0.        

 

7.  Road Crew:  They are working on the parking lot at the Dam.    

 

8.  Constable Report:  None   

 

9.  Plan Commission Report:  The Plan Commission met last Wednesday.  They had two items on the agenda.  One item was to look into draft solar ordinances.  The other item was to follow-up a pre-application conference.  A gentleman was considering purchasing a commercial lot and have a food waste recycling business.  No action was taken. 

 

10.  Rural Preservation Commission Report.  The Commission is meeting every two weeks.  The Town will be holding a meeting tomorrow night with all landowners of 35 acres or more.  An ad was placed in the newspaper.  Richard Barton stated they have made significant progress on the scoring system and the application.  The scoring system will be adjusted based on the grants that are available. 

 

11.  Complaints:       Chairman Monsen stated Town Attorney Mary Behling advised the Town that she is going to step back from municipal work.  As such, the Town will be looking for a new municipal attorney.    

 

12.  Unfinished Business: 

 

a.     Discussion and necessary action on rural broadband work in the

County.  Supervisor Kate McGinnity and Rural Broadband Committee member and Town resident James Danky were in attendance.  Kate reported that on August 21st is the Dane County Dairy Breakfast at the Hinchley Farm in Christiana.  Harvest Day at Dane County’s Silverwood Park will take place on September 25th.  Dane County Sheriff Barrett is willing to attend an upcoming meeting.  The 15 member Dane County Broadband Task Force has been assembled.  She is pairing with Towns to assist with obtaining reliable broadband.  They are meeting every month and working toward the fall grant cycle.  LTD Broadband were just awarded a large FCC grant for our area.  James Danky stated he is hoping the Task Force and Dane County Towns will assist the Town with preparing the grant application.  Chairman Monsen questioned what the Town can do to position themselves front and center for this grant.  Kate reported the Town is front and center, and Kate and James will make sure that continues. 

 

b.    Discussion and necessary action on river access and working with

Dane County Parks.   Chairman Monsen stated the Road Crew has been working on a new parking lot.  John Bothum stated they have removed some trees, doubled the size of the parking lot and are installing a new gate.  Kate McGinnity advised she will check on the County status.  

 

c.    Discussion and necessary action on solar farm ordinance.  The

Plan Commission Sub-Committee has been working on a draft ordinance, based on sample ordinances they have reviewed.  They have an additional sub-committee meeting on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. 

 

d.    Discussion and necessary action on Rural Preservation

Commission’s additional funding strategies.  The Town will not be taking any action until such time as the Rural Preservation Commission

 

 

13.    New Business:

 

a.   Discussion and necessary action on honoring Kent Falligant on

his 20 years of service to the Town.  Chairman Monsen stated Kent Falligant has been an invaluable member of the Plan Commission for 20 years, and Chairman for eight years.  Kent was recruited by Al Long in 1991.  Kent Falligant stated working with Majid Allen at Dane County Zoning has been a wealth of knowledge and help to Kent.  Kent stated it has been an honor and privilege to work with the Town.    

 

b.   Discussion and necessary action on windows for the Town garage.

John has estimated $1,600 for materials to replace two windows in the Town garage.  He believes it will take approximately two days to complete the work.  Chairman Monsen stated there is money in the garage budget line item.  Supervisor Jenks stated a motion to approve up to $2,500 to install two windows in the Town garage.  Motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson.  Motion carried 3-0.   

 

14.  Future Agenda Items.

 

15.  Adjournment:   No further business, Supervisor Olson stated a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks.  Motion carried 3-0.  

 

Submitted 09/07/2021

Melanie Huchthausen, Clerk

 

Attachments:

List of attendees

Copy of Bills

Copy of agenda for August 16, 2021 meeting

Copy of Clerk’s Report