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Town of Dunkirk
Dane County, Wisconsin
Town Board Meeting Minutes
February 7, 2022
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, Public Works Director 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 January 17, 2022. 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 $34,159.93. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Motion carried 3-0.
5. Public Comment: (1) Jeanne Schwass-Long attended the Commission on Aging meeting and provided her report. The Senior Center has cut back on their services due to Covid. The Center continues with their fundraising activities. It is the 50th year of the Senior Center and they are hoping to hold a celebration. Finally, the Senior Center does a meal once a week and they are excellent. (2) Dean and Dawn Stronach were in attendance. They would like to take over the right-of-way for Fossum Court, and maintain the roadway. This is the road that leads to their house. Chairman Monsen stated the other resident on the road (Thayer Every) would require an easement. The Stronach have been working with an attorney and the other resident would eventually have to access his property from Hogie Road. The Clerk would have to determine how the Town should proceed. Every would need to obtain a new address and change all of his personal information. (3) Sharon Mason-Boersma was in attendance and is running for Mayor of the City of Stoughton with an election in April. Sharon provided information regarding herself and her vision for the City. She asked for concerns from the township. Chairman Monsen questioned Ms. Mason-Boersma her thoughts on the whitewater park. Monsen advised Sharon that the priority of the Township is to preserve its rural landscape and to not have it annexed to the City. Sharon stated she will work with the townships to have open lines of communication.
6. Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer Smithback gave the treasurer's report, a copy of which is attached and made a part of these minutes. Supervisor Jenks stated a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson. Motion carried 3-0.
7. Clerk's Report: Clerk Huchthausen gave the Clerk’s report, a copy of which is attached and made a part of these minutes. Supervisor Olson stated a motion to approve the Clerk’s Report. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Motion carried 3-0.
8. Road Crew: (1) The speed limit has been posted on Roberts Street. (2) They build a cart for the Town tables. (3) They have been performing maintenance on the vehicles and trimming trees.
9. Constable Report: None.
10. Plan Commission Report: They meet on Wednesday night and will be considering the CUP petition from Fort Littlegreen, as well as having a pre application conference with a person who would like to build a home along the river near Tarreyton.
11. Rural Preservation Commission Report. The Commission continues to meet regularly. They will be meeting with the Township next week to discuss splits.
12. Complaints: None.
13. Unfinished Business:
a. Discussion and necessary action on audio/visual system for
Town Hall using ARPA money. Fearing’s Audio, Video and Security prepared a proposal for the Town. They will provide and install a web conferencing solution, overhead audio, and a display to conduct town hall meetings for a better overall user experience. This will be equivalent to what the Town of Cottage Grove has, which is very nice. Supervisor Jenks questioned whether another bid should be obtained. Supervisor Olson stated the Town of Cottage Grove could not find another provider. The cost for the scope of work is $21,127.49. Chairman Monsen stated the Town should obtain another bid. Supervisor Olson and Jenks will solicit bids to be to the Clerk by February 28th and the Town Board will award them at their first meeting in March.
b. Discussion and necessary action on agreement with the City of
Stoughton regarding Velkommen Way. The Board will meet with Mayor Swadley and Planning Director Rodney Scheel on February 14, 2022, at 3:30 p.m.
c. Discussion and necessary action on Memorandum of Agreement
Between the Dunkirk Dam Lake District, the Town of Dunkirk, and Groundswell Conservancy, Inc. (Adler Property). Laura Davis was in attendance to discuss donation of the Adler Property to the Town. This property is south of the dam. Groundswell will attempt to acquire the property on behalf of the Lake District and Town through a grant, and then donate said property to the Town. As of January 13, 2022, Groundswell has made an offer to the Adler Family, subject to a number of conditions. The Adlers have requested the Town place a bench in memory of the current owners’ father and grandfather. The Lake District is committed to pursue future grants for preparing the land to be publically accessible. The Lake District will also prepare the Land Management Plan. Laura Davis will be heading up a stewardship committee to work together to develop the site. The committee will be no more than five people. The Lake District has already budgeted money to improve the property, including trash cans, picnic tables, etc. Supervisor Jenks stated a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Dunkirk Dam Lake District, the Town of Dunkirk, and Groundswell Conservancy, Inc. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson. Motion carried 3-0.
14. New Business:
a. Discussion and necessary action on joint purchases of a concrete
saw with the Towns of Rutland and Dunn. Bothum advised with Asleson’s ceasing their rental business, the Towns wish to purchase a concrete saw for when the Towns install culverts. Each Town will own their own blade. The cost to the Town, with blade, will cost $1,000. Supervisor Olson stated a motion to spend up to $1,000 on a co-owned concrete saw. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Chairman Monsen questioned who will be carry the insurance and Bothum stated he will make sure it is insured.
b. Discussion and necessary action on amending the Town’s Land
Use Plan. Plan Commission Chairman Bill Delehanty stated the Land Use Plan needs to be amended pursuant to a request from a potential buyer. Revision is to be include a small area within the northwest part of Dunkirk Township. This revision will reflect more accurately the current usage, future potential land usage, and have minimal impact on neighboring properties. Some parcels are currently residential and will be revised from commercial to residential. One parcel has an undesired dual zoning, which will become all commercial. Another parcel will be future commercial to be consistent, yet remain residential until then. Some parcels shall be redrawn out of the Town of Dunkirk, as they have been annexed by the City of Stoughton and the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation. This area of revision now has an appearance of being a ‘town island,’ as much of the surrounding area has been annexed by or has a large presence by the City of Stoughton. The Future Land Use Map by the City of Stoughton is remarkably similar to this revision being presented by the Town of Dunkirk. The Clerk has spoken with Majid Allen at Dane County Zoning and has also reviewed the Land Use Plan. There are many steps which the Plan Commission and the Board need to perform before the Plan can be amended. Majid Allen recommends the Town revise its Plan to include many items, not just this one item.
c. Discussion and necessary action on updating Town’s Employee
Handbook. At the request of Supervisor Jenks, resident Luann Alme has prepared a comprehensive Employee Handbook for the Town. Each Town Board member will review the Handbook and the Board will discuss it at their meeting on February 14, 2022.
d. Discussion and necessary action on compensating Rural
Preservation Commissioners. Supervisor Jenks stated it is his opinion the Commissioners should be compensated at the same rate as the Plan Commission members ($35 a meeting). Supervisor Olson questioned whether they have kept good minutes to account for past meetings. They will not be paid for the previous year, as it will be a tax problem. Supervisor Olson stated a motion to pay the commission members $200 one-time payment plus $35 per meeting beginning on January 1, 2022. The Chairman, secretary and computer technician (Richard Barton) will receive a $300 one-time payment plus $35 per meeting beginning on January 1, 2022. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Motion carried 3-0.
15. Future agenda items.
16. Adjournment: No further business, Supervisor Olson stated a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks. Motion carried 3-0.
Submitted 02/21/2022
Melanie Huchthausen, Clerk
Attachments:
List of attendees
Copy of Bills
Copy of agenda for February 7, 2022 meeting
Copy of Clerk’s Report
Copy of Treasurer’s Report
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