MEETING MINUTES
Date Description & Time Location Meeting Status

Town of Dunkirk

Dane County, Wisconsin

Town Board Meeting Minutes

 

March 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.  This the first Town Board meeting following the tornado and strong wind storm of March 5, 2022.  There was significant damage but thankfully no loss of life. 

 

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 February 21, 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 $105,195.63. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks.    Motion carried 3-0.

 

5.  Public Comment:     None. 

 

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:   No report.            

 

8.  Road Crew:  (1)   Jim Alme came and worked three days to trim trees on Tower Drive.  (2) Signs will be placed on Barberry to allow traffic flow to assist the City of Stoughton. 

 

9.  Constable Report:  None. 

 

10.  Plan Commission Report:  None.

 

11.  Rural Preservation Commission Report.  The Commission continues to meet regularly.  They have recommended three parcels to the Town Board (see New Business (a).)

 

12.  Complaints:      None.

 

13.  Unfinished Business: 

 

a.     Discussion and necessary action on audio/visual system for

Town Hall using ARPA money.  The Town has received three bids to install new audio/visual system in the Town Hall.  This will assist the Town in presenting documents, maps, etc. during all Town meetings.  It will increase residents’ abilities to attend by computer and hear the meetings.  Supervisor Olson state a motion to approve the bid of Fearings Electronics in the amount of $21,127.49 and a motion to spend no more than $22,000 to sign this bid and purchase an additional computer to run the equipment.  Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks.  Motion carried 3-0.   

 

b.    Discussion and necessary action on amending the Town’s Land

Use Plan.  Bill Delehanty stated the Commission is looking at adding four items to the Land Use Plan amendments (splits, solar farm ordinance, Rural Preservation Program language and updating the maps and zoning on McComb Road).  Delehanty questioned the Town Board whether the update on McComb Road would be rezoned commercial or residential.  Currently the parcels are split between the two.  The Town Board will have a joint meeting with the Plan Commission on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the McFarland Meadows parcel on McComb Road.

 

c.     Discussion and necessary action on updating Town’s Employee

Handbook.  The Board has a special meeting scheduled on March 8, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. to make amendments to the handbook. 

 

14.    New Business:

 

a.    Discussion and necessary action on Rural Preservation

Commission recommendation to move forward with negotiations on the following properties: 1) Francis C Long Rev. Trust; 2) Sandford S Quayle & Joyce M. Brehm Living Trust; and 3) Ellen Meany.  Supervisor Olson stated a motion for the Rural Preservation Commission to move forward with the Long, Quayle/Brehm and Meany parcels.  Motion was seconded by Supervisor Jenks.  At a special meeting prior to the Town Board meeting the Rural Preservation Commission advised how the Commission ranked the properties and came to their final three recommendations.  The next step will be to have the parcels assessed.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

b.    Discussion and necessary action on participation in Dane County

Cities and Villages and Dane County Towns’ email listserv.  The Clerk advised these two entities have created a listserv that will allow municipalities to network.  They will only allow one Board member to receive the emails.  Supervisor Olson stated he will receive the emails. 

 

c.    Discussion and necessary action on emergency declaration and

debris clean up following a severe storm and tornado in the Town.  Chairman Monsen spoke with Governor Evers today who called to express his concern for the damage to our residents’ properties.  The Amera farm sustained extensive damage and have had to bring in heavy equipment to remove damaged buildings on posted roads.  Supervisor Olson stated a motion to declare a State of Emergency for the straight line winds and tornado that occurred on March 5, 2022.  The Town received an email from Brett Hebert regarding having the Town use their site and pay for toward the chipping costs.  Bothum indicated they plan to gather brush from the Town residents starting tomorrow and have the brush site open from 7 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Sunday.  Bothum will place a sign directing Town residents to our brush site. 

 

d.    Discussion and necessary action on joint purchase of Bobcat.

After 2022, Bobcat will be discontinuing municipal incentives.  Supervisor Olson stated a motion to purchase a Bobcat jointly with the Town of Rutland.  Motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson.  Motion carried 3-0. 

 

15.  Future agenda items. 

 

16.  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 03/21/2022

Melanie Huchthausen, Clerk

 

Attachments:

List of attendees

Copy of Bills

Copy of agenda for March 7, 2022 meeting

Copy of Treasurer’s Report