Meetings for October 2, 2007, October 8, 2007 and October 22, 2007.

OCTOBER 2, 2007               Special Joint Village and Town Board Meeting                             7:00 p.m.

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., with Gary Beck, Mike Weinkauf and Paul Beere present from the Town Board; and Chris Denman, Dean Stapleton, Russ Kumbier, Jim Henning, Mark Tamblyn and Dave Pattengale present from the Village Board.  Village Trustee Bill Weidert was absent.  Betty Novy, Clerk-Treasurer (Town and Village), was also present.

Rochester Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co 2008 Budget Proposal

Dick Bosworth, Fire Chief, and Mike Kempken, Treasurer, presented Town and Village Boards with their 2006-2007 annual report and 2008-2009 budget proposal.  Jim Nickel also represented the Fire Company.

The 2006-2007 annual report contained the following statistics:

The budget request for 2008 - 2009 was $113,375.00 in anticipated expenses minus (-) $12,450 in anticipated revenues ($102,950).  This represents a -1.9% decrease from the 2007 funding proposal.

A truck replacement schedule was included with budget materials.  Replacement of a 1988 Grass Rig was scheduled for 2008.  Chief Bosworth indicated rig replacement can safely be delayed two more years. 

Rochester Public Library 2008 Budget proposal

Beverly Jensen, President of the Library Board, introduced Library Board members who were present (as follows):  Rachel Bennett, Arlouene Mulvey, Jill Haubrich, Wendy Ela and Cara Rogers.  Board member Jenny Wegener was absent.  Mary Stapleton, Library Director; was also present.

Beverly Jensen presented annual circulation data through August, for 2007 and previous years.   Through August 2007, the library circulated 25,153 items.  In comparison, circulation for January through August of 2006 was at 22,669 items.  A pie chart showed circulation by municipality.  25% of these materials were checked out by Village of Rochester residents; 31% by Town of Rochester residents; 21% by Waterford residents; and 14% by Burlington residents.  The remaining 9% was classified “other”, meaning residents of other Racine County municipalities.

Mary Stapleton presented the library’s 2008 budget proposal.   The overall budget showed a 2.5% increase from 2007.  The Lakeshores Resource Grant increased by over $2,000.  Proposed funding increases totaled $1,681 for the Town of Rochester; and $1,100 from the Village of Rochester.  Gas and electric amounts were questioned.  Mary reported utility budgets were increased to reflect the projected increases by WE Energies.  Payroll expenses are up; a new staff member was added to cover additional morning hours through the fall and winter months. 

Mary reported the Waterford High School linked its digital catalog to the Lakeshores System this year, providing catalog access to all Lakeshores Library collections at the school through the inter-library loan program.  In turn, library subscribers now have access to materials in the school’s library.  The Burlington High School was already linked.  Twenty more library collections were added into the inter-library loan system this past year by merging Mid-Wisconsin Library System collections with the Lakeshores Library System digital catalog. 

OCTOBER 2, 2007               Special Joint Village and Town Board Meeting                             7:00 p.m.

Mary reported six computers available for public use at the library, with a planned purchase of four laptops before the end of the year.    Wireless access is available in the library and on the grounds.  Patrons will not be allowed to take the laptops out of the building.   The trend in library usage is towards providing public access to the internet.  Mary is encouraging the Lakeshores Library System to buy into more online databases.

Motion made by Beck seconded by Kumbier to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.   Motion carried.

Submitted by:

Betty J. Novy, CMC

Clerk-Treasurer

OCTOBER 8, 2007                           REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                        6:00 p.m.

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. with Gary Beck, Paul Beere and Mike Weinkauf present.

Betty Novy, Clerk-Treasurer, Christopher Birkett, Public Works Supervisor, and John Tierney, Engineer, were also present.

Pledge of Allegiance. 

Public hearing on an application to operate a gravel pit on English Settlement Avenue, more specifically the south 300 feet of tax parcel 014031912002000 (1042 English Settlement Avenue); and tax parcel 014031913002000 in its entirety ( vacant parcel immediately south of 1042 English Settlement Ave)

Applicant:   Reesman Group II, 28815 Bushnell Road, Burlington, Wisconsin 53105

(Plan Commissioners Bob Willard and Chris Johnson were present for the hearing.)

Greg Reesman Jr. presented information on conditional use and gravel pit operator permit applications.  The anticipated mining life of the proposed location is three to five years, with the site restored upon completion.  The anticipated end use will be residential or light commercial. 

Aerial photos showed a peninsula left behind after the two subject parcels were mined over 20 years ago.  There were no site restoration requirements in place at that time.  The property line runs through the center of the peninsula.  Both property owners needed to observe a mining setback.  That is why the peninsula remains.   An existing tree line along English Settlement Avenue will be left in place to screen the operation. 

The site will be restored with less than a 3:1 slope, making the land maintainable.  The peninsula will be removed and buffer trees will remain in place.  A berm will be installed to slow down or prevent surface water from overflowing onto the Schwedler property. Mining and restoration will be done in phases per Racine County requirements.  The site will be re-vegetated as the project progresses.  An undisturbed area will be maintained near the Beere property line.  There is a 200 foot mining setback from the property boundaries.

Rhoda Runzheimer addressed the Board.  She questioned when the last new gravel pit permit was issued in the Town.  Gary Beck explained he has served on the Town Board since 1975.    He does not recall any new permits coming before the Board in that time span, only renewals.  She questioned how a new gravel pit, or gravel pits in general, benefit the Town of Rochester. 

Mike Weinkauf indicated there are a lot more environmental protection requirements built into in today’s mining operations compared to what was in place when these pits were previously mined.    Mike felt it was good to take care of the old gravel pits and see them restored into productive land.

Greg Reesman Jr. explained aggregate materials pulled from gravel pits are used for infrastructure needs in local communities.  The subject land has little value as it is.  By allowing the pit to be mined and restored, it will turn it back into productive land.  Making aggregates available locally also reduces costs for local government projects.

Bob Willard commented this is similar to the Jones pit.  The Hurleys restored that property when developing the Camelback Subdivision.  Right now, the subject land has high walls that are dangerous.

Paul Beere commented Karen Schwedler inherited the problem of an un-restored mining site at 1042 English Settlement when she inherited the land from her parents.  This is an opportunity for her to have the land restored and turned back to farmland.

Bob Willard questioned how close land will be disturbed to the Beere property line.  Reesman indicated grading operations will go beyond the 200 foot mining setback.  Some trees will be lost in the process.  Paul Beere indicated he was not worried about the trees as much as he was worried about the depth of mining operations and the affect it would have on his pond.

Greg Reesman explained the Schwedler property was previously mined 20 feet deeper than the County property.   Several borings were conducted in the County pit floor, as deep as twenty feet.  These borings showed no trace of water.  Mining operations will not expand greater than twenty feet under the current floor.   There should not be any affect to Paul’s pond.

Restoration of the Schwedler property will include grading to meet the contour lines where Hoffman Construction left off.  Hoffman Construction recently mined a different area of that property for the benefit of the State Highway 36/ 11 project. 

Paul Beere noted the State project did not have any mining setback requirements and came as close as 20 feet to his fence line. 

OCTOBER 8, 2007                           REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                        6:00 p.m.

The question arose as to whether the Reesmans’ planned on bringing outside materials into the pit.  It was noted they would like the option to recycle concrete.  They will also need to bring in clay and topsoil to aid in site restoration.

Another question was what type of vegetation would be planted upon restoration.  Greg Reesman Jr. indicated their intention to follow any requirements imposed by Racine County in the restoration plans.

Mike Weinkauf noted some neighbors may have the wrong impression of mining operations based on the recent experience with Hoffman Construction on the State project.    Hoffman pulled 300,000 cubic yards of material out of the Schwedler property in three months.  These trucks drove through clay and dirt and created a lot of dust and disruption to the area.  In contrast, the Reesman operation estimates removing 600,000 cubic yards of materials over three to five years.  This operation will not be any where near the intensity of the State project.    The pit floor is sand and gravel.  It will not track the way Hoffman’s operation did.

The impact of this operation on local roads was discussed.  It was noted Racine County has jurisdiction over the highway.  The road is already in poor shape.  The Board thought Racine County will probably wait until this pit is restored before resurfacing CTH J.  The frequency of truck traffic and operations will not be that great.  Those present did not believe the damage to CTH J would be as severe as it is on CTH D, where two larger gravel pit operations exist.

This issue of working days was raised.  Restrictions are in place for on other Town operators as far as working on weekends and holidays.  The application requests operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A letter from Dan Schwabe requested no work be allowed on weekends and holidays.  Greg Reesman explained work on Saturdays is a seasonal work load issue.   When the season is running short, they may need to work on the weekends.  Consensus of the Board was to place the same operational restrictions on this pit as the other pits in Town.

Greg Reesman Jr.  indicated Reesmans Grading and Excavating is part of the community and that they intend to be good neighbors.  Things that will help accomplish that goal on this site are the existing tree buffers and the fact that the operations will take place down in a hole.  This will limit the impacts of dust and noise. 

After requesting final comments at 6:55 p.m., Gary closed the public hearing to convene the regular monthly meeting of the Board.

Mike moved, 2^nd by Paul to approve minutes of the September 10 & 22, 2007 meetings.   Motion carried.

Mike moved, 2^nd by Gary to approve October disbursements as follows.   Motion carried.

Town General Fund Disbursements:

OCTOBER 8, 2007                           REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                        6:00 p.m.

Rochester Sewer Utility District #1 Disbursements:

Treasurer’s Report.   Betty read the report as follows: 

Betty reported on a replacement check issued for Payne and Dolan.  A stop payment was placed on last month’s check after it was lost in the mail.  The Board approved a recommendation to invest $75,000 of general funds into a six month CD at the best rate of interest available.  Also noted, a notice from Time Warner Cable that the Town’s franchise agreement is due for renegotiation.  They will be contacting the Town to arrange a meeting.  Betty reminded the Board of an intergovernmental meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 10^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Waterford Village Hall.  A date for the 2008 Budget Hearing was set for Tuesday, November 20^th at 7:00 p.m.  A budget work meeting was scheduled for Monday, October 22^nd at 7:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 8, 2007                           REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                        6:00 p.m.

Sheriff’s Department.  A written report was submitted showing the following statistics for September:  five accidents; eleven speeding citations, five traffic citations, ten parking citations and fourteen warnings were issued.  Complaint statistics were as follows:  twenty-six complaints originated through calls directly to the Sheriff’s Department; Deputy Prochaska assisted with eleven additional complaints and originated twenty-seven on his own.  He reported sixteen work days, 143.5 hours and 1,172 miles driven.  Seven foot patrols were conducted. 

Deputy Prochaska reported on recent vandalism in Honey Lake.  $7,600 in damage was done to the dam on the Walworth County side.  He is working with the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department to address the issue.   He also fielded a call from a Honey Lake resident who was upset that the Sheriff’s Department is not doing enough to address vandalism in the area.   When quizzed on reports to the Sheriff’s Department, the individual indicated he had not called.  Deputy Prochaska informed the resident the Sheriff’s Department will not respond unless they know there is a problem.  He is going to adjust hours to try to address the issue.  Paul questioned Deputy Prochaska on whether after hours park use was a problem at Case Eagle Park.  Deputy Prochaska indicated only on rare occasions.  There was some graffiti done to the restroom and playground equipment in Case Eagle Park.  A citation was issued in regards to the playground equipment offense. 

Public Works Department.   Christopher Birkett’s written report was reviewed as follows:   

• Lift Station- Monthly exercise of lift station valves and generator.   

• Checking park and opening bathrooms daily.

• Roads.  Crack filling and patching is underway.  The work should be done in the next few weeks.  Chris completed the retaining wall on the N. River Road bridge.  The railroad crossing on Oak Knoll is completed and turned out very well.   Chris called and thanked Terry Lee from Canadian National, as did Pat Lancour.  T & T Tree service removed specified trees from the right of way.  Jeff Johnson is almost done with fall mowing of road sides.  Chris filled in a few low spots on shoulders and met with John Tierney to go over shouldering roads in 2008.  He would like to try renting a grader and doing it himself next year and believes the Town could save some money doing it that way.

• More street name signs were ordered with a surplus in the sign budget.  All town street name signs should be replaced with new signs within the next three to four years.  Received quote from County for ditch work on Fox Grove.  Chris would like direction on the time frame and whether he should get another quote, etc.

• Miscellaneous Road Maintenance.

• Current on new house number signs and weed complaints.   

Paul reported a wet area on Rowntree Road across from the Rock Ridge Subdivision.  It appears as if water is bubbling through cracks in the road.  Chris will investigate the problem.  As to the Fox Grove culvert, Chris is to check with Racine County as to whether they can schedule the work this fall.  If they can, they should proceed.  If not, the work can be delayed until Spring.

Engineering Report.  John Tierney’s written report was submitted as follows:

John indicated most of his report will be addressed in agenda items.

OCTOBER 8, 2007                           REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                        6:00 p.m.

Blue Crane Court Drainage

Plans were presented showing installation of a stone or rock check dam to slow drainage from a wetland area through Blue Crane Court.  The plan was drawn by Kapur & Associates, the engineer for Premium Property Ventures LLC (developer of Rookery Landing Estates East and West), to address recent flooding of the road.  John Tierney recommended the check dam be installed and monitored for effectiveness before the road is formally accepted.  If the need presents itself, the dam can be modified in the future as needed.  Greg Reesman, a partner in the development, was present in the audience.  Greg concurred with the recommendation.  Consensus of the Board was to approve installation of the dam by the developer.

Resolution #10-2007 extending final surface installation deadlines for Coyote Territory Subdivision; Rookery Landing Estates East Subdivision, Rookery Landing Estates West Subdivision and Stoneridge Subdivision to November 15, 2008

This resolution was drafted per recommendations given at the September Board meeting.  Paul moved, 2^nd by Mike to approve Resolution #10-2007.  Motion carried.

Amendment to the Development Agreement for the Rock Ridge Subdivision to extend the final surface installation deadline to November 15, 2008

Betty reported the developer’s agreement for Rock Ridge needs to be amended because an increase in the letter of credit is requested in conjunction with delaying the final surface.  Consensus of the Board was to invite SKSK Development to the next Board meeting in order to discuss extension of the pavement deadline and the letter of credit increase request.

First Draft:  Village of Waterford – Rochester Boundary Agreement

Betty reported on review of the document.  Several options are given for attachment of different parcels to the Village of Waterford.  The exhibits have not yet been attached and the draft is more about format and options than final terms.  After discussion with Atty. John Hotvedt, section 4.03 “Provide Rochester with Waterford Water and Sanitary Sewer Service in Rochester Growth Area” was struck from the document.  Atty. Hotvedt explained this section missed deletion from the template they worked with.  

Board members reviewed the document.  Mike indicated concern that property owners be given the final say on any attachments.  He does not want time limits imposed where the property owner has no choice about the attachment.  Concern was also expressed about when section 9.04 “Special Assessments and Charges” would come into play.  Some clarifying language was desired to state Rochester would only collect special charges or assessments if a property had been attached to Waterford too late to affect issuance of the tax bill, and was receiving the benefit of a service from Waterford.

Betty is to report these concerns to the Town Attorney.

Engineering Services Agreement:  2008 Road Improvement Program

John reported on the engineering services agreement proposal to design Evergreen Drive improvements including widening the road by nine feet from its intersection with STH 20 north to the cross-road culvert and installing a depressed curb to separate “The Bunker’s” parking lot from the road.  The balance of the road to the north would be resurfaced.  The agreement includes not to exceed amounts of $9,800 for final design services; and $8,700 for construction services.  Pavement borings will also be conducted at an estimated cost of $2,500.   Mike moved, 2^nd by Gary to approve the engineering services agreement for the 2008 Road Improvement Program.  Motion carried.

Fire Station Parking Lot Quotes

Two proposals were reviewed as follows:  Pave Tech for $31,909; and B.R. Amon for $30,117.  Betty reported budget amendments could be utilized to perform the work this year, however the Village of Rochester would have to agree to pay their portion of the expense in 2007.  Mike expressed a preference to advertise parking lot resurfacing with the 2008 road project.  Gary moved, 2^nd by Mike to table action on the project until it can be combined with a road project.  Motion carried.

OCTOBER 8, 2007                           REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                        6:00 p.m.

PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  Chris Johnson addressed the Board regarding drainage problems on Academy Road or CTH FF.  A beaver has been damming up a culvert and causing water to flow over the road.  He removed the dam twice, but it is a continuing problem.  Chris will report the problem to the Racine County Public Works Supervisor.

Mike moved, 2^nd by Gary to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty J. Novy, CMC

Clerk-Treasurer

OCTOBER 22, 2007                           SPECIAL BOARD MEETING                                        6:55 p.m.

Meeting was called to order at 6:55 p.m. with Gary Beck, Paul Beere and Mike Weinkauf present.

(Note:  Town Board members were present during the Town Plan Commission meeting immediately preceding this meeting.)

Betty Novy, Clerk-Treasurer, was also present.

Application for Conditional Use and Operator’s Permit:  Sand and Gravel extraction on English Settlement Avenue, more specifically the south 300 feet of tax parcel 014031912002000 (1042 English Settlement Avenue); and tax parcel 014031913002000 in its entirety ( vacant parcel immediately south of 1042 English Settlement Ave)

Applicant:   Reesman Group II, 28815 Bushnell Road, Burlington, Wisconsin 53105

Mike moved, 2^nd by Gary to approve Racine County conditional use permit restrictions and the Town gravel pit operator’s permit for Reesman Group II contingent that Item No. 4 of the Town permit, regarding hours of operation, be amended to specify a limit of 26 Saturdays per year, with Saturday hours of operation limited from 6:00 a.m. to noon.  Votes were:  Mike Weinkauf:  Aye;  Gary Beck:  Aye;  Paul Beere:  Abstain.   Motion passed.

Work Session:  2008 Budget

Budget items were reviewed with the following amounts approved for public hearing  (summarized):

Paul moved, 2^nd by Mike to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty J. Novy, CMC

Clerk-Treasurer