Chairman Bill Burlingame called the Town of Koshkonong Public Hearing to order at 7;00 pm. The clerk verified the proper postings had been made.

The purpose of the public hearing was to allow public comment on the proposed 2021 Malt Beverage and Liquor License renewals. Twelve residents in attendance. The chairman called for public comments three times. The public hearing was closed at 7:06 pm.

Town of Koshkonong Meeting Minutes June 8, 2022, 7:00 pm (Page 1 of 3)

Chairman Bill Burlingame called the meeting of the Town Board of Koshkonong Township to order at 7:06 pm. The clerk verified the proper postings had been made.

Chairman Bill Burlingame, Supervisors Walt Christensen, Jim Brandenburg, Erik Hoffman, Matt Hill, Clerk Bridget Woods, Administrative Assistant Kim Cheney, and Treasurer Caitlin Kincannon present.

Dean Trost asked what the Town needs from the ATV owners to move forward with ATV use on town roads.

Discuss/Action ATV/UTV use on Town roads

Chairman Burlingame spoke about previous discussions regarding open all or some of the roads to ATV use. Two residents have contacted him in opposition of opening Hackbarth Road and subdivisions to ATV use. The chairman also suggested that this issue should go on the November ballot. Chairman Burlingame expressed concerns of unsupervised children on these types of vehicles. He also spoke that the ordinance should set speed limit, safety requirements of the vehicles, such as mirrors and lights.

Supervisor Hill suggests to open all roads with a provision of night hours. Supervisor Hill stated that he will never support something that limits the rights of our residents because of others that are breaking the law.

Supervisor Christensen mentioned that he asked neighbors about this issue last year. Some were proponents and others were opposed to the use of ATVs on Town roads. He also mentioned that the ordinance should be very specific.

Supervisor Brandenburg stated that he has not issue with the roads in the rural areas to be opened to ATV use. He also noted that a fatality occurred the week of this meeting, where the rider was crossing a state highway.

Administrative Kim Cheney explained that the Town must have an ordinance in place before opening roads to AV use to eliminate town liability. She further explained that the ordinance should list each road that is excluded from ATV use. Signage will be necessary.

Supervisor Hoffman mad a motion to table this discussion for the public hearing.

Treasurer’s Report for June

Supervisors Christensen/Hoffman made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and place it on file. Motion carried.

Discuss/Action approve bid for flooring update to office and kitchen, ARPA funds

Supervisors Hoffman/Brandenburg made a motion to go with Patterson builders. Motion carried.

Approve Bills

Supervisors Hoffman/Hill made motion to pay bills. Motion carried.

Discuss/Action approval of liquor license renewal requests

Supervisors Hill/Hoffman made a motion to approve the renewals. Motion carried

Discuss/Action Fee schedule review/amend

Chairman Burlingame stated that the Board needs to relook at the fee schedule next month.

Discuss/Action Wheel Tax

Chairman Burlingame stated that a wheel tax may help fund the Town’s highway budget.

Supervisor Christensen noted that the Town is borrowing money and it goes as a line item on the taxes. Wheel tax was not well liked 8 years ago.

Supervisor Hill recommends that the board look into wheel tax or other methods of income.

Discuss/Action summer employee and 3rd full time employee

Chairman asks if it would be advantageous to add a full-time employee to the public works department.

Superintendent of Public Works, Dan Butz mentioned that a third full-time person would help his department. However, he is concerned about budgeting for this additional employee.

Supervisors Hill and Hoffman would like more information before making a decision in adding a third full time employee.

Supervisor Hoffman suggested adding a seasonal employee.

Supervisors Brandenburg/Christensen made a motion to hire a seasonal employee. Motion carried.

Supervisors Hill/Brandenburg made a motion to approve $12 per hour wage for new seasonal help. Motion carried.

Supervisor Christensen noted that an additional full-time employee would add value to the department. Supervisors Hoffman/Hill made a motion to hire a 3rd full time employee. Motion carried

Discuss/Action Municipal court

Supervisor Hoffman mentioned that the Chief at Oakland said he was going to speak to his town board regarding the Town of Koshkonong using their police force vs cost of having our own constable.

Discuss/Action bids for shop addition, ARPA funds

Administrative Assistant Cheney stated that there is $252,000 left of ARPA funds.
Supervisor Christensen/Chairman Burlingame made a motion to go with BOS for the shop building. Motion carried.

Discuss/Action crack filling proposal

Chairman Burlingame asks if we have funds for crack filling. It was not budgeted, per Admin Cheney.

Mike Jenquin from Fahrner present. Mike gave an update on the chip sealing. Crack filling cost will be similar to chip sealing. Weather has been a factor in getting the seal coating project started. Some roads now require patching following the winter damage. He suggests to take out Briar Lane and Pleasant Lane from their original bid, and use these funds towards crack filling.

Supervisors Hill/Hoffman made a motion to delete Briar Lane and Pleasant from the seal coating bid and shift that fund to the crack filling. Remaining funds to go into culverts fund. He also would like to authorize Dan Butz to decide on Oxbow Bend. Whether or not to delete from the Fahrner chip sealing quote and use those funds for crack filling. Motion carried.

Discuss/Action salt shed roof repair, ARPA funds

Chairman Burlingame asked Superintendent Dan Butz if Cleary could patch the salt shed roof when they start on the shop expansion.

Park Committee report-nothing to report at this time.

Discuss/Action bathroom for Mush-Ko-Se-Day Park

Supervisor Christensen said that the community is happy with getting a bathroom at the park. The county is using this building for their bathrooms. They are very durable, long lasting. A crane will be used to place the building. Ongoing cost of this type of bathroom; Jefferson County told him that they pump out every two years typically.

Supervisors Hill/Brandenburg made a motion to move forward with the bathroom at the park. Down payment is due upon order. Motion carried.

Clerk’s Report
Clerk Woods stated that the Town received a recycling grant in the amount of $9022.22. She has been asked by the group that rents the hall on a weekly basis to meet on when they are able to resume having their meeting

Future Agenda Items

Shop building funding
ATV ordinance
Salt Shed roof
Municipal Court

Public Comment

Supervisor Christensen mention that Brew with A View is June 23. This event runs 3rd Thursday in July and August also.

Adjournment

Supervisors Brandenburg/Christensen made a motion to adjourn at 10:45 pm. Motion carried.

Bridget Woods Town Clerk

Published 07/19/2022