Town of Blooming Grove Board Meeting Minutes – December 12, 2006

Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:01pm. Board members in attendance were: Chair Johnson, Supervisor Berg, Supervisor Linzmeier, and Supervisor Young. Supervisor Stube was absent.

Also in attendance were Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Mike Wolf, Fire Chief Glenn Linzmeier, State Assemblyman Joe Parisi, Ken Norton and Deborah Sellers.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Chair Johnson asked if the meeting notice had been properly posted, and Mike Wolf said that it had been. The agenda was reviewed, and no changes were made.

2a. State Ethics Bill: Mike Wolf explained that the Board had received a great deal of background information on this issue, including a letter from Dane County Supervisor Dave de Felice. That letter stated that the amendment to this bill that pertained to local officials had been added as a “poison pill” so that the entire bill would not get passed. The bill, indeed, did not pass… and the state legislator who introduced that amendment did not get re-elected in November.

Joe Parisi, the Town's State Assembly Representative, stated that Supervisor de Felice's account was accurate. Mr. Parisi said that their will be another ethics bill introduced when the new state legislative session begins in mid-January… but that it is very unlikely that the bill would apply to local officials. State legislators heard the outcry from local officials last year, loud and clear.

Supervisor Berg and Chair Johnson asked that Mike Wolf write a letter on behalf of the Town, which clearly states that the Town Board is in favor of the ethics bill in general terms, but is against any provision that would apply to local officials. This letter should be sent as soon as possible, to the Wisconsin Towns Association, Dane County Towns Association, the statewide organizations of both cities and villages, as well as to surrounding Towns. Further, a resolution will be considered by the Town Board at their meeting on January 9, 2007.

2b. Metropolitan Planning Organization Resolution: Chair Johnson made a motion to approve the resolution as presented, which approves changes to the makeup of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Supervisor Berg seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

3a. November 28, 2006 Meeting Minutes: Supervisor Linzmeier made a motion to approve the November 28, 2006 meeting minutes as presented. Supervisor Berg seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

3b. Vouchers: Supervisor Berg made a motion to approve the vouchers and tax refunds as presented. Supervisor Young seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

4. Public Comment: Deborah Sellers asked about the stop sign poles in her neighborhood, and if anything could be done about making them look nicer. Mike Wolf said he'll discuss this with Tony Reigstad, and determine if this is a priority for the Town.

Mike Wolf apologized to Ken Norton for failing to have his appointment to the Plan Commission on this agenda. This will be on the January 9, 2007 Town Board agenda.

Mike Wolf reported that the “Quad Towns” ( Rutland , Dunn, Dunkirk , and Pleasant Springs) had written the Town to let us know they had secured a deal for fire protection with Stoughton .

5. Adjournment – Chair Johnson made a motion to adjourn. Supervisor Young seconded, and the motion passed 4-0 at 7:25pm.

Respectfully Submitted by Mike Wolf, Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator.