Town of Blooming Grove Board Meeting Minutes – September 11, 2007

Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Board members in attendance: Chair Johnson, Supervisor Berg, Supervisor Stube, and Supervisor Young. Supervisor Linzmeier was absent.

Also in attendance: Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Mike Wolf, Fire Chief Glenn Linzmeier, Public Works Supervisor Rick Konkel, Plan Commission member Ken Norton, Deborah Sellers, and Dan Ampe.

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.

2a. Resolution regarding the Regional Transportation Authority: Supervisor Berg made a motion to pass the resolution opposing the proposed RTA plan, further instructing the Town Clerk to write a cover letter expressing support for the general concept of regional planning – but not for this particular proposal. Supervisor Young seconded the motion, and it passed 3-0. Supervisor Stube abstained.

2b. Resolution regarding County Ordinance Amendment 16, 07-08: Supervisor Berg expressed concern that this amendment allows for villages and cities to maintain their comprehensive plans – but allows for the County to override the comprehensive plans of Towns at its discretion. Supervisor Berg made a motion to adopt the resolution, as presented, urging the County to respect Town Comprehensive plans. Supervisor Young seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

2c. Resolution regarding County Ordinance Amendment 17: Supervisor Berg made a motion to support the County Amendment , which would change the number of acres of development for which the County would have oversight. The motion died for lack of a second.

Chair Johnson made a motion to approve the resolution, as presented, which opposes the County Amendment allowing for broadening the County's subdivision review. Supervisor Stube seconded the motion. Discussion ensued about the merits of this amendment.

Some members of the board expressed interest in taking more time to review this issue, and allowing Dane County Supervisor John Hendrick the opportunity to attend the next meeting. Chair Johnson withdrew his motion. Supervisor Stube withdrew his second. This will be placed on the September 25, 2007 Board meeting agenda.

2d. Resolution regarding MABAS: Chief Linzmeier explained the merits of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), and why it would be to the Town's advantage to approve the resolution.

Chair Johnson made a motion to adopt the MABAS resolution as presented. Supervisor Young seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

2e. Swinburne Ditch: Supervisor Berg made a motion to have Mike Wolf proceed to meet with Don Peckham Landscaping or Gausmann Trenching, and to meet with the residents along Swinburne Drive who require work to be done in the area between their driveway and the ditch, and to get agreement on the work to be done, and then authorize that work to get done prior to this winter. Supervisor Young seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

2f. Stoughton Road Update: Chair Johnson updated the Board on the plans for the eventual road work to be done on Stoughton Road . Highlights include the fact that a decision won't be made about how the road will be done until August of 2009, the construction itself won't likely occur prior to 2017, and there will be some minor improvements made in the next few years. It was noted that two of the three alternatives being considered would have an off-ramp going directly through the Town Hall / Fire Station property.

3a. August 14, 2007 Meeting Minutes: Supervisor Berg made a motion to approve the August 14, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. Chair Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed 3-0. Supervisor Young abstained.

3b. August 25, 2007 Meeting Minutes: Supervisor Young made a motion to approve the August 25, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. Supervisor Berg seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

3c. Vouchers: Supervisor Young made a motion to approve the vouchers as presented. Chair Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

4. Public Comment: Deborah Sellers asked if the weeds on the north side of Commercial Avenue could get mowed soon. She also asked if a new tree would be planted in Thurber Park , and when the lights, bench, and sandbox would be placed in Thurber Park . Mike Wolf said that the new Public Works Supervisor has a list of items to attend to, but that these items will get done as soon as possible.

Dan Ampe asked that the Swinburne / Carncross intersection be placed on the next meeting agenda.

Ken Norton expressed his concerns about the Regional Transportation Authority, and in particular with the idea of commuter rail. He said it will cost more to build, more to operate, and won't be used as much as supporters contend. All in all, it's a bad idea for a metropolitan area of this population density.

5. Adjournment – Supervisor Young made a motion to adjourn. Chair Johnson seconded, and the motion passed 4-0 at 8:17pm.

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