Town of Blooming Grove Board Meeting Minutes – July 8, 2008

Supervisor Berg called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Board members in attendance: Supervisor Berg, Supervisor Linzmeier, Supervisor McLaughlin and Supervisor Stube. Chair Johnson was absent. Also in attendance: Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Mike Wolf, Fire Chief Glenn Linzmeier, David Heitmann, Louise Foster, Don Foster, Kent Bryan, Michael Mullarkey, Don Gilbertson, and Deborah Sellers.

Supervisor Berg made a motion to have Supervisor Linzmeier chair this meeting. Supervisor McLaughlin seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

The pledge of allegiance was recited. Supervisor Linzmeier asked if the meeting notice had been properly posted, and Mike Wolf said that it had been. The agenda was rearranged, so that residents in attendance were accommodated -- as such:

2f. Resolution 2008-06 Concerning Deferral of Special Assessments under the Cooperative Plan with the City of Madison : Supervisor Berg made a motion to approve Resolution 2008-06 as presented. Supervisor McLaughlin seconded the motion.

Don & Louise Foster, Kent Bryan, and Michael Mullarkey expressed their discontent with the back-assessments, and their displeasure with the Town Board for not trying to do more to help them.

The vote on the motion was 4-0 in favor of the resolution.

2a. 2008-2009 Class B Liquor License for Wingate Inn: Mike Wolf stated that the Town had not yet received the completed application, nor has the Town received the fee for this license. Supervisor McLaughlin made a motion to defer this item. Supervisor Linzmeier seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

2b. 2008-2009 Operators License for Randy Retzlaff: Mike Wolf stated that the Town had not yet received the completed application, nor has the Town received the fee for this license. Supervisor McLaughlin made a motion to defer this item. Supervisor Berg seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

2c. 2008-2009 Restaurant License for Wingate Inn: Mike Wolf reported that the Town has received the completed application as well as the fee. Supervisor Linzmeier made a motion to approve the restaurant license. The motion died for lack of a second. Board members subsequently expressed their concern about Wingate's delinquent room taxes.

Supervisor Stube made a motion to defer this item. Supervisor McLaughlin seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

2d. Wingate Inn's Delinquent Room Taxes: Mike Wolf said that Wingate paid their May room taxes timely. However, the $39,000+ in delinquent room taxes have not yet been paid. The Board directed Mike to seek legal counsel on this outstanding amount due. Furthermore Mike is to write a letter to Wingate making it clear that the aforementioned licenses are contingent upon payment of these delinquent taxes. If legal counsel allows, this letter will be copied to Wingate's corporate headquarters.

2e. 2008-2009 Restaurant License for Four Star Restaurant: Mike Wolf reported that the Town has received the completed application as well as the fee. Supervisor Linzmeier made a motion to approve the restaurant license. Supervisor McLaughlin seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

2g. Resolution 2008-07 regarding Support for State Funding of Improved Railroad Infrastructure: Supervisor Berg made a motion to approve Town Resolution 2008-07 as presented. Supervisor Linzmeier seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

2h. 2008 Second Quarter Treasurer's Report: Supervisor Berg pointed out that if Wingate pays its delinquent taxes, the Town would be close to even for the year. Mike Wolf stated that EMS costs will likely end up over $10,000 over budget by the end of the year.

3a. Minutes of June 24, 2008 Town Board meeting: Supervisor Berg made a motion to approve the June 24, 2008 minutes as presented. Supervisor McLaughlin seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

3b. Vouchers: Supervisor Berg made a motion to approve the vouchers as presented, and it was seconded by Supervisor McLaughlin. The motion passed 4-0.

4. Public Comment: Deborah Sellers asked about FEMA money, when the stormwater inlets would get cleaned, when lilacs would get planted in the park, and if the Board would consider doing something about people parking their cars on the Thurber Park grass when they rent that park. Mike Wolf said he would ask Dwight if he wanted the latter issue on a future agenda.

Dr. David Heitmann introduced himself. He will be opening up a chiropractic facility on Commercial Avenue in the town within the next month or so.

Supervisor McLaughlin said he took exception to being called “a waste of space” by one of the residents opposed to the Sprecher Road back-assessments. Further, he stated that he believes the Board works hard to do what is in the best interest of the Town.

Don Gilbertson (having arrived just before item 2h started) brought up the Sprecher Road issue, and wanted to know if the Board could consider allowing the payments to be over a 30-year period, or if the Town can consider paying for the 4-foot portion of the road that is part of the back-assessments.

5. Adjournment: Supervisor McLaughlin made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Supervisor Linzmeier seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0 at 7:55pm.

Minutes Written and Submitted by
Mike Wolf, Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator