Minutes of April 13 Annual Town Meeting include:
- Pledge of Allegiance recited. Meeting, called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman John Jaeckle, had Board members Bob Luedtke, Nancy Willenkamp present; also, Treasurer Marilyn Martin, Clerk Andrew Hogan and Constable Kevin Clegg present. Additionally, 28 others attended, 26 being present at start of meeting, including Department of Revenue (DOR) Officials, Secretary of Revenue Roger Ervin, Chief Of Manufacturing & Utility Section William Wardwell and Deputy Administrator, Division of State and Local Finance Jean Adler. Also attending, Attorney Rich Carlson, Plan Commissioners David LeMahieu and Rick Martin, Board of Appeals members Glenn Gradl and Randy Dorow, Appointed Election Inspectors Alice Lathrop, Genevra Partika, Adeline Marks, Reta Wirth and Lynn LeMahieu.
- In his opening remarks Jaeckle asked people to identify themselves to the Clerk when addressing the Board and guests.
- Town verified that public notice of meeting and agenda were posted at Town Hall, Modern Flooring, Hortonia’s Westside Auto Repair, Town's Website and Town’s answering service 779-9780.
- Luedtke motioned, seconded by Willenkamp to approve 2009 Annual Town meeting minutes as printed in the annual report. Carried.
- Irv Partika motioned, seconded by Reta Wirth to vote by show of hands. Carried.
- Town heard from Secretary Ervin who felt it was important to speak in person to the Town regarding Sara Lee tax refund issue; introduced Jean Adler and Bill Wardwell. Sec. Ervin spoke about current procedures manufacturers use to report real and personal property, citing voluntary compliance and lack of statutory requirements as a factor in multi-year appeals being common; indicated that business community asked legislature to make DOR be in charge of manufacturing assessments rather than local municipalities; expressed optimism that changes in state law incorporating consolidation would cut-down multi-year appeals including number and scale of appeals; indicated that DOR was not given full access to information needed, therefore had to estimate assessments involving Sara Lee facility; DOR eventually received needed information enabling settlement.
- Town heard from Deputy Administrator Adler who explained the appeal and chargeback processes. Adler provided Town with figures specific to Sara Lee refund; explained that Town can work with net refund of $291,804 of which Hortonia is responsible for $32,426; indicated DOR will authorize chargebacks provided benchmarks are met; confirmed that levy limit not affected by refund; outlined paths for Town to follow with simplest being to refund Sara Lee in full by mid-September, then chargebacks would be paid by taxing jurisdictions by February; that DOR oversight is not required for any agreement between Town and taxing jurisdictions to pay their share ahead of February, minimizing amount of interest on loan paid by Town.
- Town heard from Chief Wardwell who outlined Sara Lee situation timeline; recommended that Town stay engaged with DOR manufacturing division and exercise a more proactive role in future, citing notices sent to Town beginning in 2007. Ervin echoed Wardwell adding that since DOR is effectively Town’s assessor for manufacturing property, Town needs to proactively engage DOR in the process. Adler added that DOR is neutral party to both the manufacturer and municipality.
- DOR officials fielded questions from Board members, Clerk and electors; provided contact information and hand-outs specific to Sara Lee refund, then left at 8:17pm to return to Madison.
- Electors reviewed financial portion of annual report with Chairman providing comment and Clerk fielding questions. Craig Jordan motioned, seconded by Randy Dorow to approve 2009 Annual Financial Report. Carried – 22 ayes, 0 nays.
- Electors reviewed resolution R2010.4.3 Compensation for Town Officials accompanying a survey of compensation of officials from neighboring Towns as requested at the 2009 annual Town Meeting. Officials fielded many questions; some people left. David LeMahieu motioned, seconded by Craig Jordan, to adopt resolution R2010.4.3 amending the per diem figures to $50 for elected officials and $30 for Plan Commissioners and Board of Appeals members. Discussion and debate ensued; several electors asked officials for brief report regarding meetings attended. Motion carried – 16 ayes, 2 nays.
- Electors reviewed resolution R2010.4.4 Compensation of Town Officers for FEMA-related Tasks. Officials fielded questions. Craig Jordan motioned, seconded by Keith Koster to adopt resolution R2010.4.4 as written. No discussion. Motion carried – 20 ayes, 0 nays.
- Electors reviewed a draft ordinance changing the Town Clerk from an elected to appointed position. Clerk explained he is not seeking re-election; in 2009 there were no candidates on the ballot for Clerk; changing to appointed position increases size of pool of candidates to people outside Township; allows Board to require qualifications; other pros/cons discussed. Atty Carlson weighed in that Towns of Greenville, Caledonia, Maple Creek, Clayton and Village of Hortonville are appointed; confirmed change requires a referendum be put on the ballot. Electors expressed concern about losing direct control over choosing the clerk; about part-time position becoming full time; about increased cost including benefits.
- Glenn Marks motioned, seconded by Dennis Clegg, to table changing the position of clerk from elected to appointed, to the next annual meeting. Motion failed – 7 ayes, 9 nays.
- Reta Wirth motioned, seconded by David LeMahieu, to put a referendum on the ballot, either this September or November, to allow Town electors to choose whether they want an appointed clerk or an elected clerk. Carried – 12 ayes, 7 nays.
- Randy Dorow motioned, seconded by Craig Jordan, to approve current bank depositories and open a $50,000 line of credit. Discussion ensued. Motion Carried – 16 ayes, 0 nays.
- Reta Wirth motioned, seconded by Kevin Clegg to use Post Crescent for publishing notices. Carried – 15 ayes, 0 nays.
- Electors discussed the 3 posting places with clerk explaining merit of possibly changing third location from Hortonia West Side Auto to Fire Hall. Cathy Decker motioned, seconded by David Decker, to make the three posting places Modern Flooring, Town Hall and change third location from Hortonia West Side Auto to new Fire Hall (subject to approval by the Fire District). Carried – 15 ayes, 2 nays.
- Chairman indicated that there would be no road projects in 2010, only maintenance.
- Clerk asked electors to review web pages presented in annual report and use web site as resource; solicited input for additions and changes; Chairman directed clerk to change contact information for removing road kill to Co. Hwy. Dept. 832-5678
- Chairman indicated Town Board is in process of auditing town signs in order to comply with Federal reflectivity laws. Fire number signs will not be replaced this year.
- Craig Jordon motioned, seconded by Randy Dorow, to adjourn the meeting. Carried – 20 ayes, 0 nays.
Meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m. Next Annual Town meeting: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. These minutes are unapproved and subject to final approval at the next annual Town meeting.
Documents Related to the Minutes:
!! CLICK HERE !! for the draft 2009 Annual Report
!! CLICK HERE !! for the appendix to the Annual Report
!! CLICK HERE !! for Resolution R2010.4.3 - Town Board compensation
!! CLICK HERE !! for Resolution R2010.4.4 - Comp. for FEMA-related Tasks
!! CLICK HERE !! for a sample Ordinance changing Clerk from Elected to Appointed