April 22, 2014 - Annual Town Meeting____________________________________548
Notices posted in 3 posting places and on town garage and on the website.
The Annual Town of Metomen Meeting was called to order by Chairman, Jeff Amend at
7:00 p.m. All present signed the poll list. Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion made by Glen Lauzon/Jerry Buhrows to approve the 2013 Annual Town Meeting
Minutes. Motion carried by Voice Vote.
Motion made by Lorene Jahns/Glen Lauzon to approve the Treasurer’s report &
Financial Report for 2013. Motion carried by Voice Vote.
George Ferriter, introduced himself as District 42 candidate.
Chairman’s Report: Jeff Amend
Thanks to all attending our Annual Meeting. Jeff noted special thanks to our highway
crew getting through a rough winter. He also noted thanks to Glen Zahn for his
assistance to townspeople bringing in recyclables and to our Zoning Committee
members.
County Report: none
Assessors report: Change notices have been mailed out. Open Book will be May 3 from
1-3 p.m., and Board of Review is scheduled for May 27 at 6-8 pm at the town hall.
Recycling Report: Marilyn Perr-we have been awarded a recycling grant of $681.40.
Old Business:
1. WIFI FDL County: 4 towers in the area and the balance of towers should be
installed by the end of this year. They will be able to handle all internet speeds.
2. Shelly gave an update on new storage shed and town hall addition.
3. Working Lands-Draft is done and matches Comprehensive Plan. Needs State
approval. Couple more zoning meetings to completion of signed/approved
documents.
a. 35A rule out
b. We’ll have a Working Lands District and General Ag District with a Base
Farm Tract Map effective 1.1.14.
c. 21Acre/tract and Maximum 4 tracts/base farm.
d. Tom Jonker asked if we had considered an Ag Enterprise that would allow
a FPC of $10/Acre. Scott noted that we had not addressed this.
New Business:
1. Public review of zoning rewrite-copies of drafts were available to all who
attended this meeting.
2. Hall rental cost-samples of the first draft were handed out and discussed with
recommendations to the Board.
April 22, 2014 - Annual Town Meeting____________________________________549
3. Weight limits on town roads and Implements of Husbandry-Jeff updated everyone
on what it cost to fix Sheldon road ($33000 in 2013) and the challenge we face to
preserve our town roads with multiple/concentrated and heavy traffic. Ideas that
were discussed:
a. Attorney create a contract with bond.
b. Roads not big enough for 24’ folded implements.
c. Implements of Husbandry is in legislation for direction. Permits? Impose
size limits?
d. Glen Lauzon asked how to prevent heavy/overused road traffic. Some
kind of structure is needed to preserve our roads.
e. Current budget does not allow for road construction to keep up with road
damage imminent with heavy truck usage.
f. Homeland Dairy came to us/worked with us for direction of how to
handle heavy concentrated heavy traffic.
g. Tom Soda-State Regs will be most strict (we cannot exeed these Regs)
to standardize guidelines. All town Boards must work together for
enforcement.
h. Jeff A-We’ll be looking to the County and State for direction/assistance.
Board will be looking at limiting on our terms. WTA noted 10%
overweight = 100% damage.
i. Chris Retzlaff-leave as is and post weight limits. Restrict roads through
any marsh areas.
j. Propose suggested to shut down roads with barrier to allow 1-way traffic
down middle of road.
k. Canning factory traffic should be considered as well.
l. Scott looking at “x” amount of loads/day vs. acreage coverage.
4. Ryan Redmann gave a BFD presentation followup on their need for a new/used
fire truck. His proposal is to replace (3) current vehicles with (1) rescue pumper.
Streamline use without compromising safety.
a. Current (4) quotes are $475000 – 550000 new. Metomen share is 41%.
All manufacturers are in the same area of cost.
b. Price is expected to increase 5-7%/year.
c. Need 18 month lead time for order. There are different %’s of savings
plans with different payment plans.
d. Tom Soda proposed the Board to spend up to (41% of ) $300000 on a
used truck to give them the approval to make an immediate decision and
save on a used one.
e. Ryan noted used trucks are few can come up fast. Funds would have to
be quickly available.
f. Scott noted we would have to borrow funds for used or new.
g. John Sina proposed we buy a new one and sell used in 5 years and get
another new one.
h. Ryan noted it would cost much more to replace each of the 3 vehicles.
April 22, 2014 - Annual Town Meeting____________________________________550
Mutual Aide dispatch is widely used. New truck order: will offer a discount
of up to $40000 (on the $500,000 truck) if we allow them to use as a demo.
i. All other townships have approved their plan but we hold the biggest
share of ownership so Ryan needs from us a date we will have funds
ready for BFD to actively order or bid on a truck.
j. John Sina suggested a 10 year loan.
k. Chris Retzlaff would like to stay flexible and get funds together for a
used truck.
l. Cindy explained mill rate with a couple options:
1.) 41% of new truck $550,000= $225,500 + 4% interest =$249,000
and amortize out 5 years/$59,384,341 assessed value=.0042.
$420/$100,000 value / 5 years = $84/year for 5 years.
2.) $225,000 all in one year = $380/$100,000 assessed value.
m. If we order a new, we must commit to that order and not shop for used.
n. Motion made by Glen Lauzon/Les Hiemstra: Board to research buying a
fire pumper truck in the $500000 range with the option of used if
appropriate. Purchase to spread out payments to keep in the $84/year
range for 5 years. Voice vote approved.
Other Business: Chris Retzlaff-dead end driveway. He is willing to pay total cost of his
driveway if we can bid it out with our town road construction. Town will not pay any.
Set Meeting Date- Motion made by Glen Lauzon/Shelly Hiemstra to hold the 2015
Annual meeting on April 14 at 7pm at Town Hall.
8:45 pm-Motion made by Scott Zacharias/Chris Retzlaff to close the annual meeting.
Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cindy Sheskey