MEETING MINUTES
TOWN OF FREMONT - Regular Board Meeting
Town Hall – May 21, 2013
7:30 pm – 10:05 pm
THE TOWN BOARD MEETING was called to order by Chairman Ed Sanders.
PUBLIC NOTICE: This meeting is open to the public. Proper notice has been posted at Sunset
BP, NB Trail, Town Hall and given to the press (County Post West), in accordance with
Wisconsin State Statutes, so that the citizens may be aware of the time, place, and agenda of this
meeting.
PRESENT: Ed Sanders, Steve Stuebs, Dan Kohl, Richard Eiberger, Heidi Jacobson
ALSO PRESENT FOR ALL OR PART OF THE MEETING: Keith Cook, Joy Palmer, Andrea
Neault, Ginny Steede, Mike Bauer, Nick Mueller, John Young, Mike Haynes, Eric Kohl, John
Meydam & George Dearborn
MINUTES: Motion Stuebs, Kohl to approve April 16, 2013 meeting minutes. Carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: April, 2013 report read by Clerk. No additions/corrections. Motion
Sanders, Stuebs to approve report. Carried.
APPROVAL & PAYMENT OF INVOICES: Motion Kohl, Stuebs to approve payment of
Vouchers 11256-11278 totaling $16,872.59. Carried.
AUDIT PRESENTATION FROM CLIFTONLARSONALLEN: Joy Palmer presented the
town’s 2012 audited financial statements to the board. Joy stated that audit was clean and there
were no issues to report negatively. No significant changes occurred from 2011 to 2012. The
Form C has been filed and reported to the state electronically and in the proper deadline. Joy
thanked the board for the opportunity to be of service to the town.
CORNSTALK EVENT: Keith Cook of Angler’s has submitted his special event application,
security deposit and site plan for his upcoming Cornstalk event Friday & Saturday July 12 & 13,
2013. Friday 2 bands are playing and Saturday 3 bands will play. The bands play until midnight
daily. Cook stated that the event and site plan remain the same as it has in past years. Eiberger
reminded Cook about having at least one porta potty handicap accessible, so folks would not have
to walk from the field to the building to use the facilities. Eiberger will inspect the day before the
event. Chairman Sanders commented that the event is a nicely run activity in the town.
GREY GOOSE DEVELOPMENT LLC ISSUES: Recent events in the subdivision have caused
the need for communication and discussion on several issues. John Young, rep from GGD, stated
the objectives for discussion were to explore what has happened in the past few weeks in the
subdivision and why, look at the mistakes made and revisit the original vision of the 2000s.
Nick Mueller, part owner of GGD, stated that the development has not taken off like they had
dreamed it would have; but he feels working together as a team (the town and GGD owners) will
ensure success. Mueller went on to say that he owns 3 other subdivisions with over 400
residential lots, and GGD is the only one not really doing anything. As the economy looks like it
is starting to rebound a bit, the focus of management currently is to spruce the subdivision up, get
it looking better by keeping the grass mowed, remove lawn clippings that were dumped by
someone, trim the bushes, get the dirt piles knocked down, get the realtor signs standing up
straight, and correct the drainage issues where the areas remain wet. Sanders expressed the need
for communication between the town and owners to facilitate a better working relationship. The
recent fire started by Mr. Young was a big issue with the town and local residents. Young
explained he was not aware a condo association existed; if he had known, he would have alerted
them before burning. He admitted fire is scary, but his intent was merely to burn out the noxious
weeds ….Bull & Canadian thistles that are spreading throughout the subdivision. Kohl
commented that the burning happened in 90% of the town right of way, and was a lack of
consideration for town residents. The fire was on the bank’s doorstep. Many, many calls were
received from angry residents. Sanders stated that this is learning experience for all parties
involved. Young apologized and admitted it was mistake to do that. He went on to say that they
have no intention of spraying the weeds; but rather maintain it organically, using no manure or
chemicals. With so many weeds in the grass; it does not make for good hay. The plan is to till
the 11 acre area and mix some grass seed to get better quality hay and keep farming the lots until
they sell. Discussion ensued about knocking dirt pile(s) down; Eiberger commented that as long
as the proper erosion control was used; it was fine to get the dirt piles spread out. Going forward,
the town will agree to have the subdivision mowed 3-4x per year rather than 2x in an attempt to
keep the weeds down and better curb appeal. The town requests that GGD provide a hold
harmless agreement stating that the town is not liable for their actions taken (burning, mowing,
etc.) in town right of ways. Sanders encouraged town residents at the meeting to stay on top of
the situation and hold GGD accountable what they say they will do.
QUOTE FROM RURAL MUTUAL INSURANCE – The town has received a quote from Rural
Mutual. This proposed policy consolidates all the town’s insurances under one umbrella rather
than having two or three policies with different carriers. The existing insurance we have now is
inadequate protection. After discussion, the Board is in agreement that an increase in protection
covering both town halls and increased liability insurance for public officials is necessary.
Additional coverage can be purchased for the supervisors using their personal equipment. Stuebs
and Kohl feel it is necessary just in case some mishap should occur. Both will provide clerk with
list of equipment used. Board approves proposed policy with higher limits and authorizes clerk
to proceed with Rural.
CSM – HARRIET BUCHOLTZ – CTY HWY U – Planning commission has met and
recommends approving a CSM presented by Haynes Surveying for Harriet Bucholtz. She has
24.03 acres located in Section 30 on Cty Hwy U and is splitting it into two parcels: Lot 1 is 4.23
acres and Lot 2 is 19.80 acres. Motion Kohl, Stuebs to approve the CSM for Harriet Bucholtz.
EDWARD PETERSON – N460 DRAKE DRIVE - Mr. Peterson is constructing a garage on his
property and would like a temporary driveway permit during the construction. With trucks going
in and out, it would destroy his driveway. Restoration will be made after the completion of the
project. Board has no issue with doing so.
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE CODIFICATION: Motion Sanders, Kohl to approve the
adoption of the town’s code of ordinaces. The clerk will publish the following in the paper as a
Class 1 notice. The Town of Fremont does hereby resolve:
Please take notice that the Town of Fremont, enacted a Code of Ordinances, containing
Chapters 1-17; Protecting the Right to Farm; Driveways & Culverts; Site Plan Review;
Building Regulations, Creation of a Planning Commission; Subdivision Ordinance;
Billboard & Sign Ordinance; Nuisance Noise Ordinance; Comprehensive Plan
Ordinance; Recreation & Tourist Camp Ordinance; Cell Tower Ordinance; Licenses &
Permits; Water Traffic Regulation on Wolf River; Fire Fee Regulation; Zoning
Ordinance; Room Tax Ordinance; Town Hall Rental Ordinance; and Fee Schedule, on
May 21, 2013. The full text of the code may be obtained at the town clerk's office at
E7403 Hwy 110, Fremont, WI or through the town's website: www.townfremont.com.
OPERATOR PERMIT – CARLY ZINGLER – Ms. Zingler failed to fill her application correctly.
Her background check came back with an issue, which does not prohibit her from obtaining the
operators’ license; however, her application did not indicate this instance. Board agrees to
approve license.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Sanders attended the fire department meeting and reported on the
meeting. Dan Sambs from the village wants to form a committee to revisit the charges incurred
by the fire department to residents during fire calls. Need a rep from the town. Sanders also
attended the EMS meeting. EMS is looking for a $5,000 contribution from each municipality for
delinquent accounts and difference received from insurance payments. Sanders suggested the
town budget $15,000 per year for this contribution. EMS needs a 12 lead defibulator to stay
current with state requirements which is approximately $6,000-8,000 divided three ways. Second
ambulance will need replacing by 2025 at a cost to $50,000 to the town. Sanders reminded the
board that he is departing after the June 18th board meeting; and will need to appoint or elect a
replacement. The replacement person should be computer savvy to communicate with the
Jacobson and Eiberger on a sometimes daily basis.
BUILDING INSPECTOR’S REPORT: Motion Sanders, Kohl to approve the following permits:
Glen Schmidt – AG Access permit; Bauer Electric - 400 amp service in Jellystone Park; Ed
Peterson – garage addition. All permits meet necessary requirements.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk asked for approval to send $300 security deposit back to the Masters
in May organization. Eiberger approved. Clerk had received complaint from town resident on
Bayou Road having large potholes and the need for it to be looked at. Kohl & Stuebs have agreed
to look at the road and see what can be done, and respond to the resident. Clerk was approached
from a resident willing to do maintenance around the town hall, filling water softener salt, snow
shoveling, etc. After discussion, it was agreed that it is not needed at this time. Clerk will alert
supervisors of maintenance issues needed. Open house has been coordinated for May 25, 2013.
ADJORNMENT: Motion Sanders, Kohl. Carried.
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi Jacobson, Clerk