Brazeau Considers Joining Suring Library Association

Brazeau Town Board Chairman Ryan Wendt informed the board members that Oconto County would be charging the town $11,571.01 as it's share of the over $100,000 charge coming to the county from the Brown County Library Association.

Wisconsin Act 420, passed several years ago, allows County Library Systems to charge neighboring counties for use of their library resources when residents of those counties are not members of a local or county library system. For a couple of years, most library systems did not have the capability to track the residency of non-county members, and those that did, chose not to make the charge as the law allowed.

Brown County, however, has elected to make those charges this year based upon library use in 2011, and will probably elect to do the same based upon 2012 usage. The understanding of the Brazeau Town Board was that Marinette County also has the capability to track usage by residency, but has thus far elected not do to so. This was of special concern to the Brazeau Town Board because most of the Town is part of the Coleman School District and many residents may have used the Coleman Branch of Marinette County's Library system.

Knowing that joining a library association exempts the town from any such charges, Wendt invited representatives from the Suring Library Association to address the Board on the services they could offer and the costs to the town.

Brazeau resident LoAnn Elbe introduced Bob Ray from the Library Association and Amanda Burns, the library director, who both spent time describing what joining the association could mean.

Ray mentioned that the Association has agreements with five towns in the county, and that agreement meant that the five towns were not billed by Brown County. Ray explained that Oconto County already includes a library assessment on residents' taxes and that if Brazeau joined those taxes would be directed to the town and then forwarded to the Library Association. He was not exactly sure how much that amount would be or if the town would have to come up with an additional small amount of revenue to meet the Association's dues. More checking would need to be done, he said.

Wendt explained that he has had some contact with the Nicolet Library System, the parent organization of Marinette County's Library system, about the possibilities of joining the Coleman branch. He has not received the information as yet.

Wendt also explained since this whole idea of county's charging other counties was such a new concept in the state, some legal decisions may be forthcoming either from the court systems or from the legislature.

Following all of this discussion, the Board consented to proceed with the application process to become part of the Suring Library Association while all the facts and figures are determined.

It was noted that the Suring Association made a similar presentation to the Brazeau Town Board two years ago, but at the time there was interest in joining.

In other business, the Board approved the purchase of a used truck, an item that was in the budget approved for 2013. The current 1988 half-ton pickup is nearly worn out. Quotes on a new one-ton were in the $70,000 range, which was viewed as untenable based upon the budget. After looking at two used models, the Board elected to approve the purchase of a 2003 model for $18,000. The Chevy has an 8-foot box with flip-down sides and an all electric plow.

Under unfinished business, a table driveway permit for Darrell Enix was tabled again. Contact had been made with Enix requesting that he mark the exact position of the proposed driveway so that the board members could individually go and examine the site prior to approval. However, Enix has not yet done so. Wendt said he would contact Enix again to mark the location of the proposed driveway site.

Another item from Unfinished Business was the request of Don Hoff and Nancy VanStraten on Half Moon Lake. Supervisor Gerald Kempka reported he contacted the surveyor toperform a survey. It will be done after deer season concludes. Kempka noted that all the utility lines have been marked.

A recommendation from the Plan Commission on land use was approved. Don Meyer requested that portion of his parcel on CTH B be separated from the rest of his land and that the new 1.18 acre parcel be zoned commercial. The Plan Commission recommended the move with no restrictions. Supervisor Ronald Gretzon abstained from the vote because of family ties.

An agenda item on the possibility of adding and replacing fencing around the Recycle Center was tabled. The idea was to add/replace a portion of the fencing with 6-foot high sections on the east side to prevent trash from escaping the center on windy days. The Board also discussed possibly doing something at the brush site.

Approval was given to the Joy Riders Snowmobile Club to use selected town roads for the 2012-2013 winter season as parts of their snowmobile trails. The club has been receiving the approval on the same roads for close to 20 years. The Club has over 500 members, many of whom are town residents. Every year, members put in 400-500 volunteer hours preparing and maintaining the 100 plus miles of trails in the town.

Sue Kanack reported that the Brazeau Ambulance conducted five runs the past month. She noted some new requirements being placed on the service to prevent fraud, which will be addressed with database access. The service is also working on IDs and paperwork protocols.

Kanack added the service has updated all their LOSA requirements and has turned them in to the town clerk. She also detailed some of the things happening under the coming MABAS unit so that the service works in unison with other departments and ambulance services.

Chief John Fetterly reported that the Brazeau Fire Department recently added two new members. One has extensive background working with the Red Cross and the other is very experienced in fighting wildfire/grass fires.

With the able assistance of many department members, the four new dry hydrants were recently installed. Part of the cost for these hydrants on local lakes was made possible by a grant from the Wisconsin DNR. The Department is considering adding two more dry hydrants in 2013.

Fetterly added that the local MABAS unit goes active on Jan. 10, 2013. The Brazeau Town Hall was the site of a recent MABAS training exercise, which was very beneficial and very well done. More MABAS training will take place before the activation date in January.

Fetterly noted the Fire Department has updated and submitted their LOSA list with the town clerk.

The financial reports for the town showed that as of Nov. 13, the checking account had a balance of $1,000, General Account balance was $77,876.75, and the Tax Account showed $10,045.76. Expenses approved totaled $22,070.17. Income for October totaled $66,677.22, $58,460.97 of which was the final installment of transportation aid from the state.

No word was received on two items discussed in closed session. They were an ambulance employee issue and setting the compensation for the Brazeau Sanitary District members.

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