Town of Athelstane Okays Loader Rental

The Town of Athelstane owns two loaders, both 30 to 40 years and during the last week of July and first week of August, both of them developed major mechanical problems. One unit is repairable, but the other would cost large amounts of money to fix.

The Town Board invited a representative from Fabco/Cat to their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The rep presented quotes for a long term, 5-year rental on a new unit. The proposal included an option to purchase after five years. A full warrantee would be in effect during the rental and an extension available should later purchase be pursued.

Two possible units were presented, with options for equipment. The board preferred the multi-use bucket options. One would be available in November and the other could be available within a week.

After much discussion and with input from the road crew and town residents, the Board voted to rent the upgraded unit that would be available the soonest. The annual rental cost is $15,000 to $16,000. After the five years, the town could purchase the unit for $86,000, or could just return it and rent a new one. Outright purchase of a new loader would be in the $140,000 to $160,000 range.

Last month, the Board reported the town budget for road repair/maintenance was running dangerously low, so several members at this meeting questioned how the town was going to come up with the money to pay the rental price. The Fabco rep stated the company was willing to give the town $7,000 for trade-in value for the unrepairable unit in the town fleet. This would reduce the cost to the $8,000 to $9,000 range. Town Treasurer Greg explained the rest of the money could possibly come from the areas in the town budget that were over budgeted for this year, like the insurance category which appears will end the year $35,000 over budget. He also explained the town has not spent any of its Contingency Fund, which stands at $25,000.

The board discussed the options available and approved the rental unit that would be available within a week or two from Fabco at a yearly cost of $15,718.

In other matters, the meeting opened with Chairman John Dobratz reporting that the Post Office has agreed to allow a locked-box in the facility to accommodate the posting of office town meetings so that the documents are not stolen again. He also expressed appreciation for the idea from last meeting that extra copies of the agenda be available at the posting sites. A locked box will also be installed at the town hall. Bruce Mueller was thanked for making the boxes.

Marinette County Supervisor Russ Bousley, who represents Town of Athelstane - Ward 2 along with Town of Dunbar - Wards 1 & 2, introduced himself and spoke briefly. He informed the audience of about 35 people that he would be glad to remain after the meeting to meet them and answer questions they may have.

In other Public Comments, Chuck Wutkowski asked about a tree that had been removed on Mathis Road. He expressed concern that the tree may have been taken down with the brush cutter. He also questioned whether or not town employees were putting down gravel on private roads. Harold Tesch Jr. said he would check on the matters.

A resident asked about the purchase of a loader and protecting the town's interests, especially in view of the problems with the diesel truck. Another resident questioned what the town was going to do with Benson Lake Road, an item that would be covered later in the meeting.

Someone also wondered about the town painting lines on North Way. The answer given was that that particular road was turned over to the town by the county and that part of the agreement stated the lines painted thereon had to be kept up.

A resident requested uniformity in town minutes in connection with the name of Supervisor Bill Jose name. He was excused from the meeting because he was out of town.

In communications, Dobratz announced two letters were received from the American Transmission Company for plans for new high voltage lines probably through the town. One of the letters was from the Town of Hobart. It was also announced the funeral arrangements for a well-known town resident who recently died.

The Fire Department reported that in the month they held two training meetings but no fire calls. The Planning Commission had no requests in the month. The commission reported discussion on enforcement of requirements for developers and progress Ordinances 4.0, 4.1, and 5.0.

In connection with their report, the town board discussed a driveway issue at a development on Smiley Road near Benson Lake Road. The problem developed because of too many driveways coming out on a curve on Benson Lake.

Treasurer Reinhardt reported that as of July 31, the town account balances stood at checking--$1,214.13; Tax Money Market--$102,857.09; General Money Market --$3,642.63; and the two town CDs at $107,714.54 and $83,956.43 respectively. Receipts for the month were $69,774.52 and expenses were $54,616.72 plus $599 in debits.

Major income items for the month were $52,586.29 from the third payment for Highway Aids, $8,014.93 from collection of Personal Property Taxes, $2,974.76 from State Fire Dues, $2,020.95 from a partial payment of Shared Revenues from the state, and a $571.61 reimbursement from the Fire Department for a new refrigerator.

Major expense items were $24,800 to Michaels Construction for crushing gravel, $4,771.59 to Larson Co-op for fuel, $4,054.50 to Richlen Excavating for hauling clay, $805 in election expenses, and $588 to A-1 Excavating for hauling the bulldozer.

Dobratz announced the equalized valuation report has been received. The value of town real estate has dropped by $3,718,200 and the valuation of personal property in the town also is down by $220,200. The total valuation of the Town of Athelstane was $124,608,400.

Dobratz reporting on the recent meeting of the Recycling Coalition noted the town now has a source to get rid of TVs for a cost of $5. Goodwill has a route and will stop at the town. There will be no cost for recycling computers or other electronics. There will no other changes in fees.

Tesch reported both loaders in the department are down. One is being repaired. He spoke about Benson Lake Road and noted that a portion of the road will need to be raised. This would require that the road be closed for about a week once work begins. The town highway department wants to fix it right this time. An option brought up was the installation of a culvert in the difficult section.

The board decided to approve the proposal from Northeast Asphalt to pulverize portions of Perch Lake, Smiley and Benson Lake Roads. The roads will be allowed to winterize and the paving will be put out for bids next spring.

Dobratz announced an emergency road crew will be gathered for the winter. A sign-up sheet will be posted for anyone who would like to be on it. The crew will be called upon in case of a winter weather emergency to clear the roads.

Changes were approved for the 2012-2013 snowplowing rates for property owners. The town will plow private roads at the rates set in the contract. This brought in about $12,000 to the town last year. Approval was given to seal the cemetery fence, the town hall front and the town hall sign. The work will be done by the town.

No action was taken on the agenda item dealing with the “eyesore on County C,” an item stemming from a complaint turned in several months ago.

Mary Carol McNamara announced that she was voluntarily resigning from the Planning Commission so that Mueller could take over her spot. She pointed to Mueller's prior work on the committee and his computer skills. The board accepted her resignation and approved the appointment of Mueller.

The Board announced that Dobratz and Reinhardt would be making appointments to the Court Administrative Committee.

A proposal to amend Ordinance 32 to open all town roads in the Town of Athelstane to ATVs and UTVs was tabled. It was noted that many surrounding towns are opening up all their roads to this traffic and that the most of the town roads are already open to such. But several residents questioned the wisdom of doing so because some town roads are not conducive to or safe for ATV/UTV traffic, especially roads with very sharp curves and roads that are dead ends. Prior to next month, the board will do some more extensive research.

Approval was given to change the town ordinance in regard to town officer terms. The change will leave officers in their positions for one week longer due to changes in state election law. The state law also requires that the town annual meetings be held one week later in tApril.

Approval was given for town officials to attend a Wisconsin Towns Association worship scheduled for September in Wabeno.

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