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June 11, 2008 Special Town Meeting
MINUTES OF SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING June 11, 2008 The Town of Delavan Town Meeting was held at Delavan Community Center South Shore Drive and Hwy 50 after due notice had been posted Chair Polzin called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Polzin stated Supervisor Franzen was excused all others were present with special guests Attorney Wassel, Mark Mullikin, Superintendent of Walworth County Highway and Maintenance and Mark Kolczaski of Baxter Woodman. Audience: Approximately _100_ people Communications: NONE Old Business: NONE New Business: Discussion/possible recommendation of the Town Board to consider increasing the road budget for 2008, for the improvement of the Inlet Subdivision roads, and other designated roads. Chair Polzin explained how the meeting would be run and what could be expected. Chair Polzin, Administrator and Highway Foreman (Mike Petkoff) visited the Inlet Subdivision today and found that culverts were damaged, plugged and rocks put in front of the culvert stopping the water from draining properly. Chair Polzin suggested in order for everything to work is everyone has to work together unplugging culverts, removing rocks, and fixing damaged culverts. John Ruess 533 Valencia moved here about 10 years ago. Mr. Bentley had subdivision originally, to his knowledge he was to put 2 inches of asphalt on the roads. The water issue occurred; when County “F” was raised he started to have problems in his yard. Mr. Ruess does not understand why something can not be put on the west side of County F to help with the problem. Supervisor Wolfgram stated there was not any agreement with the town for the asphalt on Valencia Drive. When county “F” was redone it was milled down then resurfaced. Mark Mullikin stated that it is now 3 inches higher than it had been. It appears to be an optical illusion due to the widening of the road from 22’ to 24’ and the shoulder is narrower and the in-slope of the ditch appears steeper. Mark Kolczaski stated on the west side of the LeBar farm would have to be dug out to 4-5’ with a pipe, and once water is rerouted it is still going to cross onto Schroeder and come back through the inlet. The water would still have to be routed again south across highway 50. It is possible, but will be very expensive. Dan Heath read a letter of how he felt about the project (In Favor of Project), which is on file. Chair Polzin commented on what is best for the town; it is wrong to stop something because it is not in your front yard. We must all work together in order for this to happen, keep an open mind. Chair Polzin does not feel the town should spend a lot of money until we know where all of the problems lie. $250,000 goes into the budget every year for road work. The inlet project is estimated at $341,000 for road improvements plus and extra $50,000 for culverts. If allowed to go ahead with the project the town would have $550,000 for the road budget. It is designated to be used as follows: $67,000 Mound Road (Bridge to Hwy 67 repaved) $391,000 Inlet Project $140,000 Theatre Road (Town Hall to Hwy 67) $598,000 Total for all projects The town has decided if this project is approved; it will take the $140,000 to be used for Theatre Road and hold that project off until the Inlet roads and culverts have been finished. Fran Fluke 820 Inlet Shore Drive agrees with the Chairman and it is far reaching and felt it would benefit the whole town. Inlet Shore Drive is one of the lowest areas. She felt asphalt was washing into the lake from the damaged roads. Donna Hopkins read a letter of her opinions of the problem (on File). She has kept a photo album of damage over the years that would be willing to share to help with the problem. Chair Polzin made a suggestion the town could condemn the Shodeen and or the LeBar land if needed as an alternative to create holding ponds. Nancy Clark 415 Breezy Street wanted to be clear at what was being proposed. Chair Polzin stated the culverts would be put in where the engineer has recommended then black top the roads. Once finished a study needs to be done to see where the water still needs to be diverted or corrected. Mark Kolczaski (Engineer) gave a presentation of what is to be proposed: Larger culverts near Shell Station, Breezy Street, Cool Street, Delavan Drive and Schroeder (Valencia to be done at a later date) Repave subdivision roads. Water from farms would not be addressed at this time. Mark Mullikin (County Representative) stated he agreed with the engineer and Town Chair; also talked about the new processes that are in place to help with this situation. Suggested a partnership between town and its citizens to build a water way with a weir and a 10-12” tile, then correct the water way near Valencia Street and keep the water on the north side and will divert the water over to the inlet. This does cost money and does not take away all of the water and will not help with Schroeder Avenue. Another thought to get water to stay on west side of road, the water way south of Hwy 50 would be a storm sewer. Mark also addresses why culverts should not be blocked, the water has to escape, if it does not happen it will wash the west should and eventually undermine the pavement. Larry Malsch 417 First Street, original comment or suggestion was to have Mark go over what will be done that has been taken care of. Larry hoped that this was not going to be a band aid, and hopes that if it is done it is done right. Mike Rogers 233 Inlet Shore Drive felt that creating the ponds would help and could possibly prevent that portion of the Shodeen project. Marvin Herman 1705 Sunset Lane felt the greater concern is not necessarily the improvement of the road but to do structural things that will prevent water flow to inappropriate places in the future. The Chairman stated there was some urgency for the $300,000, is it important to make a decision what to do with that, why could their not be an alternative for the citizens to take the $300,000 and put it in a reserve for the Inlet. Audience did not agree. Mark Kolczaski stated we are already a few months behind to start the project. After receiving bids it will be August as a start date and is going to be cutting it close to be finished this year. Supervisor Jones summarized what would happen. John Pelletier made a motion that the surplus be reduced by $300,000 so the Inlet Road Project can go forward in 2008, motion second by Herb Sessner. Chair Polzin called for the vote, citizens were upset that there was no discussion after the motion was made. Joe Keithley 214 Schroeder did not have water problem; but felt what was happening tonight is what the town was going to do about the water project, it seemed that the board is trying to push through a road project which may help a little bit. Chair Polzin stated that the board is not looking at putting in culverts now and patching it with gravel. John Ruess asked if we could use the money to do a study on the water problem. Supervisor Jones stated one of the reasons that we cannot take the $300,000 and spend it on just the water problem because the water problem is a local problem and the roads are a public problem and used by everyone. The water problem is in your basements and what it amounts to is it will probably come down to special assessments to fix the water problem. Chair asked if there were any more questions and called for the vote. A final count was made; the Chair felt there were enough hands raised to approve the motion. Adjournment Chairman Polzin made a motion to adjourn the meeting with a second from unknown person in the audience and the motion carried unanimously. Chair Polzin adjourned the meeting at 8:16 PM. Prepared and submitted by: ______________________________________ Dixie Bernsteen, Town Clerk