March 13, 2023 – MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING FOR TOWN OF FRANKLIN
The March monthly meeting for the Town of Franklin was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Dave Wesely followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Officers present: Dave Wesely, Jim Wacek, Katie Duckart, Sandy Smidle and Todd DeGrave.
Katie Duckart made a motion to approve the agenda as printed, Jim Wacek seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Jim Wacek made a motion to accept the minutes as printed from the February Town Board meeting with one correction to the spelling of Katie Duckart. Katie Duckart seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer Sandy Smidle presented the Treasurer’s Report, which shows a balance of $421,147.50 Katie Duckart made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, Jim Wacek seconded the motion, the motion carried.
Zoning Administrator Suzi Sevcik reported no building permits last month. There is an application for land division and rezone which the planning committee has scheduled a meeting on March 20, 2023
County Supervisor Scott Brown was not present.
First Responder Suzi Sevcik reported 0 calls last month. Suzi Sevcik gave a presentation to the Kewaunee 4H club called “Stop The Bleed” after which the 4 H club donated $400 to FEMR. Also received $629 for work done at the toy show at Heritage Farm.
Application for a conditional use permit was not complete so the hearing was cancelled. No action taken at this point but Chairman Dave Wesely informed Tyler Baenen that he could finish the process in the future if desired.
Right of way fee structure and form were discussed. Chairman Dave Wesely presented fees from surrounding towns. Katie Duckart made a motion to approve the following fee structure:
– $25 plus .10 per foot for burying in the ditch
– $300 for boring under a Town Road
– $500 for trenching through Town Road
– $1000 Penalty if started without a permit
* two year maintenance of road due to settling, etc.
Jim Wacek seconded the motion, motion carried.
Chairman Dave Wesely present information on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Dave Wesley stated that he met with Todd Every from the County Highway Department to discus possible projects for the Town of Franklin. The Town of Franklin is eligible for a 50 % cost share program for a bridge on Manitowoc Road. Dave Wesely made a motion to approve a plastic culvert for work to be done by the County at a cost of approximately $8,200 of which the Town will pay $4,100. Katie Duckart seconded the motion, motion carried.
Dave Wesely went on to say that the Town is not eligible this year for the LRIP entitlement program because we received that in 2022. The Town is eligible for supplemental and discretionary projects. Those are called “earned” projects and subject to approval process. The deadline for application for 2024 road projects is December 15th but it is requested they be in by October of this year. The Town Board will assess all roads to determine the priority.
Dave Wesely stated that the Town is not eligible for any bridge aid right now. Not sure if bridge aid can be used on non-inspected bridges under 20 feet.
The County is willing to fill pot holes for approximately $2,400 if the Town wants. Could do crack sealing if the road is in good shape and not scheduled for repaving any time soon. The County said it will be replacing AB in front of the Town Hall this summer and KB East of County Road V in 2026.
The Tisch Mills fire contract was tabled until a special meeting to be held on March 30,, 2023.
It was decided to pay Town Board salaries 10 days early at a special meeting to be held March 30, 2023. The reason for paying a few days early is to get the expense in the first quarter of 2023 for ARPA expense reporting purposes.
The 2022 annual report as presented by clerk Todd DeGrave was reviewed. Corrections were needed. The 2022 Annual report will be approved at the special meeting March 30, 2023 after corrections are made.
Town Orders # 41 to # 54 were discussed, approved and paid.
Our next monthly Town Board meeting will April 10, 2023. at the Franklin Town Hall.
There being no further discussion, the March Town Board meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Todd DeGrave Town Clerk