Post Messenger Recorder -

The Monticello Village Board met on January 18, 2017. Trustee Robert Harvey was absent. The boardroom in Village Hall was filled to capacity, with some people standing in the hallway. During the Public Comment section of the meeting three people were on the agenda to speak.

First to speak was Leaora Miller. She presented the board with a petition with over 260 signatures requesting that the board hire Monticello Police Officer Szvon Conway as Police Chief. Miller said that the three reasons she and the signers of the petition supported Conway for Chief were Approachability, Personality and Common Sense as well as his 17 years of experience with the Monticello Police Department.

Next to speak was Mick McClain. He spoke to the board about what he felt was lack of communication between the Village Board and the public. He gave examples including the board not discussing resolutions to issues such as a lack of an update to the missing funds in the Police Outlay. McClain added that he was worried that things are not being documented and is concerned about how the board is conducting business.

Sue Sinnett was the final speaker. She said she supported Officer Conway as Police Chief but also wanted to discuss the need for a Retirement Community in Monticello. Sinnett noted that she felt that the land at the north end of Main Street would be a perfect place for such a community and said she felt that the issue should be looked into.

During the Personnel Committee report, Trustee Greg Bettin reported on the contract between the Village of Monticello and Interim Police Chief Tom Erb. The board approved a contract that would have Erb working 20 hours per week and his salary would include Wisconsin Retirement at a rate of 10.8% and would retain life insurance coverage from the village. The employment would last until a new Police Chief is hired, with an estimate of March 2017. Either the Village or Erb may terminate the contract at any time by giving notice and specifying an effective date.

It was also noted that at the next Village Board meeting the board would be asked to review two applications for Police Chief out of the seven that had been received. After reviewing those two applications, the board could consider whether they should go ahead with interviews and background checks on those two or look at some of the others.

Trustee Tere Dunlap discussed the Sewer Income Survey that had been sent to residents late last year. If enough responses to the survey are not received, the Village will be unable to apply for grants and/or low interest loans to assist in paying for the required update of the sewer system (See Dunlap’s letter to the editor on page 2). Dunlap asked Village Board members to assist in going door to door with the survey. She noted that the responses are confidential, and only ask whether the household falls into certain income brackets. Residents complete the surveys in private, and they are mailed to Delta 3 Engineering. The responses do not go through Village Offices or committees.

Village President LaVerne Crooks pointed out that the update of the sewer facilities is required, and if grants aren’t received then the updates would be the responsibility of the taxpayers. Dunlap said that grants may pay for the majority of the cost. Bettin noted that if Monticello didn’t get the grants, some other community would get them.

The board once again discussed the property on 215 E. Lake Avenue. Village Attorney Alicia Augsberger sent the board a memo informing them that there is nothing in Village Ordinances or State Statutes that would permit them to fine the owner of the property on a daily basis for a public nuisance. In her memo she gave the board some options on how to proceed with this matter. Augsberger advised the board that it would need to decide whether it wanted abatement of the nuisance or whether it wanted to raze the structure. She also advised that it would be wise to get a letter report of title on the property since in the event the village gets a raze order, all parties who have an interest in the property will need to be notified. The board decided to go ahead with obtaining a letter report of title from the title company.

The board also took up the need for high speed internet. Trustee Steve Scanlan presented the board with a resolution requesting that the Green County Board of Supervisors join with communities to bring high-speed reliable internet options to Green County. This was the same resolution passed by the Town of New Glarus, as well as other municipalities in the county. The board discussed the necessity for high speed internet for current businesses, prospective businesses, homes and even school students who at times currently cannot connect to the internet to do homework. Following a discussion, the board unanimously passed the resolution presented.