TOWN OF LINDEN

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

March 20, 2024

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairman Dean Liddicoat. 

Present: Dean Liddicoat, Mark Sieling, Jeff Lindner, Shelly Wendhausen, Sam Palzkill, Josh Husom

Others Present:  Leonard Lenz, Mel Masters, Susan Brugger, Stosh Potocki, Brandon Davis, Liz Larson, Patrick Gehl, Kathy Ladd

Confirmed compliance with open meeting law.  Posted March 18, 2024 at the Town hall and on the Town website.

Minutes from the February 14, 2024 Board meeting were approved on a motion by Mark, second by Jeff.

Mark indicated a correction to the minutes from the fencing dispute meeting from $550 to $500.  Motion to approve minutes from that meeting by Jeff, second by Mark.

Susan Brugger explained several areas of the liability insurance.  If sub-contractors do not provide proof of insurance, they must be  paid as wages to be covered by our liability/WC policy.  If using their equipment, they need to provide a proof of insurance and be listed on the insurance audit.  That includes the auditor.  The general liability policy covers claims from citizen injuries on Township property and also damage by Township employees to property.  Directors and Officers insurance covers suits filed by someone who disagrees with Board action.  Both the individual officers and the Board would be named.

Workers Comp insurance is $100,000 per person and 500/100 per accident.  For an additional $140 per year premium coverage would be raised to $1M.  It would pay wages for someone off work due to injury.  Motion by Mark, second by Jeff to raise coverage to $1m.  passed

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Stosh – Thanks for responding to the Bloomfield Prairie survey.  Results were  to save the prairie and public access.  County gets $100,000 from it and has costs of $15,000 per year.  The group passed a motion to encourage the Conservation dept to look for alternate funding.

Brandon Davis --- Inverengy – beginning in the third quarter of 2024.  There will be cash to localities.  They will support the roads.  It has been delveloped over the last five years with studies of wildlife and health impacts and sleep effects.  Expect approval from State in third quarter of 2025 and to be in operation in 2026. Proposing 25 turbines 3.8 to 6.2 megwatts.  Assurances that roads that are damaged will be repaired.

Patrick Gehl --- Pattern Energy /Upland Winds – Resource to Township.  Third quarter 2024 permeating.  Number of turbines unknown.

Kathy Ladd  ---  There are no 6.2 turbines in the US, only in the oceans. The 600’ turbines make those at Montfort look like toys.  Turbines are scheduled ¾ to 1 mile from Iowa Grant Schools.  Not for same for homes.  The wind siting council proposes 250’ from property line.

Mel Masters --- There are two  contracts and gov’t programs for townships in the next 3 to 4 years.  The airport had a public hearing regarding expansion.  Iowa County has not signed any contract for wind.  Call him if you have any questions.

Town and Country contract tabled.  Doug called Josh asking if we are considering house pick up.

Dean signed a contract for Iowa County to handle the culvert inventory.

Mark will call Delta Engineering re: the ATRIP road grant.

Board of review May 6, 2024 before meeting at 6:45 pm

Annual meeting Arpil 16, 2024 at 7:00pm with the monthly Town Board to immediately follow.

Road review set for March 28, 2024 at 8:00am

Fence issue --  question re: number of wires 4 or 5.  Five not required but will encourage that.

Respectfully submitted,

Sam Palzkill, Clerk