Newsletter
December 2001
(Issue No. 8)
Welcome,
To the eighth addition of the town newsletter. This newsletter is published by the Town Board to keep town residents current on issues and events affecting the Town.
The Town of Prairie du Sac consists of a total of 6 square miles of area, north and west of the Villages of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac. The Town has about 1129 residents. The Town Hall is located on the west side of USH 12 between CTH PF and Prairie Road. The Town Board includes two supervisors and a chairman elected for two-year terms. Also elected for two-year terms are treasurer and clerk. The next election will be in April of 2003.
The town hall is available for rent to all town residents. The cost is $50 including a deposit fee of $25. Call the town clerk, Dick Nolden, at 544-2406 to arrange for the hall rental.
**** 2001 Road Improvements ****
The town reconstructed a section of Swiss Valley Road from CTH PF to Prairie Road. The town also reconstructed River Road. The town also completed maintenance of several roads including crack filling on sections of Prairie Road and Von Wald Road. Each spring the town board members drive all the roads in the town and evaluate the roads based a numerical rating system. This year, the rating system was incorporated into a computer program called PASER provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Each year the town’s survey rating will need to be submitted to the WDOT in order to continue to qualify for state road funding.
**** 2001 Property Tax Bills ****
The new tax bill form introduced last year worked very well and will continue to be used in the future. There is a slight increase in real estate taxes offset by a slight increase in the lottery credit for residential property. Again this year as in the past several years there is a decrease in farm land values. This is the main reason for the slight increase in residential tax. Reassessment of the Town will begin in 2002 and will be completed in 2003. When mailing your payment just remove the appropriate perforated stub and mail with your check. Remember to mail timely as post marked dates are used for payments.
**** Dog License Registration ****
Sauk County ordinance requires Dogs to be registered. Males and Females are $10, Neutered Males and Spayed Females are $5.
Licenses Fees Fund The Expense Of An Animal Shelter. The Penalty For Not Having A License Is $116.75. Citations Will Be Issued.
**** Land Use Plan ****
The town continues to fine tune its land use ordinances adopted in 1999, as a part of its Master Planning update process. The new ordinances include a land division ordinance, a driveway permit ordinance, and a building permit ordinance.
The major elements of these ordinances include the following:
· All land divisions of 80 acres or less will require a certified survey and approval of the Town.
· All land division requests will require submittal of a Town Land Division Application from the Town Clerk.
· Minimum parcel size for land division in the exclusive agricultural zoning area is 35 acres regardless of natural boundaries, roads, and tax parcels.
· All new building construction (except some agricultural buildings that are exempt) require a Site Plan Approval, Driveway Permit and a Building Permit Application.
· The Town has established a Plan Committee to review and make recommendations to the Town Board regarding issues related to the Town Master Plan and ordinances.
If you would like a copy of the Town Master Plan or have any questions regarding the need to obtain approval or a permit, you can contact the Town Clerk, Dick Nolden, at 544-2406. The Town has prepared an Applications Guide, also available from the Town Clerk, which may help answer your questions. If you have a question regarding the need for a building permit, you may call Joe Costanza, the building inspector at 643-5329
**** Plan Committee ****
The Town Plan Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Town Hall. There are five citizens appointed by the Town Chairman on the committee. They include Fritz Wyttenbach (Chairman), Dennis Porter, Cheryl Schneller, Terry Steuber, and Judy Schroeder. Committee members serve for a period of one to two years. If you are interested in serving on the plan committee, please contact the Town Chairman, Halsey Sprecher.
**** Recycling ****
Residential pick up of recyclables is made twice a month on the second and fourth Monday of the month.
All recyclables should be placed at the end of the driveway in a clear plastic bag. Recyclables are to be mixed in the same bag (they do not need to be separated) and may include glass, plastic, tin and aluminum as follows:
o plastic- no.1 thru 7, rinsed, caps off
o glass- rinsed, caps off
o aluminum/tin-rinsed
o newspapers-bundled and securely tied
o cardboard- flattened and securely tied in bundles
This service is available to all town residents and includes recyclables only. This service has been contracted to Tim's Trucking, LLC, any questions call 544-2413. It does not include regular garbage pickup (this must be contracted privately) nor does it include non recyclables (lead batteries, tires, yard waste, major appliances, or motor oil).
The amount of recyclables collected in the township more than tripled over the last four years. In 1995 an estimated 20 tons of recyclables were dropped off at the recycling center. The tonnage in 1996 increased to 42 tons, 56 tons in 1997, 65 tons in 1998, and 67 tons in 1999 and
2000. While this program has been very successful, it ultimately depends on the participation of all town residents.
The Sauk County landfill is open to the public every Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 524-6515 for further information.
**** 2002 Town Budget ****
At its November board meeting and public hearing, the town adopted its budget for the 2002 calendar year in the amount of $259,000. Slightly over half of the revenue for this expenditure is from state shared revenues and transportation aid. A total of $124,000 will come from town taxes. The town’s mill rate based on this budget is $1.80 per thousand valuation.
Major budgeted expenses include roadway maintenance and repair ($136,000), fire protection ($25,000), and collection of recyclables ($13,200). 2002 road work will be decided in April 2002, but approximately $110,000 was budgeted for this work.
**** Town Board and Officers ****
Halsey Sprecher - Town Chairman
Ron Lins - First Supervisor
John Lichtenheld - Second Supervisor
Richard Nolden - Town Clerk
Richard Meier - Town Treasurer
The town hall does have a telephone answering machine. You can leave a message at 643-3656.