Newsletter
December 2002
(Issue No. 9)
Welcome,
To the ninth 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 1137 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 a treasurer and a 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.
**** 2002 Road Improvements ****
This summer the town reconstructed a section of Swiss Valley Road between Prairie Road and the north town line, a distance of about .8 miles. The town also reconstructed the roads within the Windings subdivision including Longwood Drive, Meadowdale Road, Woodford Lane and Timbercrest Trail encompassing another .8 miles. The town also completed maintenance of several roads including crack filling.
Each spring the town board members drive all the roads in the town (about 40 miles) and evaluate the roads based on a numerical rating system. This past year, the rating system was incorporated into a computer program called PASER provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Next year (2003) is the first year that the rating system will be used in its entirety to identify the road sections that are in need of work. Based on the rating system, those roads that are in the worst condition and in need of work include Otter Creek, Von Wald, Exchange, Block, Sauk Prairie, and Skunk Valley Road. A decision on the roads to be included in the 2003 road improvement program will be decided this winter for early bidding in the spring.
**** Election Workers Needed ****
The town is in need of election workers to help at the polls during the spring and fall elections. If interested contact the town clerk, Dick Nolden at 544-2406.
**** 2002 Property Tax Bills ****
If you had no change to your property assessment Real Estate Taxes have increased 10.5% on residential homes and improvements for 2002. Again this year as in the past few years assessed values for farm land continue to be reduced. For 2002 the Towns farm land values were reduced on average 48%. Farm land assessed values for 2002 are from $200 to around $400 per acre. Reassessment of the Town began in 2002 and will be completed in 2003. When mailing your payment just remove the appropriate perforated stub and mail with your check. Escrow checks should be made out for the exact amount of your tax bill, if not contact your mortgage company and ask that they reissue your tax payment. If you have an escrow check from your mortgage company made out to you make sure you endorse that check before you make your payment 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 Sauk County 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 the land use ordinances adopted in 1999, as a part the update its Master Land Use. The new ordinances include a land division ordinance, a driveway permit ordinance, and a building permit ordinance. The town board and planning commission met this year, to discuss the coordination of action and land use issues.
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 exempted) requires a Site Plan Approval Application and a Building Permit Application.
Ÿ 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 or go to the town web site at www.townofprairiedusac.org. The Town has prepared an Applications Guide, also available from the Town Clerk and web site, 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.
The town is participating in two major land use studies that affect this area. One is the USH 12 corridor study. This study, partly funded by the WDOT, attempts to address the land use impacts of scheduled improvements to USH 12 in Sauk County. A committee consisting of the 10 participating jurisdictions impacted by these improvements has been meeting on a monthly basis. For more information, contact Brian Simmert at Sauk County Planning at 355-3269.
The town has also joined with the Village of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City on an application for funding of an update to the land use plan under the State of Wisconsin's mandated Smart Growth Program. This update of the land use plan will focus on the area of the township in the extraterritorial area east of USH 12 that will be impacted by the new sanitary sewer interceptor now planned to be constructed in 2003. The municipalities are participating in a joint application with other jurisdictions through Sauk County Planning.
**** 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.
**** Web Page ****
The town now as a web page. It is located at www.townofprairiedusac.org. The web page includes information on town meeting agendas and minutes. It is also a good resource for information on town ordinances, permit requirements and contacts.
**** 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, 2000 and 2001. 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.
**** 2003 Town Budget ****
At its November board meeting and public hearing, the town adopted its budget for the 2003 calendar year in the amount of $253,833. This is the same amount that was approved as a part of last years budget of $254,000. The majority of the revenue for this expenditure is from state shared revenues and transportation aid. A total of $119,000 will come from town taxes. The town's mill rate based on this budget is $1.83 per thousand valuation.
Major budgeted expenses include roadway maintenance and repair ($129,000), fire protection ($27,500), and collection of recyclables ($13,200). 2003 roadwork will be decided the first part of the year, 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.