Orion Town Board Meeting
Chairperson Marc Couey called the monthly meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
Agenda – Chairperson Marc Couey read the agenda as printed. A motion to approve the agenda was made by Supervisor Don Stanke, a second was made by Supervisor Joe Halverson. Motion Carried.
Roll Call – Clerk Diane Parduhn recorded the list of attendees. Present were Chairperson Marc Couey, Supervisor Don Stanke, Supervisor Joe Halverson, Clerk Diane Parduhn, Acting Treasurer Sharon Storms, and Road Supervisor Randy Olson. Electors attending the meeting included Jim Hying, Bob & Jan Hirshey, and Mike Marshall. Absent Treasurer Judy Shadewald.
Approval of Feb Minutes – Minutes for the February 2024 meeting were reviewed by Board Members; no corrections or additions were offered. Supervisor Don Stanke made a motion to approve the January 17th minutes, a second was made by Chairperson Marc Couey. Motion Carried.
Treasurers Report – Treasurer Sharon Storms gave the treasures report. The checking account has a balance of $231674.71 which includes interest of $2232.44 earned at the end of February 2024. The CD held at Westby has a total of $44360.85 which includes interest $1128.92 deposited on 01/24/2024.
Approval of Bills – Bills presented for approval at the March meeting totaling $47680.30 were reviewed by supervisors. Supervisor Don Stanke made a motion to approve payment of the bills totaling $47680.30 using checks #1852 – #1861. The second was made by Supervisor Joe Halverson. Motion carried.
Status of New Town Hall – Mike Marshall was present and thanked the board for hiring his company to complete the building. There are minor things to finish but will be completed within the next week. He will submit his final bill for next month’s meeting.
Request for Permit/Variance – Greg Vossekuil requested a variance to put a garage on the west side of his house. No reason was presented why the variance should not be issued. Motion made to approve the request for the variance by Supervisor Joe Halverson, second made by Supervisor Don Stanke. Motion carried. Clerk Diane Parduhn will issue a Notice of Action form showing approval of request for variance and mail to Mr. Vossekuil.
Roads – Randy Olson updated the status of the inventory. He noted we need to post ads for gravel, breaker run, and chips as well as bids for seal coat, single seal and double. His name should be listed for contact if there are any questions. He recommended the board make the entrance to the new town hall a town road. He also reminded us to solicit bids for mowing.
Fire & Ambulance reports.
Muscoda Joint District – Chairman Marc Couey reported that the district will have a Turtle Feed 04/13, and all are invited.
Richland Rural Ambulance District – No Report
Richland Rural Fire District – No report.
Other Business –
- Status of Sharon Storms – Temporary Appointed Treasurer requires an exit from the Town of Orion duties. Her last date providing any assistance as Temporary Treasurer will be the end of June 2024. The County will have a new system for tax collection next year and training will be soon. She reported that it would be in Orion’s best interest to have someone in place to learn the new program before tax season which will be here soon.
- Wage for Temp Treasurer – After some discussion, a motion was made by Chairperson March Couey to pay the Temporary Treasurer $20.00 per hour which will require her to log all hours worked for Orion and submit to the Orion Clerk to process payment, second was made by Don Stanke. Motion Carried.
- Bids – The discussion related to regular bids for the Town of Orion happened during the Roads discussion.
- Closing on Land Sale – Chair Marc Couey reported the closing date will be March 22, 2024 and he has completed all the paperwork required of the Town of Orion. Clerk Diane Parduhn will pick up the check for the sale of the land at 3 pm that day and deposit it in our checking account.
- New Town Hall Budget – Clerk Diane Parduhn presented a chart showing where the dollars were spent for the Town Hall.
- Time for the Regular meeting, the Potluck, and the annual Meeting – The times will follow last year’s schedule. Regular meeting at 5:30, Potluck about 6:15, and Annual Meeting beginning at 7:05.
- Web page for Orion – Clerk Diane Parduhn presented information received from the Shopping News regarding development of a Web Page for Orion. The board members determined they would research to find other offers. No action taken.
Adjourn – Motion made by Supervisor Joe Halverson to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Supervisor Don Stanke. Motion Carried
Approved by Orion Town Board on