December 5, Town Board Meeting Highlights
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING — December 5, 2022
All 5 current Trustees present.
New Business:
1.) Election is on April 4, 2023 for three Town Board members. Signups will once again be in the library from December 6 – 27.
2.) The Hoffman Family of Companies is opening a restaurant, a jewelry store, and rezoning for a clothing store. Business licenses need to be obtained.
Old Business:
1.) Short-term rental moratorium will be discussed on December 15. It will be voted on at the next meeting and go into effect on January 10.
Open to Citizens:
1.) Gay Eskew presented the offer by a friend to purchase the four-way teeter totter on the Town Square playground.
REPORTS
Treasurer’s Report:
1.) Town Assets are $488,075.00.
2.) Go Daddy subscription is officially terminated.
Collector:
1.) A check for $500 was received on 11/15 for a meeting house at Chestnut and Ferry.
Public Works:
1.) Phase I for the Sidewalk Grant will begin in the spring. Cochran has been contacted.
2.) Post Office toilet was replaced.
3.) Discussion was held about the yard waste dumpster at the ballfield. People have been using it for items other than the intended yard waste. It caught on fire three times with hot coals igniting the yard waste and other items. A discussion was held about purchasing a video camera. The decision was made to keep the dumpster. It has been called in for pickup and a replacement from Grace Hauling.
4.) Library roof shingles were presented for inspection.
5.) A discussion was held about installing decorative lamps to aid with lighting on the street along the path of the new sidewalk. They cannot be part of the grant, but the lighting conduits can be put in place while the sidewalks are torn up during Phase 2 of the grant.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Zoning & Planning:
1.) Zoning needs a replacement for the Board of Adjustments since Randall Oaks is now a Town Trustee. Ashley Hesjedal has agreed to take the position. A second alternate has been contacted, Hayley Jehling, who has also agreed to accept the appointment.
2.) A zoning meeting will be held on December 19 to discuss turning 5578 Chestnut into the Hatte House, a point of refuge for those who need help. Residents will stay a few months. The permit is for fixing up the basement with additional bedrooms.
3.) 294 Washington is selling their home with a right-of-way encroachment on Town property. The situation was sent to the Town attorney.
4.) Seven signs were denied. They may appeal to the Board of Adjustments by February 8.
History & Museum:
1.) Paul Ovait will interview another person on January 10 at the Harmonie Verein.
2.) The downspout needs to be fixed as soon as possible. The goal is to fix it and then make it historically accurate.
Chamber of Commerce:
1.) The Christmas Walk went well. Thank you to all the volunteers. Expecting another good turnout for 12/9. Santa’s place was wonderful this year; it was magically decorated in the bottom bay of the Town Hall.
2.) House tours went well. A fifth home was added at the last minute. Discussion was held about future tours.
3.) Trivia Night will add to the Parks coffers for the new playground.
4.) Parking presented some problems on the streets around the Town Square. It was suggested to block off Walnut and Chestnut Streets with No Parking signs. Alternative places for parking were suggested such as Mt. Pleasant, the ballfield (with lighting), building a parking garage behind the Visitor’s Center, and other ideas. A trolley could transport guests around Town.
5.) The 53 foot trailers and buses have a difficult time, if not impossible one, getting around Town. Discussion followed about where they could turn around.
Farm Report: No report submitted.
Tree Committee:
1.) Annual tree city application submitted. Two leaflets sent to the Town residents. The school students postponed the tree planting.
Parks Committee:
1.) Met with a group of men to discuss the conceptual design for the new playground. The Town has allocated $10,000 and the Chamber currently has $15,000 with another addition coming soon from the Trivia Night.
2.) Some of the playground equipment will be eliminated. A person is interested in purchasing the 4-way teeter totter; he will also dismantle and remove it. Discussion followed about a sale of the unwanted playground equipment at the Town Park and also the school.
Cemetery Committee: No report submitted
KIDS’ “BEST OF AUGUSTA” PHOTO CONTEST display board with the 30+ entries is now in the Augusta Library for your viewing pleasure. Any suggestions for the 2023 Photo Contests? I’m investigating the possibility of printing off photos taken with cell phones at events such as the Plein Air and the Augusta Harvest Festival. Should we again solicit gift certificates or other prizes once again from Town businesses? Responses included using a theme such as “the uniqueness of Augusta.” The printing off of photos is a good idea for the adult contests.
TOWN OF AUGUSTA WEBSITE will include winners of the town decorating contest, the gingerbread house winners, the latest minutes, and other information.
CALENDAR EVENTS
December 2 & 9, 2022 Christmas Walk (5:00 – 10:00 pm)
December 10, 2022 Trivia Night — Roaring 20’s Theme
December 15, 2022 at 6:30 pm –Town Board Meeting for final discussion of the Short-Term Rental Moratorium
December 19, 2022 at 7:00 pm — Zoning Meeting to discuss the change to a multi-family dwelling at 5568 Chestnut
January 9, 2023 at 7:00 pm — Town Board Meeting at 7:00 pm
January 10, 2023 Paul Ovait interview at Harmonie Verein