Town of New Haven, Adams County
Special Town Board Meeting
November 29, 2007
The Special Town Board meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Mike Julson, also present were Lenny Watson, Supervisor I and the town clerk. This meeting was in compliance with the open meeting law and the agenda was approved as posted with a motion by Watson/Julson. M/C. The meeting opened with Chris Murphy, Adams County conservationist recapping what has happened to this point. Mr. Murphy stated that “what he was looking for at this meeting was something that basically states we’re (land owner and township) are going to see this project through.” Greg Montgomery an engineer from MSA since the last meeting of November 15, 2007 drew up a preliminary construction cost estimate with recommendations as to what the scope of the work needs to be as far as replacing the existing spillway with a culvert and replacing the road, installing guard-rails and restoring the embankment within the road right-of-way, assuming that the WDNR will remove the concrete spillway and complete the stream restoration prior to the township beginning work on the crossing. At this meeting it was suggested that a 22’ x 8’-11’ three -sided steel structural plate culvert be installed including concrete footings, headwalls, and end walls and restore a 200 ft. span of Golden Court at an approximate cost of $118,331.50 to the township. The final determination on the size and material used in the culvert will rest upon the decision of the WDNR and Inter-fluve as to what will be required to pass the 100 year flood requirements. Montgomery stated that “at this time there are still many unknowns regarding permitting and costs, that is why I have presented the town with this contract for $5,000 to begin preliminary work that would be completed by February or sooner so the cost of the culvert and road work will be a much more accurate number.”
Initially a Memorandum of Understanding was discussed between the land owner and the township as to what and where the responsibilities in the project are and the commitment to complete them. Township attorney Dan Wood stated “ that at this point I’m a little uncomfortable drafting a Memo of Understanding for the township with so many unknowns, the town board at this time should be reluctant to say it will definitely complete the project since the costs involved could be significant.” Mr. Murphy at this time is only concerned that if some intent by the township is not shown the WDNR Dam Abandonment Grant of $49,000 would be lost. It was decided with a motion by Watson/Julson that Mr. Wood would draft a Letter of Intent, which will essentially state what the town has done so far and that should show its investment in the project. M/C. Mr. Murphy was not sure that this will be good enough, but will present it to the WDNR.
Motion by Watson/Julson to accept the professional services agreement with MSA for $5,000 for engineering the preliminary design, with approximate start and completion dates of 12/03/07 - 2/29/07. M/C.
Motion by Watson/Julson to table the snowplowing contract with the Adams County Highway Department until the December 20, 2007 regular monthly town board meeting. M/C.
Motion to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. by Watson/Julson. M/C.
Respectfully submitted;
Berniece J. Tangney, Town Clerk
(these are unapproved minutes subject to approval on December 20, 2007.)