Approval to Research County Zoning Withdrawal Procedure

Welcome to the Notes from the Grove providing information about Liberty Grove town government to residents and visitors.

• Maureen Murphy, the new county administrator, introduced herself to the town board and those in attendance at the Aug. 7 meeting.

• The board supported the variance request forwarded from the plan commission for construction of a deck at 1451 Sunnyside Lane. The request was from John and Catherine Scandora.

• Budgeted roof improvements for the women’s club and sand storage building were approved.

• The board approved the request from the plan commission to research ramifications and procedures for withdrawing from county zoning. The Wisconsin Towns Association has notified Liberty Grove of a proposed bill, LRB 1287/2, that would allow a town to give a six-month notice to the county of its intent to withdraw (in three-year windows, effective in 2014 to withdraw on Jan. 1, 2015, and every three years thereafter). Currently the law provides for a town’s withdrawal from county zoning only after a county adopts a comprehensive revision. This applies to towns that have adopted village powers.

• Supervisor Lou Covotsos provided the board with sketches of welcoming signage for Liberty Grove and the “hamlets” of Ellison Bay, Gills Rock, Northport and Rowleys Bay. He was authorized to obtain costs associated with the signs.

• Administrator Bud Kalms did some research for someone and found that in 1914 a property with an assessment of $600 paid $8.58 in taxes. If you calculate that out it is $14.30 per thousand (mill rate). In 1937 the same property was valued at $1,450 and they paid $31.18 in taxes or $21.50 per thousand of value. In 2012, our rate was $8.75 per thousand.

• The finance committee has been considering the improvements needed for town properties and roads as the planning for 2014 budget time approaches. A number of options are being considered.

• Treasurer Johnson supplied the following interesting information: Carol Board Moran was researching women voters in Liberty Grove. The first woman to vote in Liberty Grove was Verna LeClair, a schoolteacher in District #1. She voted in April 1919 for local offices as well as some school district and county offices. In April 1920, of the 153 people who voted, 24 were women.