1.27.25 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, January 25, 2025 7:00 P.M.
Orfordville Village Hall
Main Board Room
CALL TO ORDER
Village Clerk Sherri Waege called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the absence of Village President Dennis Burtness. Present were Beth Schmidt, Nikki Tuffree, Terry Gerber, and Terry Morris. Also present were Stacy Todd, Chief Jeremiah Burdick, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege. Absent were President Dennis Burtness, Cami Myers-Alstat, and David Olsen.
APPOINT ACTING PRESIDENT
Clerk Waege explained that Ordinance 90-12(C) allows for a Trustee to preside over the meeting in the absence of the Village President, with approval of a majority vote. Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Gerber to appoint Nikki Tuffree to preside over the meeting as Acting President in the absence of Village President Dennis Burtness. Motion carried.
AGENDA VERIFICATION
Clerk Waege verified that on January 25, 2025, copies of the agenda were provided to the Village President and Trustees; and posted at the Village Hall, Library, and the Post Office. There were no additions made to the agenda.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Next Generation Construction Land Division Request for Lot 40 of Mill Valley Subdivision. Stacy Todd was present on behalf of Next Generation Construction. Motion by Morris, seconded by Schmidt to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve the land division for Lot 40 of the Mill Valley Subdivision, which will divide the lot into two lots for single family construction. Motion carried.
Zoning Change request of Jason Nehls for 416 E. Beloit Street. Jason Nehls was not present. Clerk Waege explained that the request was to change the zoning from C-1 Commercial to R-1 Residential. Morris explained that the Planning Commission recommended the Village Board deny the zoning change request as it would create a non conforming lot as it will not meet many of the R-1 zoning requirements. Motion by Morris, seconded by Gerber to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny the zoning change request of Jason Nehls for 416 E. Beloit Street from C-1 Commercial to R-1 Residential as it would create a Non Conforming lot. Motion carried.
Resolution R-2025-01 Public Fire Protection Charges. Clerk Waege explained that in November during the 2025 General Fund Budget discussions, the Village board discussed moving 50% of the Fire Protection Charges ( money that the Public Service Commission requires General Fund to pay to the Water Utility for use of the water system and hydrants to assist with Public Fire Protection) from the General Fund Budget to be able to balance the General Fund Budget. If approved, the half that was removed from the Budget will be moved to the quarterly water bills as a special charge. Clerk Waege explained that the Resolution is a requirement of the Public Service Commission to start the procedure for the application to the Public Service Commission to start the process. Clerk Waege explained that the Public Service Commission decides the final allocation of how the money is charged. Clerk Waege explained that the fee will be based on meter size. Clerk Waege explained that she prepared an estimate based on the overall number of meters in the December 2024 billing. That estimate would charge the residents approximately ten dollars a month, or thirty dollars a quarter to be added to the quarterly water bill. Motion by Gerber, seconded by Morris to adopt Resolution R-2025-01 which will request the Public Service Commission’s approval to allocate fifty percent of the Public Fire Protection annual cost as a direct charge to the residents using the equivalent meter method on the quarterly water bills. Motion carried unanimously.
Personnel Policy. Motion by Morris, seconded by Gerber to table to the February 10, 2025 meeting, and to confirm the meeting date with Attorney Bryan Whitehead. Motion carried.
TREASURER REPORT
Motion by Morris, seconded by Schmidt to approve the December Treasurer Report. Motion carried.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Schmidt to approve the vouchers with a check range of 37964-37994. Motion carried.
VILLAGE PRESIDENTS UPDATE
Acting President Tuffree read the following statement from President Dennis Burtness:
“One of the goals I have for the monthly president’s update is to inform residents of upcoming events. Many of these are available from different sources such as Facebook or event websites. I realize everyone doesn’t see these, so I have tried to include highlights when I am aware of them and think that you might be interested in. To this end, the village website at https://orfordville.org has been updated in several places, including the calendar to better inform you of them. While there is no significant appearance change, there are quite a few items to hopefully better keep you updated on what is happening in our community.
Please email orfordvillemarketday@gmail.com with events, comments and suggestions on how we can improve the way the site works for you. These suggestions will be considered and implemented where possible.” Acting President Tuffree thanked Tayna Burtness for taking on the event promotions.
ADJOURN
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Schmidt to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Nikki Tuffree-Acting Village President
Sherri Waege-Village Clerk