UW-Extension Town Officials Workshops
for New & Continuing Officers

(3/4/13) Now announced are upcoming Town Officials Workshops hosted by the UW-Extension Local Government Center. These workshops are designed with two simultaneous tracks during the day to accomodate officers of different experience levels. There will be eleven workshops around the state from April 30 through May 30 with presentations by staff of WTA, the Local Government Center and the Transportation Information Center.

Please CLICK HERE for the itinerary and registration information.

Please CLICK HERE for directions to the different meeting sites.

Phase I Study of Economic Beneits and Costs
of Frac Sand Mining in West Central Wisconsin

(5/21/13) The Phase I Study of Economic Benefits and Costs of Frac Sand Mining in West Central Wisconsin prepared for the Wisconsin Farmers Union, Wisconsin Towns Association and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy is now available if you CLICK HERE.

This Study provides a two-page Executive Summary following the title page on what should be considered when frac sand mining operations are proposed for a local community as to the benefits and costs. A two-page list of questions for local officials to ask before approving an expansion of frac sand operations is also provided. This report is Phase I of the Study, which is intended to be an additional tool to the other material prepared in late 2011 and early 2012 for workshops held on frac sand mining. These other materials including sample ordinances and agreements are also posted on this website on the frac sand page under the Education tab across the top of the website.

2013 WTA Capitol Day

(5/1/13) WTA held it's 2013 Capitol Day event in Madison on Tuesday April 30th. Special thanks to the town officers who came to support town government. The afternoon workshop featured presentations on the collaboration of government services and stromwater requirements. Click below to view the slides for the presentations.

* Local Government Collaboration for the Delivery of Services

* Update on Wisconsin DNR MS4 Permit Program

* Municipal Stormwater Discharge Permit, Neenah e.g.

Analysis of Transportation Issues

(4/29/13) WTA Executive Director Rick Stadelman would like to make available his most current analysis of the pending state budget's handling of transportation issues. For the lastest on this topic, please CLICK HERE for his summary that will also be in the May WTA newsletter.

Also, please CLICK HERE for a link to reports completed by the Wisconsin Commission on Transportation Finance & Policy.

Clerk Reminder: DOR Liquor License Reports

(4/16/13) TO: Municipal Clerks

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has updated your annual liquor license report submission procedures. By law, you must submit this report by July 15, 2013. We appreciate your continued cooperation in providing this information.

How do I submit my information?

There are two methods to submit your report.

Online submission- use when you have less than 50 license holders. Bulk submission- use when you have more than 50 license holders.

Where can I find more information?

DOR liquor license reporting webpage. On this page you'll find:

• User guides for online and bulk submission
• Liquor license codes
• How to verify seller's permit information before issuing a license

Who should I contact if I have a question?

If you have any questions, please email DORliquorlicense@revenue.wi.gov.

Implements Of Husbandry (IOH) Phase I Report Now Available

(2/28/13) The Wis. Dept. of Transportation has posted the Phase I Report of the Wisconsin Agricultural Initiative: Implements of Husbandry Study. A link to the full Task Force’s work to date, including background material, minutes of meetings, and meeting handouts are available at this site:

http://www.topslab.wisc.edu/workgroups/waiioh.html

We would encourage those interested to particularly look at the Executive Summary and Recommendations to Date at pages 4-7 of the Phase I Report. In the next six months the Task Force will be addressing additional issues including weight issues of IOH. Rick Stadelman, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Towns Association, would welcome your comments and ideas on this subject.

New Waterway & Wetland General Permit
for Highway, Culvert & Bridge Work

New PILT Analysis

(2/5/13) This MEMORANDUM provides information regarding the current distribution of national forest income payments, or Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT), to towns and an estimate of the impact of, alternatively, providing these payments to school disctricts in Wisconsin.

WTA Board of Directors Action Regarding Wind Power

(1/23/13) The Wisconsin Towns Association has expressed concern since PSC 128 was released about two years ago that the setback distances from non-participating residences to large industrial wind turbines of only 1,250 feet is too little. In addition, a recently released report including work by four separate acoustical consultants has recommended that additional study be conducted on an “urgent priority basis” regarding the possibility of any human health effects from low frequency sound and infrasound generated by large industrial wind turbines. Wisconsin Towns Association is not opposed to alternative energy, including wind turbines. However, serious health concerns have been raised by individuals and supported by this report that warrant further study. We are urging the PSC to stop permitting the installation of large industrial wind turbines until such studies can be completed. Please click on each of the below items for viewing:

* Rick Stadelman's article on this issue for the upcoming February WTA newsletter.

* The resolution adopted by the WTA Board of Directors on this issue.

* A copy of the referenced wind study's executive summary.

2013 WTA Convention Hotels

(1/14/13) Please CLICK HERE to see a list of hotels convenient for use during the 2013 WTA Annual Convention in Madison. Please contact any hotel directly regarding any room reservations. We hope to see you at convention!

Fiscal Cliff Deal Analyzed for Towns

(1/3/13) Please CLICK HERE to see a summary from the National Association of Towns & Townships (NATaT) analyzing the recent bill signed to avoid the "fiscal cliff."

New DNR Info on Outdoor Wood Boilers

(10/25/12) The DNR would like to bring to your attention a new page on the Department of Health Services internet site on Outdoor Wood Boilers. See: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/Air/OWBOrdinanceReport.htm. The intended audience is municipalities considering Outside Wood Boilers or smoke ordinances. The page briefly frames the issue, discusses why ordinances may be of interest, and includes a compiled list of Wisconsin municipalities that, based on our review, have existing Outside Wood Boilers or wood smoke-related ordinances.