Free Powerpoint Webinars Available from DOJ
on Open Meetings & Public Records Law
(11/8/13) The Wisconsin Department of Justice has recently made available additional materials on its open government webpage. These now include powerpoints and powerpoint webinars on the topics of open meetings law and public records law, respectively. Please CLICK HERE to go to this DOJ webpage.
WTA Call for Action to Save Local Control
Regarding Non-Metallic Mining &
Protecting Investments in Local Highways:
Contact Your Legislators ASAP!
(10/24/13) Senate Bill 349 was introduced this afternoon that would preempt local governmental ability to regulate in the interest of public health and safety regarding non-metallic mining in Wisconsin. Although this bill is largely attuned to industrial sand (frac sand) development interests, it would also affect all non-metallic mining and also local governments' ability to protect their highways in general.
Please see the following documents for more details:
A memorandum by WTA Exec. Dir. Rick Stadelman detailing WTA issues with SB 349.
A sample resolution in opposition to SB 349 for those interested to complete and send a copy to both WTA and your state legislators. (Also in pdf format.)
WTA testimony provided at public hearing on SB 349.
On the Wisconsin Legislature's website you can use the "who represents me?" feature to find your local state legislators.
After the bill's public hearing date is NOT TOO LATE to help provide a response to this issue. Thank you for your attention to this extremely important matter.
66th Annual WTA Convention Information
(11/4/13) WTA wishes to thank everyone who made the 66th Annual WTA Convention a success! Such persons are our many presenters, exhibitors and especially our attendees. WTA will seek to update this space with workshop materials as they become available:
Tax Refund Intercept Program (TRIP) - Dept. of Revenue.
Implements of Husbandry - WTA.
Sample Maintenance Assessment Contract - Dept. of Revenue.
DOR 2013 Update - Dept. of Revenue.
Rifle Hunting in Formerly Shotgun-Only Gun-Deer
Hunting Zones This Upcoming 2013 Season
(10/21/13) The DNR has eliminated shotgun-only gun-deer hunting zones in time for this year's gun-deer season beginning on November 23, 2013. While the rule change was originally driven in part by citizen input, there is at this time citizen input to local municipalities to keep shotgun-only gun-deer hunting zones by local ordinances to restrict the discharge of firearms, or at least certain types of them (rifles). Please use the links below for more information:
CLICK HERE for a packet of information from the DNR.
CLICK HERE for an article by WTA attorney Lee Turonie explaining the issue of possibly trying to use local ordinances to recreate shotgun-only gun-deer hunting zones.
Wis. Stat. Section 82.03(2) WTA Resolution
(10/17/13) Please CLICK HERE for a sample resolution proposing that WTA should seek a legislative change to Wis. Stat. s. 82.03(2). The statute requires town meeting of electors approval to annually spend more than $5,000 per mile of town highway in total highway spending. The resolution recommends amending s. 82.03(2) to require town meeting of elector approval instead when planning to exceed $10,000 per mile of town highway in total annual highway spending.
Employers to Provide Notices about Health Insurance
Marketplaces to Employees by October 1, 2013
(8/21/13) All employers, including any town with any employees of any type, are required to send all of its employees a notice as required by the Affordable Care Act by this October 1st. Please CLICK HERE for a document with details and more information. Links referenced in that document are below.
Dept. of Labor Technical Release 2013-02:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/tr13-02.html
Sample Forms:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/FLSAwithplans.pdf (for employers that offer a health plan)
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/FLSAwithoutplans.pdf (for employers that don't offer a health plan)
ACA Outreach and Enrollment Toolkit for Elected Officials:
Implements of Husbandry Study Group
Final Recommendations to the Legislature
(10/1/13) The Implements of Husbandry Study Group has now made its final recommendations to the state legislature. Those recommendations, and all previous study releases, can be found at the official website linked here: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/ag/index.htm.
NATaT Legislative Update
(12/3/13) WTA posts weekly legislative updates from the National Association of Towns and Townships. Please click on the following link to see the latest update of national issues affecting Wisconsin towns for the Week of Dec. 2. Also, see these past issues:
WTA Needs Member Support for
Town Withdrawal from County Zoning
(8/16/13) Please CLICK HERE to see a bill draft from Rep. Andre Jacque, LRB 1287/2, which is a bill to authorize towns to withdraw from county zoning. We are asking town officers (you) to call your state legislators and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor to this bill draft. Please thank your state legislators for their consideration in this matter and their support for town issues!
On the Wisconsin Legislature's website you can use the "who represents me?" feature to find your local state legislators.
You can also CLICK HERE for a recent article by WTA Executive Director Rick Stadelman on this issue.
New Mobile (Cell) Tower Siting
Ordinance Sample Available
(8/7/13) The recent passage of the state budget included the creation of a new statute, Wis. Stat. s. 66.0404, that serves to make obsolete existing municipal regulations on mobile (cell) towers. Please CLICK HERE for an advance copy of WTA Atty. Lee Turonie's September newsletter article on the topic. Also CLICK HERE for a sample ordinance to review with your municipal attorney.
Lots of Info in the Latest Edition of Crossroads
(7/19/13) The latest issue of Crossroads newsletter is out now. Crossroads is available for free from the Transportation Information Center. You can see this issue if you CLICK HERE. Inside, you'll find:
-
A discussion about gathering accurate pavement ratings and why local governments and WisDOT need them for good budget planning.
-
Results from a Wisconsin study on the impact of bigger farm equipment on local roads that includes rethinking equipment categories and state statues.
-
Information on supervisory and management training programs that offer public works employees in leadership roles an opportunity to build a range of practical skills.
-
Helpful reminder about an upcoming deadline for complying with minimum sign retroreflectivity levels.
- PLUS, a Crossroads Article Index, helpful Resources, and a Calendar of upcoming webinars, workshops, and seminars.
Phase I Study of Economic Benefits 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.
New Waterway & Wetland General Permit
for Highway, Culvert & Bridge Work
December
Dec 18, 2013, Wed 07:00pm
Dec 19, 2013, Thu 07:00pm