Wisconsin Towns Association Board
Hires Michael Koles as Executive Director
to Succeed Richard Stadelman

(5/30/14) Please CLICK HERE for a press release on the WTA Board of Director's action to hire Michael Koles as WTA Executive Director, who will succeed Richard Stadelman in the role. Stadelman retires on August 31, 2014.

More Frac Sand Materials Now Available

(7/8/14) WTA recently co-hosted Frac Sand workshops and those materials are now available by clicking on them below. Separately, the Center for Land Use Education also recently hosted a webinar on frac sand and they now have a link to that webinar plus additional materials as also described below:

Wisconsin DNR's Role in Regulating Industrial Sand Mining
Co-hosted by: WTA, Wisconsin League of Municipalities, Wisconsin Counties Association & WDNR

Resources Summary
1 Air Management / Permitting
2 Stormwater / Wastewater
3 High Capacity Wells / Groundwater
4 Wetlands / Mitigation
5 Green Tier
6 Endangered / Threatened Species
7 Karner Blue Butterfly
8 Municipal Authorities Discussion

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Center for Land Use Education Webinar on Frac Sand Mining June 18, 2014

On June 18, 2014 the Center for Land Use Education hosted a webinar providing four different perspectives on industrial sand mining in Wisconsin. Two presenters provided information from their experiences monitoring air quality issues. Here is the link to the UW-Stevens Point page where the link to the Webinar can be found as well as other materials when you scroll down to the "Mining" heading:

http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/clue/Pages/publications-resources/AreasofPlanning.aspx

We encourage you to link to this webinar to view it and its slides.

Sample Ordinance & Information on
New Implements of Husbandry (IOH) Law

(6/9/14) Please CLICK HERE for a link to Executive Director Rick Stadelman's June WTA magazine article on the New IOH (Implements of Husbandry) Law Overview.

A table showing a summary of the various options that municipalities and counties (these are the Maintaining Authorities under the new law) have regarding the length and weight of IOHs on highways under their jurisdiction can be found if you CLICK HERE.

Sample ordinances for each of the four options (note that Option A and Option F do not require an ordinance) that require an ordinance are attached here:

Option B Total Opt-Out of any IOH Length or Weight Limits;

Option C Partial Opt-Out I of IOH Length and Weight Limits (by setting higher limits) on all highways under the Maintaining Authority's jurisdiction;

Option D Partial Opt-Out II of IOH Length and Weight Limits (by setting higher limits) onspecified highways under the Maintaining Authority's jurisdiction;

Option E Opt-In which requires Category B and all IOH/Ag CMVs to follow the new IOH weight table under the new law.

Also please CLICK HERE to view the new IOH/Ag CMV table (which provides for a 15% increase per axle and gross weight). This table is what now controls for IOH/Ag CMV, on unposted highways, unless Option B, C, D, or E are adopted. 

The Standard Application for a No-Fee Permit from Local Governments can be accessed at the Wis. DOT website at: http://www.dot.state.wi.us/business/ag/index.htm

Additional information on the new law is also available at this DOT website.

National Flood Insurance Program
Workshops Announced

(7/2/14) The Wisconsin DNR will be holding ten workshops around the state from July 15 - August 27 on the National Flood Insurance Program.

This workshop will tell you what is changing, how it affects your community and what you can do to mitigate the impacts. In addition to insurance, DNR experts will discuss the flood map amendment process, mitigation solutions to rising premiums and new DNR guidance for campgrounds and LOMC’s. All community officials, surveyors, engineers, insurance and real estate agents and other professionals are encouraged to attend. Please click on the link below for more information such as meeting dates and locations.

• 2014FloodInsuranceWorkshop.pdf

Legislative Update: 2013-14 Session Recap

(5/6/14) CLICK HERE for a copy of the WTA Legislative Update as of 5/6/14 summarizing issues of importance to towns from the 2013-14 legislative session.

NATaT Legislative Update

(7/8/14) WTA posts weekly legislative updates from the National Association of Towns and Townships. Please see the current as well as past issues on the Legislative page.

 
Propane Crisis Information Updates -
Grant Program for Farmers

(7/2/14) Persistent very cold weather has created an ongoing propane crisis in Wisconsin of exploding prices and short supplies needed to keep homes and businesses warm. Please click on the below items for the latest updates on what the state government is doing on this issue:

     Reliable Home Heating Act Signed 

     Midwestern Governor's Association Propane Working Group

     USDA Rural Development Grant Program for Farmers

     Governor's Emergency Order #132

     Press Release Regarding Governor's Emergency Order #132

     Comprehensive update from the Dept. of Administration 4-4-14

     Update from the Governor's Office on Available Resources 2-10-14

     Utilities to Provide Propane to Help Low Income Citizens 2-20-14

     State Donates an Additional $500,000 to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund 4-11-14

In addition, Governor Walker signed the following bill into law on Thursday March 27^th, 2014:

Assembly Bill 770 – creates an emergency heating assistance loan guarantee program. It will allow families to obtain financing of up to $2,500 through a participating lender with a guarantee of 50 to 80 percent on original amount borrowed. Assembly Bill 770 makes financing more affordable by providing a one-time payment of 3.5 percent to reduce the interest rate on the loan. The bill passed the Assembly 94-1 and unanimously passed the Senate; it is Act 175.

New State Law Regarding Licensure
of Electricians & Implementing Grandfathering

(4/11/14) 2013 Wisconsin Act 143 established new licensure standards for electricians which went into effect on April 1, 2014. These standards require all individuals (see Act 143 for exemptions) engaged in the business of installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring be licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The new licensure law does not apply to any person with 15 years of experience who was born on or before January 1, 1956. The DSPS will create administrative rules and licensure processes to verify this experience requirement and provide licenses to these persons. The Department is currently drafting an Emergency Rule to address these needs quickly, and plans to establish permanent rules in 2015.  Until the time that rules are promulgated, electricians who meet these requirements, or grandfather clause, may continue to practice. In order to remain in compliance, the DSPS recommends municipalities verify eligibility for the grandfather clause in two ways: 1) Confirm date of birth is on or prior to January 1, 1956; 2) Collect verbal attestation that the individual has 15 years of experience. Once rules have been promulgated, this practice will no longer be considered compliant by the DSPS.

Emerald Ash Borer Toolbox

(1/30/14) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has compiled information and samples to help communities deal with the invasive emerald ash borer that is responsible for destroying ash trees. Please CLICK HERE to be taken to this website.

Latest Issue of Crossroads

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.

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.