Implements of Husbandry Bills Pending

(3/6/14) We ask the WTA members to call their legislators in both houses as soon as possible and express your opposition to AB 842 which was introduced on Wednesday March 5th as an alternative to SB 509 and AB 648 relating to Implements of Husbandry. The alternative bill AB 842 would eliminate any axle weight limit for Implements of Husbandry and set a maximum gross weight of 92,000 lbs. for these IOHs regardless of the number of axles. All studies to date indicate that weights in excess of 20% of the 20,000 lbs per axle have the potential for cutting the life of a highway in half. By eliminating the maximum weight per axle on IOHs and allowing even two axle IOHs to go to 92,000 lbs. there is potential for extensive damage to local highways.

     Press Release on AB 842, an alternative IOH bill

2014 WTA District Meetings Details

(1/21/14) WTA will hold its series of 16 Annual District Meetings this year from February 1st through March 29th around the state. These day-long programs will feature the biennially required Board of Review trainings, updates on Implements of Husbandry and other legislative issues, a walk through on how to account for employee and employee-equivalent hours to ensure that you are in compliance with the Affordable Care Act, and of course time for audience questions and comments. Morning coffee, milk and rolls and lunch are included. Please click on each of the following for more information:

     2014 WTA District Meetings Agenda

     2014 WTA District Meetings Registration Form

     2014 WTA District Meetings meeting dates, locations & directions

WTA Position on latest Non-metallic (Frac Sand) Mining Bills

(3/5/14) The WTA Board of Directors voted unanimously on the morning of Monday March 3rd, 2014 for the Association to oppose the latest non-metallic (frac sand) mining bills SB 632 & AB 816. WTA's Executive Director Richard Stadelman delivered the Association positions and reasoning later that day at a public hearing on the bills at the state legislature. See below for a copy of WTA's comments:

      Copy of WTA Testimony from public hearing

Wisconsin Towns Association
Executive Director Position

(2/18/14) The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Towns Association has begun a search for a candidate to serve as Chief Executive Officer (Executive Director) of the Association. The Notice of such position and information to apply for the position is in the following link:

     Notice of Executive Director Position

A Job Description of the position and responsibilities can be found at the following link:

     Executive Director Job Description

Resumes are due to the Wisconsin Towns Association, Attn. Karisa Schulze, W7686 County Road MMM, Shawano, WI 54166 by April 1, 2014. Approximate starting date is July 7, 2014. Further information can be obtained from President Lee Engelbrecht at (920) 946-7695.

Propane Crisis Information Updates

 (3/4/14) 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:

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

     Comprehensive update from the Dept. of Administration 2-25-14

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

     State Donates $500,000 to Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund 2-21-14

Implements of Husbandry Bills
Now in State Legislature

(2/17/14) Implements of Husbandry, or large farm vehicles and equipment, in combination with local highways of limited funding has been a growing issue for some time. The Wisconsin legislature has now introduced companion bills in the senate and assembly to begin addressing this issue. Please click on each of the items below to see it:

     Rick Stadelman's January WTA newsletter article on the topic

     SB 509     AB 648

     WTA letter to all town chairpersons regarding IOH bills

     WTA sample constituent letter supporting IOH bills

     Implements of Husbandry Study Group final recommendations to the state legislature and all previous study releases can be found at the official website linked here: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/ag/index.htm.

Broadband Expansion Grant Program

 (1/30/14) The Broadband Expansion Grant Program is a new grant program created by 2013 Act 20. This program provides reimbursement for equipment and construction expenses incurred to extend or improve broadband telecommunications service in underserved areas of the state.

Grant funds can only be used to reimburse the construction of broadband facilities. Grant funds cannot be used to reimburse the operating expenses of a telecommunications provider or the monthly bill of a telecommunications service customer.

Please CLICK HERE to go to this program's website for additional information and an application.

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.

2014 WTA Scholarship Competition

 (1/21/14) CLICK HERE for a brochure describing the rules for the 2014 Wisconsin Towns Association Scholarship Program, funded together with our scholarship partners Rural Mutual Insurance Company and Scott Construction, Inc. All applicants must be graduating from a Wisconsin public or private high school in 2014 and plan to attend a Wisconsin public or private college or vocational technical institute in 2014. Several prizes will be awarded.

This year's topic is: "What does local control mean for town government and why is it important in 2014?" The deadline for submisssions is May 30th, 2014. Good luck to all applicants! CLICK HERE for the application form to be sent in together with the essay and CLICK HERE if you would like to see the cover letter sent to schools.

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 copy of Senate Bill 349

A copy of the notice of public hearing on SB 349: Thursday October 24, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in room 411 South of the State Capitol Building.

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.

             bgggbbbdsagfrRifle Hunting in Formerly Shotgun-Only Gun-Deer
Hunting Zones This Upcoming 2013 Seasonifle fiifl    

(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.

NATaT Legislative Update  

(1/8/14) 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.

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.