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September 15, 2009 Special Town Meeting Regarding the Betz Property
Town of Byron
Special Town Meeting Regarding
the Purchase of the Helen Betz Property
September 15, 2009
Lowell Boelk called the Special Town Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Sons of Zebedee Church Hall. Present were Supervisors Lowell Boelk and David Whitty, Treasurer Lois Towne, Clerk Kay Oestreich. Property Committee Members; Chairman John Laudolff, Pat Fox, Tim Hackbarth, John Ferguson, and Marlin Towne along with 57 citizens of the town.
Mr. Boelk read the notice of the meeting and the agenda for the meeting.
The Purpose: The town board selected a committee of 5 citizens in January 2009 to research the feasibility of purchasing the Helen Betz property located at N3105 State Road 175, Byron, WI. The committee presented their findings at the April 14, 2009 annual meeting. At the annual meeting a motion was approved requesting the town board negotiate the purchase and make these facts known at a future special meeting. The agenda this evening is to present the results of the negotiations and vote on the purchase of the property.
Committee Presentation: John Laudolff then presented the Property Committees findings and the results of the negotiations:
• The existing town meeting hall is too small for large meetings with the handicap ramp not meeting the current specifications.
• The existing town garage is crowded and the town is outgrowing its capacity.
• Parking is limited on the town property.
• Town of Byron Historical Society has expressed a desire to submit the town hall, formerly District #10 School, to the National Register of Historical Places.
• The Town Comprehensive Plan establishes the township should set aside areas for a park or green space.
• All lots in the village of Byron are currently zoned commercial.
The committee looked at surrounding properties as well as open land for new construction in doing the research. The committee’s choice was the Helen Betz property, N3105 State Road 175, Byron, WI. The property is adjacent to the town hall and consists of 1 acre and the buildings. The original asking price for the property was $137,000 with the town making an offer to purchase of $125,000. The Betz family is responsible for any asbestos abatement costs.
The cost of restoration of this site would range from approximately $11,000 for complete demolition of the home to approximately $4,000 if the home was purchased and moved off the site.
Francis Ferguson had contacted local banks regarding the borrowing of money to purchase the property which John Laudolff then read. The Theresa State Bank in Lomira had a proposal on borrowing $130,000 at 3.5% interest; the cost of interest for a 3 year loan would be $7,133.72 and $11,895.80 for a 5 year loan. The taxes would be $112.45 per $100,000 of assessed evaluation for the 3 year loan and $116.36 per $100,000 of evaluation for a 5 year loan.
Comments and Questions:
It was questioned what the time table would be for any building once the property was purchased. Mr. Laudolff reported that at this time there are no plans to do any building, the purchase would be for future plans and needs of the town.
The committee felt that if a new building would be built the current town garage would be removed with a new town hall and garage being built along the East end of both the Betz and town properties. The new acreage would provide additional parking off of the busy highway. The cost of removing the town garage would be around $80 a square foot and a cost of $60 a square foot to build new. The Theresa Town Hall was given as an example being built at a cost of $765,000 five years ago.
The Betz property has a new septic system that could be utilized, by a 300 person meeting hall, by adding 1/3 of its existing size and moving the tank at an approximate cost of $7,500. The septic system would not have to be abandoned at this time; it could remain for future use. The combined acreage would be 2.35 acres and should be adequate to accommodate future plans.
Lowell Boelk reported that the town board is looking at budget numbers and next years budget will need to be increased without the purchase of the Betz property.
The church hall was used 4 times this past year when the town hall wasn’t large enough to accommodate the numbers that would be in attendance. The town plows the church parking lot in exchange for the use of the hall. It was noted that the church hall is not handicap accessible.
Other items of discussion
• The Betz property being zoned commercial and what that could mean to the town.
• Other possible sites for a new town hall and/or garage.
• The economy is not good for the citizens at this time.
• How much additional parking would be gained-it was reported that that wasn’t researched.
• Cost of improving the handicap ramp at the existing town hall.
• Acreage behind the town garage no longer being used as horseshoe pits.
• Historical value of the Betz home.
• Available Grants
John Ferguson reported that by not having access to meetings the town is not complying under Title 19 rules.
John Laudolff reported that the committee was unanimous in the decision to recommend the purchase of the property.
Call for a vote by ballot: A motion was made by Sharon Wendler, seconded by Charles Schmitz to call for the vote on the purchase of the Betz property. Motion carried.
Select 3 Residents to Act as Tellers to Count Ballots: Lowell Boelk appointed Tim Hackbarth, Pat Fox and Bruce Dilling to tabulate the ballots.
Tom Kelroy thanked the committee for the work that they had done to research this purchase. Lowell Boelk thanked them as well on behalf of the town board.
Results of Vote: The question was “I approve of the Town of Byron purchasing the Helen Betz Property, N3105 State Road 175, Byron, WI”. The result was 23 “Yes” and 43 “No”. The vote was defeated.
Adjourn: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. Motion carried.
Kay Oestreich, Clerk
Archive:
August 10, 2010 Board Meeting
July 13, 2010 Board Meeting
June 24, 2010 Board Meeting on Road Bids 2
June 22, 2010 Board Meeting on Road Bids
June 8, 2010 Board Meeting
May 11, 2010 Meeting to Adjourn the Board of Review
May 11, 2010 Board Meeting
April 13, 2010 Annual Meeting
April 12, 2010 Board Meeting
March 9, 2010 Board Meeting on Ronald Boda Zoning