March, 2003    Dane County Towns Association    Page 2

Open Letter to Dane County Towns:

The Town of Springfield has decided to amend our chapter on alcohol licensing in our town ordinances to reflect a ban on carry outs after 9:00 p.m. from Class "B" establishments.  Many of our surrounding neighbors (Village of Waunakee, town and City of Middleton, Town of Westport and the City of Madison) already hold to this practice.  This past summer in the City of Madison several youth were killed in an automobile accident where alcohol was involved. It is reported that the carry outs may have been purchased in Springfield after the hour of 9:00 p.m. 

It is for this reason and many past similar situations county wide that we are asking the Dane County Towns Association to consider a policy that all towns enforce the 9:00 p.m. carry out restriction.  The last thing we would want to encourage is someone to drive further (in a possible inebriated condition) to purchase beverages.  The Dane County Sheriff's Department supports the earlier time as well.

We held a public hearing on this issue and only one person appeared.  He was a tavern owner and said he does little to no carry outs after 9:00 p.m., but thought the option should still be there.  Many of the establishments in the Town already voluntarily stop selling carry outs a 9:00 p.m. just as a precaution.

We would respectfully request that this issue be taken up by the Association in the very near future.  Thank you so much.

Sincerely,
Sherrie Endres, on behalf of the Springfield Town Board

Highway 12 Overlay District Proposed

A proposed ordinance amendment to the Dane County Zoning Ordinance would address development quality and signage issues along Highway 12 in the towns of Roxbury and Springfield.  Allowable uses would be highway related retail and services including gas stations, travel centers, hotels & motels, truck stops, motor vehicle dealerships, restaurants, farm markets, garden centers and camper and recreational vehicle sales. 

A General Development Plan would be submitted to Town, County ZNR and County Board for review and approval.  After the GDP is approved the developer would then have to submit a Specific Implementation Plan for detailed information on building designs, appearances, uses and facilities.

Quote of the Month. . .
"Local governments have been derided as Wisconsin's big spenders.  Well, I've spent the last six weeks searching high and low for the big spenders.  I've found them, and they're right here in Madison.  State government is the big spender in Wisconsin, not communities around our state."  Governor Jim Doyle