60.23(15)
(15) Vacation of alleys. Vacate any alley in the town under
s. 66.1003. The town board may not vacate, under this subsection, an alley adjacent to land fronting a state or county trunk highway.
60.23(17)
(17) Change street names. Name, or change the name of, any street in the town under
s. 82.03 (7).
60.23(17m)
(17m) Neighborhood watch program and signs. Authorize a neighborhood watch program. The town board may place within the right-of-way of a street or highway under the jurisdiction of the town a neighborhood watch sign of a uniform design approved by the department of transportation. If the town board obtains the approval of the county board, the town board may place a sign under this subsection within the right-of-way of a county trunk highway within the limits of the town. No sign under this subsection may be placed within the right-of-way of a highway designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.
60.23(19)
(19) Fences in subdivisions. If authorized under
s. 60.10 (2) (c) to exercise village powers, by ordinance require a subdivider to construct a fence under
s. 90.02 on the boundary of a subdivision, as defined under
s. 236.02 (8), as a condition of plat approval by the town. The fence shall be maintained under
s. 90.05 (2) and repaired under
ss. 90.10 and
90.11.
60.23(20)
(20) Disposition of dead animals. Notwithstanding
s. 59.54 (21), dispose of any dead animal within the town or contract for the removal and disposition with any private disposal facility. A town may enter into a contract with any other governmental unit under
s. 66.0301 to provide for the removal and disposition. A town may recover its costs under this subsection by imposing a special charge under
s. 66.0627.
60.23(22)
(22) Contribution to truancy. If the town board has established a municipal court under
s. 755.01 (1), adopt an ordinance to prohibit conduct that is the same as or similar to that prohibited by
s. 948.45 and impose a forfeiture for a violation of the ordinance.
60.23(22m)
(22m) School attendance. If the town board has established a municipal court under
s. 755.01 (1), enact and enforce an ordinance to impose a forfeiture, which is the same as the fine provided under
s. 118.15 (5), upon a person having under his or her control a child who is between the ages of 6 and 18 years and whose child is not in compliance with
s. 118.15.
60.23(23)
(23) Power to prohibit certain conduct. Enact and enforce ordinances, and provide forfeitures for violations of those ordinances, that prohibit conduct which is the same as or similar to that prohibited by
chs. 941 to
948, except as provided in
s. 66.0107 (3).
60.23(25)
(25) Self-insured health plans. Provide health care benefits to its officers and employees on a self-insured basis, subject to
s. 66.0137 (4).
60.23(27)
(27) Town housing authorities, blighted areas. Engage in certain housing and redevelopment activities. The provisions of
ss. 66.1201 to
66.1211,
66.1301 to
66.1329,
66.1331 to
66.1333 and
66.1335, except the provisions of
s. 66.1201 (10) and any other provisions that conflict with statutes relating to towns and town boards, apply to towns, and the powers and duties conferred and imposed by
ss. 66.1201 to
66.1211,
66.1301 to
66.1329,
66.1331 to
66.1333 and
66.1335, except the powers and duties conferred and imposed by
s. 66.1201 (10) and any other powers that conflict with statutes relating to towns and town boards, upon mayors, common councils and specified city officials are conferred upon town board chairpersons, town boards and town officials performing duties similar to the duties of the specified city officials and common councils respectively. Any town housing authorities created under this subsection may participate in any state grants-in-aid for housing in the same manner as city housing authorities created under
ss. 66.1201 to
66.1211.
60.23(28)
(28) Safety buildings. Construct, acquire, equip, furnish, operate and maintain a safety building. The provisions of
s. 66.0925, as they apply to cities, shall apply to towns, and the powers and duties conferred and imposed by
s. 66.0925 upon mayors, common councils and specified city officials are hereby conferred upon town board chairpersons, town boards and town officials performing duties similar to the duties of such specified city officials and common councils respectively, except those provisions or powers that conflict with statutes relating to towns and town boards.
60.23(29)
(29) Billboard regulation. Enact and enforce an ordinance, and provide a forfeiture for a violation of the ordinance, that regulates the maintenance and construction of billboards and other similar structures on premises abutting on highways in the town that are maintained by the town or by the county in which the town is located so as to promote the safety of public travel on the highways.
60.23(30)
(30) Riding horses, dogs running at large. Enact and enforce ordinances, and provide forfeitures for violations of those ordinances, that are the same as or similar to ordinances that may be enacted by a county to regulate riding horses and commercial stables under
s. 59.54 (19) or to regulate dogs running at large under
s. 59.54 (20).
60.23(31)
(31) Unified local transportation system. Cooperate with a county under
s. 59.58 (2) (j) in the establishment of a comprehensive unified local transportation system, as defined in
s. 59.58 (2) (c) 2.
60.23(32)
(32) Town tax increment powers. Subject to
s. 66.1105 (16), exercise all powers of cities under
s. 66.1105. If the town board exercises the powers of a city under
s. 66.1105, it is subject to the same duties as a common council under
s. 66.1105 and the town is subject to the same duties and liabilities as a city under
s. 66.1105.
60.23(33)
(33) Comprehensive plan. Adopt or amend a master plan under
s. 62.23.
60.23 History
History: 1983 a. 532;
1985 a. 316 s.
25;
1987 a. 205;
1989 a. 121,
197,
276,
359;
1991 a. 28,
296;
1993 a. 105,
246,
456;
1995 a. 27 ss.
3300m,
9116 (5);
1995 a. 77,
201,
289,
448;
1997 a. 27,
111,
155,
237;
1999 a. 115;
1999 a. 150 ss.
8,
9,
672;
2001 a. 16;
2003 a. 214;
2005 a. 13,
116;
2007 a. 42;
2009 a. 42,
372;
2011 a. 32.
60.23 Note
NOTE: 2003 Wis. Act 214, which affected this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.
60.23 Annotation
One who deals with a municipality does so at his or her own risk and may be subject to any provisions of law that might prevent him or her from being paid by a municipality even though the services are rendered. Unless the power to bind the municipality financially has been specifically delegated, the only entity with the statutory authority to contract is the municipality. Holzbauer v. Safway Steel Products, Inc.
2005 WI App 240,
288 Wis. 2d 250,
712 N.W.2d 35,
04-2058.
60.23 Annotation
Sub. (1) applies to joint undertakings involving a regional project. It did not apply to authorization for building a fire station by a town that provided fire protection through a cooperative arrangement with another town when each town was responsible for furnishing and maintaining its own current fire station and there is nothing in the authorizing resolution that provided for any involvement by the joint fire board in decisions about additional fire stations. The decision to build was subject to town meeting authorization under s. 60.10 (2) (e) and (f). Town of Clayton v. Cardinal Construction Company, Inc.
2009 WI App 54,
317 Wis. 2d 424,
767 N.W.2d 605,
08-1793.
60.23 Annotation
While sub. (28) permits a town board to construct or acquire a safety building, when read in its entirety, its application is reasonably limited to the construction of joint county-city safety buildings. Sub. (28) extends the provisions of s. 66.0925, as they apply to cities, to towns, and s. 66.0925 addresses county-city safety buildings, or joint safety buildings. Town of Clayton v. Cardinal Construction Company, Inc.
2009 WI App 54,
317 Wis. 2d 424,
767 N.W.2d 605,
08-1793.
60.23 Annotation
A county has the authority under both s. 59. 69 (1) and (4) and s. 59.70 (22) to enact ordinances regulating billboards and other similar structures. When a town approves a county zoning ordinance under s. 59. 69 (5) (c) that includes a billboard ordinance, the town's billboard ordinance adopted under sub. (29) does not preempt a county's authority to regulate billboards in that town. Adams Outdoor Advertising, L.P. v. County of Dane,
2012 WI App 28,
340 Wis. 2d 175,
811 N.W.2d 421,
10-0178.
60.24
60.24
Powers and duties of town board chairperson. 60.24(1)(1)
General powers and duties. The town board chairperson shall:
60.24(1)(a)
(a)
Preside at board meetings. Preside over meetings of the town board.
60.24(1)(b)
(b)
Preside at town meetings. Preside over town meetings as provided under
s. 60.13.
60.24(1)(c)1.1. Sign all ordinances, resolutions, bylaws, orders, regulations, commissions, licenses and permits adopted or authorized by the town board unless the town board, by ordinance, authorizes another officer to sign specific types of documents in lieu of the chairperson. The board, by ordinance, may authorize use of a facsimile signature under this paragraph.
60.24(1)(d)
(d)
Assure administration of statutes. Supervise the administration of statutes relating to the town and town operations to see that they are faithfully executed.
60.24(1)(e)
(e)
Act on behalf of board. Act, on behalf of the town board, to:
60.24(1)(e)2.
2. See that peace and order are maintained in the town.
60.24(1)(e)3.
3. Obtain necessary assistance, if available, in case of emergency, except as provided under
ch. 323.
60.24(1)(f)
(f)
Act on authorization of board. If authorized by the town board, act on behalf of the board, to:
60.24(1)(f)1.
1. Direct, as appropriate, the solicitation of bids and quotations for the town's purchase of equipment, materials and services and submit the bids and quotations to the town board for approval.
60.24(1)(f)2.
2. Represent, or designate another officer to represent, the town at meetings of, and hearings before, governmental bodies on matters affecting the town.
60.24(2)
(2) Administer oaths. The town board chairperson may administer oaths and affidavits on all matters pertaining to the affairs of the town.
60.24(3)
(3) Other responsibilities. In addition to the powers and duties under this section, the town board chairperson has the following responsibilities:
60.24(3)(a)
(a) Nominate individuals for service as election officials to the town board whenever the town board disapproves the nominee of a party committee under
s. 7.30 (4) and the names of additional nominees are not available.
60.24(3)(d)
(d) Execute and sign a certificate of indebtedness in connection with obtaining a state trust fund loan under
s. 24.67.
60.24(3)(h)
(h) Exercise the powers and duties specified for a mayor under
s. 62.13 if the town creates a joint board of police and fire commissioners or joint police or fire department with a village under
s. 61.65 (3g) (d) 2. or a board of police and fire commissioners under
s. 60.57.
60.24(3)(i)
(i) Provide an annual estimate of funds necessary for any utility district established under
s. 66.0827 (2).
60.24(3)(j)
(j) Appoint, at his or her discretion, one or more commissioners of noxious weeds under
s. 66.0517.
60.24(3)(L)
(L) If authorized by the town board, represent the interests of the town in connection with appearances before the state tax appeals commission under
s. 70.64 (5).
60.24(3)(m)
(m) Approve the bond of the town treasurer delivered to the county treasurer under
s. 70.67 (1).
60.24(3)(o)
(o) Sign orders for payment of work performed and materials furnished on town highways.
60.24(3)(p)
(p) See that all tunnels in the town are constructed under
s. 82.37 and that they are kept in good repair.
60.24(3)(r)
(r) Close county trunk highways when rendered dangerous for travel and notify the highway commissioner under
s. 83.09.
60.24(3)(w)
(w) Perform the town chairperson's duties related to stray animals and lost goods under
ch. 170.
60.24(3)(x)
(x) Perform the town chairperson's duties related to distrained animals under
ch. 172.
60.24(3)(xm)
(xm) Perform the town chairperson's duties related to animals that have caused damage in the town under
ch. 172.
60.24(3)(y)
(y) Perform the town chairperson's duties related to municipal power and water districts under
ch. 198.
60.24(3)(ym)
(ym) Cause actions to be commenced for recovery of forfeitures for violations of town ordinances that can be recovered in municipal court under
s. 778.11.
60.24(3)(z)
(z) Notify the district attorney of forfeitures which may not be recovered in municipal court under
s. 778.12.
60.24 Note
NOTE: 2003 Wis. Act 214, which affected this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.
60.24 Annotation
The offices of president of a common school district board and chairperson of a town board within the school district and the offices of school board member and town clerk are probably compatible.
74 Atty. Gen. 50.
TOWN OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
60.30
60.30
Election, appointment of town officers; general provisions. 60.30(1)(a)(a) At the annual spring election in odd-numbered years, each town shall elect:
60.30(1)(a)1.
1. Except as provided under
par. (b), 3 town board supervisors. One of the supervisors shall be designated on the ballot as town board chairperson.
60.30(1)(a)2.
2. Except as provided in
sub. (1e), a town clerk and a town treasurer or a person to serve in the combined office of town clerk and town treasurer under
s. 60.305 (1).
60.30(1)(a)3.
3. A town assessor, if election of the assessor is required, or a person to serve in the combined office of town clerk and town assessor under
s. 60.305 (2).
60.30(1)(a)4.
4. The number of constables established by the last preceding town meeting unless the office has been abolished and has not been reestablished by the town meeting under
s. 60.10 (1) (b) 4.
60.30(1)(b)
(b) If the town board has increased the number of supervisors under
s. 60.21, town board supervisors shall be elected at the annual spring election as provided in that section.
60.30(1e)(a)(a) Notwithstanding
sub. (1) (a) 2. and subject to
pars. (b) and
(c), a town board may enact an ordinance that provides for the appointment of a person by a majority of the members-elect of the town board, as defined in
s. 59.001 (2m), to fill the office of town clerk, town treasurer, or both, or to fill the combined office of town clerk and town treasurer under
s. 60.305 (1).
60.30(1e)(b)
(b) An ordinance enacted under
par. (a) may not take effect until it is approved in a referendum called by the town board for that purpose at the next spring or general election, to be held not sooner than 70 days after the referendum is called by the town board. The referendum question shall be: "Shall the person holding the office of ... [town clerk or town treasurer, or both; or the combined office of town clerk and town treasurer] in the town of ... be appointed by the town board?".
60.30(1e)(c)
(c) If an ordinance is approved in a referendum under
par. (b), the change from an elective office to an appointive office may not take effect until the term of office of the incumbent town clerk, town treasurer, or combined town clerk and town treasurer expires. If an ordinance is approved under
par. (b) at a general election, the ordinance takes effect upon the expiration of the term or terms of the incumbent officer or officers. If an ordinance is approved under
par. (b) at a spring election at which the office of town clerk or town treasurer is filled, the ordinance takes effect upon the expiration of the term or terms of each officer who is elected at that election. A person appointed to the office of town clerk or town treasurer, or to the combined office of town clerk and town treasurer, shall serve for a term, not to exceed 3 years, that is set by the town board. The person may be reappointed and may be dismissed by the board only for cause, as defined in
s. 17.001.
60.30(1e)(d)
(d) Not sooner than 2 years after an ordinance is approved in a referendum under
par. (b), the town board may enact an ordinance to return to a system of electing the town clerk and town treasurer or the combined office of town clerk and town treasurer, under
sub. (1) (a) 2., without a referendum. If the ordinance under this paragraph is enacted on or after the date of the spring election and on or before November 1 in any year, a town clerk, town treasurer or combined town clerk and town treasurer shall be elected to succeed the appointive officer at the next spring election following enactment of the ordinance. If the ordinance is enacted on any other date, a town clerk, town treasurer or combined town clerk and town treasurer shall be elected to succeed the appointive officer at the 2nd spring election following enactment of the ordinance.
60.30(1e)(e)
(e) Notwithstanding
sub. (1) (a) 2. and subject to
pars. (f) and
(g), a town board that is authorized to do so by a town meeting under
s. 60.10 (1) (b) 2m. shall appoint, by a majority of the members-elect of the town board, as defined in
s. 59.001 (2m), a person to fill the office of town clerk, town treasurer, or both, or to fill the combined office of town clerk and town treasurer under
s. 60.305 (1). The town board shall make the initial appointment not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the annual town meeting at which the authorization is given.
60.30(1e)(f)
(f) If a person is appointed to office under
par. (e), the person initially appointed may not take office until the term of office of the incumbent town clerk, town treasurer, or combined town clerk and town treasurer expires. A person appointed to the office of town clerk or town treasurer, or to the combined office of town clerk and town treasurer, shall serve for a term, not to exceed 3 years, that is set by the town board. The person may be reappointed and may be dismissed by the board only for cause, as defined in
s. 17.001.
60.30(1e)(g)
(g) Not sooner than 2 years after a person is appointed to office under
par. (e), the town board may enact an ordinance to return to a system of electing the town clerk and town treasurer or the combined office of town clerk and town treasurer, under
sub. (1) (a) 2. without a vote of a town meeting. An ordinance enacted under this paragraph shall follow the procedures in
par. (d).
60.30(1m)
(1m) Part-time supervisors. Town board supervisors shall be part-time officers, unless designated as full-time by the town meeting under
s. 60.10 (1) (b) 6.
60.30(2)(a)(a) Only an elector of the town may hold a town office, other than an assessor appointed under
s. 60.307 or a town clerk, town treasurer or combined town clerk and town treasurer appointed under
sub. (1e).
