2013 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

The Annual Drinking Water Quality Report was published recently in the Milton Courier.  A copy of the report is available at City Hall, on the City's website, or upon request. 

Follow this link to view the report: http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/DocumentCenter/View/202

Press Release - Craigslist Transactions

Below is a press release from Milton Police Lieutenant John Conger.  Tips to stay safe during craigslist transactions are also available on the craigslist site.  Click here to view the story about the Janesville attempted robbery on the Janesville Gazette website.



For some time, our agency has been discussing the potential of using our Police Department lobby as a public location for people to do craigslist transactions. It is a practice that is becoming increasingly popular with law enforcement agencies nationwide. 

Therefore, in light of yesterday’s attempted armed robbery in Janesville, involving a craigslist transaction, we have decided to immediately begin offering this service. 

Craigslist, and similar type monetary transactions can sometimes be unpredictable, as community members are dealing with people unknown to them. Those types of transactions can often be fraudulent, and at times, evolve into an unsafe situation. 

In response, we are offering the use of our Police Department lobby as a location in which to conduct such transactions. 

To be clear, our staff will not assist with the transactions. It is simply a means to provide a safe and public location in which to conduct monetary transactions. 

The lobby space will only be available for transactions during normal business hours. 

To be certain that the lobby is open for use, please make a courtesy call to our agency prior to scheduling a transaction. The main office can be reached at 868-6910, and normal business hours are, generally, Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:00pm. 

The City of Milton Police Department is located at 120 Parkview Drive.

Public Information Meeting about STH 26 Construction

Public Information meeting 

Rock/Jefferson County  

Highway: STH 26, 2013 Construction Work
Location: Rock and Jefferson County
Description: STH 26 Milton Bypass, Townline Road to CTH N, STH 26 Expansion, CTH N to South Fort Atkinson Interchange

Highway: Existing STH 26, Design Work for 2014 Construction
Location: Rock County
Description: Existing 26 Jurisdictional Transfer Project, E. Madison Ave(STH 59) to CTH N, Existing 59 Jurisdictional Transfer Project, S. Janesville St(Existing STH 26) to STH 59

Schedule: 
Public Information Meeting is being held on: Thursday April 4, 2013, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.  
City of Milton Municipal Building 
Council Chambers, located on the lower level 
430 E. High Street 
Milton, WI 53563

Topics: STH 26, 2013 Construction Work :
The Contractors, H. James and Sons and Rock Road, will be on hand to discuss the schedule and road closures. There will be time for questions with the Contractors and Department representatives.

Existing STH 26, Design Work for 2014 Construction: There will be a brief presentation of the project and then time for questions with Department representatives.

Contact:
Teri Schopp, DOT, 608-516-6467
Jeremy Hall, DOT 608-245-2655

City of Milton Accepting 2013 Community Garden Applications

Photo from the Milton Courier

Even though it doesn’t look or feel like it outside, tomorrow is the first day of spring and time to think about your summer gardening.

Consider renting a 500 sq. ft. plot at the Milton Community Garden. The garden opens May 1st and the cost is only $10 per plot. You are more than welcome to reserve more than one plot.

Additional information and application forms are available on the City's website (www.ci.milton.wi.us) or call the Public Works Department at (608) 868-6914 for more information.

Milton to Host Southern Wisconsin Author Fair

Below is a press release about the Southern Wisconsin Author Fair that will take place April 14, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Gathering Place, 715 Campus Street, Milton, WI.

Ten writers have committed to be a part of the first Southern Wisconsin Author Fair set for April 14 at The Gathering Place in Milton. 

Readers from the area will be able to talk with the writers about their books and buy autographed copies. Additionally, they will be able to sit in on readings in The Gathering Place’s library.

Unpublished writers also will be able to take part in a writers workshop that will be taught by author and creative writing instructor Kathie Giorgio. Giorgio teaches online and studio classes for her business, AllWriters’ Workplace in Waukesha, and online classes for Writers Digest magazine. 

The Author Fair roster includes:

• Dan Manoyan, Kenosha, biography (Alan Ameche: The Story of “The Horse”)
• Catherine Witek, Janesville, historical fiction (The Trials of Misella Cross)
• Doris Greenberg and Pandre Shandley, suburban Milwaukee, young adult fiction (The Legend of L’Esprit)
• Andrea Thalasinos, Madison, general fiction (An Echo Through the Snow)
• Elizabeth Ridley, Brookfield, historical fiction (The Remarkable Journey of Miss Tranby Quirke)
• Douglas Armstrong, Whitefish Bay, young adult fiction (Even Sunflowers Cast Shadows)
• Kathie Giogio, Waukesha, general fiction (The Home for Wayward Clocks)
• Norman Gilliland, Madison, mystery (Midnight Catch)
• Jerry Peterson, Janesville, mystery (Rage).

Fair hours are 1-4 p.m. 

For more information, contact Jerry Peterson at (608) 752-1555 or by e-mail at jerrypetersonbooks@gmail.com.

MACC Hosting Candidate Forum on March 21, 2013

The Milton Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) with their Member Services Committee will be hosting a Candidate Forum on Thursday, March 21, 2013 for the upcoming spring election in the City of Milton Council Chambers located on the lower level of the Shaw Municipal Center, 430 E. High Street. 

Below is the schedule for the forum:

• 6:00 p.m. - Milton Township / Town Chair Candidates
• 7:00 p.m. - City of Milton Mayor Candidates
• 7:45 p.m. - City of Milton Common Council Candidates 
• Note: The Milton School Board candidates were invited but were unable to attend due to conflicting schedules. 

The spring election will be held on April 2, 2013.  Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and all City of Milton residents vote in the Council Chambers.  Residents are able to absentee vote at City Hall starting on March 18, 2013 until 5 p.m. on March 29, 2013.  Contact City Hall at (608) 868-6900 ext. 5 if you have any questions about the election.

Fix a Leak Week March 18 - 24, 2013

Fix a Leak Week is March 18 - 24, 2013!  Average household leaks from running toilets, dripping faucets, and other sources can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year - enough to wash nearly 10 months’ worth of laundry.  Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. 

Learn more about Fix a Leak Week on the WaterSense website or from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  On these websites you can find information about what you can do to check for leaks and how to repair leaks.  There are also various facts and figures about leaks and student activities.

Check for leaks in your home or business today!

Press Release - Grants to Assist Business Workers Available

Here is a press release from the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (SWWDB) regarding an available workforce training grant.

An Express Grant Program to help businesses increase the skills of their current workers through customized training is being offered through the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (SWWDB).

Requests for proposals are currently being solicited from businesses, which must show how the upgrade in worker skills will improve their capacity by making the organization more efficient, productive and competitive and positively affect productivity and competitiveness of the organization. 

Up to $5,000 per organization maximum is available per fiscal year. All projects will need to be completed by June 30, 2013. Applicants may seek grant assistance for projects that train their employees if the worker has been employed for at least six months and they are working a minimum of 32 hours per week. Allowable training is flexible and should be based on the employer’s needs. The grants are meant to be used for short-term training needs, so grants need to begin as soon as possible following the grant award. 

Applicants are responsible for matching funds and must contribute a minimum of half of the allowable training expenses. Any Wisconsin for-profit and not-for-profit business or organization can apply. The Express Grant Request for Proposal application and related material is available on SWWDB’s homepage at www.swwdb.org. Proposals will be accepted on an on-going basis up to May 31, 2013 with funding being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. 

Proposals can be submitted electronically (preferred) to Rhonda Suda at the Rock County Job Center, 1900 Center Ave., Janesville, WI 53546 or at r.suda@swwdb.org. She can be contacted at (608) 314-3300, Ext. 305.

Rock County Day in Madison - March 6, 2013

From Right to Left: Senator Neal Kedzie, Representative Deb Kolste, Representative Janis Ringhand, Senator Tim Cullen, and Representative Amy Loudenbeck.

Yesterday, March 6, 2013, City staff accompanied Alderperson Brett Frazier, Alderperson Nancy Lader, and Alderperson Anissa Welch to Rock County Day in Madison.  The morning started with an issue briefing from Dan Cunningham from Forward Janesville.  Participants then had the opportunity to update  legislators from Rock County about their community and the legislators updated the group about what is happening at the state level.  All of the Rock County participants were then divided into groups of 3 to 4 and assigned offices to visit to distribute the Roadmap to Rock County's Future - 2013.

If you have any questions about the issues in the roadmap, feel free to contact Dan Cunningham from Forward Janesville at (608) 757-3160.

Milton Public Library and Anti-Bullying Materials

Here is a press release from Milton Police Lieutenant John Conger.



As part of our ongoing Anti-Bullying programming, the Milton Youth Coalition and the City of Milton Police Department are proud to announce our new partnership with the Milton Public Library.

In an attempt to have Anti-Bullying resources and materials always available in our community we are partnering to have a dedicated source of Anti-Bullying materials available at the Library.

We are asking that community members support this important endeavor by sponsoring books.

The Library has a list of approved materials on hand. Simply stop in and select a book to purchase. Your name will then be placed in the book to memorialize your support of our programming. 

The selected books cover every age level, including resources for parents.

City Office Closings 3/5/13

Milton City Hall and the Milton Public Library will be closing at 1 p.m. today due to the weather. Support services offices at the Public Works Department and the Milton Police Department will also be closing at 1 p.m. Essential functions including Police, Fire, and Public Works will continue to operate as normal.

Winter Storm and the Innovation Express

Staff at Janesville Transit System that manage the Janesville-Milton-Whitewater Innovation Express were informed by the National Weather Service that the worst part of the winter storm in our area will be in the morning hours and into the early afternoon.  Snow accumulations are predicted to be in the 6-8 inch range, with winds gusting 25 MPH at times.

At this point, the Janesville Transit System will operate on Tuesday, March 5.  The timing and extent of the operation will be based on the weather as it affects our area and the ability of City and County public works employees to maintain roads in passable condition.  The Janesville Transit System will monitor the conditions overnight and issue notifications of their plans via e-mail and on the Janesville Gazette/WCLO Closings page. 

Here is a link to view the JTS Severe Weather Policy: http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/DocumentCenter/View/195. 

Public Works Committee and Common Council 3-5-13 Meetings Cancelled

The Common Council and Public Works Committee meetings scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2013 have been cancelled due to the winter storm warning. 

The Public Works Committee meeting is rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12th, and the Common Council meeting is rescheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12th.  If you have any questions, please contact City Hall at (608) 868-6900 ext. 5.

Public Works Committee 3-5-13 Meeting Cancelled

Common Council 3-5-13 Meeting Cancelled

 

Press Release - Winter Storm to Hit Wisconsin

 

Winter Storm to Hit Wisconsin 

Heavy snow possible for parts of western and southern Wisconsin 

(MADISON) – The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Advisories and Warnings for much of Wisconsin. Forecasters are tracking a strong storm system that will begin today and continue thru Tuesday. Snowfall predictions have increased to 6 to 12 inches across most of western and southern Wisconsin, along with some blowing and drifting snow.

Be ready for the storm. Here are a few simple things you can do:

Have an emergency winter weather survival kit in your vehicle. Your kit should include water, snack food such as energy bars or raisins, first aid kit and booster cables. If you have a cell phone make sure you have a power adapter you can plug into the lighter. You can find more kit tips on our website at http://readywisconsin.wi.gov

Check the roads before you travel. Call 511 or go to www.511wi.gov for the latest road conditions across Wisconsin. You can also go to our website for a regional travel map which covers the Midwest at http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/511/default.asp

Limit travel and get supplies for your home. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked with food that can be stored and prepared without electricity. Also, make sure you have extra water, flashlights with extra batteries and medications. For a complete list of kit items go to our website: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov

Stay informed. ReadyWisconsin will keep you posted on any emergencies that occur during the storm. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/readywisconsin or Twitter www.twitter.com/readywisconsin for updates.

Bi-Monthly Utility Billing

The City of Milton is in the process of switching to bi-monthly utility billing.  Here is some information that was included in the annual newsletter about the change.

What this means to you:

• You received a bill on January 15, 2013 for use in December 2012. 
• The next bill will not be sent until March 15, 2013 and will be for use in January and February.  No utility bills were issued in February 2013.
• A bill will now be issued every two months for two months of consumption. 

All automatic withdrawals will only occur every two months (on the tenth following the bill issue date, the first will be April 10th).

Payments can still be made on a monthly basis, if desired.  Contact City Hall at (608) 868-6900 ext. 1 to have your average monthly bill calculated.

If anyone has any questions, or would like to comment on the change please contact City Treasurer Connie DeKemper by e-mail at cdekemper@ci.milton.wi.us or call (608) 868-6900 ext. 3.

Press Release - Burglary on Parkview Drive

Below is a press release from Milton Police Lieutenant John Conger.




On March 2, 2013 at approximately 2:00 p.m. the City of Milton Police Department was dispatched to the report of a burglary in the 900 block of Parkview Drive. 

The incident took place sometime after February 23, 2013. 

The residence was vacant, and the suspect(s) targeted the copper tubing in the home and other household items. 

Entry was forced through a garage window on the East side of the residence. 

Individuals that come forward with information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for this crime are eligible for a cash reward through Janesville Area Crimestoppers. Individuals with tips can remain anonymous. If you have information regarding this incident please contact the Milton Police Department at 757-2244 or Janesville Area Crimestoppers at 756-3636. Anonymous tips can also be sent via text to CRIMES (274637), then enter JACS, plus your message.

We are, again, urging members of our community to be extra vigilant in watching what they know to be vacant homes. If you witness any suspicious activity around such residences, contact the Milton Police Department immediately.