Thursday, January 22, 2015

City of Milton Meetings - Week of January 26th

Please visit our website for the packets for the following city meetings scheduled for the week of January 26th:

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Proposal Request: Comprehensive Plan Update and Merchant Row Downtown Plan Update

The City of Milton is seeking qualified proposals for the update to the City’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan and an update to the City’s Merchant Row Downtown Plan.  Interested applicants are encouraged to submit proposals to complete both tasks concurrently, but the City will accept proposals that split the work into separate tasks.  

Qualified firms can contact City Administrator Al Hulick at (608) 868-6900 or by email at ahulick@milton-wi.gov for more information and submittal requirements before January 31, 2015.

FREE Workshop – Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits in Wisconsin

The City of Milton along with the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and Wisconsin Department of Revenue, will be hosting a Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits in Wisconsin Workshop on February 23, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  The registration form is available at www.milton-wi.gov/TaxCreditWorkshopReg.

This FREE, 2 hour workshop is open to all Wisconsin residents, and will focus on the use of state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits for income-producing buildings in the state. It will cover both the state and federal 20% tax credits, the federal 10% non-historic credit, the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, eligible properties, eligible expenses, minimum investment requirements, transferability rules, and application processes.

For additional information contact Inga Cushman, Assistant to the City Administrator, at 608-868-6900 or by e-mail at icushman@milton-wi.gov.

Public Input Opportunity for City of Milton Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

The Parks & Recreation Commission is working on updating the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP), which will allow the City to apply for grants for projects through the Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies.  In order to gather public input about the parks in the community, the commission will host a public input session on February 16, 2015 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at City Hall, 710 S. Janesville Street.  The input session will be held in conjunction with the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting.

For additional information contact Inga Cushman, Assistant to the City Administrator, at 608-868-6900 or by e-mail at icushman@milton-wi.gov.

Community Recognition Dinner – February 19, 2015

The City of Milton will host the 2nd Annual Community Recognition Dinner on February 19, 2015.  This event will serve to recognize citizens and city employees that have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the Milton community through their actions in 2014.  In addition, the Milton Police Department will receive their WILEAG Accreditation plaque that will be displayed at the Milton Police Department.  The Milton Police Department is one of only 24 agencies in Wisconsin who have obtained WILEAG Accreditation.

The Community Recognition Dinner will be held at The Gathering Place, 715 Campus Street.  Tickets are $25 each, and are available at City Hall, 710 S. Janesville Street.

The cash bar will open at 6 p.m., dinner will start at 6:30 p.m., and the program will begin at 7 p.m.  Dinner and hors d'oeuvres have been provided by Cowley’s Piggly Wiggly in Milton.

The City is also seeking nominations for Community Awards.  These awards will be given to any citizen, city employee, non-profit organization, or business that has shown an exemplary commitment to the community by way of time, resources, or extraordinary commitment to the betterment of Milton.  Please submit nominations by February 2, 2015 to City Administrator Al Hulick at City Hall, 710 S. Janesville Street, or by email at ahulick@milton-wi.gov.

For additional information contact Al Hulick, City Administrator, at (608) 868-6900 or by e-mail at ahulick@milton-wi.gov.

American Legion Post 367 Donates to Purple Heart Monument and Gold Star Families Monument


American Legion Post 367 donated $4,600 to the Purple Heart Monument and $1,000 to the Gold Star Families Monument, both of which will be installed at the Milton Area Veterans Memorial this spring.  The Parks & Recreation Commission was presented with the check at their January 19, 2015 meeting.

The Purple Heart Monument will be fully paid for through this donation from American Legion Post 367 and another donation from a localresident.  The Parks & Recreation Commission and additional volunteers are working on raising additional funds for the Gold Star Families Monument.  Anyone who donates $250 or more will have their name engraved on the monument.  If you are interested in donating, please contact City Hall at (608) 868-6900.

The Parks & Recreation Commission is also still accepting order forms for bricks at the Milton Area Veterans Memorial.  The forms are available at City Hall, 710 S. Janesville Street, and online at www.milton-wi.gov/VeteransMemorial.

For additional information contact Al Hulick, City Administrator, at 608-868-6900 or by e-mail at ahulick@milton-wi.gov.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Rock County Sheriff's Office: Snowmobile Education Course

Sheriff Spoden is pleased to announce the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will be offering, a D.N.R. Snowmobile Safety Education Course on Saturday, February 7th. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages all snowmobilers to take the snowmobile safety course.

Anyone born on or after Jan 1st, 1985 is required to complete a snowmobile safety course to legally operate a snowmobile in areas open to the public. It is also recommended that participants be at least 12 years of age, or turn 12 shortly following completion of the class.

There is a class fee of $10.00 per student, which will be collected at the time of registration. A parent/guardian signature is required for all persons under the age of 18 and the underage student must be present with an adult parent or guardian at time of registration.

Class size is limited to twenty-five (25) students. Pre-registration for the course is required by calling Deputy Krahn, M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at 608-757-7932. Registration information can be obtained at this time.

Snowmobile Education Course:

  • Registration: January 26th @ 6:00 p.m. at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Class: February 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rock County Job Center 

Any questions concerning registration, or the course itself, should be directed to Deputy Krahn at 608-757-7932.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Snowy Outdoor Adventures at the Milton Public Library and Other 2015 Events


Enjoy some indoor and outdoor fun with the Milton Public Library this month. From robotics in our Spark Lab, skating with the Janesville Jets at Milton’s ice rink, free ebook checkouts, and an exciting antiques appraisal, the Milton Public Library has got you covered for fun winter activities.


Our Snowy Outdoor Adventure series include one-of-a-kind events with FREE cocoa and books offered at each program. Reservations are required, so check it out today.

Snowy Outdoor Adventures l:
Snowshoeing @ South Goodrich Park - Saturday, January 24 from 10:30 a.m.-12 Noon.
Join Rock County Parks Coordinator Dave Hoffman for a free snowshoeing lesson. The class and equipment are free. It's all about fun and learning a new skill. Registration by January 23 is required. Parents are asked to stay with children under 12 years old. Snow permitting. Backup date: January 31 from 10:30 a.m.-12 Noon. For adults and kids, ages 7 and older.

Snowy Outdoor Adventures ll:
Skate with the Janesville Jets @ Air Products Ice Rink, Central Park - Sunday, January 25 from 1-2:30 p.m.
Open to all ages. Get a free ice skating lesson from the Janesville Jets! Team members will be on hand to give lessons to young and old! Registration is required.

Snowy Outdoor Adventures lll:
Snowman @ the Library - February 7, 14, 21, 18.
Open to all ages. Stop by every Saturday in February during library hours to build a snowman out front! A selection of snowman building supplies will be provided. In the event that there’s no snow, crafts and hot chocolate will be available in the backroom. No registration is required.

Looking for free eBooks and audiobooks?
Our library is a member of a statewide consortium that offers OverDrive, a digital download center that contains thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, music, and videos - all for free! This service can be used at home or wherever you have access to the internet and there are never any late fees!

Antique Appraisal Event - Monday, January 30 from 4-8 p.m.
Antiques Appraiser Mark Moran will be here to appraise collectibles and antiques. Call for details. Everyone is welcome to participate or just come and watch! Register early. Spots fill up quickly!

Little Owl/Wise Owl Reading Program - January 19 – March 14
This 8-week program pairs young readers in grades K-3 (Little Owls) with teen volunteers in grades 7-12 (Wise Owls) for weekly one-on-one reading. It is primarily designed to help younger readers improve and/or maintain reading and comprehension skills while increasing confidence and enjoyment in reading. Teen volunteers receive a service-learning opportunity.More information and applications are now available at the Milton Public Library and are due by January 14

Frozen Party - Thursday, January 22 from 3-4 p.m.
Do you want to build a snowman? If yes, come to the library for crafts, a scavenger hunt, games, and snacks inspired by the Disney movie! Please register by Wednesday, January 21.

Click here for a complete list of January events.

Stay warm and see you soon at the library!

Lisa Brooks
Library Director

MPD Press Release - Suspicious Person

The City of Milton Police Department would like to warn local business owners about a suspicious person that has been coming into area businesses for the past several weeks and asking to wait in the business. The adult male subject asks to use the phone and dials six digits beginning with “921”. He also tells the owner/employee that he is in Milton to buy a car and needs to wait out of the cold for hours. He has also said that he doesn’t have enough money to get gas to travel to Madison and has to wait for his girlfriend to come and get him. He has also said that he is in town from Portage to look at a car and needed a place to wait until the evening. He uses these excuses to ask for a place to wait out of the cold. He has done this at approximately four local businesses and at three of them the employees have given him money. Two businesses have found this activity to be suspicious and have contacted the Milton Police Department after the subject has left the area.

The Milton Police Department would like to alert local businesses about this suspicious person and to ask for their help in locating him if they have had similar contacts with him. His behavior is suspicious because he has presented himself at numerous businesses in the recent past, asked to wait in the business for hours, and has given all businesses different reasons for needing to be in their business. He is described as a white male, approximately 5’9”, 180 lbs., early 30’s, brown hair, jeans, and maybe drives a white car. He has been to businesses in the Merchant Row area and E. Madison Avenue. If any business has contact with him in the future, please call dispatch at 608-757-2244 or 911 and ask for an officer to be dispatched to their location to talk with this subject. At this point he has not committed any crimes that we are aware of, however, we would like to interview him and potentially thwart any crimes before they occur.

Rock County Sheriff's Office: Wind Chill Advisory for Rock County

Weather forecasts indicate dangerously low temperatures will continue and increase through Wednesday night. A Wind Chill Advisory will begin at 12:00 am tonight, continuing until Wednesday at 12:00 pm noon. Forecasts indicate frigid temperatures through Wednesday evening with wind chills of -20 to -30 below zero.

With these hazardous weather conditions, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office is reminding citizens to be aware of the dangers of cold-related injuries and illnesses including hypothermia and frostbite. Avoid extended periods of outdoor activity during these frigid conditions, as frostbite can set in very quickly.

Citizens in need of overnight emergency sheltering are encouraged to register immediately with the following overnight shelter options to determine availability and placement. These locations serve the entire Rock County area without residency restrictions.

Shelter Facilities:
The following shelters have been established for those seeking shelter during the bitter temperatures and poor weather conditions:

BELOIT – The Sparrows Nest
Overnight Facility
1816 Harrison Ave., Beloit WI
Shelter Hours:
After 5:00 pm only
608-362-8215
________________________________________
JANESVILLE – House of Mercy
Overnight Facility – Women, children and families only
320 Lincoln St., Janesville WI
Shelter Hours:
Overnight – Must register through House of Mercy: 608-754-0045
Must register by 6:00 pm

JANESVILLE – GIFTS Men’s Shelter**
Overnight Facility – Men Only
Shelter Hours:
Overnight – Must register through GIFTS: 608-371-3735
GIFTS Hotline – 608-728-0140
**WAITING LIST ACTIVE – CONSIDERATIONS AND ALTERNATIVES DISCUSSED AT REGISTRATION ON WAITING LIST. GIFTS WILL WORK WITH CLIENTS TO DETERMINE NEEDS AND APPROPRIATE SHELTER OPTIONS AVAILABLE.
________________________________________

Daytime Only Warming Sites Include:

JANESVILLE – GIFTS Resource Center
Daytime Warming Center
419 E. Court Street, Janesville WI
Shelter Hours:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm

JANESVILLE – Hedberg Public Library
Daytime Warming Shelter
316 South Main Street, Janesville WI
Shelter Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

________________________________________
Citizens in need of assistance can also contact the American Red Cross - Emergency Services Hotline at (877) 618-6628.

For organizations that would like to participate as future shelters and warming centers or to provide emergency assistance to citizens during extreme temperatures and local emergencies, you are encouraged to notify the Rock County Sheriff’s Office – Emergency Management Bureau by contacting 608-758-8440.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Rock County Sheriff's Office Advisory: Heavy Snowfall to Impact Rock County Overnight

Rock County will be under a Winter Weather Advisory beginning at 6:00 pm tonight until Tuesday at 3:00 am. The National Weather Service expects snow to begin in the area after 6:00 pm, with accumulations of approximately 5 inches by 3:00 am.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is reminding citizens to be aware of the dangers winter can pose to our health and safety. Due to frigid temperatures and heavy snow accumulation, travel overnight should be avoided if possible. This storm will affect the morning commute. Drivers should prepare accordingly and allow extra time for travel and more space between surrounding vehicles.

Be sure to have an emergency kit in your vehicles and a full tank of fuel before traveling. Items should include extra clothes, blankets, flashlights, a cell phone charger, food and water. Call 511 or check online at www.511wi.gov for updated road conditions and travel information.

Frostbite and Hypothermia:
Frostbite can occur in less than ten minutes on exposed skin. Symptoms include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ears, and noses. Minimize or limit time spent outdoors and if you see any symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Be mindful of the time spent outdoors shoveling or enjoying recreational activities.

Shelter Facilities:
The following shelters have been established for those seeking shelter during the bitter temperatures and poor weather conditions:

BELOIT – The Sparrows Nest
Overnight Facility
1816 Harrison Ave., Beloit WI
Shelter Hours:
After 5:00 pm only
608-362-8215

JANESVILLE – GIFTS Resource Center
Daytime Warming Center
419 E. Court Street, Janesville WI
Shelter Hours:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm

JANESVILLE – Hedberg Public Library
Daytime Warming Shelter
316 South Main Street, Janesville WI
Shelter Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

JANESVILLE – House of Mercy
Overnight Facility – Women, children and families only
320 Lincoln St., Janesville WI
Shelter Hours:
Overnight – Must register through House of Mercy: 608-754-0045
Must register by 6:00 pm

JANESVILLE – GIFTS Men’s Shelter
Overnight Facility – Men Only
Shelter Hours:
Overnight – Must register through GIFTS: 608-371-3735
GIFTS Hotline – 608-728-0140
WAITING LIST ACTIVE – CONSIDERATIONS AND ALTERNATIVES DISCUSSED AT REGISTRATION ON WAITING LIST
________________________________________
For organizations that would like to participate as future shelters and warming centers or to provide emergency assistance to citizens during extreme temperatures and local emergencies, you are encouraged to notify the Rock County Sheriff’s Office – Emergency Management Bureau by contacting 608-758-8440.

Winter Weather Dangers: Important safety tips for the days ahead


(MADISON) - The new year is bringing snow and arctic cold air that will impact Wisconsin the next few days. Here's the latest information on weather conditions and tips to keep you and your family safe.

Bitter temperatures – Arctic air has moved in across the state creating dangerously cold wind chills. High temperatures will only be in the single digits, with low temperatures falling as low as -15. Bitterly cold overnight wind chill readings of -20 to -35 should be widespread across the state from Tuesday morning thru Thursday morning. The National Weather Service will likely issue wind chill advisories and/or warnings during this period. In addition, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for parts of southern Wisconsin that could receive 2 to 5 inches of snow overnight.

On the road - If you are traveling make sure you have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle. Items to include in the kit are candles and matches, a flashlight, pocket knife, snacks, a cell phone adapter, a blanket and extra clothing. For a complete list go to http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov

Health Risks - With wind chills of -20 to -35, there is an increased risk of frostbite and hypothermia. If you must venture outdoors, make sure you wear a hat and gloves. Frostbite can happen in less than 30 minutes of exposure to those conditions. Symptoms include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear tips and tip of the nose. Limit your time outside. If you see these signs, seek medical care immediately.

Hypothermia is also a danger in these conditions. That is when your body temperature drops below 95˚F. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, slurred speech and drowsiness. Again, limit your outdoor activity and seek medical care if you detect these symptoms.

Carbon Monoxide Danger - Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than 20,000 people visit the emergency room and nearly 500 are killed each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Make sure you have working CO detectors. All homes and duplexes in Wisconsin are required to have CO detectors on every level including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas. Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually to make sure it is structurally and functionally sound and vents properly to the outside of your home.

Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or an unventilated garage. Any heating system that burns fuel will produce carbon monoxide. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins, RVs, and boats with enclosed cabins. Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running, you must have a door open to the outside. Generators should be run a safe distance from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors.

Breathing carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen in the blood and can cause death within minutes at high levels. Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide are often mistaken for the flu and include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath/chest pain, nausea/vomiting, and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, or your carbon monoxide detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.

Pet care - While our pets might seem to have built-in, warm winter coats, they too are sensitive to the elements. It is recommended to bring them indoors during this bitter weather. Dogs and cats can get frost bitten ears, nose and feet if left outside during bitter cold weather. Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can also irritate pets' paws - be sure to keep anti-freeze, salt and other poisons away from pets.

For additional safety tips, visit http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov. You can also check out Midwest road conditions and airport delays. Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin).

City of Milton Meetings - Week of January 5th

Please visit our website for the packets for the following city meetings scheduled for the week of January 5th: