Press Release: Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

(MADISON) – This summer, several areas of Wisconsin have been hit hard by severe storms, flash floods and tornadoes. That’s why Governor Scott Walker has declared September as Preparedness Month to encourage people across the state to take time now to prepare before disaster strikes.

“Developing a family emergency plan is important,” says Major General Don Dunbar, Adjutant General and Wisconsin’s Homeland Security Advisor. “Everyone should have a plan that includes information on where to go during an emergency and how to communicate with loved ones if separated in a crisis.”

An emergency plan should include:

• Family meeting places to make sure everyone is safe. One designated location should be close to your home and the other in your neighborhood. 
• A contact list in both paper copy and electronic with current contact information for those individuals you may need to reach during an emergency. Make sure you keep a paper copy in your wallet and in your emergency kit. 
• The plan should contain alternative methods of communications in case phone service is not available. 

Consider text messaging during an emergency. Often times in a disaster, phone service may be overwhelmed and unavailable. Cell phone text messages may still get through because they take less band width to send and receive messages.

Also, calling long distance may be easier than making a local call. Ask a friend or family member to be your “out of town” contact. During an emergency, you can contac
t that person to let them know you are ok and that they can share that information with your family.

Developing an emergency communications plan is just one step to get ready for emergencies.   Each week this September, ReadyWisconsin will highlight easy and inexpensive ways for you and your family to prepare for emergency situations. You can visit http://readywisconsin.wi.gov for more information. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sanitary Sewer Overflow – 1006 W. Madison Avenue

On August 18, 2016 a sanitary sewer overflow was reported at 1006 W. Madison Avenue, Milton, WI.  The Department of Public Works responded, and the overflow has been fixed.  This press release serves as official public notification of a sanitary sewer overflow as required by the Department of Natural Resources.

The contractor for the water main project on Madison Avenue, GMS Excavators, Inc., struck the force main from the City of Milton’s lift station using a boring tool.  Approximately 10 gallons of sewage was discharged before it was directed to a nearby sanitary sewer manhole by the contractor.  The break was reported at 4:20 p.m., and the repair work was completed by 4:45 p.m.

For additional information contact Howard Robinson, Director of Public Works, at 608-868-6914 or by e-mail at hrobinson@milton-wi.gov.

City of Milton Receives A1 Credit Rating

Once more there is good financial news for the City of Milton taxpayers. Moody’s Investors Service reaffirmed the City of Milton’s credit rating of A1 in a report issued August 17, 2016.  The rating was made as part of the City issuing $7.475 million in General Obligation Bonds.  A1 is four levels below the highest rating of AAA. An A1 rating is considered an upper medium investment grade. The higher the rating, the lower the City of Milton should pay in interest costs for borrowings.

The report listed several strengths for the City of Milton including:

1. City’s management team is strong
2. Adhering to long-term capital plans
3. Favorably located within commuting distance to large regional economic centers
4. Solid financial operations with strong reserves
5. Conservative budgetary approach

As a result of current market conditions and excellent bond rating, the taxpayers of the City will save over $1 million in interest expenses because the main purpose of the bond sale was to refinance existing debt. $128,000 of the savings was directly related to an early refinancing on bank loans issued by First Community Bank and Bank of Milton in which they allowed the City to refinance earlier than they legally had to.

The interest savings breaks out into the following:

• General tax levy = $475,000
• TID #6 = $387,000
• Water Utility = $55,000
• Sewer Utility = $86,000
• Library donations = $13,000

For more information, please contact Finance Director/Treasurer, Dan Nelson at 608-868-6900 ext. 3 or dnelson@milton-wi.gov.

Press Release - Sanitary Sewer Overflow

On August 3, 2016 a sanitary sewer overflow was reported at 301 Elm Street, Milton, WI.  The Department of Public Works responded, and the overflow has been fixed.  This press release serves as official public notification of a sanitary sewer overflow as required by the Department of Natural Resources.

The property owner of 301 Elm Street called Diggers Hotline for a locate; however, the locate was for the area north of the home and the property owner excavated south of the home.  The property owner struck a City of Milton sewer main at approximately 7 p.m. on August 2, 2016, and was unaware of the damage that was caused.

The Director of Public Works and the Public Works Foreman drove past the property on August 3, 2016 at 10:15 a.m. and saw the excavator parked near the City of Milton sewer line.  Upon further investigation, they observed sewage flowing out of the ground.  The flow went into a nearby wooded drainage area where it was absorbed into the soil.  This drainage area is owned by the property owner.  The Department of Public Works Sewer Division responded at 10:35 a.m. on August 3, 2016 and plugged the line by 11 a.m.

The sewer overflow repair to the break was completed at 11 a.m. on August 3, 2016.  The damaged sewer main section was cut out and replaced with a piece of plastic sanitary sewer pipe.    The restoration and repair of the site was complete by 1:30 p.m. on August 3, 2016.  The Department of Public Works jetted and vacuumed the sewer line to remove any remaining debris left in the sewer main.

For additional information contact Howard Robinson, Director of Public Works, at 608-868-6914 or by e-mail at hrobinson@milton-wi.gov.