Last Chance - Get Tickets for the PD's Community Recognition Dinner

This coming Saturday, May 15th, is the Police Department's Community Recognition Dinner. Be sure to get your tickets soon. You can check out this earlier blog post for more details:
http://miltonmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/police-department-community-recognition.html.

Reminder for Milton Men

Seriously guys, don't forget... It's Mother's Day this weekend. Unless you've got a really comfortable dog house, you are going to want to get something special for those mothers in your life.

I've got double-duty this weekend, with my wedding anniversary on Saturday as well. Thanks, Tonya, for 11 wonderful years!

May City Departmental Report Available

The City's Monthly Departmental Report for May is now up on the City Website. Check it out by following this link: http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/document_detail.aspx?document_id=3215.

Keep Grass Clippings on Lawn

The Wisconsin DNR is cracking down on stormwater runoff. It is now against city ordinances to mow your grass clippings into the street. The idea here is that they are swept away with the rain to ponds where the nitrogen from the plant material encourages algae growth that starves out the fish. Most of our water goes to storm ponds but some of it does go to natural ponds with fish. If you find you must mow the clippings into the street, you need to sweep them up or blow them back onto the lawn.

The Census Continues

The 2010 Census Challenge between Milton and Edgerton is officially over. Milton beat Edgerton by 9% (85% to 76%). Great job Miltonites (or Miltonians, whichever you prefer)!

The second phase of the 2010 Census will be starting soon with Census takers going door to door to addresses that have not returned Census forms. They will visit a residence up to three times, and they will leave a Notice of Visit if the resident is not home. The Notice of Visit includes a phone number for the resident to call to schedule an appointment. The Census taker will also try to contact the resident by phone three times. Census takers will never try to contact residents by e-mail.

If a Census taker does visit your home, ask to see their official Census ID Badge. The ID will contain a photograph, Department of Commerce watermark, and expiration date. Census takers may also have a black Census bag. Census takers will never ask to enter your home. They will also never ask for any kind of financial information or social security numbers. If you are suspicious of a Census taker, you can call the Census at the Chicago Regional Office at 1-800-865-6384. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Census taker will ask you for the responses to the 10 questions on the Census form. Residents should answer the questions for the entire family, and you must be at least 15 years old to answer.

The Census data gathered in 2010 will help decide Milton’s future for the next 10 years. The information gathered will determine how many representatives Wisconsin has in the U.S. House of Representatives, distribution of $400 billion from the federal government, and boundaries for electoral districts. Census data is also used during development of retail stores, schools, hospitals, new housing developments, and community facilities.

Keeping Milton Safe - Changing Our Culture on Underage Drinking

During the last few months of the school year (and with prom this coming weekend), the Milton Police Department will be working with the School District of Milton and Rock County Partners in Prevention to reduce underage drinking. Milton Police Chief Jerry Schuetz wrote an article about underage drinking in Milton. In order to continue to fulfill the Police Department's mission of "Keeping Milton Safe," Chief Schuetz said the culture on underage drinking needs to change. Click here to read the full article from Chief Schuetz.

Outdoor Water Meter Rentals

Summer is finally approaching, and many residents are filling pools and watering lawns and gardens. In order to save money, consider renting an outdoor water meter from City Hall. An outdoor water meter is pictured to the left.

The rental fee is $10 per month with a $75 security deposit. After the meter is returned to City Hall, the sewer charges will be credited to the water account. The break even point is 1700 gallons of water usage per month. Long story short, you'll still pay the cost of the water used, but won't pay the typical sewer charges that go along with that quantity of use.

To obtain an outside water meter visit City Hall (430 E. High Street) to pay the fee and security deposit and pick one up.