Early Voting in Rock County Cities begins after Sept. 26th and runs through Nov. 4th

As a result of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recent court decision to deny a motion to stay Judge Peterson’s decision in the One Wisconsin Institute case, several election administration changes will be in effect for the November 8th election. One such change is how in-person absentee voting hours (sometimes referred to as early voting) may be conducted in municipalities across Wisconsin. Under this court decision, the time limits for in-person absentee voting, have been removed except for the Monday before the election.

In an attempt to create some uniformity among voters in Rock County, the Municipal Clerks in the five cities (Beloit, Edgerton, Evansville, Janesville, and Milton) have agreed to carry a consistent message for voters on when they may vote an in-person absentee ballot in the City Clerk’s office.

Beginning Monday, September 26, absentee ballots will be available for request by mail as well as in-person during regular office hours Monday-Friday. Regular hours may vary between jurisdictions, so check with your clerk for specific hours.  For the City of Milton, regular office hours are Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will also be three extended hour opportunities for those who require evening or weekend hours:

• Wednesday, October 26th until 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, October 29th, 9:00 a.m. until noon
• Wednesday, November 2nd until 7:30 p.m.

All in-person absentee voting will end by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4th – no voting will be available November 5th through Monday, November 7th.

Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may request to vote an absentee ballot. A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen, who will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day, who has resided in the ward or municipality where he or she wishes to vote for at least 10 consecutive days before the election. The elector must also be registered in order to receive an absentee ballot. Proof of identification must be provided before an absentee ballot may be issued.

City of Beloit                 City of Edgerton                       City of Evansville
Lori Stottler                   Cindy Hegglund                        Judy Walton
(608)364-668                 (608)884-3341                          (608)882-2266
www.beloitwi.gov          www.cityofedgerton.com         www.ci.evansville.wi.gov

City of Janesville                             City of Milton
David Godek                                    Elena Hilby
(608)755-3070                                 (608)868-6900
www.ci.janesville.wi.us                   www.milton-wi.gov

Crossridge Park Prairie Seed Collection Scheduled for October 15th

The City of Milton’s Parks & Recreation Commission will be hosting the Crossridge Park Annual Prairie Seed Collection on October 15, 2016 from 10 a.m. to Noon.  Participants can enter Crossridge Park from Parkview Drive or Brown Drive.

The Parks & Recreation Commission has been working for over a decade to develop the prairie at Crossridge Park.  The prairie seed collected will be utilized at Crossridge Park and in various locations throughout the City to reduce mowing costs.  The prairie grasses and flowers also create a beautiful, natural landscape with plants native to Wisconsin.  Those who participate can also take seed home for use on their own property.

Seed collection is typically done by hand, but some people find scissors/snips helpful.  Wear clothes that are appropriate for walking in tall grasses and dress for the weather.  Garden or leather gloves are helpful when collecting the seed.  Also consider bringing sunscreen and a bottle of water.

For additional information contact Inga Cushman, Assistant to the City Administrator, at (608) 868-6900 ext. 5 or by e-mail at icushman@milton-wi.gov.

Advertising Opportunities Available in 2017 Milton Tourism Guide

The City of Milton is proud to announce the Tourism Development Committee will be working on developing the 2017 Milton Tourism Guide with CSI Media.  Advertising opportunities are available.  See the letter below from Scott Maenner from CSI Media.  This is a great opportunity to promote your business.



September 14, 2016

Dear Business Owner,

The City of Milton Tourism Development Committee, in cooperation with CSI Media, is developing the 2017 Milton Tourism Guide. The guide will be distributed in Northern Illinois and the Madison and Milwaukee markets through CSI Media’s distribution network.

Representatives from CSI Media will assist in the production and placement of advertisements in the 2017 Guide.  A Price Guide is available on the City of Milton's website that fits every budget.  With every ad the business will receive a FREE listing (additional listings will be $15).

There are a limited number of spaces available, so reserve your ad today and send proofs to rdiaz@communityshoppers.com.

This is a perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to potential customers, continue to build commerce in the Milton Area, and take advantage of a marketing piece that has long term value and return on your investment.

Scott Maenner
Sales Development Manager
CSI Media
262-427-2134 Direct
608-290-9363  Cell
smaenner@communityshoppers.com

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.