Sunday, September 9, 2012
The combined $24,000 in the 2013 budget for Jammin' on Janesville and Muskego Senior Taxi has aldermen wondering how to handle these repeated requests for funding from community organizations.
While the city has said yes to repeated funding requests from Jammin on Janesville and Muskego Senior Taxi, aldermen are now talking about when to pull the plug—and how to keep the community funding system fair. Aldermen started talking about the issue during Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting about the 2013 budget, and realized they aren't sure how to handle repeated requests from organizations for city funding. Requests in the 2013 operational budget include $19,000 from the Chamber of Commerce to help support the three events of Jammin' on Janesville, as well as $5,000 for Muskego Senior Taxi. Many aldermen started to question whether these requests should remain separate line items in the budget or if it was time for the city …
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Completion of the project in 2013 is part of the capital budget for the county, and represents a portion of $37 million spent on roads in Muskego.
County Executive Dan Vrakas announced in a release that Waukesha County will complete construction of the second and final phase of Janesville Road in the City of Muskego next year. Construction of the second phase, from Lannon Drive to Racine Avenue, is expected to begin in the spring of 2013. Also included in the 2013 Capital Plan are dollars allocated for the completion of the first phase of the project from Moorland Road to Lannon Drive. The first phase of the road is expected to open by the end of the year, and recent estimates from the city have that date as early as the end of October. “Janesville Road, which is right in the heart of the City, is critical for economic development and public safety,” Vrakas stated. “This project …
Thursday, August 30, 2012
The Muskego Common Council approved 2 percent cost of living increases for 2012, but increased employee contributions to health care and retirement benefits will result in about the same take home pay.
If you work for the city of Muskego, the good news is that your wages will increase 2 percent retroactive to January 1 of this year. However, a new resolution passed by the Common Council Tuesday night will also require higher contribution levels for benefits like health insurance and retirement, netting no gain in take home pay. Employees currently paying into their health insurance will be asked to up the ante to 9 percent, up from about 6 percent, effective with their next paycheck. That increases to 10 percent in 2013. Those who hadn't participated before and want to join going forward will be asked to kick in 12 percent of their monthly premiums, and 13 percent in 2013. Alderman Dan Soltysiak was the most vocal in questioning the …
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Muskego's newest park as been in development for years, but boost in spending may finally make the park ready for users if $1.1 million request is granted; some aldermen say its about time, others say it's too much.
Progress on Park Arthur, which is situated along Muskego's northern border between College Avenue and Martin Drive, has been steady, but after hearing complaints from residents that projects like the park never seem to get finished, it may now be on a fast track, courtesy of $1.1 million in funding. Discussion of the park expenditures for 2013 were a part of the city's ongoing budget talks Wednesday night, and initially totaled $881,000, with that amount using the landfill funds. The parks department has historically used those funds along with other sources to develop and maintain the parks, however, dwindling resources may result in the city taking on more of the burden. The costs would include $245,000 to design and construct an …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
A claim that Alderman Neil Borgman filed against the city fails to establish a link between a clogged pond and basement backups that cost residents thousands, and is dismissed in Waukesha County Court
A claim that was filed by Alderman Neil Borgman against the City of Muskego back in June of 2011 has been dismissed in Waukesha County Court. Borgman filed a small claims case in Waukesha County Circuit Court "to compel the City of Muskego to begin proper maintenance and repair of the existing Sanitary and stormwater sewer systems immediately," according to a release from the alderman in 2011. "Since being elected Alderman for this District in 2004, I have repeatedly attempted to get the City of Muskego to honor its obligation to the homeowners in this area regarding drainage and storm water management issues," stated Borgman. "In July, 2010, as a result of the City’s repeated refusals to maintain the stormwater ponds, watercourse and a …
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Recent rains have meant fire danger is significantly reduced, but caution and common sense are still urged when you set fire to yard debris or firepits.
As of July 25, the city of Muskego is no longer under a burning ban. The ban was issued early in July, and was followed up shortly thereafter by a ban on fireworks during the July 1 - 7 permitting period. However, after several days where Muskego saw about a half inch of rain each day, Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti reversed the decision on burning. However, Muskego Police Lt. Dave Constantineau was quick to point out, "while the burning ban has been lifted, we are still in the area designated as an 'Extreme Drought Area.' So let’s continue to exercise common sense." The city's ordinance still requires that winds be under 15 miles per hour, and small fires are set at least 25 feet from buildings with appropriate fire fighting implements readily …
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Given Wisconsin's eternal election season, and the heightened animosity among public officials and their supporters, Muskego grants a request of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities to remind folks to tone it down.
It was a curious addition to Tuesday night's Common Council addition, and it may have raised a few eyebrows. "Resolution Promoting Civil Public Discourse" is listed among the other items, and it is basically an official reminder for everyone to play nice amid all of the whereas's. "Municipal officials play an important role in shaping public behavior as community leaders and, therefore, have a special opportunity to help steer public discourse in a more civil direction," the resolution reads. It also includes the public, media entities and other advocacy organizations in its stern reminder. Calling to mind our own local turmoil over a park on the lake, it seemed this was a response to that, or in light of the recent debate over DJ's Pub or…
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Failure to pass rezoning for DJ's Pub has mayor calling for a reconsideration at next council meeting.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012
To the editor: Although disappointed in the decision by the Common Council regarding the recent denial of a rezoning for DJ's Pub & Grill, I am hopeful there will be reconsideration at the next meeting. With some of the descending voters being newer to the council it appears that better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Plan Commission may be responsible for the vote that occurred. The pub has been in place for more than 90 years and grandfathered under an old residential zoning hence the need for a new zoning. The business owner is being displaced by the County for the Janesville Road improvement project. The City’s goal has been to assist the businesses throughout the improvement project. In this case we have a …
Friday, June 29, 2012
A small change to arrows was enough to win the council members over, but some are still irritated over what the marketing plan has to say.
The city will be dotted with blue directional, or wayfinding, signs to make it easier to find destinations like parks, schools, and the library. The Committee of the Whole met Tuesday and took little time in approving a slight change to the arrows, which some said looked easier to read. A total of 44 signs will be posted around the city, and will include larger signs with multiple destinations, and smaller signs that will provide additional direction to a final destination. They will be posted on lightpoles through the downtown area, and stand-alone posts as they get closer to the destination. The council members also approved the city's marketing plan, which was compiled by outside firm Verbicher/Voltedge. Despite a 7-0 vote in favor, …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Made more concerning by the recent hot and dry weather, residents protest permits for anyone in the city.
Tom Templin, a retired firefighter and Muskego resident, told the city's finance committee Tuesday that its current fireworks ordinance is "foolhardy" and that the city needed a "wakeup call" because he believes no fireworks should be allowed in the city. Initially, Templin appeared to ask the committee to rescind the fireworks application of neighbors Randall Bruch and Jason Geiger. The area where they live, which is situated off of Hillendale and Field Drive, is fairly wooded, with a wetland area that has been dry given the lack of rain, and that had Templin concerned. "Did you see the brush fire in Burlington, which burned about 80 acres? They had great difficulty getting to it. They had to get on ATVs just to find the area," he said. "…
The Warrior
1:53 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The city should set aside some funds for Jammin and Muskego Taxi. We should not bust the bank for these things but these are events and services residents do enjoy having. As for the Jammin event, this is not the city funding the Chamber but the city supporting an event that promotes Muskego business and brings residents together. How is that a bad thing to support? I hope MEG is not trying to … more ›