Administrators Update: The 2017 Operation Budget is having some last minute changes due to state grant awards. We found out this week that our transportation grant is being cut $44,000. As all state grants, the equation of how much we get is very secretive but in the end, the major factors are how much we spend on road construction and how much we spend on police and fire protection. In the last two years, most of our roadwork has been state projects. It could be assumed that our emergency costs will be going up in 2017 thus our transportation grants for 2018 should go up. Assessed value for manufacturing will be the final adjustment for our tax rate for 2017. This number will come in the next week or two.
Hwy. 83 Reconstruction Project: For the week of October 10: The contractor will prepare the area for sidewalk installation early in the week. The subcontractor will then be here to set up forms for the sidewalk installation and should be installing the new concrete sidewalk by the end of the week. If all goes well with the sidewalk installation, there is a chance the landscaping contractor could begin placing topsoil by the end of the week. Also, the electrical subcontractor may be working next week at the Monroe Ave. intersection installing equipment for the traffic signals.
Police and Fire Respond to lost child: Chief Groves commended the outstanding response of both police and fire staff, along with members of the DNR, State Patrol and other agencies along with several residents on helping to find the 10 year old on Thursday night.
Hwy 60 Reliever Route Update: At their Thursday, October 6 meeting, the Hartford Airport Committee approved a recommendation to City Council to maintain a 4,000 foot runway expansion option in their plans for the Hwy 60 Reliever Route. The City Council will vote on this recommendation on Tuesday.
The preliminary engineering study which both the City and County approved sharing of funding for, has been started. Jason Schall from our staff is largely involved in this process. The final price on this study came out just over $44,000. Our half of this will be $22k+ which is much less than the $50k approved by the council.
The timeframe for this study is:
October 28- first part of study comes back which discusses St. Laurence. County staff will then meet with the Town of Addison to discuss if impact is substantial in St. Laurence and the future use of Turtle Road.
November 29 – full study comes back for review by staff.
December 6 or 7 – County Public Works Committee holds open house on the final study and takes comments and asks questions. The public will be invited.
December 13 – Full plan will go before the County Board for action.
REMINDER: Signicast Hosts Exporting Seminar: Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch will moderate a spirited discussion on the triumphs and trials associated with global trade on Tuesday, October 11 from 7:30 – 11 AM at Signicast. Whether your company has already gone global or are just starting, you will definitely learn something from the pros. This presentation will conclude with a discussion on what it takes to bring the US Open Championship to Erin Hills. A tour of Signicast will be available after the discussions. This event is sponsored by Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, HADC and the Hartford Chamber to name a few.
Library to receive $6,500 gift from local business: E-Image Data, with a Hartford location, is donating a brand new microfilm scanner to the Jack Russell Memorial Library to replace their old model. Their current model was not working so they looked into a replacement. In exchange for giving us a brand new model, they will be promoting our library with their product. The Library is very thankful for their generosity. This company’s products are located in libraries throughout the US.
