January 24, 2019 – Hartford, WI – It’s unusual that we ever have a primary Spring election but this year, we do. For those in the 1st Aldermanic District, there will be a primary between the incumbent Joe Fulop and challengers Erin Wilk and Todd Bultman on Tuesday, February 19th. Only those in the 1st District are eligible to vote and the entire process will take place at the Hartford Rec Center. If you are questioning if you are in the 1st District, please go to our district map on our website HERE.
With many of us several decades away from when we first took our driving test, it can sometimes be tough to remember some common rules of the road. One such rule has to do with yielding for emergency vehicles. No matter if it’s a patrol car, an ambulance or fire truck, if the vehicle behind you, or moving toward you, has flashing lights and sirens sounded, it is the law that you must move to the side of the road and stop while they pass. These vehicles are on their way to save lives and/or property and getting them there as quickly and safely as possible is everyone’s business. So if you hear sirens nearby, but don’t see the lights, it’s always a good idea to move to the side just in case they are about to enter your space. Again, if they were on their way to save your life, you would want them there sooner than later.
With us getting only our second taste of accumulated snow of this season, we want to remind everyone to do their part and adopt a hydrant in your neighborhood. While you are shoveling out your sidewalks and driveways, please take a moment to make sure that the closest hydrant to your property is likewise shoveled clear. The quicker that fire fighters can identify and activate your hydrant, the more success they have in saving your home and possessions.
Speaking of clearing snow, just a few reminders. The order in which streets, sidewalks and parkways are cleared after a snowfall is:
- Major highways/roadways (Hwy 60, Hwy 83, State St, Union St, Main Street, Grand Ave, etc).
- Connecting streets (major roads that connect to the major highways/roadways).
- Secondary streets (coming off connecting streets).
- Residential neighborhoods and cul-de-sacs.
- Public sidewalks, pathways, parking lots
- Downtown snowbanks.
It goes without saying that with every measurable snow, we have a few residents complain that this list is not somehow reversed or that their street isn’t plowed before Hwy 60 is but if you look at where the most amount of people are impacted, you can understand the reasoning.
Speaking of snowfalls and plowing, just a reminder that plowing or shoveling snow into the street is illegal after the plow has gone through your neighborhood for the first run. Why the first run? Because you don’t know if crews will be making multiple passes or one. So, if you see that a public plow has come through at least once, then shovel or blow your snow onto the best place you can put in, in the grassy areas of your lawn or terrace. Those that are warned but continue to do this, can be fined.
Finally, tax bills were due January 31st if you intend on paying at City Hall. While most people pay by December 31st, that’s simply if you want the income tax reduction. The actual deadline to get in a single payment is January 31st. After that date, all tax payments must be made to the County Treasurers Office at Washington County on Hwy 33 in West Bend.
Every month, it is my goal to give you information on things going on inside of City Hall. For more timely information on things happening around Hartford, please friend us on Facebook at City of Hartford Administration or follow us on Twitter.