Local

Fri
07
Jul
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Municipalities Happy with More Money, Legislators Hoped for Additional Shared Revenue

WISCONSIN–On June 14, a deal was reached between the legislature and Gov. Tony Evers to increase shared revenue in the state. The bill gives a boost of $1.6 billion to municipalities, counties and utilities in the state, and although it was diluted from the original, and restrictions were put on the use of the funds, towns, villages and cities are happy to be getting a boost is revenue as many have put off projects or borrowed funds to complete them, but local legislators wanted more.

Middleton City Administrator Bryan Gadow, Cross Plains Village Administrator Brian Mooney, Town of Middleton Board Chair Cynthia Richson and Town of Springfield Board Chair Jim Pulvermacher all expressed that discussions would need to be made by their respective boards and city council, but they also said they would likely continue using the increase to fund those that already rely upon shared revenue for funding.

Sat
01
Jul
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Lake Weeds, Silt Cause Mess at Boat Launch, Shoreline

MIDDLETON–In recent weeks, residents of Middleton have been voicing their concerns about the mounting weeds along the shore of Lake Mendota and particularly the Middleton boat launch on Lake Street. They have contacted the city and Mayor Emily Kuhn, who living on the lake, agrees the weeds are a problem. In fact, last year Kuhn invited then mayor Gurdip Brar to her house to see the pile up of aquatic plants. She also got an estimate from the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department for the cost of removal. The county charges a fee to remove weeds homeowners and municipalities place on their docks during scheduled times. The city, however, chose not to participate in the program due to the cost because they see the program benefiting few people. 

Fri
23
Jun
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Common Council Approves Boat Launch Redesign

The Middleton Common Council approved a concept proposal for a redesigned boat launch on Lake Street of Allen Blvd. The complete details will be included when final design comes back to the council for approval, but the concept proposal calls for limiting the boat launch to hand launch craft only and prohibiting motorized and trailered craft.  

Tue
20
Jun
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Suspects Flee, Fire Shots in Home Invasion

TOWN OF MIDDLETON– The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a home invasion that occurred in the Town of Middleton overnight on June 17.

Deputies were called to a home on the 3800 block of Silverbell Road at 5:16 a.m., after the homeowners woke up to find someone had entered their garage while they were sleeping. The suspects entered the garage by accessing a garage door opener left inside their vehicle in the driveway. Once inside the garage, they attempted to enter the home and the homeowner prevented them from doing so. The suspects made off with a purse and a set of keys. 

They were traveling in a stolen 2023 Hyundai Elantra seen in the attached photo. As they fled from the crime on June 17, one suspect fired several rounds. Detectives believe they are also responsible for several other car break-ins that occurred in the area. 

Deputies are reviewing video doorbell footage and have contacted neighboring homes to gather potential video evidence. 

Tue
20
Jun
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Plan Commission Approves Lake Street Boat Launch Redesign Concept Proposal

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a concept proposal for a resigned boat launch on Lake Street off Allen Boulevard If the redesign is approved by the common council the boat launch will no longer allow motorized craft and will create more green space near the lakeshore.

The redesign of the boat launch was originally overseen by the city’s parks and recreation committee. In its recommendation to the common council members of that committee expressed that the aspects of redesign fell outside the scope of the committee. The council then referred the redesign to the public works, public safety and sustainability committees and the plan commission. 

Director of Planning and Community Development Abby Attoun presented the concept proposal to the plan commission and the recommendations from the public works and sustainability committees.

Thu
15
Jun
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Board Votes to Up Support Staff Pay

MIDDLETON–Driven by inflation, competition for employees and meeting its goal of being in the top 25 percent of Dane County school districts’ wages, the Board of Education Monday approved a 13-20 percent pay increase for Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) support staff.

In April, the board approved a six percent base pay increase for all continuing district staff, which had been promised in the referendum that was approved last fall.

To prevent newly hired employees from earning the same as continuing staff, the board also approved a 5.25 percent increase in the base pay for new hires.

Support staff, which includes paraeducators, drivers, food service staff, and custodians, need a further wage adjustment as the district had experienced a, “really, really high turnover and a really, really” difficult time filling those vacancies, Assistant Superintendent Jerrod Rossing told the board.

Thu
15
Jun
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Council Approves Resolution to Intervene in MGE Rate Change

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council approved a resolution to intervene in a case challenging proposed utility rate changes by Madison Gas & Electric (MGE). The proposed changes would effectively eliminate net metering and increase payback time on solar systems.

Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits owners of solar energy systems for the excess electricity they generate and provide to the grid. Special meters that can run both forward and backward give customers credit for the electricity they feed into the grid.

MGE is requesting approval from the State of Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) for an electricity rate increase of 3.75 percent next year and a 3.41 percent increase in 2025. It also requested a gas rate increase of 2.56 percent in 2024 and 1.66 percent in 2025.

Tue
13
Jun
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Middleton Murder Case to Go to Trial

MADISON–The homicide case against a woman who allegedly shot and killed an auto salesman in downtown Middleton is reportedly heading to trial, according to online court records.

An attorney for Jakira T. Anderson, 23, of Fitchburg, told Dane County Circuit Judge Nicholas McNamara that the First-Degree Intentional Homicide and Use of a Dangerous Weapon charges against his client aren’t likely to resolved by a guilty plea, according to court records.

Anderson, who remains in custody and didn’t appear at Tuesday’s pre-trial conference, faces maximum penalties of life in prison if convicted on the homicide charge.

Her attorney, Adam Welch, received the discovery materials that the state has produced. At his request, a scheduling conference was set for Aug. 21.

According to the criminal complaint:

Thu
08
Jun
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Town Expenses on Airport Matters Reach Nearly $150k

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The town spent an estimated $150,000 on legal and technical expenses in 2021-22 monitoring activities involving the Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field, according to a cursory review of town billing records.

During the past two years, the town has contracted for a $24,500 water study which matched lead found in two private wells near the airport with the leaded aviation gas sold at the airport. The study also linked lead and other contaminates found in groundwater in and around the airport with chemical components used in fireworks similar to a July 2021 fireworks display at the airport.

Late last year, the US Geological Survey (USGS) released their preliminary findings from the water study it conducted in 2022 and are expected to produce an interpretative report this year.

The City of Middleton will sell unleaded aviation gas at the airport when it’s available for delivery but will continue to sell low lead gas, too.

Fri
02
Jun
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Plan Commission Deliberates on Zoning Ordinance Overhaul

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission reviewed recommended changes to the zoning ordinance from a city work group and deliberated on key policy issues.

City Planner and Zoning Administrator Mark Opitz explained that staff worked with consulting firm Vandewalle & Associates to develop the draft ordinance and are reviewing it now with the city attorney. Plan commission members discussed key policy issues identified by the workgroup and provided feedback and direction to the planning staff.

The zoning ordinance is divided into two parts. The plan commission will review and deliberate part two at its June 27 meeting.

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