Local

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.

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.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council appointed Jenifer Cole to finish the term of the District 4 council seat vacated by Emily Kuhn when elected mayor.

The council voted to approve applicant Jenifer Cole to fill the district four vacancy which opened up following the election of Emily Kuhn as mayor. Cole will hold the position until it is up for reelection on April 16, 2024. Four people applied for the opening, and one withdrew prior to consideration. Three candidates were interviewed by the council on May 16 including Cole, Thomas Yost, and Todd Kalish. 

Cole served on the city’s Community Campus Committee and professionally works as the executive director of the Wisconsin’s Women Council, a 15-member state of Wisconsin Commission whose members are appointed by the governor and legislative leaders. Cole has worked in various state government positions since 2010.

MIDDLETON–Rock blasting to lower the hill between Quarry Road and Pleasant View Golf Course will begin May 30th as part of the Pleasant View Road reconstruction. 

Blasting will occur several times a day for several months as construction progresses.

WISCONSIN–The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced that the final draft of Wisconsin Rail Plan 2050, which establishes a long-term vision for freight and passenger rail travel, is available for the last round of review and comment through June 10.

“Thank you to all who participated in the first round of public comment on the draft Wisconsin Rail Plan 2050. We invite the public to revisit our rail plans and participate in setting a course to help strengthen our economy and make our multimodal infrastructure more efficient and resilient,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Rail moves about 32 percent of our freight in Wisconsin and demand for passenger service is growing. This is an exciting time to help plan the future of rail in Wisconsin.”

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a rezoning ordinance, general building plan and conditional use permit for a proposed seven story residential building with two levels of structured parking and some light commercial space. 

The development proposal comes from the longtime owners and property managers of Middleton Shores Apartments at 6110-6150 Century Ave. Property owner Sue Case applied for a rezoning for construction of a two-phase redevelopment on the 8.8-acre lot. The first phase would replace an existing 20-unit, two-story building with one seven-story building containing up to 110 dwelling units and two levels of structured parking.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Arts Committee will once again host Art Walk Middleton on Terrace Avenue in the city’s downtown district on May 20 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Dozens of fine artists will sell their work throughout the day. Media includes, paint, photography ceramics, fiber, jewelry and more. Several of the participants will be creating art onsite during the event. Student art from the created Middleton High School will also be including in their year’s art booths.

Artist demonstrations and will also be available throughout the day, including a printing project for all ages by ArtWorking, caricatures for visitors by Lindsey Salzwedal of Expressively You, glass blowing by Terry King form Fat Pinky Glass, resin pouring and woodworking by Jeremiah Logeman and chalk art by Melanie Satori Schmidt Art. 

MIDDLETON–School board members and district administrators got a first look Monday at the three-phase upgrade in progress to Otto Breitenbach Stadium at Middleton High School (MHS).

Phase I which will add locker rooms, coaches and training offices, restrooms, and expand concessions and the ticketing office should be completed by mid-June, said Brian Hornung, chief operating officer of Findorff Construction, the project’s prime contractor.

The L-shaped structure has been under construction along part of the south side and west sides of the football field for nearly a year and it promises to be a major upgrade for athletes and fans.

Football players won’t have to dress in MHS locker rooms and walk to the stadium but will dress in new, larger facilities. Also, training facilities will be closer to athletes needing medical attention during games, Hornung said.

MADISON–Pleasant View Road is closed at the Quarry Road Intersection and will remain until noon on May 26. There will be no access to Quarry Road from Pleasant View Road during this time. However, temporary access will be provided to local businesses.

Installation of deep sanitary sewer, water and storm water mains require the closure during the Pleasant View Road widening project.

The work operations requiring the closure is to install deep sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer lines.

Timber Wolf Trail's entrance at Pleasant View Road was closed beginning May12 through late August as the project begins Stage 2 construction from Timber Wolf Trail to Blackhawk Road along the west side of the street.

Pleasant View Road will remain open to Greenway Boulevard. Stage 1 construction continues on Pleasant View Road from Blackhawk Road to the Pleasant View Golf Course driveway.

MIDDLETON–After more than 40 years, Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) is getting a new name–WayForward Resources.

“We have been talking about this for 10 years,” stated WayForward Resources Executive Director Ellen Carlson, who said the name is intended to remove barriers in supporting residents who need assistance.

She said the name sometimes confused people in West Madison and Cross Plains because it has Middleton in the title.

“When we would say our name to new clients it was very confusing to them and our referral services. We also had people asking us about church services because ministry was in our name,” said Carlson. 

The organization felt it was a good time to pursue the change and began the process months ago by hiring a consultant. The consultant surveyed and interviewed both clients of the facility as well as stakeholders.