Local

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The Middleton Town Board took another step last week in seeking a mediated boundary plan with the City of Middleton.

In June, the board passed a resolution informing the state Department of Administration (DOA) that it wanted to work with the city on a cooperative boundary plan. That gave the city 60 days to pass a similar resolution but the time period lapsed last month without the city acting on it.

On Sept. 8, the board passed a resolution asking the DOA to mediate a cooperative plan with the city.

The DOA will contact the two municipalities to see if they will begin mediation of a boundary plan, but neither party is obligated to join, attorney Michael Lawton told the board.

If the city doesn’t participate, the town can delay any annexations for up to 270 days, Lawton said.

“There’s some incentive for them to participate in mediation but we’ll see,” he said.

MIDDLETON–Imagine receiving the deed for a home you purchased only to discover racist language prohibiting non-Caucasian individuals from living there. That’s what happened when Middleton Library employee Sarah Hartman and her husband received their home deed in the Park Lawn Subdivision in the City of Middleton, the couple’s first home, which they still own but do not live in.

That was in 2006, and Hartman said that although she and her husband were mortified by the covenant language, they did not speak out at the time. “We were reading through, laughing about the rules saying you can't build an outhouse or make ‘intoxicating liquors,’ then we got to the whites only clause and it wasn't an entertaining old document anymore. I wish we had done something about it back then,” Hartman recalled and said the recent focus on racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death made her speak out. 

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission granted concept approval for a proposed mixed-use office and retail building on Airport Road west of the HWY 12. The plan commission also approved a few minor changes to building plans currently planned or under construction and reviewed the city’s involvement in the Capital Area Regional Plan Commission’s Development Framework for the Capital Region at its Sept. 8 meeting.

The Auto Vault project proposed by Jeff Parisi of Parisi Construction at 7913 Airport Rd. ties into the existing area intended for office, light retail and car storage. The developer indicated they are seeking a tenant for automotive use. 

MIDDLETON–As part of the Conservancy Bend development, contractors will need to close northbound Parmenter Street near the roundabout for two weeks beginning Sept. 8. This will not affect southbound Parmenter Street, and access will be maintained to all nearby businesses. The contractor will sign a detour route for northbound Parmenter Street to follow Franklin Avenue, Park Lawn Place, Park Street and Donna Drive.

The contractor will replace the concrete curb and provide a permanent asphalt patch on the street by Sept. 18 before opening the road to traffic again.  In the event of significant rain delays, duration of the temporary closure and detour may be extended.Northbound Parmenter Street to close

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a resolution that would subtract $163 million of value from the city's tax increment financing district #3. The action, if approved by the city council and TIF district Joint Review Board, would return $100 million to all tax districts to reduce property taxes and invest $63 million into infrastructure projects in TID#3. 

The Plan Commission also granted concept approval for two duplexes proposed at 7103 Twin Sunset Rd. 

The city’s TIF consultant Scott Harrington from Vandewalle & Associates said TIF is the single most powerful economic development tool that communities have and Middleton’s TID#3 is one of the most successful in the state.

MIDDLETON–Middleton Police Department (MIPD) have arrested Fabio Costa Alves, 30, of the Wisconsin Dells, for a hit and run that occurred in Middleton on Aug. 6. 

After announcing on Sept. 3 that they were looking for a 2007-2009 Volkswagen Rabbit with a broken windshield, on Sept. 5, MIPD arrested Alves without incident. He was booked into the Dane County Jail on a charge of hit and run causing injury.

MIPD responded to the call of the hit and run, and found a 64-year-old pedestrian and her dog had been struck by a vehicle and were in the roadway. The family pet died in the accident and the woman was taken to UW Hospital. She suffered significant injuries, and has since been released from the hospital. 

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Airport Commission last week delayed recommending updated language to the city’s Comprehensive Plan until the Common Council can meet with the Town of Middleton and Town of Springfield on Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field issues.

As part of the city’s required 10-year update to the Comprehensive Plan, City Planner & Zoning Administrator Mark Opitz presented language regarding the airport which was criticized for lessening concern for the airport’s impact on its neighbors.

The 2006 Comprehensive Plan recognizes the increased air traffic and the city’s need to monitor the airport so it operates “as safely and efficiently as possible while at the same time minimizing potentially negative impacts on nearby properties.”                

The proposed language presented to the Commission on Aug. 6 eliminates minimizing potentially negative impacts and promotes the airport’s role in economic development.

It read:

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Police Department responded to the report of an attempted abduction just before noon on July 30, but through investigation discovered that the girl actually knew the person with whom she left.

A 12-year-old girl from an apartment complex in the 5300 block of Century Avenue said she was outside her apartment playing with her one-year-old sister when she was approached by an adult male. The girl described the man as wearing a black t-shirt and baseball hat and a full ski-type mask. She said he led her and her sister away from the property on foot, but they were eventually able to get from this person several blocks away from their home. 

“Our detectives continued to do a bunch of work and looked at videos from the area, Middleton Police Captain Jeremy Geiszler said. “Eventually  the juvenile admitted there was no abduction. We have to take it seriously though.”

MIDDLETON–Middleton Police Department received several calls concerning gunshots on Saturday night.

On Aug. 8, at approximately 11:34 p.m., Middleton Police Dispatch received several 911 calls regarding gunshots in the 3000 block of Northbrook Drive in the City of Middleton.

As officers investigated, they found multiple shell casings at the scene.  No one was injured.

Based on evidence found during the initial investigation, as well as witness statements, this is believed to be a targeted act.

Middleton PD continues to investigate this incident. If anyone has information regarding this incident or has video, such as home surveillance video of the incident, they are encouraged to contact the Middleton Police Department at 608-824-7300.

TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD-The Dane County Sheriff’s Office and Middleton Police Department responded to a call concerning a motorcycle and car crash in the Town of Springfield Thursday night.

At approximately 9:23 p.m. on Aug. 6, the law enforcement agencies responded to the intersection of CTH K at US HWY 12 westbound for a traffic accident involving a passenger vehicle and motorcycle. 

The preliminary investigation shows the motorcyclist was stopped at the intersection when it was struck from behind by a 2012 Buick sedan who had been traveling westbound on Highway 12. The operator of the motorcycle was transported to UW hospital and declared deceased upon arrival. 

The accident is currently under investigation by the Dane County Sheriff’s Department, and names have not been released at this time. Alcohol does appear to be a factor in the cause of the crash. The motorcyclyist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.