Top Stories December 1st

Snow Causing Delay’s Throughout the Area

12/1/08 - It was eastern Wisconsin’s turn to get socked last night as a massive storm front rolled off Lake Michigan yesterday afternoon dumping heavy snow up and down the shore. Ten inches of snow fell by 9:30 at Random Lake in Sheboygan County, while in Dodge County Mayville got five. In Jefferson County, the National Weather Service in Sullivan reported 9.4 inches, while in Washington County West Bend picked up 8 inches by 10 last night. As for accidents, Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says there have been some runoffs during the overnight hours but traffic is moving at a decent speed. Those runoffs included a semi-truck that jack-knifed on Highway 33 in the Town of Oak Grove around 10:30. The Juneau Fire Department was called out to deal with a fuel leak and the driver was cited for driving too fast for conditions. There were a total of 12-runoffs in the county before midnight.

However, blowing snow may be the biggest issue for motorists this morning. That’s according to Dodge County Highway Patrol Supervisor Ken Stock, who says the eastern half of county received more snow than did the western half. Stock says another thing for motorists to keep in mind while they are on their way to work is that due to the availability and cost of road salt the county will be using a sand/salt mixture for all county roads this year. He says the mixture doesn’t work as quickly as “straight” salt meaning drivers will see a noticeable difference on area roads as compared to previous years.

BD Council To Discuss Downtown Plan Tonight

12/01/08 - The Beaver Dam Common Council will discuss a new, large-scale redevelopment plan when they meet Monday evening. The 3-page plan was written by Director of Administration John Somers and Area Development Corporation Executive Vice President Trent Campbell, and has already received unanimous support for the Development Corp board. It recommends the city borrow $1.5 million in 2009 to fund a portion of the proposed redevelopment actions, delaying all future Capital Improvement Projects by one year. The plan identifies eleven buildings in the floodway that could be purchased at 100% of the properties current assessed value, estimated at $925,000. It also notes the Wisconsin DNR has not offered a definitive timeline for their removal. The plan says that puts the city in a difficult situation because the properties targeted for demolition by the state are unlikely to be maintained. The concern being that if the city decides to wait out the clock until the DNR acts, it will result in (quote) “continued deterioration of an already blighted center of the downtown district.”

The city council will also consider a resolution that would award most of the remaining money in Diminishing Room Tax Fund. The fund was established to promote tourism and development in the city, and had traditionally supported marketing for draws like Lake Days and the Beaverland Must-Ski’s. In 2003, revenue for the Room Tax Fund started to dry-up after a contract change directed 90% of the hotel tax revenue to the Beaver Dam Area Development Corporation and the remaining 10% to the Chamber of Commerce. Less than $7400 was left in the account last month when the Community Development Committee met. The council will consider requests from the Beaverland Must Skis, the Chamber and the Women’s Affiliate. If approved, $833 would be left in the Room Tax Fund. The CDC will discuss the possibility of revenue sources to replenish the fund at upcoming meetings. The Common Council meets tonight at 8pm.

Assessments Begin Today

12/01/08 - Assessment work in the City of Beaver Dam for next year begins Monday. Finance Director John Sommers says Accurate Appraisals will be visiting one quarter of the properties in the city, including new sales and properties that have recently pulled building permits. Sommers says the Accurate Appraisal employees will have identification as well as a letter from the city when they knock on your door. Sommers says the assessment work is expected to take between two and three weeks to complete.

‘Meet The Mayor’ Tuesday

12/01/08 - Mayor Tom Kennedy continues his series of open door meetings Tuesday morning. Kennedy says residents in the city of Beaver Dam are invited to meet with the mayor without appointment on the first and third Tuesday of every month, the day after each city council meeting. The meetings will be held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon. Kennedy says he also make himself available for private meetings by appointment by contacting the mayor office.