Top Stories, January 19th

Beaver Dam Looks To The Future, Recognizes Past

1/19/10 - MSA Professional Services will perform consulting work on the Beaver Dam Highway 33 reconstruction project, following council action last night. The state is paying 80% for most of the project, including a one block stretch of North Center Street between Front and Maple, plus Front Street from Center to Spring Street and Park Avenue from University Avenue to Monroe Street. In addition, the city will pay 100% of the costs to reconstruct the 200 block of Front Street, which is not considered a state route. MSA submitted a total bid of just over $100,000, which roughly $27,000 higher than the low bid of Vierbicher Associates. However, in the last week, it was learned that the low bidder did not include all of the required projects in their proposal. The vote was unanimous. The Highway 33 reconstruction project is slated for 2013.

1/19/10 - Beaver Dam is moving up in the world. Before last night, the city on the state’s 15th largest lake was considered a fourth-class city, a designation based primarily on population. According to the 2000 census, Beaver Dam’s population is estimated at 15,500. With the proclaimation by the mayor, the city is now a third-class city. That means the municipality will be able to extend the scope of its annexation authority from one and-a-half miles beyond the city limits to three miles. The change will also require the city add two more members to its Library Board. In addition, mayoral candidates will be required to collect four times as many signatures when circulating nomination papers. In a third class city, 200 to 400 names are needed. There will be no change for those seeking to run for alderperson. The change was suggested as part of the Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan. While it was originally slated for the December meeting, the proclaimation was postponed to the January meeting, so as not to affect the spring 2010 election.

1/19/10 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night recognzied four city employees for their

years of service to the city. Firefighters Dan Kenevan and Vic Herbst were presented with plaques acknowledging their combined 80 years of service to the department. Account clerk’s Kristine Erdmann and Susan Rasske were also recognized. Rasske for her nearly two decades of service while Erdmann has been with the city for over three decades.

Columbus Police Chief Awaits Council Approval

1/19/10 - The P F C has finished psychological screening of Dennis Meister -- the top candidate for the next Columbus Police Chief. Meister now awaits Council approval. The Council will be negotiating salary, benefits and start date. Meanwhile, Acting Police Chief Dennis Weiner reported a recent deluge of applications for the only vacant sworn officer position. The Police Department move into the new Columbus Public Safety Building is likely to happen before the new Chief assumes office.