Burlington Spotlight
June 2004

There's a lot happening at the library this summer in the Children's and Young Adult department! From a teen writing group to book clubs to evening family programs to lunch storyhours to preschool storyhours, there is enough to keep anyone busy who stops by. For more information stop into the library or e-mail the Youth Services Librarian, Ruhama Kordatzky, at rkordatz@burlington.lib.wi.us

Discover New Trails, Burlington Public Library's 3rd annual Summer Reading Program for adults, begins June 28 and continues through August 13. Register at the reference desk between June 28 and August 13, read or listen to books on tape or CD, then enter the weekly prize drawing once for each book read. Prize drawings are held each Monday with the Grand Prize drawing on August 16.

Readers are also invited to anonymously write brief reviews of the books they read to be compiled in a binder to share with other readers. For more information about this or any summer programs at Burlington Public Library, call 262-342-1130, or stop in at the library at 166 E. Jefferson, Burlington, WI.

As Summer approaches, the Police Department would like to remind you about the basics of bicycle safety.

1. PLEASE wear a helmet when you ride your bike. For more information on helmets, please look at the website of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute: www.bhsi.org 

2. Remember that bicycle riding is not allowed on downtown sidewalks.

3. Please respect that bike riding is prohibited on the Riverwalk, but encouraged on the nearby bicycle – pedestrian path.

4. Register your bicycle with the Police Department. This FREE service takes just a few minutes. We ask for some basic information (including the make, model and serial #) from the bicycle and enter it into our computer. If your bike is ever lost or stolen and we recover it, registration allows us to return it to you quickly. You can register your bike at the Police Department (224 E. Jefferson Street) whenever is convenient for you. We never close!

And don’t forget to mark your calendars because Saturday, June 5, 2004 is the Bike Rodeo! The bike rodeo will be held at the Burlington Wal-Mart parking lot and will be offering free children’s bicycle helmets (to the first 125 kids), bicycle safety information, a bicycle obstacle course, a raffle to win a bike and refreshments courtesy of McDonald’s, Nestle and Culvers.

Lastly, remember that bike riding is great exercise and can be a lot of fun. There are many trails here in Burlington. Get out there, have fun and be extra safe.

Recently some City residents have received a notice regarding "Open Book" and the Board of Review. Open Book is your opportunity to discuss your assessment with the assessor’s office and is held by appointment. The Open Book appointments can be made with National Appraisal Corporation by calling 1-800-242-2130 and will be held at City Hall on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 from 3-6 p.m.

If after seeing the assessor at an Open Book appointment and you are not satisfied with your assessment you may go before the Board of Review and discuss your assessment. The Board of Review is comprised of a panel of City residents as well as the City Attorney and City Clerk. The Board of Review will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 with appointments being made by stopping in to City Hall and filling out a form contesting the assessment.

The Sewer Irrigation Allowance for water usage during the summer quarter will soon be in effect. During this period, there is more outdoor water usage (watering lawns/landscape, washing vehicles, and filling pools), which does not flow through the sewer. Therefore, during this quarter only, the sewer charge is NOT calculated based on the amount of water volume metered. Instead, the sewer rate for the summer quarter is calculated based on the customer’s First Quarter (December – March) usage or the Second Quarter (March – June) usage, whichever amount is lower.

The Sewer Irrigation Allowance is for single-family residential customers only and is for water usage during late June through late September. The customer will receive this water/sewer bill on approximately October 4, 2004. Any questions relating to the Sewer Irrigation Allowance may be directed to the Burlington Water Utility at 342-1173.

If you haven't been by Devor Park lately (next to the Burlington pool), you should stop by to see the landscaping updates that have been completed. The landscape amenities were designed by the very talented City of Burlington Parks Department Foreman, Aaron DeGrave. Aaron and his crew installed the improvements. The landscaping compliments the pool and playground equipment, which is there for everyone's enjoyment and allows for a patio viewing area of the pool.

The parking lot at Devor Park is also being redone as part of this years street resurfacing program, and should be completed prior to the opening of the swimming pool.

The Burlington Swimming Pool will be opening for the 2004 Season on Saturday, May 29th at 1:00 p.m. and will be open seven days a week (weather permitting) throughout the summer. It will remain open through Tuesday, August 31, 2004.

The daily fees are $6.00, per person, and children under three years of age are free. Ten (10) passes for $50.00 are also available in addition to family memberships. Questions regarding price information may be obtained through Community Education at 763-0129, or by calling the Swimming Pool direct at 763-6840.

The daily hours of operation are 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Swimming lessons are offered in the morning hours, any questions regarding class availability should be directed to the Community Education department at 763-0129.