Burlington Spotlight
February 2005

MEETINGS

02/01 5:30 p.m. Community Development Authority 02/17 6:00 p.m. Airport Committee
02/01 6:30 p.m. City Council 02/17 6:30 p.m. Park Board
02/02 6:30 p.m. Police & Fire Commission 02/22 4:00 p.m. Library Board
02/08 6:30 p.m. Plan Commission 02/24 6:30 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission
02/15 6:30 p.m. City Council      

See our website for updated agendas & minutes
 

 

A RETURN TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC DOWNTOWN?

Beginning in the early 1960's as a cost-effective means to pro-actively deal with the growing amount of traffic traveling through downtown Burlington, the City's one-way streets have confused local and non-local traffic. Even today, more then forty years after converting to one-way streets, motorists will be found going the wrong way each day. The obstacles faced by the City for addressing the high volumes of traffic remain the same today that they were in 1960, narrow streets, diagonal streets, dead-end streets, and the adjacent Fox River and Echo Lake. Combined with these obstacles are those four state highways, 11, 36, 83 and 142, that run through downtown.

As you may be aware, the City of Burlington's 2005 Street Improvement Project will consist of reconstructing Commerce Street for it's entire length, and changing the five-way, Milwaukee Ave / Congress Street / Bridge Street / Echo Park, intersection by Adrian's to reroute trucks out of the downtown. Among the challenges of our downtown streets for truck traffic are the narrow street width, truck-turning radii, required lane widths, zero lot line building construction, the need for downtown parking close to businesses, and business deliveries. With the upcoming 2005 street improvements the City will be able to re-route trucks passing through our downtown along a new route and remove many of the challenges that presently face the trucks. This truck re-routing will in turn allow for the City to return to two-way traffic on all of our downtown streets with the exception of the Chestnut Street loop, i.e. the one-block section of Chestnut Street lying between Milwaukee Avenue and Pine Street.

In early 2004 the City hosted six focus group meetings to hear from residents, businesses and property owners regarding the above referenced improvements. Due to the great need for coordination between everyone affected, City officials would like to provide an additional opportunity to hear from you regarding the planned change from one-way streets to two-way traffic, and has scheduled two new focus groups to encourage your participation. These focus groups will be held in the Western Racine County Service Center, 209 N. Main Street (next to Haylofters). The first meeting was held on Tuesday, January 25th, and the second meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. tonight (Thursday, February 3rd). At tonight's meeting City officials will make a brief presentation outlining the planned improvements and will then be available for questions and discussion regarding any concerns that you may have about these plans.

We look forward to your participation as we work with you to plan ahead for this change in our downtown traffic pattern.

 

WATCH OUT FOR DEER

 

Last year was the deadliest year on record. Thirteen people were killed and 792 were injured. Almost 22,000 deer/vehicle crashes were reported statewide. These crashes are especially dangerous for motorcyclist. In 2003 eight out of thirteen fatalities were motorcyclists.

Tips for avoiding deer collisions:

  • Pay special attention near dawn and dusk. This is the most active time for deer.

  • Observe deer crossing and speed limit signs.

  • Always were your seatbelt. This will reduce your chance of injury if you hit a deer.

  • If you see a deer by the side of the road, slow down and blow horn to frighten it away.

  • If a deer is in your headlamps don't expect it to move away. Headlamps will confuse the deer and cause it to freeze.

  • Do not swerve. It can confuse the deer and it can cause you to loose control and hit a tree or another vehicle.

  • If you hit a deer stay in the vehicle. Do not get out and get near the animal. An injured deer can hurt you. Get your vehicle off the roadway and call law enforcement.

 

LIBRARY NEWS - FEBRUARY

Children's Department News

 

Preschool storytimes will take up most of the month in February. If you have a child from age 4 months to 6 years old, there is a storytime planned just for you! Go to our website at www.burlingtonlibrary.com/youth to get dates and times.

Arts and Crafts! Come over to the library on February 25, 2005 from 1 to 3 p.m. to make some fun craft projects. You do not need to register for this program.

Adult News

Participate in the Burlington Public Library Book Discussion Group on February 28, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. We will be discussing A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines. A Lesson Before Dying is set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s. Jefferson, a young black man, is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Grant Wiggins, who left his hometown for the university, has returned to the plantation school to teach. As he struggles with his decision whether to stay or escape to another state, his aunt and Jefferson's godmother persuade him to visit Jefferson in his cell and impart his learning and his pride to Jefferson before his death. In the end, the two men forge a bond as they both come to understand the simple heroism of resisting and defying the expected. "This majestic, moving novel is an instant classic, a book that will be read, discussed and taught beyond the rest of our lives." (Chicago Tribune)

 

VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING EVENTS

 

All Veterans Dinner Party – February 5, 2005

Social Hour (cash bar) is from 6 to 7 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m. The dinner cost is $10.00 per person. This event is sponsored by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. The dinner is open to all veterans and their guests and there are reservations required.

 

 

WINTER SEASON REMINDERS

 

As the winter weather has now come upon us so has the snow. Keeping the sidewalks clear of snow and ice is something that is not only a courtesy to other people in your neighborhood for walking, but also required by City Ordinance.

As the owner, occupant or person in charge of a property(s) in the City you are responsible for the removal of any snow and ice that has accumulated on the sidewalk in the front of your property(s) within 18 hours of a snowfall event.

Any ice that has formed on the sidewalk must be treated to prevent the area from being dangerous. Failure to maintain the sidewalk during this 18-hour timeframe may result in the Street Dept. clearing your sidewalk in which case the City will bill the owner(s).

(The amount charged for snow removal shall be at an hourly rate, per man, plus equipment. Any damage to equipment and repairs for such, shall also be charged to the property owner.)

City crews make every effort possible to safely remove snow from all streets in a timely manner as soon as possible after a snowfall. State highways are the first streets to be plowed, followed by the main (arterial) streets, side streets, and then parking lots and alleys.

Concerns/Complaints regarding snow removal from sidewalks should be made to the Department of Public Works at 763-2060.

 

PARK RESERVATIONS FOR 2005

 

Park Reservations can now be made at the Department of Public Works located at 824 Milwaukee Avenue. Costs are $35.00/ Residents and $75.00/Non Residents. A $100.00 security deposit is required by all. Additional information regarding Park reservations can be made by calling the Department of Public Works at 763-2060.

 

ELECTION UPDATE 2005

 

There will be two elections held in the City early in 2005. On February 15th there will be a non-partisan Primary Election for the position of state school superintendent. Then on April 5th there will be a general election including one of the City's Aldermanic positions from each of the City's four wards. The only contested election in the City will be for retiring Alderman Jim McCourt's 3rd District Aldermanic position.

On both election days the polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. The State of Wisconsin allows for voter registration on the day of election, but be sure to bring proper identification with you to the polling place. If you are unable to be at the polls on election day you still have the ability to vote by requesting an absentee ballot. These ballots are available in the clerk's office several weeks prior to an election and you may stop at City Hall prior to Election Day and vote during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you are going to be out of town and cannot come to City Hall and vote, you may request a ballot be mailed to you.

We are always looking for poll workers. If you are interested in being part of the election process and doing something nice for your community this is the job for you.

If you have any questions regarding elections, you may contact the City Clerk, Beverly Gill, at 342-1171.

 

SEASONAL GARBAGE & RECYCLING PICKUP SCHEDULE

 

Garbage men have holidays too, and due to the holidays being on various pick-up days throughout the year, the garbage and recycling pickup schedule fluctuates from its normal pickup days from one holiday to the next. At our request Onyx Services, our garbage provider, has provided us with their holiday pick-up schedule for the entire year. The following is a list of days that Onyx Services will be closed and there will be no garbage or recycling pickup: Monday, May 30; Monday, July 4; Monday September 5; Thursday, November 24; and Monday, December 26, 2005.

Due to these holidays the garbage and recycling pickup will be one day late for each of the normal pickups occurring during the week immediately following the holiday. Most of the pick-ups in 2005 are on Monday so every pickup for these weeks will move forward by one day. Everybody will be picked up by the close of business on the Saturday following a holiday.

 

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