Burlington Spotlight
March 2006

WATER RATE INCREASE

by Connie Wilson, Utility Manager Wastewater Treatment Plant

Effective with the 2006 2nd quarter water and sewer billing, residents will be seeing an increase of 8.3% on their water rates. The increase is necessary to keep pace with the rising cost of energy, equipment replacement cost, negotiated labor increases, and health care costs.

If the Public Service Commission (PSC) approves the proposed increase, the water bill for a typical residential customer will increase approximately $2.00 per month. The City's last water rate increase was in 2003.

The increase would generate $132,000.00 in capital funds annually. These funds could be used to cover major unforeseen expenses such as water main breaks, as well as capital projects such as replacing aging water mains.

As part of the PSC's Water Rate Study, 30 other Southeast Wisconsin water providers were compared to Burlington's rate. This study found Burlington ranks 25th lowest in user charges. Even with the rate hike, the City will remain in the lower third of the survey.

The good news! Sewer rates will remain the same. In fact, the City of Burlington has not had an increase in sewer rates in 14 years!

 

WHAT IS WELLHEAD PROTECTION? WHY IS IT REQUIRED?

by Connie Wilson, Utility Manager Wastewater Treatment Plant

Southeastern Wisconsin is rapidly developing, and with that development comes increasing demands for water supply. The issues facing local communities are numerous. Declining water levels and increasing water salinity in the deep sandstone aquifer may reduce a once plentiful resource to only a shadow of what it once was.

The steps in developing the plan:

Phase I:	Define the area to be protected and managed for wellhead protection. This is the subsurface area surrounding a well that supplies a public water system, through which contaminants are likely to move through and reach the well. The boundaries are scientifically calculated.
Phase II	Create a contaminant source inventory with the purpose to identify potential sources of contamination which may impact the public water supply well.
Phase III	This phase consists of through zoning and land use management. The City will incorporate essential elements of its wellhead protection plan into its zoning ordinances and land use planning.

Finally, public awareness and education are an important part of the management strategy of this plan. Residents and businesses within the wellhead protection area will be notified by mail and informed of the importance of preventing the release of pollutants within the areas. A copy of the Wellhead Protection Plan will be made available to the public at City Hall and the Burlington Public Library. Watch future newsletters for further information on the City's Wellhead Protection Plan.

 

NEW PARK EQUIPMENT AND PARK RESERVATIONS FOR 2006

New in 2006 is the opening of McCanna Park which is located on Highway 11 and McCanna Parkway. The available amenities at McCanna Park are a pavilion, new playground equipment, newly constructed bathrooms, electric, picnic tables and grills. The newly constructed bathrooms were built through the generosity of members from the Lions Club and their donated time and materials. Thanks to all Lions Club members for their help in making this park another great place for the citizens of Burlington.

Park Reservations can now be made for May 1 - October 1, 2006. 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.

 

LIBRARY NEWS – MARCH

by Gayle Falk, Library Director

Adult Book Discussion Group

Join the Burlington Public Library Adult Book Discussion Group on Monday, March 27, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. for a discussion of THE TURTLE WARRIOR by Mary Relindes Ellis. This month's book is the 2005 BANTA award winner which is presented for literary achievement by a Wisconsin author. Mary Relindes Ellis will join our discussion by conference call. In this stunning debut, Mary Relindes Ellis takes readers from the heartland of America to the battle-fields of Vietnam, weaving a haunting novel in which the physical and the spiritual, the past and the present, merge. This memorable first novel explores the themes of the physical and emotional effects of family violence, the lasting effects of war on those who served and those who waited at home, and the healing powers of love and nature.

 

SPRING CLEAN UP TIME!

by Deb Rintimaki, Administrative Assistant,
Department of Public Works - Streets and Parks

With spring just around the corner many City residents will be cleaning both their homes and their yards. To assist in this year's "spring cleaning" the City provides the following services to its residents:

GARBAGE/RECYCLABLES AND OLD FURNITURE/APPLIANCES PICKUP

While the city contracts with Onyx Services for our regular residential garbage and recycling disposal. Onyx will pick-up large items such as old furniture and appliances at no charge however, pick-up of all large items must be called in to Onyx at 1-800-232-0860 and have a pick up date arranged prior to the item being placed at the curb.

COMPOST SITE

The city does not provide pick-up service for landscape waste, but there is a compost site available to the city's taxpayers. The compost site on Maryland Avenue remains open during the winter months and residents may dispose of holiday evergreen decorations, brush and/or branches by bringing these items to the compost site. There are also containers for used oil and antifreeze at this site for the public to use.

BRUSH / LEAF PICK UP

As yards in the area are being cleaned this spring please keep in mind that brush pick-up is on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Residents must call and have their address placed on the brush pick-up list in order for their brush to be picked-up. Residents are also encouraged to bring their own brush to be disposed of to the compost site located on Maryland Avenue; this site is open daily for residents' convenience. Any residents that have leaves to be picked-up must take them to the Maryland Avenue compost site, as the City does not pick-up leaves in the spring or summer months. Any questions regarding brush / leaf pick up or the compost site can be directed to the Department of Public Works at 763-2060.