Nick Walczak’s J486 Blog

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Nick Walczak

The Starin Park water tower is one of the oldest water towers in the state, and it is quite apparent to everyone who sees it. So, the question remains, “to knock it down? Or not to knock it down?”

The Whitewater Common Council on Thursday voted to send the roughly $1 million project budget to the finance committee for consideration.

The nearly 115 year-old water tower is in relatively good condition according to Whitewater officials. For the water tower to return to usable form in just one construction season, it would cost the city between $950,000 and $1.1 million. The council was also presented with a three-phase plan that would add around $500,000 to the total.

“The condition of the tower is in a safe condition, the only issue that they see right now is rocks falling off the façade.” said a McEnroe Consulting Engineers employee, “Currently, the falling debris is contained by a fence to help mitigate the problems.”

The council was presented with a third option, demolition. To completely rid the water tower from where it currently stand would cost an estimated $600,000. Regardless of what the city votes to do, 2024 is a potential date for action on this topic.

Water rate Increase

In other action on Thursday, the council covered the water rate increase which Whitewater residents will see on their water bills as early as May.

The bill, which has been passed, is raising the current water rate, 3.3%, to 8%. The near 5% raise will add an extra $7 on average to each citizen’s monthly water bill.

This additional money will help fun other tax-payer ‘projects’ in the city.

Also on Thursday:

• The council discussed an amendment being added to the current ATV-UTV ordinance which only allows the use of the vehicle on city street in Jefferson County. The council previously discussed the option of opening up all City streets to ATV-UTV use, so the council asked the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would allow the use of the vehicles on all eligible city streets in both Jefferson and Walworth County. “We used a lot of the same verbiage that was on the approved ordinance already from Jefferson county,” said Councilman Majkrzak. “(We) really just relaxed it so we are either including Walworth County or defining what Whitewater’s city is.”

• The council also talked about two “Class B” license applications filed by Casual Joe’s and Five Points Mobil. Both businesses have filed alcohol licenses, but only one of them is going to be accepted for the location. Each side has previously stated their case and police and community members have made their comments. A movement was made and agreed upon to postpone this item’s voting.

Also covered at the meeting was the city manager’s update. The city manager, John Weidl talked about the Spring Primary voter turnout. The results were presented and discussed. Also talked about was the public works trying to clear snow and ice around the city as well as stump grinding and filling potholes. There was also talks about water meter replacements and new lines to be run. The waste water staff also took place in hygiene training and testing. Also noted was the search for more paramedics on the Fire & EMS department’s staff. The update also talked about upcoming events taking place at Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. Neighborhood services are also taking a look at several housing issues and opportunities in the