By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A locally-based garbage and recycling contractor will continue to serve as Whitewater’s official hauler well into the future, following a recent decision by officials.
The Common Council on Jan. 20 voted to enter into a 4-year contract with John’s Disposal, located along County Highway U, with a number of provisions put into place.
Terms of the renewal agreement include an overall 1.2-percent increase in compensation, starting in 2016. But by locking into a long-term contract, the city dually expects to save about $25,000 throughout the life of the contract, taking future projected increases into account.
In other business Jan. 20, the Common Council:
• Kicked off their meeting with a moment of silence to honor former council member Jim Olsen. He died unexpectedly Dec. 27 of a heart attack. Olsen, a former Whitewater funeral director, relinquished his seat on the council in June 2013;
• Appointed residents to several seats on boards and committees held previously by former council member Jim Winship.
Maryann Cunningham will serve on the Disability Rights Committee, Lori Oberle on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Parks and Recreation Board, Eric Sedmak on the Cable Television Committee and Anne Zarinina to Urban Forestry Committee;
• Voted to appoint several professionals to a list of impartial hearing officers. The decision, which was made after meeting in closed session, is designed to follow grievance procedures that have been established in state statutes;
• Heard a report from Larry Kachel and Jeff Knight, representatives of the Greater Whitewater Committee. The organization has been spearheading an initiative known as Whitewater Leads and is collecting children’s books from newborn-age to 5-years-old;
• Rezoned two properties to a so-called residential overlay designation. A parcel at 158 N. Tratt St. has been rezoned to an increased density to accommodate a new housing development, while a parcel at 523 W. Center St. has been rezoned to allow up to five unrelated persons to live within the home;
• Discussed with Chris Munz-Pritchard, neighborhood services director, updates to several zoning related issues. Further discussion is expected at upcoming council meetings.
