By Bob Peryea
Correspondent
The Whitewater Common Council made its decision to hire interim city manager Cameron Clapper as the permanent city manager official on Tuesday night.
After a month-long search, the council hired the seven-year employee to replace his former boss, Kevin Brunner.
Clapper was selected among five finalists for the post.
Clapper was hired at a salary of $90,000 plus standard city employee benefits. Because he already lives in the city and has a home, there were no relocation expenses provided.
The council congratulated and thanked Clapper for his service.
Clapper got straight to business by updating the council regarding the budget for 2012-13.
“At this point, it appears we will have a balanced budget,” he said.
He did warn the council about three items that would need to be addressed during the budget process.
Funding for Downtown Whitewater development and promotion will be a concern, as about 50 percent of the current funding will end because of Tax Incremental District 4 changes.
Questions regarding whether and how to fund the Innovation Express Bus Service will also be a concern, Clapper said.
Also, emerald ash borer, which is expected to arrive in Whitewater in 2013 or 2014 will merit discussion. What action should be taken and how to fund it will the main topic of concern for the council.
In other business, the Council issued a proclamation that Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 will officially be “CROP Walk Day.”
CROP walks began after World War II to gather crops to send to war-ravaged Europe.
Today, people in over 2,000 communities all over the country gather to raise funds and food for needy people in over 80 countries, including the United States.
The council also declared Nov. 18, 2012 as “Fairhaven Day” in Whitewater to commemorate and celebrate the contribution of Fairhaven Retirement Home to the city.
For 50 years, Fairhaven has served Whitewater and its elderly residents.
Council makes parking, snow removal changes
The council voted to restrict parking from 2 to 5 a.m. on Jefferson Street from Main to Cravath. It also decided to restrict parking for the same times on North Street. This restriction will be enforced year-round.
Sidewalks will need to have snow removed within 24 hours, instead of by 8 p.m. as had been noted in previous city ordinance.
Residents will receive a warning the first time that they don’t comply. Each time after that, the city will call in a contractor to remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk and bill the owner.
Removal by a city contractor will cost homeowners $50 per hour.
Originally, 36 hours was proposed the Neighborhood Services Department, but Councilmember Jim Winship felt it was too long.
“By then, the snow will be trampled and packed down,” he said before suggesting the 24-hour period.
Councilmember Stephanie Abbott voiced some opposition, noting that the city might not be able to clear its sidewalks and streets within 24 hours every time.
In the end, it was decided that a 24-hour period from the end of a snow event was enough time for residents to clear the sidewalks.
