By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With the sting of last year’s discovery of emerald ash borer still fresh in the minds of Whitewater officials, an ordinance pertaining to dangerous and diseased trees has been amended.
The Common Council on Oct. 7 made modifications to an existing policy, which declares unhealthy trees a nuisance within the community.
Changes to the ordinance include a provision that gives City Forester Chuck Nass more leeway in determining whether a tree or shrub falls into the dangerous or diseased category.
When emerald ash borer was discovered within Whitewater in the summer of 2013, city officials had to create an extensive mitigation plan. The ordinance amendment is in keeping with that plan.
In other business Oct. 7, the council:
• Approved a request by Downtown Whitewater Inc. to close First Street, from Main to North streets, from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.
With cooperation from a smattering of downtown businesses, Downtown Whitewater is holding a family-friendly event, Trick or Treat at the Triangle, during the seven-hour stretch of time;
• Voted to renew the city’s participation in 2015 in the ride share taxi program;
• Approved rezoning two residential properties to an overlay district. The technical designation gives property owners at 250-252 S. Fourth St. and 255 S. Prairie St. the authority to have up to four unrelated persons living in each dwelling;
• Voted to enter into an agreement with Milwaukee-based engineering firm Strand Associates for reconstruction work along portions of George Street.
The agreement caps Strand’s services at $95,200;
• Approved a plan to purchase right-of-way easements on five properties near the intersection of Newcomb and Milwaukee streets.
The easements were purchased as planning for a state reconstruction project near the properties looms. Wisconsin Department of Public Transportation officials anticipate undergoing the project in 2019.
