By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With hopes set on clearing out the municipal garage and raising a modest amount of cash, Whitewater officials have agreed to hire auctioneers to sell of surplus property.
The Common Council on Aug. 16 awarded Ripon-based Auction Associates a contract to sell off old vehicles and other equipment that were once used by the city’s streets department.
Elected officials at the same meeting also minted an agreement with Milton-based Weber Auction Service to sell off unclaimed property that currently is being held by the Whitewater Police Department.
Chuck Nass, streets, parks and forestry superintendent, is overseeing the effort to sell off the items, which have collected dust for a prolonged period of time while under the city’s lock and key.
The city-owned vehicles and equipment were used in the past by various city departments, including public works, and were decommissioned to accommodate newer vehicles.
Seventeen items are on that auction list, including seven manufactured by Ford and two by Chevrolet. While some of the vehicles could transition to consumer use, many of the vehicles — including an ambulance, dump truck and plow — serve specific purposes.
Most of the unclaimed property under the police department’s auspices is bikes. In recent years, officers captured lost bikes and other items, hoping their rightful owners would come to the department and claim them.
Nearly 100 items are set for auction after sitting in the unclaimed category for an extended period of time. Beyond bikes, the list includes lawnmowers, a nylon bag with jumper cables and a patio umbrella with the Corona Light logo.
Specific details of the auctions will be announced on a later date.
