Local

MIDDLETON–Middleton Common Council Alder Kathy Olson is the first candidate to throw her hat into the mayoral race after current mayor Gurdip Brar announced he would not seek reelection.

Olson who represents District 1, which includes the downtown, Greenway, and portions of Foxridge, was elected to the City Council in 2015. She will not seek reelection for the council seat.

Olson said she is running for mayor because she wants to see Middleton continue to grow and serve its community members.

“My husband, Steve, and I have often remarked how fortunate we were when we chose Middleton as the place to raise our family. Just as my family has enjoyed the benefits of living in Middleton, I am running for mayor to help keep Middleton a desirable community that allows everyone to thrive,” she said.

She said she wants to continue to build on the work that the city has already embarked upon, including public safety, infrastructure and environmental concerns.

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton will hold a Santa Parade and Candy Cane Hunt on Dec. 17 beginning at 3 p.m.

A first responder parade will include Santa and his elves spreading cheer through the streets of Middleton, ending up at Lakeview Park. At the park Middleton Parks & Rec will have activities beginning at 3:30 p.m. and continuing until 5:30 p.m. The Candy Cane Hunt will take place in the dark, and flashlights are highly recommended.

A schedule of the afternoon’s event is as follows:

3-3:30 p.m.: Santa Parade

3:30 p.m.: Santa Parade arrives at Lakeview Park

3:30 p.m.: Candy Cane Hunt–pre-hunt activities begin

4:30 p.m.: Donut Walk

4:45 p.m.: Ugly Sweater Contest

5 p.m.: Ages 5-7 Candy Cane Hunt

5:10 p.m.: Ages 2-4 Candy Cane Hunt

5:20 p.m.: Ages 8-10 Candy Cane Hunt

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission held a public hearing for a proposed 128 acre residential development between High Road and Pheasant Branch Road formerly Acker Farm. The plan commission postponed rezoning the land and approving the general building plans until issues relating to the utility connections, streets and pedestrian paths are addressed.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Mark Opitz said the land has long been identified as one of the city’s last remaining growth areas. He noted that the city’s comprehensive plan advocates for development of complete neighborhoods so that daily needs are available within a short distance to reduce traffic and that neighborhoods use an urban street grid with numerous connections to adjoining streets.

During the public hearing numerous residents expressed concerns about stormwater management, sustainability features, and the potential traffic impact on Pheasant Branch Road.

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Common Council approved the 2023 budget at its Nov. 15 meeting. The council also approved purchasing equipment to provide unleaded fuel at Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field and deferred a resolution declaring the end of the public emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The approved budget includes a tax levy of $20.5 million which reduces the city’s portion of the property tax bill by about 14 percent.

Property values increased in 2022, a reevaluation year, by 23.9 percent resulting in the assessed value of the median single-family home increasing from $336,100 to $414,400 or about 23 percent. The mill rate drops from $6.25 per $1,000 of property value to $5.37 per $1,000.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The town’s 2023 budget projects to spend less money than this year’s, collects more property taxes and cuts the budget deficit by two-thirds.

The town board last week unanimously approved the $5.719 million budget after town electors voted in favor of a $3.235 million property tax levy, up from $3.146 million this year.

According to financials provided by the town:

Town taxes on a $400,000 house would be $852.10 for 2023, $1,065.12 for a $500,000 house and $1,278.15 for a $600,000 property.

The town’s property tax mill rate remains practically unchanged at $.00213 for 2023 compared to $.002129 this year.

Helping to keep the mill rate steady was a $41.5 million increase in the town’s tax base this year, pushing it to $1.518 billion.

Property tax bills are mailed during the third week of December and payable in full by Jan. 31 or, the first installment as shown on individual tax bills by Jan. 31.

MIDDLETON–Middleton Mayor Gurdip Brar announced on Monday that he will not seek a third term.

The two-term mayor cited that he had accomplished the goals he had set for the city as a reason for his departure. Those goals included: better roads, protection of our nature preserves, clean energy and sustainability, affordable property taxes, and support of our local businesses.

“Middleton has much better roads–look at our University Avenue, Gammon Road, Park Street, High Point Road, and many others. In 2017, they were all falling apart. We have increased the road repair budget and implemented new procedures to extend the life of the roads.

“Restoration of Pheasant Branch Conservancy from flood damage is nearly complete. The projects already awarded to the contractors will fix the bridges, and we will have a freshly paved trail from Deming way to Century Avenue.

MADISON–First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), in Madison, is offering a free traditional Thanksgiving Day meal of turkey, vegetables, potatoes and gravy, stuffing, rolls and pie on November 24, 2022.

Meals are available for delivery or can be picked up at the church, 1609 University Ave., Madison, from 12-3 p.m. There is no charge, but RSVP is required by 4 p.m. on Nov. 21. Open to the public. All are welcome.

To RSVP, visit firstcongmadison.org or call 608-233-9751.

First Congregational UCC has offered the free community Thanksgiving meal for 30 years, except for a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In past years, on average, 500 meals were served.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Residents abuse toward road contractors has reached the point where two contractors are becoming reluctant to continue working for the town, Crew Leader Scott Ballweg told the Town of Middleton Board of Supervisors last week.

“(Contractors) have been cursed at, one lady actually spit at one of the guys, they’ve been threatened that a homeowner will bring a gun out if they come on their property,” Ballweg said.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has been involved in at least one of the incidents with one resident unsuccessfully tried to get a deputy sheriff fired and was very abusive to her, Ballweg said.

“The (deputy) sheriff, Brandi (Anderson) said she didn’t want to put up with it and was ready to quit. So, there’s a lot of things boiling over,” he added.

Flash points have occurred when road work prevents residents from using their driveway for four or five hours or, up to 72 hours after concrete is poured.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council held a special meeting Nov. 10 to make final budget deliberations before voting to approve the budget at its Nov. 15 meeting. The proposed budget calls for a $20.5 million tax levy which would reduce the tax rate by about 14 percent.

Finance Director Bill Burns reviewed the major changes from last year's budget. Burns points out that 2022 was a property revaluation year which resulted in the total assessed value for the city increasing by 23.9 percent. That means the assessed value of the median single-family home increased from $336,100 to $414,400 or about 23 percent. The mill rate would be reduced from $6.25 per $1,000 of property value to $5.37 per $1,000.

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved the final plat and specific building plans for phase one of the proposed Belle Farm development. The approvals passed with various contingencies that must be addressed before being approved by the common council.

The Belle Farm general building plan proposes a community development with more than 800 homes and multifamily units on 44 acres at 4887 Parmenter St. north of Graber Pond. The project would extend Belle Fontaine Boulevard from High Road to Parmenter Street creating a “main street” through the development with storefront commercial spaces.