Road construction season begins as area projects start

Road construction season has started in the city of Medford.

City coordinator Joe Harris reported to members of the Medford City Council Tuesday night that the Shattuck Street project is underway with crews excavating the road to replace the sewer mains at this time. Harris said that given the depth of the sewer mains in that area, the work is slow going. He said that the average depth of the mains in that portion of the city is between 20 and 30 feet below grade. He expected that it would be three to four weeks before that portion of the project would be completed and that the road would be accessible for residents.

The Shattuck Street project runs from near Highland Lane north 1,250 feet and includes replacement of utilities, road expansion, installation of curb and gutter and new surface. As with all city road projects, sidewalk will be installed along one side of the road at city expense.

Harris also reported that the water main replacement work on Whelen Avenue has also begun and Switlick and Sons was in town finishing the East Side Interceptor project and took out the remaining lift station.

Reorganization meeting

Following the spring election each year, the council holds a reorganization session where committee assignments are ratified and council elected posts are filled.

Alderman Mike Bub was reelected as council president by a unanimous ballot with no other nominees. Alderman Tim Hansen was also elected on unanimous ballot to serve as the council representative to the city planning commission.

Council members were asked to ratify mayor Mike Wellner’s appointments to the standing committees and to the various boards and commissions.

Wellner announced that he was not changing the standing committees at this time and that elections for chairs of those committees would take place at next week’s committee of the whole meeting.

For boards and commissions there were a handful of changes. Chuck Zenner was named to replace Mike Riggle for a two-year term on the comprehensive planning review committee.

Stacy Leonhard will replace Bethany Leao and Jill Koenig will replace John DeBruyne with three-year terms on the library board. Members of the library board are limited to six years on the board.

Council members ratified the appointments by a unanimous vote.

On the planning commission, Corey Nazer is moving from the city and his three year term will be filled by Molly Knoll.

In other business, council members:

_ Approved the following as the official city depositories: AbbyBank, Associated Bank, DMB Community Bank (De Forest), Forward Financial Bank, Nicolet National Bank, Prevail Bank, Taylor Credit Union and TD Bank, N.A.(San Diego, Calif.). The designation allows the city legal ability to keep funds there and to solicit them for borrowing.

_ Approved designating The Star News as the official city publication. An official publication is required for legal notices.

_ Received an update on the Brehm Property. This had been part of the agreement when the community development authority (CDA) purchased the property where Marathon Cheese is currently located with the residents being able to live out the remainder of their years in the home. Harris said the CDA met last week and directed the city to contact Marathon Cheese and see if they were interested in the remaining parcel since they own the property on three sides of it.