Mequon Weekly Bulletin - August 14, 2020

Upcoming Meetings

Planning Commission Policy Subcommittee: August 17 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Future of Our Fire Department Committee: August 18 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Board of Review: August 19 - 8:00 A.M. (Agenda)
Tree Board: August 19 - 2:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Library Board of Trustees: August 19 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Economic Development Board: August 25 - 8:00 A.M.
Festivals Committee: August 27 - 6:00 P.M.

COVID-19 Update for the Week Ending Friday, August 14
The City of Mequon, in coordination with the Washington/Ozaukee Public Health Department and other state and federal agencies, continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19.

• As of this update, the State has 64,227 reported cases of COVID-19 and 1,025  associated deaths in Wisconsin. Of the cases in Wisconsin, 757 reported cases of COVID-19 and 18 related deaths are in Ozaukee County, based on information from the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD).
• The State Poison Center warns the public about methanol contaminated hand sanitizers. Methanol is wood alcohol that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. The Food & Drug Administration’s list of hand sanitizers contaminated with methanol now includes over 100 brands.
• The Department of Natural Resources is reminding the public to dispose of used personal protective equipment properly.

Partisan Primary Election Results
On Tuesday, August 11, the State’s Partisan Primary Election was held in Mequon. All polling locations were open to residents.  Voter turnout was 30%, and absentee votes accounted for 72% of the ballots cast.  The next election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.  If you’d like an absentee ballot mailed to you, please visit www.myvote.wi.gov.

MTSD Issues 2020-2021 School Year/A Responsible Plan
The Mequon Thiensville School District recently shared their 2020-2021 School Year Responsible Return – Full Operating Plan with families and the community.  Parents/guardians will need to choose, with the entire year in mind, either an on campus or distance learning environment for their student’s learning.  To view the plan, please click here. A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available on the District’s website.

Ash Tree Replanting Program
The Ash Tree replanting program coordinated by the City’s Forestry Division offers residents who had a tree removed within the City’s right-of-way last year the opportunity to have a tree replanted for the cost of $125. Letters offering replanting were sent out to residents last week, and this year, City crews and a subcontractor hired by the City will be working to replant trees. Prior to planting, residents will receive a post card indicating who the contractor will be. Planting will start in September and continue through October, with anticipated completion in early November. The planting operation includes a standard 2” nursery tree, planting, fertilizing, and watering at the time of planting.  Please contact the Forestry Division at 262-236-2913 with any questions or comments.  

An Abundance of Sallys!!
The Mequon Nature Preserve has seen its best year for monitoring salamanders since repatriation efforts started back in 2013. Salamanders are amphibians, meaning they spend part of their life in the water and part of their life on land, only returning to water to lay eggs in the spring. Funnel traps are used in the wetlands to capture the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) larvae before their lungs develop and they crawl onto land. The number of larvae and size are recorded before releasing them.  Tiger salamanders are the largest land salamander in North America. They are a mole salamander meaning they spend most of their time below ground in unused animal burrows or under rocks and logs. Salamanders are an indicator species because their skin can absorb harmful chemicals and toxins. If salamanders and other amphibians are present in wetlands, it means that the water is clean and healthy. This fall, Tilia, Mequon Nature Preserve’s Conservation Dog, will be used to search for the adults on land adjacent to the wetlands.

Letter of Appreciation from Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce
The Mequon-Thiensville Area Chamber of Commerce was a recipient of a loan through the City's Emergency Loan Fund program to assist during COVID-19.  The Chamber received $15,000 to assist with operations and maintaining staff. Please see the attached letter of appreciation the City received from the Chamber. 

Ozaukee County Issues Board Meeting Minutes
Please click here to view the Ozaukee County Board of Supervisors’  August 5 meeting minutes.