Mequon Weekly Bulletin - December 10, 2021

U P C O M I N G  M E E T I N G S
                       Architectural Board: December 13 – 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)                   
Planning Commission: December 13 – 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Safety Committee: December 14 – 5:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Welfare Committee: December 14 – 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Works Committee: December 14 – 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Finance-Personnel Committee: December 14 – 7:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Water Utility Commission: December 14 – 7:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Sewer Utility District Commission: December 14 – 7:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Common Council: December 14 – 7:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Library Board of Trustees: December 15 – 6:00 P.M.
Park & Open Space Board: December 15 – 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)

2021 Tax Bills Now Available
2021 Tax bills were posted online on December 3.  Ozaukee County’s mailing service handled the printing and mailing of the physical bills which should have been received by property owners within the last couple of days. While most jurisdictions including Mequon and the Sewer Utility District experienced levy increases, the City’s tax rates were significantly reduced from prior years as a result of the City-wide revaluation process completed earlier this year.  How a property’s value changed relative to the overall City average, ultimately determines whether a property owner will realize an increase or decrease in their tax bill.  For information on City Hall collection hours, Port Washington State Bank collection hours, dog licenses and more, please see the enclosed copy of the insert that was mailed with the bills.

More Vaccine Clinics to be Offered December 20 - 23
A successful week of vaccines is wrapping up, with over 500 COVID-19, booster, and influenza shots administered by Midland Health.  Additional vaccine clinics will be offered at City Hall on December 20 through 23 from 1:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.  Appointments are recommended and can be made here.

Police Department Provides Holiday Safety Reminder
The upcoming holiday season is an opportunity to provide residents with simple steps to keep homes and vehicles safe every night.  The Police Department would like to remind everyone to remove valuables from vehicles each night and lock them.  Also, please remember to lock residence doors as well.  Most thefts from vehicles occur on unlocked vehicles.

How to Prepare Properties for Winter
With winter just around the corner, residents of Mequon need to prepare for the long and cold months ahead. Part of that preparation includes readying one’s property for winter stormwater management.  As such, residents and property owners are encouraged to: 

• Clear gutters along the roof.  Leaves or other debris can contribute to nutrient pollution as well as cause overflow, which could lead to dangerous icicles.
• Disconnect rain barrels from downspouts, empty them, and cover and store them for the winter.
• Direct downspouts to an area where water will not flood and freeze.  Downspouts directed to a rain garden can stay like this through the winter.
• Add mulch to planted areas to insulate and protect their roots. 
• Remove excess leaves from rain gardens, storm drains, and ditches so they can drain. 
• Some trees and shrubs should be pruned in the winter to avoid fungal infections. Grasses, on the other hand, should be left standing.
• While rain gardens will function to an extent in the winter, don’t pile snow in the beds, especially snow from a driveway or walkway that was salted.

Providing winter maintenance on residential landscaping ensures it can manage another rainy spring. Visit this website to learn more.

Voluntary COVID Testing Available at MTSD
Free, voluntary, on-site COVID-19 testing facilitated in partnership with Summit Clinical Labs, is now available for all MTSD students, staff members, and their families at Homestead High School.  Tests are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.  No appointment is necessary, but use this link to register before arriving at the testing location.