Mequon Weekly Bulletin - January 15, 2021
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Future of Our Fire Department Committee: January 19 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Library Board of Trustees: January 20 - 6:00 P.M.
Park & Open Space Board: January 20 - 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Planning Commission: January 25 - 6:00 P.M.
Economic Development Board: January 26 - 8:00 A.M.
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Underway
Vaccine Distribution is being facilitated by the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services (DHS) through its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The State has charged Ozaukee County and all other counties to distribute vaccinations through each County’s Public Health Department. The Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD) is in the process of coordinating and issuing vaccinations in line with the State’s plan. As of this update, local municipalities are not involved in the administering of vaccinations.
Right now, in the early weeks of Phase 1A, the doses available are being administered to frontline health care providers and skilled nursing facility staff and residents. As vaccine supply increases, other health care personnel and long-term care facility residents and staff will be offered COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, police and fire personnel will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during Phase 1A. The State expects that it will take several months to vaccinate everyone eligible in Phase 1A.
After the State and the WOPH get more vaccine supply and vaccinate those in Phase 1A, the State anticipates that Phase 1B may include persons aged 75 and older and non–health care frontline essential workers. Then State anticipates in Phase 1C, persons aged 65–74, persons aged 16–64 with high-risk medical conditions, and essential workers not included in Phase 1B will start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the State, initial planning assumptions for Phase 2 have indicated vaccine supply will be more plentiful, and eligible individuals would include those in Phase 1 as well as other critical populations and eventually the general public. Therefore, the range of vaccinators will be far broader, including commercial pharmacies, health care systems, and individual providers, as well as mass vaccination clinics led by county public health as well as commercial mass vaccinators.
Residents can view the Department of Health Services website for vaccine distribution information and go to the Washington Ozaukee County Public Health Website sign-up to receive updates on local vaccine distribution.
Local Concerns Over Protests
The Police Department remains in contact with the Ozaukee Law Enforcement Executive Group as well as State and Federal Partners. The group met this week and is currently not aware of any plans for local protests other than what is being discussed at the State Capital. The Department will continue to monitor for any concerns and will make plans and adjustments as needed. The Department command staff has met and is prepared to address any issues as they arise. The Ozaukee County Special Response team, of which Mequon has several members, is available to the Department if the need arises. Please contact the Department if you hear any concerning information.
Statewide Primary Set for Tuesday, February 16
On February 16, there will be a statewide primary for the Superintendent of Public Instruction. In Mequon, that is the only race on the ballot, therefore a very low turnout election is expected. In light of the low turnout being expected, all polling sites will be consolidated to just one location at Mequon City Hall. All residents in the City of Mequon that wish to vote in person at the February 16 election should come to City Hall located at 11333 N. Cedarburg Road between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. This consolidation will be for the February election only, and resident will return to standard polling site for the April 6 Spring Election. If residents would prefer to have a ballot mailed, please visit www.myvote.wi.gov to sign-up. Any questions can be directed to the Clerk Clerk’s office by phone at 262-236-2911.
Wasaukee Road Reconstruction Public Information Meeting
Washington County is planning the roadway reconstruction of a 1.5-mile section of County M (Wasaukee Road), from the intersection of Freistadt Road (County F) northerly 1.5 miles and 1 mile of County M (Pioneer Road) from Country Aire Drive easterly to Wasaukee Rd. The project is located in the Village of Germantown, Town of Jackson and City of Mequon. The project will improve the poor condition of the existing roadway pavement with upgrades to the vertical curves, roadway cross section (paved shoulders), and potential improvements to the Highland Road and County F intersections, all of which will improve safety for the traveling public. The project is currently scheduled for construction starting in spring of 2022. No assessments will be levied for this project.
All persons interested in the County M improvement project are encouraged to attend a Public Information Meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at County Line Elementary School, W159 N9939 Butternut Rd, Germantown, WI 53022. Participants must enter through Door 10, which is located in the back of the building. There will be a brief presentation at approximately 6:05 P.M. followed by a Q&A session. Please click here for more details about the public information meeting on January 19.
Fire Department Responds to Barn Fire
This past Tuesday, January 12, the Fire Department responded to a 40’ x 60’ pole barn on fire along North Davis Road. The fire most likely started from a wood burning stove used to heat the building. The fire flashed through the entire building before the first fire units arrived. The building was a total loss, and much of the contents were destroyed. The Fire Department was on scene for about an hour.
Mailbox Damage During a Snow Event
With winter weather upon us, some residents experience the unfortunate side effect of mailbox damage. On City, County and State roads throughout the City, snowplows move through the streets to clear snow from the pavement. All three have similar policies related to mailbox damage, in that only damage caused by an agency snowplow hitting mailboxes are the responsibility of the agency to repair. Damage sustained by snow thrown from a snowplow or damage from another contracted snow removal service are the responsibility of the homeowner.
The City’s policy for mailbox damage is established in Ordinance 70-11. If a resident living on a local City street sustains mailbox damage from a City snowplow, the City’s website has instructions for reporting, which includes either calling 262-236-2913 or emailing cdeuster@ci.mequon.wi.us. Residents are asked to provide their name, address, telephone number, and a brief description of the damage. If a photo is available, that should be included as well.
If mailbox and/or support structures are physically struck by City owned and operated plow, the City of Mequon may, at its option, replace the damaged mailbox and/or support with a standard USPS approved steel mailbox and/or 4"x4" wood post and support. The maximum amount of compensation in lieu of replacement is $50.00.
On County and State roads (Wauwatosa Road and Cedarburg Road south of Mequon Road, Port Washington Road and Mequon Road), residents should contact the Ozaukee County Highway Department at 262-284-9411. Similar to the City, mailbox damage due to direct contact from a snowplow is the responsibility of the Ozaukee County Highway Department. If replacement of the mailbox is required, the County supplies a standard size, black metal mailbox. If residents want a non-standard mailbox, they may supply one for the County to install, but the County will not pay for the mailbox. If permanent repairs are unable to be made during winter, the County will maintain the mailbox temporarily until spring when a permanent fix can be completed.
M-T School District Strategic Plan Survey Now Open
The Mequon Thiensville School District has launched the District’s Strategic Plan Survey. Please click here to respond to the survey.
Ozaukee County Board
Please click here to view the Ozaukee County Board of Supervisors' January 6 meeting minutes.
