Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Tower Times
City of Stoughton
***NOTICE
City of Stoughton
Tax Payers ***
The City of Stoughton held a Public Hearing
on November 11, 2014 to review the
proposed 2015 City budget. A copy of
the proposed budget will be available
for review at City Hall and at the
Stoughton Library.
Tax Billing
The Treasurers Office will send
out bills by December 15th.
Tax payments can be mailed
using the pre-addressed
envelope provided to you
with your tax bill, or made
in person at Stoughton City
Hall Deputy Treasurers
Office. Please include the
bottom portion of your tax
bill with your payment.
First installment payments
are due by January 31.
Please make first installment
checks payable to the City of
Stoughton Treasurer. Please
note, NO CASH PAYMENTS
will be accepted. We are no
longer able to accept cash
payments for real estate and
personal property tax bills.
We continue to encourage
taxpayers to make their
payments through
the mail
2 Fall 2014
Do not pull over to the right if your vehicle will block a side road or driveway.
The emergency vehicle may need to turn into that road or driveway to get to
the incident scene.
Walk flat footed with your weight directly over your feet as
much as possible. Plant your feet firmly with each step. Look
ahead when you walk and extend your arms out to your sides
to maintain balance. Wear warm gloves so you can keep your hands out of
your pockets. This way, you can use your hands to break your fall if you do
slip.
Here are a few tips about sharing the road with emergency vehicles.
If the traffic light is red, stay where you are. If the light turns green before the emergency vehicle has
passed, do not proceed on green. Wait until the emergency vehicle has passed or turned onto a different street.
When yielding to emergency vehicles, get in the habit of turning down the volume on the radio so you
can hear any instructions or directions given out over the emergency vehicles loudspeaker. Your immediate reaction to such directions may be critically needed.
Wear proper footwear. This may be boots or overshoes with grip soles such as rubber or neoprene
composite. Leather or plastic soles will increase the risk of slipping.
Use care when entering or exiting a vehicle. Before standing brace yourself with your car door to
provide some stability. Assume all wet, dark areas on pavements are slippery.
Focus you attention on walking. Talking on a cell phone or digging through a bag is distracting and
can add to the risk of falling.
(c) No snow or ice shall be deposited on private property without the owners consent.
Violation of this provision may result in penalties as set forth in section 1-3. Each day the violation
continues shall constitute a separate violation.
Taking a few extra minutes each time it snows to clear out the hydrant is the best thing you could do
to improve the safety of your neighborhood.
(608) 205-9300
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adno=379954-01
Stoughton Floral
Fall 2014 3
If you own a corner lot within the City of Stoughton, the following ordinance section may apply to you:
Its very important to continue to pick up after your pet all year long,
especially during winter. If you dont pick up pet waste right away, it
can soon be encased in snow and ice, ready to be carried away with
melt water when it warms up. Grassy areas that would normally allow water to soak in are frozen during winter, so theyre more like
a parking lot greatly increasing the surface area from which runoff
flows. So, the bacteria and nutrients found in pet waste are much
more likely to make their way to the nearest storm drain. And contrary to common belief, rain and melting snow that goes into storm
drains does not go to the sewage treatment plant. Rather, it goes to
the nearest lake or stream. So, be sure to continue to scoop the poop
this winter and do your part to help keep lakes and streams free of pet
waste. For more ideas on how you can help lakes and streams near
you, go to www.myfairlakes.com.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to alleviate or prevent congestion of public rights-of-way so
as to promote the safety and general welfare of the public by establishing minimum requirements for
the provision of vehicular visibility.
(2) Requirement. In order to provide a clear view of intersecting streets to motorists there shall be a
triangular area of clear vision formed by the two intersecting streets and a chord connecting said centerlines, as determined by the director of planning and development. Generally, the following standards
shall apply:
66 feet or less
10 feet
20 feet
Within said triangular area, no signs, parking spaces, structures, or earthwork in excess of 30 inches,
and no vegetation, fencing, nor other such obstructions between 30 inches and eight feet in height shall
be permitted which exceeds 30 inches in height above either of the centerline elevations of said two
streets.
* This requirement also applies to snow.
Requirements
Licenses are valid as of January 1st and expire on December 31st. Licenses are to be purchased on
an annual basis. Prior to issuance of a dog license, the owner will need to provide a current rabies
vaccination certificate from a veterinarian.
Notification
Cost
$12.00
$16.00
Late Fees
Per state Statutes 174.05(5), a $5.00 late fee will be assessed to each dog that has not been licensed
prior to April 1st each year. [Dogs that are too young to be vaccinated by April 1st are exempt from
this late fee.]
Location
Office Hours
Register by Mail
For your convenience, you may purchase your license through the mail by sending a current rabies
vaccination certificate from the veterinarian, along with a self addressed stamped envelope and a
check made payable to the City of Stoughton. Your license and documentation will be returned to you.
Note: These standards are only for private property not for parking on public
lands or anywhere in the street Right-of-Way.
A recreational vehicle is any of the following: motor home, camping trailer, travel trailer, boat/trailer, snowmobile/trailer, ATV/
trailer or similar vehicles/trailers.
At large means off the premises of the owner and not under the control of the owner or a member
of his immediate family over 12 years of age, either by leash or otherwise; or under the control of
an employee of the dogs or cats owner; but a dog or cat within the motor vehicle of its owner or
employee of such owner shall be deemed upon the owners premises.
Cat means all domesticated members of felis catus domesticus, male or female.
Dog means all domesticated members of canis familiaris, male or female.
Recreational vehicles:
(b) Shall not be parked or stored within a front or street yard except for (a) above.
(within the city limits & a small fee outside city limits)
873-3244 www.mcglynnrx.com
adno=379957-01
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Lift Chairs!
4 Fall 2014
Put Your Sidewalk and Driveway on a Low-Salt Diet* Outdoor Storage Of Unsightly Items
For safety reasons, we need to keep driveways and sidewalks clear of ice and snow. However,
choosing the right product and using it correctly is important to help protect our water resources.
1. Shovel early, shovel often. Theres no substitute for muscle and elbow grease for snow and ice
removal. Remove as much snow as you can during the storm if possible. Use a hoe or other tools
to chip or scrape ice off the surface before any deicers are applied. Deicers work best when there
is only a thin layer of snow or ice that must be melted. Divert the melting snow away from your
sidewalk and driveway to an area where ice wont be a problem.
2. Buy early. Make sure to buy your deicing product well before the big storm hits, otherwise you
will be looking at empty shelves, and have few, if any, environmental choices to make at the store.
3. Check the label. The table below shows how the main ingredients of common de-icing products
compare. Check the package closely to see what youre buyingoften a product may contain several of the ingredients listed below, but the first one listed is usually the main ingredient.
On the label:
Cost
Environmental Concerns
adno=379949-01
* Adapted from Snow, Road Salt and the Chesapeake Bay by Tom Schueler, Center for Watershed Protection
873-9244
www.cressfuneralservice.com
Fall 2014 5
The Main Street District stretches from the Romanesque Revival City Hall on the east to
the Yahara River on the west. Buildings are mostly Italianate, Queen Anne, and NeoClassical styles constructed from the mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth century.
Reserve deicers for ice, not snow. Shovel as soon as possible so that wet, heavy
snow doesnt have the opportunity to turn
to ice.
The East Side Historic District has over 80 historic homes, and rests atop the plateau
south of the bend of the Yahara River, just above Stoughtons cluster of old tobacco
warehouses, lumber yards, and the Milwaukee and St. Paul Depot. Over one-half of
the district houses were constructed between 1900 and 1910. The Queen Anne Style is
popular in this neighborhood, but the Classical Revival, Arts and Crafts bungalow and
American Foursquare styles are also well represented.
The Northwest Side Historic District has more than 300 homes, and is located on a gently
sloping ridge that rises above Stoughtons Main Street and the Yahara River. The approximately eighteen-block area between the Yahara River, McKinley, Van Buren and
Main Streets is testament to the citys Golden Age the years between about 1885 and
1915 when local businesses flourished and many residents built handsome houses.
There are several examples of Greek Revival and Italianate Style houses in the Northwest Stoughton Historic District, but the area is most distinguished by its many examples of the exuberant Queen Anne style.
The Southwest Side Historic District, with about 120 homes, is a twenty block area between South Monroe, South Page, Oak and Main Streets. It is testament to the citys past
building traditions as well as the present interest in neighborhood conservation. There
are fine examples of the Queen Anne Style in the district, many of them spacious houses
originally designed for single-family occupancy. However, there are a number of simple,
vernacular Greek Revival houses from the 1860s and 1870s, and good examples of the
more ornate Italianate Style, popular here between about 1860 and 1880.
The East Park Historic District occupies a picturesque corner of east Stoughton that is
perched on a hill above the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad Depot and a
group of historic tobacco warehouses. This area had no residential development until
1913. As created in 2002, the East Park Historic District now includes 19 houses along
Park and S. Lynn streets. The first five were built between 1913 and 1915, and were
followed by seven between 1919 and 1921, and four between 1926 and 1935. The last
house was built in 1952. Many are good examples of the bungalow and Period Revival
styles popular in Wisconsin cities in the early 20th century.
Apply liquid salt to the pavement before the storm and shovel a little while its
snowing. After the storm, shovel before using any salt. Most times, you wont need
any. Use deicers on ice, dont waste it on snow.
You can use 30% less deicer if you wet your salt with some water before applying it.
While salt is sometimes mixed with sand to keep the sand from freezing into a solid block, its
not a good idea to use both at the same time on your sidewalk. The salt will melt the ice, but when
it refreezes, the sand will be frozen below the surface where it cant do any good. Choose one or
the other. Try removing the ice by hand first before using either sand or salt.
For more information about the citys historic districts, visit www.stoughtonlandmarks.com or
contact Zoning Administrator Michael Stacey at (608) 646-0421 or mstacey@ci.stoughton.wi.us.
If you have an area that tends to ice up, consider making it a priority to remedy next summer so
you wont need to deice in the future.
Be a Label Reader!
Read the label on the ice melt product so that you know exactly what you are spending your hardearned cash on. If the bag doesnt say otherwise, its probably sodium chloride, but youre better
off using something that says exactly whats in the bag. Some products claiming to be green or
pet safe are simply chloride compounds. You can always ask for the Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for the productit will show percentages so that you can see if you are paying for pretty
packaging of rock salt. And while youre reading, be sure to follow the application rates. You need
much less of some products than others, so be sure not to waste money by over applying.
The Madison Area Municipal Storm Water Partnership is working with the Rock River Stormwater Group to
reduce the amount of pollution making its way to our lakes and streams. The Yahara chain of lakes and the
Yahara River both ultimately drain to the Rock River. Both groups thank you for helping to Renew the Rock
by reducing stormwater pollution throughout the Rock River area. Learn more at www.myfairlakes.com and
www.renewtherock.com.
Wisconsin Style!
Upgrade Services
Wireless Networking
Computer Tuneup
On-site or
in store!
A RadioShack Franchise
613 E. Main St., Evansville
New Drop-Off Location
882-0680
1015 North Main St., Oregon
M-F: 9-7; S: 9-5; Sun. 10-5 835-2980
(608) 873-1777
Order online at cheesers.com
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Computer Set-up
Printer Set-up
Data Backup and Transfer
Virus & Spyware Removal
Training
System Restore
Repair Services
6 Fall 2014
In partnership with the City of Stoughton, our goal is to provide a safer and more welcoming space
for the Stoughton community.
Install library grade shelving
Increase square footage
Increase display space
Increase space for teens
Improve lighting
Install more outlets for laptop users
Replace carpeting
Enlarge meeting rooms
Purchase new seating, tables & desks
The project will also include other important improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
To accomplish these renovations, the Stoughton Public Library is committed to raising $250,000.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!
Your tax deductible donation can be made at the Stoughton Public Library or mailed to: Stoughton
Public Library Fundraising Committee, P.O. Box 571, Stoughton, WI 53589. Thank you very much for
your support!
Your library card can be used in any public library in Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk,
or Wood counties, all members of the South Central Library System, and materials may be returned
to any library. Call the Library at 873-6281 or visit online at www.stoughtonpubliclibrary.org and on
Facebook.
There are many ways to lend a hand such as holding fundraisers, writing letters to the local paper,
and asking others to make donations to support the second floor renovation. If you are interested in
learning more, please contact Fundraising Co-Chair Denise Duranczyk at 873-8302.
Saturday, December 6 starting at 10:00 a.m.
Stop by the Library to enjoy Victorian Holiday Weekend activities. Listen to the Stoughton High
School Madrigal Singers. Enjoy hot chocolate, cider, and homemade treats to help raise money for
the Stoughton Public Librarys second floor renovation project.
Library Survey
Tell us what you think! The Library is conducting a short survey about its hours. To take the survey,
visit the Librarys website: www.stoughtonpubliclibrary.org, or pick up a paper copy at the Library.
eBooks,
Library staff can help you find books and other library materials, help you get started on the internet, give you an introduction to the librarys online databases, and
provide introductory or in-depth help to borrow Library eBooks. Contact the Library
for more information.
December
Music on the Mezz featuring the Stoughton High School Madrigal Singers.
Join us Monday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. for a free concert by the outstanding Stoughton High School
Madrigal Singers. Come early for a good seat!
Create a unique craft using string, nails and a board. You can create letters, numbers or a variety
of shapes. No experience necessary. Teens welcome with an adult. Call 873-6281 to register. Please
bring your own hammer.
First impressions countand if you dont wow readers on your first page, they may decide not
to continue reading your book. Local author Sarah Monette (who also writes under the pen name
Katherine Addison) will talk about revising your first chapter so it will make the strongest impact on
agents, editors and readers. Enjoy a free cup of coffee or hot chocolate. For adults as well as teens
in grades 6 and above. No registration required. Sarah will happily sign copies of her books after the
program if you wish to bring them with you.
LEGO Club
January, 2015
You are invited to a free concert presented by the extraordinary Madison Classical Guitar Society. Enjoy performances by Madisons most outstanding classical guitar performers, teachers, and students.
Come early for the best seats.
Teen Activities
Fall 2014 7
Senior Center
Senior Center Case Managers will be available to answer questions regarding services to assist with your caregiver needs.
Recycling News
The City of Stoughton is working with local residents and
businesses to raise awareness about reducing the use
of plastic single use bags. The
City will be doing an educational campaign to inform
residents about changing the way they get their
store products bagged.
To kick start the effort to reduce plastic single
use bags, please consider purchasing re-useable
bags (most stores offer a .5 cent per bag rebate)
that you can use over and over or ask for paper
when out shopping. Plastic single use bags are
not good for the environment and this is your
chance to help out and protect the environment.
If you do use plastic single use bags, please recycle properly and return them to the store and
place in recycling containers, usually located just
inside the entrance/exit door.
****PLEASE READ
IMPORTANT INFORMATION****
STREET TALKS
Snow Emergency
E-Waste Drop-off
Encumbrance Permits
The E-waste collection has been a very successful program, thanks to the residents for bringing
in their E-waste items to be properly disposed.
This service is available only to City of Stoughton residents. City residents can still bring their
e-waste items to Street Department during normal business hours to be properly disposed. City
residents will need to check in at the Street Department office and show ID to verify city residency. If you have any questions, please contact
us at (608) 873-6303. At this time there is no fee
charged to drop off acceptable items.
An encumbrance permit is required if you are going to leave a dumpster or POD in the street or
city right-of-way for more than 2 hours. Permits
can be obtained at the Street Department office
or online at www.ci.stoughton.wi.us and click on
street department tab and then permits link. Cost
is $25 dollars and the permit is good for 30 days,
when it can be renewed for another $25 dollars.
Sand/Salt Mixture
A salt/sand mixture is available only for city residents at the Street Department at 515 S. Fourth
Street. Bring your own small container/pail. The
salt/sand box is located along Fourth Street.
The Stoughton High School Madrigal singers and musicians present their annual dinner show for the Stoughton Area Senior Center
on Tuesday, December 9 at 12:00pm. Please make reservations by
noon Dec. 5th. Cost for the dinner and show is $8.00. Come and
enjoy some holiday cheer! Wassail!!
Desktop Computers
Laptops
Printers, scanners, copiers
Fax machines
Keyboards, mice, hard drives, flash drives, external modems & other computer devices
NOTE: With computers make sure to remove all
personal information or take out the hard drive
and destroy it.
NOTE: No Microwaves - they can be placed out
at the end of the month for bulky item collection.
Mailbox Placement
To reduce the chances that your
mailbox may be hit by a snow
plow during winter, you still
have time to move your mailbox and follow US Postal regulations and place your mailbox
40-42 inches above the road
surface and back 6 inches from
the curb with the door down.
Following these guidelines will
increase productivity by snow plow operators.
These articles will be published in Tower Times
issues and placed on the city street department
web site at www.ci.stoughton.wi.us with time related information. While on the web site, check
out Frequently Asked Questions.
In closing, in the last addition of Street Talks
I asked for your help with communicating with
your neighbors about policies, collection schedules or letting us know about these violations. I
want to Thanks to all the residents who contacted us, it was very helpful for us to be able
to reach out to residents who were not aware
or were just plain not following guidelines. So
please continue to communicate with your
neighbors and let them know about city policies,
schedules, and guidelines.
Feel free to call me with any questions; I hope
you find some helpful information.
Until the next time, finish those fall chores and bundle
up for winter :)
Sincerely,
Karl Manthe
Street Superintendent Karl Manthe
608-873-6303
kmanthe@ci.stoughton.wi.us
8 Fall 2014
This session will cover six weeks where players will learn the basic
fundamentals and work on developing movement skills that are
necessary to play basketball. The first session will involve more
teaching the fundamentals and the second session will involve
more small sided games. A certified coach will be teaching the
class. Parents are welcome to volunteer and assist with coaching
activities if they would like to be involved and learn about basketball coaching. Participants will receive a 25 inch basketball. The
classes are for this age group is for both girls and boys.
Dates
Times
1-2
1131.404
1/6-1/27
6:15-7:15 pm
3-4
1131.405
1/8-1/29
6:15-7:15 pm
5-8
1131.406
1/6-1/29
7:20-8:20 pm
Learn to Skate
Days
Dates
Program Code
This session will cover 12 classes where players will learn the basic fundamentals and work on developing movement skills that are
necessary to play basketball. The first session will involve more
teaching the fundamentals and the second session will involve
more small sided games. A certified coach will be teaching the
class. Parents are welcome to volunteer and assist with coaching
activities if they would like to be involved and learn about basketball coaching. Participants will receive a 25 inch basketball. This
program is two days per week. Weekday classes are the evening
times and Saturday classes are the morning times.
Program Code
Boys
1/8-2/14
1120.410
Girls
1/6-2/14
1120.411
This session will cover 12 classes where players will learn the basic fundamentals and work on developing movement skills that are
necessary to play basketball. The first session will involve more
teaching the fundamentals and the second session will involve
more small sided games. A certified coach will be teaching the
class. Parents are welcome to volunteer and assist with coaching
activities if they would like to be involved and learn about basketball coaching. Participants will receive a 27.5 inch basketball.
Weekday classes are the evening times and Saturday classes are
the morning times.
Gym & Days: G
irls - Thursday and Saturdays at River Bluff,
Boys - T
hursdays at Community Building,
Saturdays at River Bluff
Times: Girls & Boys on Thursdays from 6:45-7:45 pm,
Girls on Saturdays from 10:05-11:05 am,
Boys on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00 am
Fee: $40 Residents, $48 Non-Residents
Registration Deadline: 12/27
Gender
Dates
Program Code
Fee: $30
We will be once again offering trips to local ski hills this winter.
Trips take place on Friday evenings in January and February. We
take multiple trips to Cascade Mountain, Devils Head, and Tyrol
basin. More information will be available in late December.
Ages: 4+
Dates
Gender
We will be having the ice rink at Norse Park open this winter.
The open and close dates are all dependent on weather so please
check your emails or our Facebook page for the latest updates.
Join instructor Lily Kilfoy in this cooking class for kids ages 6-12.
Lily introduces kids to less familiar ingredients, basic cooking
techniques, tools and kitchen safety-all while having hands- on
fun! In this class, participants will prepare authentic Mexican tacos and make homemade corn tortillas using a traditional press.
Ages: Children Ages 6-12
Times: 12:00-1:15 pm
Location: Stoughton Youth Center
Date: 12/20
Who: Adults
Dates: 9/30-4/28
Wednesdays
Dates: 10/1-4/29
Date: 12/13
Fridays
Fee: $15
Dates: 10/3-5/1
Times: 9:00-11:00 am
Location: Yahara Gym
Tuesdays
It is only $2 to attend an open gym. Please pay the on-site supervisor as you enter the gym. Basketballs are not provided.
Saturdays
Times: 12:00-1:30 pm in December,
1:00-2:30 pm in January-March
Dates: 12/20, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14,
2/21, 2/28, 3/ 7, 3/14
Dates: 12/21, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15
Park shelters in the city can be reserved two different ways. The
first way is to go to our website and go through the online reservation process. This process will allow individuals to search for open
dates and seek amenities that they need for their gathering. The
other way is to fill out a Park Shelter reservation forms. These forms
can be found at our website or at the Recreation Department office.
For more details, see our website, www.cityofstougton.com/rec.
Days: Mondays
Dates: 11/3-3/16
Times: 6:30-7:30 pm
Fee: $2
Fall 2014 9
Outdoor Lighting
Before you buy lights for use outside, read the packaging or the tag on the cord to make sure theyre
approved for outdoor use. Never use indoor lighting outside.
If your outdoor decorating requires a ladder, always look up first before raising it. Dont raise ladders or other extended objects into or near power lines.
Planning to string lights in outdoor trees? Make sure tree limbs havent grown into or near electric
lines. Branches and even entire trees can become energized if they contact the line.
Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To
hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or
tug lights to remove them.
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid
potential shocks.
Dont overload extension cords or allow them to run through water or snow on the ground.
This holiday season, Stoughton Utilities is reminding homeowners and businesses about the benefits and advantages
of energy efficient lighting options to help customers stretch
their holiday dollar and trim their holiday energy bill. To help
you get started, well even give you up to two strands of LED
holiday lights for free throughout the month of November!
Dont staple or nail through light strings or electrical/extension cords-you could damage the wire
or insulation, which could lead to an electrical shock or fire.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty
lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
Compared to standard incandescent holiday lights, LED holiday lights use up to 90 percent less
energy to produce the same amount of light, cost significantly less to operate, and last longer than
standard lights.
LEDs and CFLs also emit much less heat than traditional lights, greatly reducing the risk of fire hazards, and do not have the same components that cause traditional lights to burn out or combust.
Stoughton Utilities also wants customers to be aware of safe operating practices for all types of holiday lighting.
Always remember to turn off tree and decorative lights, both indoors and outdoors, before leaving
home or going to bed.
Always check last years leftover lights for cracked or broken sockets, frayed insulation or bare
wires, or loose connections. Throw away damaged cords.
Indoor Lighting
Check all tree lights-even if youve just purchased them-before hanging them on your tree. Make
sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
Inside your home route cords so they wont trip anyone. Additionally, dont place them under rugs,
appliances or other objects, as they may overheat if covered or become worn and cause a fire.
Pets and toddlers sometimes become attracted to electrical cords. Its a good idea to secure cords
so that they are not easily reached.
Dont use electrical ornaments or light strings on artificial trees with metallic leaves or branch coverings. This could create an electrical shock.
Whether artificial or freshly cut, a tree should be kept a safe distance away from all sources of heat, including fireplaces, radiators
or portable heaters.
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label Fire Resistant.
Follow the use and care instructions that accompany your electrical decorations.
Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood.
This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your
tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Be sure to keep the
stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out
rapidly.
For more holiday energy-saving ideas, contact us at (608) 873-3379. Stoughton Utilities wishes you
and your family a healthy, happy, and safe holiday season!
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders,
and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
Before you buy lights for use outdoors, read the packaging and the tag on the cord to make sure
theyre approved for outdoor use. Never use indoor lighting outside!
It is important to turn off all electrical light strings and decorations before leaving home or going
to bed.
For both inside and outside lighting projects, follow the rule of using no more than three sets of
lights on a single extension cord to prevent overheating and reduce the chance of fire.
Follow the use and care instructions that accompany your electrical decorations.
Stoughton Utilities wishes you and your family a healthy, happy and safe holiday season!
Stoughton Utilities may submit your account to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) for
collections through the State Debt Collection Initiative. The DOR will attempt to deduct payment
from your state tax refund, garnish your wages, or place a bank levy on the funds in your checking
or savings account. In addition, the DOR will charge an additional fee of 15% of the unpaid balance.
Making an effort to keep your account balance under control during the winter months is very important. If you are finding it difficult to make the monthly payment, please keep in mind that even
minimal amounts will help keep your balance from growing out of control. Please contact us to set
up a deferred payment arrangement, or to obtain numbers to call for winter payment assistance. It
may seem as though youre saving money by not paying your utility bill, but in the end it can wind
up costing you much more.
During the holidays, as well as throughout the remainder of the heating season, we know it can be
very difficult for many families to meet their normal living expenses. Taking advantage of Stoughton
Utilities Budget Billing Option allows you to plan ahead for a utility bill that will be a fixed amount
each month. The amount of your payment will be the average of your monthly charges. The amount
will be reviewed and adjusted twice a year to be sure that the monthly payment stays similar to your
monthly usage.
If you have questions about your bill, would like to sign up for the Budget Billing option, or need to
establish a deferred payment arrangement for your delinquent balance, please give us a call at (608)
873-3379.
Stoughton Utilities continued on page 10
10 Fall 2014
As a customer of Stoughton Utilities, you can purchase renewable energy blocks to offset a part or all of your electrical usage through our
Renewable Energy Program. Renewable energy is generated from clean,
green energy sources such as wind, biogas, and the sun, and is purchased in 300 kilowatt-hour (kWh) blocks; each block costs $3.
Purchasing one block of renewable energy each month for one year has
the equivalent impact on the environment as not driving a car for six
months and avoids emitting over three tons of carbon dioxide.
The amount of the non-heating assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the households size, income,
and non-heating costs. In most cases the non-heating assistance
benefit is paid directly to Stoughton Utilities, and is applied to future bills to reduce the required monthly payment.
Medical Equipment
UTILITY
WORK
AHEAD
Tragically, over 1,000 people die across the nation every year in
road work zones. Please follow these important tips for safely driving in road work zones. Your life and ours- depend on it!
Keep a safe distance from traffic barriers, construction equipment, utility workers, and other traffic.
Always slow to work zone speed limits, or slower.
Pay attention. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed and people and
vehicles may be working near the road.
Minimize distractions, such as cell phone use.
Your sump pump runs on electricity, so consider a battery back-up. Choose one that will switch on
automatically if an outage occurs. Your cordless phone will not work during a power outage; consider
a spare plug-in telephone, or keep your cell phone handy for emergency situations.
Generators
Test your generator every 30 days to make certain that it is in good operating condition. Always follow
manufacturers directions for safe operation. If back-feeding your generator into your homes electrical system, ALWAYS use a transfer switch or disconnect your main breaker switch. Failure to do so
could injure or kill our lineman working to restore our system, or bystanders who come into contact
with wires on the ground.
Prepare one today by gathering a few basic emergency supplies and placing them in an emergency
kit thats easy to locate in the dark. We suggest including these items:
Working Flashlights
Battery-Operated Radio for news & weather reports
Batteries for Flashlights & Radio
Candles & Matches
Blankets! This is extremely important during the
winter since your furnace can not run without electricity.
Watch for and follow all warning, lane closure, and construction detour signs.
Remember that electric garage door openers will not function during a power outage. Place your
unit on manual if possible.
Electric sump pumps and pumps used for rural customers wells also will not work during a power
outage.
Protect electrical equipment from possible surges when power is restored. Use surge suppression
devices to protect sensitive equipment such as computers, fax machines, answering machines, televisions, stereos and major appliances - or simply unplug them.
A power outage may affect the operation of security and alarm systems.
Protect food from spoiling by keeping freezer and refrigerator doors closed as much as possible.
Food will stay frozen up to 48 hours if the door is not opened frequently.
Blinds and curtains will help shield against the heat of the sun, so while the air-conditioning is off
you should keep your windows covered.
If you leave your home or business, switch on a light that can be seen from the street. Our crews
often spot check to ensure all customers have their electricity back on. Try to shut all other appliances and electrical equipment off.
For the safety of everyone, stay clear of crews, vehicles and equipment in the area.
After the power is restored, you can safely reconnect appliances and equipment, and reset devices
that operate on timers.
Stoughton Utilities drinking water and wastewater treatment processes will be active during an
outage.
Parents: make sure your children know what to do if an outage happens while they are home alone or
with a caretaker. Make sure they know how to stay warm, and check in with them frequently.
Fall 2014 11
You tell your kids theyre heating the Great Outdoors when they dont keep the windows shut or
close the door behind them. You could be doing
the same thing without even knowing it. Your heated indoor air could be leaking out of your house
through the tiny cracks and holes around phone
lines, electrical outlets, plumbing pipes, and around
windows and doors.
Now that the warm weather of summer and autumn
is giving way to the cooler temperatures and harsh
winds of winter, its important to prepare your home for the change in seasons. Finding and sealing
the air leaks that create drafty cold spots in your home is a simple home maintenance chore that can
potentially save you 5% to 30% in heating costs over the winter.
Take a walk around the outside of your house and you may see little gaps where the inside light
shines through around window frames, wall-mounted air conditioners, exhaust vents and more. To
find the cracks and holes too small to see, close all your windows and doors, turn on your kitchen and
bathroom exhaust fans, and then hold a smoke stick or lit incense stick near each door, window, and
exterior wall outlet. If the smoke rises undisturbed, then you are leak free, but if the rising smoke is
noticeably disturbed, then you have a small hole or crack to fill.
Once you find the locations where cold air is leaking in, seal them with caulk or weather stripping to
keep your warm air indoors where it belongs.
Stoughton Utilities customers can opt to enroll in the voluntary RoundUP program. Each month, your
utility bill will round up to the next highest dollar amount. This small tax-deductible contribution
may seem like only pennies a month to you, but the dollars add up quickly when many customers participate. All contributions are tax-deductible and a summary for the prior year is mailed each January.
Customer Contribution
The typical contribution per program participant is approximately $6.00 per year. Amongst all participating customers, over $2,000 is raised each year and awarded by the Stoughton Utilities Committee twice annually to local community service organizations.
How It Works
Contributing through the RoundUP program is really very simple. Each month Stoughton Utilities will
round up your utility bill to the next full dollar. For example, if your bill is $41.17, it would be rounded
up to $42.00 and your monthly contribution will be $0.83. Your maximum contribution per year
could be $11.88, but generally will be less than that and averages around $6 per year.
If you also participate in our Budget Billing program, the actual costs of your monthly service will be
rounded up and not your monthly payment. Your budgeted payment will not change as a result of
enrollment in Project RoundUP.
Collected funds are administered by the Stoughton Utilities Committee and overseen by the Stoughton
City Council. Donations are awarded bi-annually to qualifying registered applicants selected by the
Stoughton Utilities Committee. Selection is based upon the merits of the application and the intended
use of the funds.
To qualify for funding, organizations and projects must generally be related to community service, economic development, education and youth, environment, emergency energy assistance or disaster relief.
Although there are many worthy charitable and educational projects and community needs in our local
area, the limited availability of funds requires us to establish these funding priority categories.
Contributed funds will be used geographically within the area served by Stoughton Utilities and will
include the City of Stoughton and the Townships of Dunn, Dunkirk, Pleasant Springs, Porter, and Rutland. Organizations which provide programs and benefits to people who live in this geographic area
are eligible for funding consideration, even if the organization is headquartered elsewhere.
We always welcome new applicants, so if you are aware of any local non-profit organization that
would like to be considered for future donations, please have them contact us for an application.
Past Recipients
Past recipients of funds include the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, American Legion Post 59,
Friends of the Stoughton Area Youth Center, the Friends of the Stoughton Public Library, Martin Luther
Christian School, Shalom Holistic Health Services, Stoughton Area Resource Team (START), Stoughton
Holiday Fund, Stoughton Lions and Lionesses Clubs, Stoughton United Ministries, and the Stoughton
Wellness Coalition.
If you are a customer and would like to sign up to participate in the program, or if youre a non-profit
organization that could benefit from a donation from Stoughton Utilities RoundUP program, please
contact us at (608) 873-3379 or online at http://roundup.stoughtonutilities.com.
Is It Really flushable?
A lot of personal hygiene products claim to be sewer and septic safe, but before you actually flush
them down the toilet, think again. There are only two items that should ever be flushed: human waste
and standard toilet paper. All other products such as baby wipes, moist towelettes, flushable wipes,
paper towels, rags, cloth diapers, cleaning pads, and more should always be discarded in the trash,
not the toilet. These products do not break down in the sanitary sewer system, and can clog laterals,
sewer mains, pumps, all of which can lead to sewer backups into homes and businesses.
Upcoming
Events
Managing Anxiety
Just in time for the holiday season, join Dr. Daniel Staddler, Family Practice Physician, to
learn how to manage and decrease aspects of anxiety in your life.
Wednesday, December 3rd at 6 p.m. FREE
The class will be held in the Bryant Health Education Center in the lower level of the
hospital. To register, please contact Sonja at 873-2356 or pr3@stohosp.com.
Please register early, space is limited.
Love Light Celebration
Thursday, December 4th at 4:30 p.m.
Stoughton Hospital Lobby Special program, music and refreshments
Please join us to make this the brightest holiday season ever. Help us light our Love Light
Trees and let the light shine for those you cherish. Send in your Love Light contribution
today. For more information or a contribution form, please go to stoughtonhospital.com.
No pre-registration is needed. The proceeds from the 2014 donations will go toward the
purchase of new defibrillators for the hospital.
Freedom through Forgiveness
Not being able to forgive can lead to pain in many areas of our lives. We know we should
forgive, we want to forgive, but how? Join instructor Tim Markle, to learn methods of
working toward forgiveness and learning to live a forgiving life.
Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. FREE
Beginning Jan 7th through Feb 4th - 5 weeks. The classes will be held in the Bryant
Health Education Center in the lower level of the hospital. To register, please contact
Sonja at 873-2356 or pr3@stohosp.com Please register early, space is limited.
If you need to discard hazardous materials, visit the Dane County clean sweep collection site. You can
find more information at www.danecountycleansweep.com.
If you need to dispose of unused prescription pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins, you can safely do so at any MedDrop site, including the drop box located outside the Stoughton
Police Departments main entrance. More information, as well as a listing of other MedDrop sites can
be found at www.safercommunity.net/meddrop.php.
stoughtonhospital.com
adno=379684-01
What we put down our drains and toilets can not only clog our sanitary sewer and septic systems,
but they also can negatively impact our environment and put our health at risk. Hazardous materials
such as motor oil, antifreeze, paint and paint thinners, mercury, and even unused pharmaceutical
drugs can remain in our waterways even after treatment.
(608) 873-8800