This has been a busy year for your Town officials. We have been working on a number of issues.

Water Issues: Last year we reported that we had been working with a number of state representatives and other agencies to try to find a solution for high water that has plagued the area around the Biglow Road, Highway 14 and Highway intersection since August of 2007. This past summer, DOT agreed to take the lead and do a study of the area and its groundwater and surface water issues. An engineering firm has been hired and is working on analyzing water issues in the area.

Tax Rates: The State budget continues to limit the amount the Town can levy. This year our levy limit increased by 3%. However, shared revenues (how the State shares a portion of the income and sales tax revenues with municipalities) will decrease by 15%. Our costs for materials, fuel, health insurance and the like continue to increase, meaning we have had to budget very tightly. As a result, fewer funds will be available for road upgrades.

Landfill Well Monitoring: We continue to monitor the groundwater near the old landfill.

ATC: This summer, the Public Service Commission chose the northern route for the ATC transmission line. This will place the line along the Beltline in Madison rather than across southern Dane County, including Rutland.

DOT Highway Issues:

1. DOT is continuing their study of Highway 51 upgrade options. Following the public meetings last summer, DOT and their consultants are reviewing different routes for a north bypass of Stoughton, on or near the County B and County N right of way. Watch for announcements of another round of public meetings, tentatively set by DOT for January or February 2010. DOT hopes to have a final plan for an improved Highway 51 by sometime in 2011, which may include upgrades to Highway 138 and Highway 14 as an alternative route.
2. Improvements to the intersection of Highways 14 and 138 continue to be worked on. A new interchange for the intersection, including a second overpass and 2 roundabouts, is presently scheduled by DOT for construction in 2011. The relocation of Hwy 14 to the new right of way south of 138 is tentatively scheduled for 2015-2016.
3. We have been working with the City of Stoughton to get traffic lights at the corner of Deer Point, Highway 51 and Roby Road. We have voted in opposition to roundabouts along that stretch of Highway 51. DOT formerly had that intersection upgrade scheduled for the 2013/2014 time frame, but has now lowered the priority, meaning it is not on the schedule at this time.

Cellular Tower at Collection Center: We continue to work with Verizon to finalize a lease for a cell tower to be located the Collection Center. This will provide additional revenue for the Town.

New Equipment: We have just put into service a new Peterbilt tandem axle dump truck, which replaces the older single axle truck. This means we now have 2 tandem axle trucks, which will enable us to plow snow with fewer return trips for sand and salt, and to haul more gravel to roadwork sites in fewer trips. The old truck will be retained for light hauling, shouldering work and for use as a backup snow plow truck.

We wish to thanks the people who have continued to support the restoration of the Rutland Church and Cemetery, either by cash or services contributions, or by working on the building.

I look forward to continuing to work with the residents of the Town during the New Year.

Dale Beske