Plans for new Mauston Public Works building move forward

By Amanda Becker
Star-Times

Tuesday evening the Mauston City Council approved a motion to move forward with a new public works building.

Council members approved the authorization to spend up to $10,000 for a preliminary design. City Administrator Brian Yerges said the spending will be used for finalizing a site plan, not for the actual engineering of the building. A drawing of what the future building is expected to look like is on display at Mauston City Hall.

Also during the Public Works Committee report, council members approved MSA, of Baraboo, to over-see the Vacuum Platers Block Project, in an amount not to exceed $14,200. Council member Richard Noe said they only received two proposals and MSA provided the lesser bid.

Fall festivals

Mayor Brian McGuire spoke Tuesday night about two up-coming fall festivals. He said the River of Memories Rendezvous will be held Oct. 10, 11 and 12 in Mauston.

This year's Rendezvous, located along the banks of the Lemonweir River, will include a pre-1840 re-enactment, vendors and entertainment by Blackhawk of Wisconsin and Annabelle Gulas. On Friday, Oct. 10, all area school students are invited to attend the event.

The Pumpkin Bash, held at Red Ridge Ranch, just outside of Mauston, will be the weekend of Oct. 25-26. Michel Messer, of the Room Tax Committee, said "This year there will be some new events at the bash." She said there will be a half marathon, 5K Run/Walk (the Pumpkin Dash) and a "spooky" sprint race for children 12 and under.

At the bash, there will also be vendors, childrens' games and live music.

Mauston Police Chief Mark Messer told council members that the police department has four video monitors that will be placed throughout the city of Mauston. He said there are two cameras up and a third will be placed soon. Messer said the fourth camera will be a reserve, in case something would happen to one of the monitors.

He said, "This is a great improvement for our police department."

Student impact

A small group of Mauston High School students attended Tuesday's council meeting to "see how a city council works."

Sophomore students Audrey Reese and Krista Postell said they attended the meeting for Derek Felska's civics class. She said each student in the class is required to attend a city council or a school board meeting and write an essay about how a council or school board works.

Reese said, "I wanted to come to the city council meeting because it's something that affects all

citizens."