PWM19790627• PUBLIC WELFARE COMMITTEE - CITY OF MUSKEGO
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD JUNE 27, 1979
The meeting was called to order at 7 33 P.M. Present were Chairman
Pienkos, Committee Members Ald. Weed and Ald. Salentine. Building
Inspector Lee and Ms. Chris Wilson arrived at 8:30 P.M. Also present
were those as per the attached list.
The minutes of the 5/23/79 meeting were read and approved.
Mrs. James Feldman appeared to discuss her interest in the dog warden
position. She expressed a sincere desire and interest in caring for
cats and dogs. Mrs. Feldman will appear at the Safety Committee
meeting which will be held on July 11, 1979 at 7:00 P.M. to discuss her
interest in the dog warden job.
Sludge applications were discussed extensively. The Saturday, June 23,
1979 tour of the application sites was discussed. Mr. Lee indicated
the committee viewed many sites that may not be considered for sludge
application. Chairman Pienkos was pleased the committee took the time
and effort to view the sites so as to gather insights as to the proposed
application sites. Discussion centered on the Moser property in the
7th District. Mrs. Moser apparently has informed the renter of her
property she does not want sludge applied. Mr. and Mrs. Zlensky spoke
against sludge applications. Mr. Zlensky stated Franklin has banned
applications. He presented the attached article from the 6/27/79
issue of the Post Newspaper. Ald. Van Lanen stated his concerns
regarding sludge applications in the area of Guernsey Meadows Sub-
division and a populace area. Mr. Robert Henrichs expressed his
concern about the "heavy metals" in the sludge, especially cadmium
being deposited into the soil.
Ald. Salentine informed the committee of an area near Crowbar Road
and Highway 24 (King property) that may be a good site for a sludge
application. He indicated a tri a1 area away from populated areas,
subdivisions and waterways may be a beneficial test site. Ald. Pienkos
indicated sludge applications could be beneficial to farmers but he had
questions as to benefits to the city. Several citizens expressed
concerns about sludge getting into waterways and wells and the effect
it could have on drinking water.
Mr. Hemke stated that Waukesha County and the City should follow the
lead of Racine County and have the health department inspect the sludge
applications sites before and after the application if it is indeed
applied. He stated that to date, "out of 16 surrounding communities
only one has given a definite yes to sludge spreading." Mr. Dave Krutz
suggested the committee seek information from surrounding communities
before sludge is applied.
Ald. Weed moved to deny all sludge applications. Seconded by Ald.
• Van Lanen. Motion carried 3 - 0. The committee has gone on record to
deny all sludge applications.
Chairman Pienkos read the June 4, 1979 letter to Mayor Gottfried from
Donohue & Associates, Inc., regarding a joint solid waste management
planning project. Placed on file. The landfill contract will be
discussed at a future meeting based on Waste Management's request for a
60 day delay,
"People helping People Program" was discussed. Mr. Lee indicated the
important role mail carriers have and the post office. They can inform
the Police Department or volunteers of a problem when mail is not picked
up.
Mr. and Mrs. William Schmidt appeared to discuss the seriousness of
\a "rat problem" pursuant to the depositing of weeds from Little Muskego
Lake. Mr. Schmidt stated that rats are making nests and burrowing
into the weeds and eating the remains of fish and crayfish. An added
problem with the stench and flies is also creating a health need and
nuisance problem. Mr. Schmidt indicated the need to restrict or
eliminate the dumping of weeds in residential areas because of the
health hazard created by rats. Mr. Lee was aware of the weed depositing
• Public Welfare Committee
June 27, 1979
Page 2.
problem and indicated his department would assist residential property
owners. Mr. Bertram and the Public Works Committee will be made aware
• of the problem and requested to stop depositing weeds on residential
properties unless plowed under immediately. Ald. Pienkos will confer
with Mr. Bertram regarding the rat problem.
l J
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The committee recessed at 8:50 P.M. and reconvened at 8 55 P.M.
Ms. Chris Wilson, Director of the Waukesha County Department on Aging,
(500 Riverview Ave., Waukesha, Wis, 544-8439, appeared and disbtributed
pamphlets entitled "Senior Sources" - A Guide to Services for Older
Adults of Waukesha County: The pamphlets will be placed on the counter
at City Hall and in the Library. Ms. Wilson defined an "older" person,
as anyone 60 years of age or older. She indicated that one of her
primpary jobs is to obtain money to assist the elderly She suggested
a proposal be written regarding the needs of Muskego's elderly citizens
and presented to her. As of l/1/80, $130,000.00 (a block grant) will be
given to the Dept. of Aging in Waukesha County for the needs of the
elderly. In the future a grant may be forthcoming from the Department
of Transportation to assist the elderly. A proposal may also be needed
to identify the needs of Muskego's elderly.
Ald. Pienkos discussed the importance of a regional transportation
system not only for the elderly but for all citizens. He urged that
federal monies be sought for this project. Ms. Wilson is going to
request the Waukesha County Board appoint a Transportation Study Committee
for the County. She plans to discuss the transportation needs of the
elderly of Muskego and other communities. She is in favor of having each
community handle their transportation needs on a local level. She also
plans to seek out monies in order that they can be made available for
the assisting of transportation needs. Mr. Hemke discussed the need for
a passenger van or vehicle for the elderly, especially for the availa-
bility of transporting Muskego's elderly to Jensen Center.
Ms. Wilson will assume the duties of administering the nutrition program
for Waukesha County in January, 1980. She is very interested in learning
about the food and nutrition needs of the elderly and plans to work
closely with the site councils at the senior citizen centers regarding
menus and nutrition needs.
The Welfare Committee discussed with Ms. Wilson ways to coordinate our
efforts, 1) communicate with Ms. Wilson what the Welfare Committee is
doing and what the newly appointed Senior Citizen Committee will be
doing. 2.) Ms. Wilson will assist in helping Muskego find monies to
assist Muskego's elderly. 3.) Inform Ms. Wilson what the role and
responsible ties of the Senior Citizen Committee will be. Ald. Pienkos
will consult with Mayor Gottfried as to what the committee will do to
assist the elderly
A letter dated 5/10/79 from Gerald Lee, directed to Mr. and Mrs. Kettner,
was read and placed on file.
A letter dated 6/12/79 to the Common Council from Mr. William Schmidt
was read and placed on file.
A letter dated 5/15/79 to Mr. Martin P. Heise was read and placed on file.
Letters from Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District were reviewed and
placed on file.
` A correspondence/memorandum dated 5/15/79 regarding Big Muskego Lake and
\Bass Bay was reviewed and placed on file.
A`,1971 report on Big Muskego Lake was reviewed and placed on file.
Ald
The
n Lanen moved to adjourn. Seconded by Ald. Weed. Motion carried.
ting adjourned at 9:58 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
TVL/ j e
Ald. Thomas J. Van Lanen, Sec'y.
Public Welfare Committee
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