April 29, 2019 – Hartford, WI – On Wednesday, I was privileged to represent the Hartford Utilities for Connections Day at the Hartford Union High School. The concept of Connections is to give junior students an interactive experience in what it’s like to be an actual adult. They start with their careers and life styles and then have to find a place to live, get a vehicle, buy insurance, purchase food, invest money, pay utilities plus much more. This is a great activity the school does every year to open the eyes of young people on what is entailed in being an adult in the real world.
I have enjoyed doing this for the last three years especially when I question students on what utilities are and how they work. Some of their answers are priceless. Thanks to Beth Hermann for inviting me back again.
Bring Your Dog to Work Friday
Lauren Schulz of the Hartford Rec brought her dog Frank in to work with her on Good Friday as a part of the City-Wide Bring Your Dog to Work Day for United Way. Frank is seen here greeting customers coming to the Rec Center to work out before the big holiday.
Phase 1 of Airport Project 2019 is underway
Crews from Michael’s started their spring work on Phase 1 of the three-phased process of the renovation of the Hartford Municipal Airport. This phase, which addresses the eastern half of the runway, is scheduled to be completed by June 7. Phase 2 of the project, which will be done by James Peterson Sons Inc, was scheduled to begin June 10 and take until July 12 but is getting started early and will be worked in conjunction with Phase 1 and will address the western half of the new runway. Phase 3 of the project will be to remove the old paved runway and finish any taxiways and taxi lanes. This phase is tentatively scheduled to take place from July 15 to Sept. 13.
Long time librarian retiring Tuesday
After 42 years as a City of Hartford Employee working in the library, Kris Parker is retiring. She has seen a lot of changes over four decades of employment. Her last day of work is Tuesday, April 30. The City of Hartford along with the Jack Russell Memorial Library wish Kris a happy and healthy retirement.
Wisconsin Car Museum plays host to Wisconsin Toyota Dealers
The cones set up in the Auto Museum parking lot weren’t for flooding this time. It was the annual Toyota Dealers training sessions hosted at the Car Museum. Dealers from throughout the state were on hand this week to see the latest in the car manufacturers arsenal of vehicles. The group putting on the event are from throughout the Midwest and commented that they really enjoyed the lodging options here in Hartford.
National Drug Take back Day Recognized Every Day in Hartford PD
While many organizations are getting a part of the National Drug Take back Day on Saturday, April 27, the Hartford PD reminds residents they are continually taking back unused drugs at their drop-off box in the Police Department lobby. One of the top ways in which addicts get started with drug use is through using someone else’s unused prescriptions. National Drug Take back is a reminder to take any unused prescription drugs from your medicine cabinets and bring them in to be properly destroyed. In 2018, we collected and disposed of over 400 pounds of unused prescription drugs in this box.
Not only do unused drugs become the gateway to addictions, they also make your home the target for theft. So please, take a look through your home for any prescription drugs you no longer use and dispose of them in the drop box at City Hall Police Department lobby.
Maple Avenue road finishing starts
Now that Spring has made its appearance, crews which worked on the Maple Avenue reconstruction project last fall are back to finish this project over the next month. This week crews will be finishing terrace work between the sidewalks and road and next will be laying the surface pavement for the roads. Some clean-up of curbs is likewise being taken care of.
Wacker Drive Project Update
Crews have completed the water main on Wacker Drive between State Street and the railroad tracks as a part of the total road reconstruction project. Next, they will be working on surface projects including road construction, curbs and gutters. During this project, local traffic will continue to be able to get in and out of the local industries but all other traffic is to stay clear of this area.
Roofing Projects find dry time
Crews were busy replacing the flat roof over the Jack Russell Memorial Library and the Fire Station. Performance Roofing was replacing the existing flat roof over the offices in the Fire Station as a part of the 2019 Capital Improvement Plan.
At the library, crews are replacing the natural roof which was put over the office portion of that building after they had major problems with this type of structure during the harsh, cold winter. This project will be picked up by an insurance claim.