Local News Briefs Monday 10/28/13

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will be presenting information on the Emerald Ash Borer at a public information meeting this afternoon. The meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers of the City/County Government Center in Fond du Lac. The EAB is 100% fatal to untreated ash trees, and an estimated 7,000 public ash trees can be found in Fond du Lac.  The loss of the ash trees would be devastating for the community because the energy benefits, storm water capturing, carbon sequestration, aesthetic value, and boost in property values provided by the trees would also be lost.  With the beetle now found in the County and only 15 miles away in Black Wolf, the threat is closer than ever.  It is estimated that the cost of removing all the public ash trees killed by EAB could reach almost $3 million.  Residents are invited to come to the meeting to learn more about the EAB from DNR experts, and learn more about Fond du Lac’s response plan from local officials. 

Public Hearing On Closing NFDL RR Crossing Tonight

The North Fond du Lac Village Board will hold a public hearing tonight on a resolution that would vacate the Lakeshore Drive railroad crossing. Currently trains blow their horns up to 160 times a day as they approach the crossing. That would stop if the board votes to vacate the crossing. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says if it’s approved he will give a certified copy to Canadian National Railroad officials tomorrow.  He says concrete barriers would also be moved into place to close off the crossing to vehicle traffic. The meeting at the municipal building in North Fond du Lac is at 6 p.m.

Waupun School Board Will Approve Budget And Tax Levy

The Waupun School Board will approve the 2013-14 School District Budget and tax levy tonight. Waupun Schools Superintendent Tonya Gubin says they lost about $342,000 in state aid due to a drop in property values. She says they were able to anticipate that and take appropriate action to address that drop in state aid. She says they cut some staff including some administrators and changes schedules at the junior and senior high. She says some retirements at the high school helped them with some of the cuts. The Waupun School Board will hold an executive session at 6 p.m. followed by the business meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Education Service Center in Waupun.

Gudex Pleased To Be Sponsoring Workforce Development Legislation

State Senator Rick Gudex says he’s pleased to be sponsoring two bills in the Governor’s Workforce Development initiative. He says one would provide school districts with $1,000 for each student who completes industry certification that would lead them into a trade. The other bill would pay $2,250 scholarships to students going into the technical education field after high school. He says it’s about filling the skills gap for employers as older workers retire.