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Thursday, November 30, 2017 • Vol. 53, No. 28 • Verona, WI • Hometown USA • ConnectVerona.com • $1

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APPOINTMENTS WITHIN 24 HOURS!

City, VASD disagree on road funding Initial $5M commitment, land swap in question

What’s next The city’s Plan Commission will review the school’s site plan Monday and then bring it back for approval as soon as January. The Council is expected to discuss payment for the road again in January.

SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

Rendering courtesy Epstein Uhen Architects

Views from the southeast, pictured at top, and northwest of the proposed Verona Area High School building show features like the fieldhouse, football stadium, performing arts center and pool. The design is still in draft form, and could change before the Dec. 5 public meeting.

Design update Dec. 5 Inside

If You Go

SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

Plans for the new Verona Area High School building are changing on a near-daily basis, but those working on the plans will take a step back Dec. 5 to check in with the public.

District officials and consultants on the project, including the architect, construction manager, aquatics team, performing arts center team and athletics officials, will hold a presentation and question-and-answer event Tuesday from 6:30-8 p.m. at the

What: New high school design update When: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 Where: Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center Info: verona.k12.wi.us

City approval processes begin Page 8

opportunity to go from table to table to talk with the different consultants and teams in attendance and ask questions.

VAHS PAC. The presentation will include a The first 45 minutes will be a presentation by architects from Eppstein “more in-depth look at exterior renUhen Architects and the construc- derings and design imagery” than has tion team from Findorff. Community members will then have the Turn to Design/Page 17

Ice sculptures added to this year’s festivities HELU WANG Unified Newspaper Group

After a warm Thanksgiving weekend, Verona Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Le Jordan hopes “traditional” wintry weather will come

soon to allow for Hometown Holidays’ newest feature: ice sculptures.

The annual event begins Friday, Dec. 1 and will also feature many of the traditional events like the chili supper, tree lighting and Santa visit, though Verona Area Community Theater will not be putting on a show this year.

Artists will demonstrate how a ice sculpture is created from 12:30-2 p.m.

The

Verona Press

Saturday, Dec. 2, at Hometown Junction park. During the 90-minute demonstration, artists will create a sculpture from a block of ice while an apprentice explains the process and tools used.

People can drive around the city to check out four other ice sculpture displays at other sites: the library, Verona Vision Care, Purple Goose and the Chamber building. Jordan hopes

to make the ice sculptures an annual program for the weekend and add more sculptures around the city.

H o m e t ow n H o l i d a y s ’ first official event, the tree lighting, begins at 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, at Central Park, featuring carolers from Resurrection Lutheran Church, WISC-TV meteorologist Gary Cannalte’s annual live weather

Turn to Holidays/Page 2

Turn to Road/Page 17

Spring election 2018

Mayor’s exit signals big changes ahead JIM FEROLIE Verona Press editor

Hometown Holidays begins Friday with tree lighting, chili dinner

2020 opening plan without knowing how much the city will contribute. If the city contributes less, other parts of the project might be cut, which could affect the approval and design process and endanger the timeline.

“Decisions by these bodies here need to be

On the night Mayor Jon Hochkammer announced he would not attempt to win a seventh term next spring, he broke a tie.

That N ov. 2 0 action, on a $30,000 budget amendment, was the first Hochkammer time in four years. And yet, during that time, he had presided over a Common Council that was far more divided on major issues than it had

Inside Nomination papers out Dec. 1 Page 7 ever been during his previous eight years in office.

As Hochkammer heads into his final 19 weeks in office, significant changes could be on the way in Verona’s political landscape – and that’s clear even before candidates are allowed to circulate

Turn to Mayor/Page 7

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Event includes presentations, Q and A

Elected officials in the City of Verona and Verona Area School District disagree how much the city should pay for a piece of land to help fund a new road leading into the new high school site.

Monday night, the Common Council and school board held a joint meeting that included each body going into a closed session, featured questions over each side’s motives and planning and ultimately produced no resolution.

The district needs to submit its site plan and other documents by the end of the year to stick to its

November 30, 2017

The Verona Press

ConnectVerona.com

Holidays: Family friendly events all weekend

Verona Area School District

VASD ‘meets expectations’ on state report card

Continued from page 1 broadcast and Santa arrives in a Verona Fire Department truck.

Families can follow the truck to the senior center and participate in the fire department’s annual “5-Alarm” chili supper from 5:30-7 p.m. Children can take a free picture with Santa in front of the fireplace before getting their faces painted or making a craft with help from Verona Area High School yearbook staff.

Library staff will hand out free candy canes until 6 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Library staff will also read seasonal story books to the children at the senior center during the chili supper.

“I hope people will have fun and realize all the things that Verona has offered,” Jordan said.

Unfortunately, people can’t wrap up the night by watching a show at the Verona Area Performing Arts Center this year because the rights to either of the usual shows were not available. VACT founder Dee Baldock said they found out in October that the traditional plays, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Very Merry Hometown Christmas,” conflicted with other professional shows in the area.

“It’s too late to put together a show,” Baldock said.

The weekend will get back to its traditional events on Saturday, Dec. 2, starting with Santa’s visit from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the State Bank of Cross Plains, 108 N. Main St. Free vision screenings by the Verona Lions Club, balloon art and snacks will be provided.

Salem United Church of Christ, 502 Mark Drive, will host its annual holiday bazaar and luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., which will include crafts, a bake sale and a raffle.

7 of 11 schools ‘exceed,’ BRMS gets lowest rating SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

File photo by Kate Newton

Aleah Coffey, 7, of Verona, was among the first in line to hang out with Santa at last year’s Hometown Holidays.

If You Go What: Hometown Holidays When: Friday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 3 Where: Various locations Info: veronawi.com People can also get free gift wrapping at the Chamber with receipts from local retailers from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Jordan has seen “huge” crowds show up at the Hometown Holidays and expects more than 100 people this year.

“It’s a team effort with all the people from the community,” Jordan said.

Contact Helu Wang at helu.wang@ wcinet.com.

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The Verona Area School District once again “met expectations” during the 2 0 1 6 - 1 7 s c h o o l y e a r, according to state Department of Public Instruction report cards released Nov. 21.

That’s the same grade the district received last year, falling in the middle of the five-grade scale. But the numerical rating for the district fell slightly from 72.5 for 2015-16 to 69.7 for last year.

A m o n g t h e d i s t r i c t ’s 11 schools, seven either “exceeded” or “significantly” exceeded expectations, with the Verona Area International School receiving the highest score at 88.1.

Stoner Prairie Elementary School and New Century School were the others above 80, with an 81.4 and 81.3, respectively.

Three of the remaining four schools were in the “meets expectations” category, with Badger Ridge Middle School the lone exception. BRMS scored a 59.1, putting it in the “meets few expectations category,” which is the second lowest on the scale.

It was one of 261 schools statewide to receive that rating.

Exploration Academy did not receive a numerical rating because of its project-based learning structure, but under an “alternate

DPI report cards School Rating Expectations rating District 69.7 Meets expectations Country View 73.2 Exceeds expectations Glacier Edge 79.4 Exceeds expectations Sugar Creek 72.2 Meets expectations Stoner Prairie 81.4 Exceeds expectations Core Knowledge 76.3 Exceeds expectations New Century 81.3 Exceeds expectations Verona Area International 88.1 Significantly exceeds Badger Ridge 59.1 Meets few expectations Savanna Oaks 71.3 Meets expectations Exploration Academy N/A Satisfactory progress Verona Area High 74.1 Exceeds expectations

accountability” measure was recognized for “satisfactory progress.”

The report cards include ratings in four priority areas, each on a scale of 1-100: student achievement, school/district growth, closing gaps and on-track and postsecondary readiness.

B R M S s c o r e d b e l ow the state average for middle schools in each of the four areas, with the school growth and closing gaps categories more than 15 p o i n t s b e l ow av e r a g e .

BRMS scored a 37.5 in school growth compared to a 66.0 state average, while also posting a 52.0 in closing gaps compared to a 67.7 state average.

The district as a whole was above average in two of the categories and below in the other two, though all scores fell within 10 points o f t h e ave r a g e . VA S D received a 71.1 in student achievement compared to a 66.7 average, but just a 56.5

in district growth compared to a 66.0 average.

Statewide, 82 percent of public and private schools met or exceeded expectations, according to a DPI news release. More than 95 percent of public school districts did the same.

Every other district school scored in the 70s.

S a va n n a O a k s M i d d l e School received a 71.3, Sugar Creek scored a 72.2, Country View scored 73.2, Verona Area High School got a 74.1, Core Knowledge Charter School received a 76.3 and Glacier Edge scored 79.4.

The DPI news release added that since the approval of the 2015-17 budget bill, which mandated the use of certain growth scoring and weighting based on the number of economically disadvantaged students, the average overall report card score change has increased from 3.3 points year-to-year to 5.8 points.

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ConnectVerona.com

November 30, 2017

City of Verona

3

The Verona Press

Spring election 2018

Kohl joins Budget passes with minor change Dist. 2 race JIM FEROLIE

JIM FEROLIE Verona Press editor

The city will add three new positions next year and cut its tax rates by more than 4 percent under the 2018 budget approved Nov. 20. It also provides funding for Sunday library hours.

Nobody spoke at the public hearing, and none of the three amendments was adopted as proposed.

One budget-neutral amendment, to pay debt more quickly using more than $247,000 from reserves, was modified significantly. It ended up being accepted as a move of $225,000 from unassigned fund balance to a sick-leave payout fund, something finance director Brian Lamers said could have been accomplished without a budget amendment.

The other two amendments failed but sparked policy discussions that appeared to have accomplished the purpose of the requesters.

Ald. Sarah Gaskell (Dist. 2) requested spending $30,000 for a study of housing as a precursor to revising the city’s policies in residential development.

That failed on a 4-4 vote and mayoral tiebreaker after Mayor Jon Hochkammer brought up the likelihood of being able to get such a study performed for free by the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission.

Budget final Budget 2016 requested 2016 final 2017 requested 2017 final 2018 requested 2018 final

Levy Mill rate Change $11.2 million $7.01 +4.5% $10.7 million $6.70 -0.1% $13 million $6.03 -10% $13 million $6.03 -10% $13.3 million $5.77 -4.3% $13.3 million $5.77 -4.3%

Ald. Luke Diaz (D-3) requested spending $30,000 on a study of the Badger Mill Creek and what the city could do to mitigate its potential entry into the state’s impaired waters list. That failed on a 2-6 vote after an admittedly long-winded staff opinion by public works director Theran Jacobson concluded that state agencies are putting massive resources into studying the matter, which is being caused by phosphorous.

In both cases, the mayor directed staff to contact the respective agencies for their assistance as soon as feasible.

The only other discussion on the budget before it was approved unanimously was a brief policy conversation on improving the overall process, along with the usual comments lauding the city’s financial position and the hard work of staff.

The 2018 budget meets every major department operational request other than an ambulance for Fitch-Rona EMS that Fitchburg was not prepared to co-fund. It includes almost ev e r y c a p i t a l f u n d i n g request, as well.

It cuts the mill rate on the 2017 levy by 4.3 percent, to $5.77 per $1,000 of assessed value. That’s a savings of $71 on a $272,000 home, despite home values increasing by 7 percent in 2016 alone. The city’s average home assessment hasn’t risen since the last revaluation, in 2013.

Notable expenses this year include a 3 percent across-the-board costof-living adjustment for employees, an additional patrol officer for the police department, a second case manager for the senior center and a project management position for the public works department that is intended to significantly reduce spending on major building projects.

The library also gets an additional $60,000 worth of staffing from limited-term employees to allow it to be open for a four-hour block on Sundays.

The city will need to continue increasing its spending on the library significantly over the next five years under an agreement it approved with Dane County the same night as the budget.

All municipalities pay

Mill rate increases

Katie Kohl has announced her candidacy for District 2 alder in the spring 2018 election.

Ko h l , a resident of Hickory Court who has lived i n Ve r o n a since 2009, Kohl would face incumbent Jack Linder if he chooses to run again.

Linder has been a member of the Plan Commission or Common Council in various stints since 2005. He has been defeated twice (once in District 2, the other time in District

2017: -4.3 percent 2016: -10 percent 2015: 0 2014: -1 percent 2013: 3 percent* 2012: 1.95 percent 2011: 1.5 percent 2010: 3.7 percent** 2009: 3 percent* 2008: 0 percent 2007: 0 percent 2006: 3 percent 2005: 2 percent *based on equalized value (reassessment year) **Effective rate for average homeowner was 1.5 percent higher because of addition of stormwater fee

at is For Service th

a library tax unless they meet a minimum funding formula that’s based on population and equalized value. Recent rises in the city’s valuation would have required a $318,000 increase in library spending, an amount that was calculated too late to fit into the city’s budget or the library’s budget (which is approved by the Library Board). The agreement a l l ow s t h e c i t y ’s d e b t spending on the building to count but phases that out evenly over five years.

The average City of Verona resident’s taxes will go up about $250 this year, six months after most of the city voted in favor of it.

With city tax rates down, Dane County taxes up and state taxes abolished, the vast majority of that difference in taxes this year is from the Verona Area School District, where voters overwhelmingly approved a $168 million high school building referendum, plus annual increased operating expenses for it. What would have been a sharp decrease in taxes became a hike of nearly $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $246 on a $272,000 home after credits are factored in.

The city released the calculation of tax bills Monday, Nov. 30, less than a

2017 property taxes Jurisdiction 2016 2017 Inc.$ Inc.% City of Verona $6.03 $5.77 (-$.30) (-4.32) Dane County $3.31 $3.49 $.18 5.44 State $0.18 0 (-$.18) (-100) MATC $1.02 $1.05 $.03 2.94 $11.27 $12.43 $1.16 10.29 VASD $21.81 $22.74 $.93 4.26 Net taxes

Average value $272,000 $272,000 Average tax bill $5,932 $6,185 Lottery credit $150.99 $151.96 First Dollar credit $80.29 $86.84 Trash pickup $170 $170

Source: City of Verona

week after Dane County finalized its budget. City fi n a n c e d i r e c t o r B r i a n Lamers couldn’t say for sure when they would be mailed, because the city has to wait its turn in line with

other municipalities for the county to produce the bills.

But they are expected to be mailed by mid-December.

Tax bills are required to be mailed by Dec. 19 by state law.

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The school’s increase came a year after a 49-cent increase in its assessed mill rate in Verona (despite an overall drop against equalizers values). Dane County’s 4.5 percent hike partly resulted from funding for a new jail and added funds for social programs. The city’s rate dropped despite adding the equivalent of four new full time positions.

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Average taxes rise $250 ‌JIM FEROLIE

1), but has never been challenged as an incumbent.

The release announcing Kohl’s candidacy expresses support for “smart, responsible and sustainable development,” and a “bike-friendly city with a healthy downtown shopping corridor,” as well as a focus on small businesses and local entrepreneurial talent.

Kohl, a forensic scientist at the state’s crime lab, is a mother of two children at New Century School, where she has served on the site council alongside current D-2 Ald. Sarah Gaskell since 2012.

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November 30, 2017

Opinion

The Verona Press

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Unified Newspaper Group encourages lively public debate on issues, but it reserves the right to limit the number of exchanges between individual letter writers to ensure all writers have a chance to have their voices heard.

This policy will be printed from time to time in an abbreviated form here and will be posted in its entirety on our websites.

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Make sure you can afford your mortgage

T

he fact that I am no longer “young” has been hitting me in the face a lot lately.

My oldest son now has bigger feet than me, sales clerks have started calling me “ma’am,” and suddenly the teams I play against in my winter volleyball league are literally half my age.

It really struck me, though, when the child of one of my clients recently contacted me Arndt to ask questions about buying her first house. Buying a house, I thought? When did you become old enough to do that? Aren’t you still like 10?

In reality, of course, the young lady is now in her mid-20s, graduated from college with no debt and has a good job she has been at for almost three years.

She is a good candidate for buying a house, but I’m glad she called to talk about it before starting to look.

For many, buying a first home is a rite of passage, kind of a stepping stone as they strive toward their vision of the American dream. It is also often the biggest financial transaction many people will ever make, and as such, it is important to avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Before you even start seriously looking, it is important to think carefully about what you can afford. One of the most common mistakes I see is for people to look first and get their hearts set on features that are outside of what their price range should be. Don’t set yourself up for potential disappointment.

Determining what you can afford is somewhat of a subjective process, but there are some rules of thumb that you can use to help get you started. Some

mortgage brokers will help you work through this process, as well, but often their job is help you determine the maximum you can qualify for, which isn’t necessarily the same as what you should be spending.

As a general rule, your total monthly debt and housing costs should come to no more than 36 percent of your monthly gross income. This is based on the amount you earn, not your takehome check.

For example, if your salary is $60,000 per year, or $5,000 per month, your total debt and housing payments should be no more than $1,800 per month.

This should include all debt payments – not just housing costs, but vehicle loans, credit cards, student loans, etc.

It is important to remember housing costs include more than just the basic mortgage payment. You also need to factor in real-estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance and any condo or association fees. Often homeowners will add their real estate taxes and insurance to their monthly mortgage payment in the form of an escrow, but it is important to account for those costs either way.

Another commonly used rule of thumb says that total monthly housing costs should not exceed 31% of your gross monthly income.

Rules of thumb don’t work for every situation, so be sure to think carefully about your cash flow and what you can comfortably afford. Things like daycare costs aren’t factored into most mortgage affordability calculators but absolutely should be accounted for when looking at your personal finances.

A down payment is another factor in determining what you can afford.

Mortgage rules have tightened since the financial crisis of 2008, so the vast majority of mortgage programs are now going to require a meaningful

down payment. Minimum down payment requirements vary, but I tell people to plan on putting at least 5 percent of the purchase price down up front.

That means if you are looking at a $200,000 house, you should plan on being able to pay at least $10,000 up front.

I recommend people strive for a 20 percent down payment.

Most mortgage programs charge an extra amount each month, called private mortgage insurance, or PMI, if you borrow more than 80 percent of the cost of the home. PMI can add up to a sizeable amount, especially over time, so paying enough up front to avoid it can really make sense.

While a down payment is important, so too is a comfortable cash reserve. When buying a house, you have to worry about lots of things that most renters don’t have to. If the water heater breaks in your house you can’t just call the landlord – you are responsible for fixing or replacing it.

And if something happens to your job, your mortgage payments don’t typically stop. It is always a good idea to have between three and six months’ worth of expenses set aside in an emergency fund, but especially if you own your home.

When it’s all said and done, make sure the house you buy isn’t going to stop you from enjoying your life and saving for your other goals, like retirement.

Having a beautiful house can certainly be fulfilling but in the end, it is just a place to live.

Trisha Arndt, CFP, is President of Wealth Strategies of Wisconsin Ltd, 901 Kimball Lane, Suite 1400, Verona, WI 53593, (608) 848-2400. Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

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November 30, 2017

The Verona Press

5

Wisconsin remembers Library series features photo exhibit, films and discussions

Unified Newspaper Group

A library series will showcase photos, films and discussions to honor the memories of the Vietnam War, with the help of museums and professors from around Wisconsin.

The photo exhibit, A Face for Every Name, will be on display from Dec. 5 through Dec. 16 featuring a photo for each of the 1,161 Wisconsin Vietnam soldiers listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and the Highground Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Neillsville, Wis. A Vietnam War travel trunk of reproduced artifacts from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum will also be on display.

A documentary about the Sterling Hall bombing on the UW-Madison campus will be screened from

the director Christopher Lee will talk about story behind the film.

A film preview and disWhat: Wisconsin Vietnam veterans memorial exhibit cussion of the documentaWhen: Tuesday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 16 ry, The Vietnam War, will Where: Verona Public Library, 500 Silent St. be held from 7-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 13. MadInfo: veronapubliclibrary.org ison College history professor Jonathan Pollack will What: Film screening and discussion: The Bombing of lead the discussion.

Sterling Hall Author and Vietnam vetWhen: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 eran, Doug Bradley, will talk about the meanings of iconic songs of the VietWhat: Talk of the music in the Vietnam War nam era and how the music When: 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 affected people from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7.

Librarian Sherry What: Film preview and discussion: The Vietnam War Golz-Waldhart said the When: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 event will bring back memories to people in the community.

“All of this will be very 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. the U.S. military during worthwhile,” Golz-Wald6. The bombing happened the Vietnam War. A physics hart said. on Aug. 24, 1970, as a pro- researcher died and three test against the university’s people were injured. Fol- Contact Helu Wang at helu. wang@wcinet.com.​ research connections with lowing the film screening,

If you go

Fundraiser to benefit former VAHS student Dec. 9 event helps Cameron Cleveland in battle with cancer SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

A Verona bar is hosting a fundraiser Dec. 9 for a former city resident who was recently diagnosed with a cancer that had already spread throughout his body.

The “Cam vs. Cancer” event, which will raise money for 26-year-old former Verona resident Cameron Cleveland, is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cahoots Bar, 102 W. Railroad St. According to a flyer promoting the event, Cleveland was diagnosed with a “very advanced stage of a rare

If You Go What: “Cam vs. Cancer” fundraiser for Cameron Cleveland When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 Where: Cahoots Bar, 102 W. Railroad St. Info: Ashley Heinzen at 630-0632 and aggressive type of testicular cancer,” and by the time it was diagnosed it had already spread to his lungs and brain.

He is undergoing “intense” chemotherapy and radiation treatments and unable to work as of now, according to the flyer, and that has left him without health insurance.

2017 Craft Fair

“We are fundraising to help support Cam in his time of need, just like he would do for any of us,” the flyer reads. “We want to show him that he’s not in this fight alone, and we are here and we will be fighting right along with him!”

The event will include a raffle and silent auction items, including gift cards, Badger basketball tickets, a music amp and speakers and homemade gift baskets.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward his medical bills.

Cleveland, who attended Verona Area High School for a couple years and has grandparents who are lifelong Verona residents, is

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We are looking for people with great customer service skills to join our team as we expand our library hours.

OPEN POSITIONS INCLUDE: Library Assistant, Library Page and Library Assistant - Youth Services.

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Pictures with Santa!

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Arts and Crafts, Home Party Vendors, Baked Goods, Lunch Proceeds benefit local missions of St. John’s

described in the flyer as “the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back and he’s never hesitated to help anyone in need.”

“He is the guy who is always smiling, having a good time and making everyone else laugh,” the flyer said.

Those interested in donating items for the auction or making a monetary donation can drop them off at Cahoots or call Ashley Heinzen at 630-0632.

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Coming up

Churches

Holiday tree lighting

host their annual Christmas Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at 502 Mark Dr. There will be crafts, a raffle and bake sale. Lunch will be served.

Cost for adults is $7, $3 for children. The event is free for children under three years old.

For information, call 845-7807.

The annual Holiday tree lighting will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at the senior center.

A chili meal will kick off the event.

Tree lighting and a Santa visit will be followed. There will also be craft activities for children.

Volunteers are needed for helping with setting up and cleaning up. Peo- Ice sculpting demonstration ple can bring a treat from 8 a.m. to 3 People can watch how an ice sculpp.m. Proceeds will benefit the Badger ture is created from 12:30-2 p.m. SatPrairie Needs Network. urday, Dec. 2, at the Hometown JuncFor information, call 845-7471. tion Park.

An apprentice will interact with Health insurance enrollment guests and explain the process and People who are in need of Mar- tools used. There will be color-changketplace Health Insurance or want ing lights and music. to change their current coverage can For information, call 845-5777. participate in a health insurance event from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Celebrate Christmas Dec. 2, at the library.

Sugar River United Methodist Covering Wisconsin staff will go church , 415 W. Verona Ave., will host over health insurance options for indi- gingerbread houses creation at 11 viduals. a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.

For information, call 261-1455.

For information, visit sugarriverumc.org.

Meet with Santa Children can meet with Santa from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 2, at the State Bank of Cross Plains-Verona, 108 N. Main St. Food and snacks will be available, and a balloon artist will be there creating balloon art for children.

For information, call 845-6067 or email verona.lions@gmail.com.

Holiday singing

Christmas bazaar

People can learn about estate planning and resources from 6-8 p.m.

Salem United Church of Christ will

Leo Van Asten from Rhapsody Arts will play piano and lead a sing-along with holiday songs from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, Dec.4, at the senior center.

For information, call 848-7471.

Estate planning

Monday, Dec. 4 at the library. Staff from Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation will present information on how to complete a personal plan.

To register, visit wwbic.com/classes.

Online silent auction New Century School will hold an online silent auction from 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 4 through 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10.

The proceeds will enrich learning environment for K-5 children both inside and outside the classroom.

For information, visit biddingowl. com/newcentury.

Hour of code Kids ages 5-11 can try out different computer science activities with the help of Girl Scout Troop 8277 from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the library.

Stations will include Spheros, Makey Makeys and DIY binary bracelets.

For information, call 845-7180.

Check out eBooks People can bring their devices to learn about how to borrow eBooks from the library with a new app, OverDrive, from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the library. Registration is required.

To register, call 845-7180.

Community calendar ‌Thursday, November 30‌

• 4-5:30 p.m., Teen gaming, library, 845-7180‌

‌Friday, December 1‌

Christ, 502 Mark Dr., 845-7807‌ • 12:30-2 p.m., Ice Sculpting demonstration, Hometown Junction Park, 845-5777 ‌

‌Monday, December 4‌ • 10-11:30 a.m., Young and the rest• 10 a.m. to noon, Holiday singing, less, library, 845-7180‌ senior center, 848-7471 ‌ • 4:30 p.m., Holiday Tree Lighting, • 12:30-2:30 p.m., Movie: The senior center, 845-7471‌ Chronicles of Narnia Series, senior ‌Saturday, December 2‌ center, 848-7471‌ • 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Health insur• 3:45-4:30 p.m., Graham Cracker ance enrollment, library, 261-1455‌ Structures, library, 845-7180‌ • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Meet with • 6-8 p.m., Estate planning, library, Santa, State Bank of Cross wwbic.com/classes‌ Plains-Verona, 108 N. Main St., • 6:30 p.m., Plan Commission, 845-6067‌ Verona City Center, 848-9943‌ • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Christmas • 7 p.m., New Century school Bazaar, Salem United Church of

online silent auction, biddingowl. com/newcentury ‌ • 7:25-9:25 p.m., Young Life middle school club, State Bank of Cross Plains, 108 N. Main St., verona. younglife.org‌

‌Tuesday, December 5‌

• 4-5 p.m., Hour of code, library, 845-7180‌ • 6-8 p.m., Check out eBooks with OverDrive, library, 845-7180‌

‌Thursday, December 7‌

• 4-5:30 p.m., Anime and Manga Club, library, 845-7180‌ • 6-7 p.m., Evening Caregiver Support Group, senior center, 845-7471‌

What’s on VHAT-98 Thursday, Nov. 30 7 a.m. – Epic Renewables at Senior Center 8 a.m.– Zumba Gold 9 a.m. – Daily Exercise 10 a.m. – Banking Trends/ Accreditation Ceremony at Senior Center 2 p.m. – Zumba Gold 3 p.m. – Daily Exercise 4 p.m. – Shari the Harpist at Senior Center 5 p.m. – Tony Rocker at Senior Center 6 p.m. – Salem Church Service 7 p.m. – Mike McCloskey at Senior Center 8 p.m. – Daily Exercise 9 p.m. – Veterans Day/Quilts of Valor at Senior Center 10 p.m. – City Origins at the Historical Society Friday, Dec. 1 7 a.m. – Shari the Harpist at Senior Center 1 p.m. – Veterans Day/Quilts of Valor at Senior Center 3 p.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 4 p.m. – Tony Rocker at Senior Center 5:30 p.m. – 2016 Wildcats Football 8:30 p.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 10 p.m. – Epic Renewables at Senior Center 11 p.m. – Banking Trends/ Accreditation Ceremony at Senior Center Saturday, Dec. 2 8 a.m. – Common Council/ VASD Board from 11-27-17

11 a.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 1 p.m. – 2016 Wildcats Football 4:30 p.m. – City Origins at the Historical Society 6 p.m. – Common Council/ VASD Board from 11-27-17 9 p.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 10 p.m. – City Origins at the Historical Society 11 p.m. – Banking Trends/ Accreditation Ceremony at Senior Center Sunday, Dec. 3 7 a.m. – Hindu Cultural Hour 9 a.m. – Resurrection Church 10 a.m. – Salem Church Service Noon – Common Council/ VASD Board from 11-27-17 3 p.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 4:30 p.m. – City Origins at the Historical Society 6 p.m. – Common Council/ VASD Board from 11-27-17 9 p.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 10 p.m. – City Origins at the Historical Society 11 p.m. – Banking Trends/ Accreditation Ceremony at Senior Center Monday, Dec. 4 7 a.m. – Shari the Harpist at Senior Center 1 p.m. – Veterans Day/Quilts of Valor at Senior Center 3 p.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 4 p.m. – Tony Rocker at Senior Center

5 p.m. – 2016 Wildcats Football 6:30 p.m. – Plan Commission Live 9 p.m. – Hindu Cultural Hour 10 p.m. – Epic Renewables at Senior Center 11 p.m. – Banking Trends/ Accreditation Ceremony at Senior Center Tuesday, Dec. 5 7 a.m. – Epic Renewables at Senior Center 10 a.m. – Zumba Gold 9 a.m. – Daily Exercise 10 a.m. – Banking Trends/ Accreditation Ceremony at Senior Center 2 p.m. – Zumba Gold 3 p.m. – Daily Exercise 4 p.m. – Shari the Harpist at Senior Center 5 p.m. –Tony Rocker at Senior Center 6 p.m. –Resurrection Church 8 p.m. – Mike McCloskey at Senior Center 9 p.m. – Veterans Day/Quilts of Valor at Senior Center 10 p.m. – City Origins at the Historical Society Wednesday, Dec. 6 7 a.m. – Shari the Harpist at Senior Center 1 p.m. – Veterans Day/Quilts of Valor at Senior Center 3 p.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 5 p.m. – Plan Commission from 12-4-17 7 p.m. – Capital City Band 8 p.m. – Verona ‘91-’92 Boys Basketball 10 p.m. – Epic Renewables

at Senior Center 11 p.m. – Banking Trends/ Accreditation Ceremony at Senior Center Thursday, Dec. 7 7 a.m. – Epic Renewables at Senior Center 8 a.m. – Zumba Gold 9 a.m. – Daily Exercise 10 a.m. – Banking Trends/ Accreditation Ceremony at Senior Center 2 p.m. – Zumba Gold 3 p.m. – Daily Exercise 4 p.m. – Shari the Harpist at Senior Center 5 p.m. – Tony Rocker at Senior Center 6 p.m. – Salem Church Service 7 p.m. – Mike McCloskey at Senior Center 8 p.m. – Daily Exercise 9 p.m. – Veterans Day/Quilts of Valor at Senior Center 10 p.m. – City Origins at the Historical Society

All Saints Lutheran Church 2951 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg (608) 276-7729 allsaints-madison.org Interim Pastor Sunday: 8:30 & 10:45 a.m.

The Church in Fitchburg 2833 Raritan Rd., Fitchburg (608) 271-2811 livelifetogether.com Sunday: 8 & 10:45 a.m.

Fitchburg Memorial UCC 5705 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg (608) 273-1008 memorialucc.org Interim Pastor Laura Crow Sunday: 8:15 and 10 a.m.

Good Shephard Lutheran Church ELCA (608) 271-6633 Madison: Raymond Road & Whitney Way, Madison Sunday: 8:30 & 10 a.m..

Verona: Corner of Hwy. PD & Nine Mound Road, Verona Sunday: 9 & 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Damascus Road Church – West The Verona Senior Center 108 Paoli St., Verona (608) 819-6451 info@damascusroadchurch.com, damascusroadonline.org Pastor Justin Burge Sunday: 10 a.m.

Memorial Baptist Church 201 S. Main St., Verona (608) 845-7125 MBCverona.org Lead Pastor Jeremy Scott Sunday: 10:15 a.m.

Redeemer Bible Fellowship 130 N. Franklin St., Verona (608) 848-1836 redeemerbiblefellowship.org Pastor Dwight R. Wise Sunday: 10 a.m. family worship Resurrection Lutheran Church – WELS 6705 Wesner Rd., Verona (608) 848-4965 rlcverona.org Pastor Nathan Strutz and Assistant Pastor Benjamin Phelps Thursday: 6:30 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m.

St. Christopher Catholic Parish St. Andrew Church 301 N. Main St., Verona St. William Church 1371 Hwy. PB, Paoli (608) 845-6613 stchristopherverona.com Fr. William Vernon, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m., St. Andrew, Verona Sunday: 7:30 a.m., St. William,

Paoli Sunday: 9 & 11 a.m., St. Andrew, Verona Daily Mass, Tuesday-Saturday: 8 a.m., St. Andrew, Verona

St. James Lutheran Church ELCA 427 S. Main St., Verona (608) 845-6922 stjamesverona.org Pastors Kurt M. Billings and Peter Narum Office Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m.-noon Wednesday Saturday Worship: 5 p.m.

Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Salem United Church of Christ 502 Mark Dr., Verona (608) 845-7315 salemchurchverona.org Rev. Dr. Mark E. Yurs, Pastor Laura Kolden, Associate in Ministry Sunday School: 9 a.m.

Sunday Worship: 10:15 a.m.

Fellowship Hour: 11:30 a.m.

Springdale Lutheran Church ELCA 2752 Town Hall Rd. (off Hwy ID), Mount Horeb (608) 437-3493 springdalelutheran.org Pastor Jeff Jacobs Sunday: 8:45 a.m. with communion Sugar River United Methodist Church 415 W. Verona Ave., Verona (608) 845-5855 sugar.river@sugarriverumc.org, sugarriverumc.org Pastor Gary Holmes 9 & 10:30 a.m. contemporary worship.

Sunday School available during worship. Refreshments and fellowship are between services.

West Madison Bible Church 2920 Hwy. M, Verona (608) 845-9518 www.wmbiblechurch.org Pastor Dan Kukasky Jr. Sunday Worship: 9:15 a.m.

Sunday School: 10:45 a.m.

Zwingli United Church of Christ Hwy. 92 & G, Mount Vernon (608) 832-6677 Pastor Brad Brookins Sunday: 10:15 a.m.

Zwingli United Church of Christ Hwy. 69 & PB, Paoli (608) 845-5641 Rev. Sara Thiessen Sunday: 9:30 a.m. family worship

The Blessing is Outside of Your Comfort Zone “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

—Philippians 4:13 NIV Ashley Hicks is a runner and co-founder of the group Black Girls RUN!, a group whose mission is to encourage all people (but especially black females) to make fitness and healthy living a priority. For Ashley Hicks, as for many runners, there is a spiritual and meditative aspect to running. She tells the story about preparing for her second marathon and in the process of buying some new running shoes telling the person who was helping her at the store that she wasn’t really excited about the race and just wanted to get through it. He told her to remember that “the blessing is outside of your comfort zone.” For anyone who has ever done any long-distance running, or any physical activity that took you past the limits of your comfort zone, you know how true this is. You must go beyond your comfort zone to get your second wind, and this is just as true for mental and spiritual efforts as it is for physical ones. God’s saving grace is more apt to come after the dark night of the soul. We simply aren’t likely to recognize God’s grace in the everyday routine, even though it’s always there. If you’re feeling a bit lackluster and blasé about life, or some aspect of it, press on until you hit that point where it starts to get uncomfortable, and remember that the blessing comes somewhere past that point.

– Christopher Simon

Support groups • AA Meeting, senior center, Thursdays at 1 p.m.

• Caregivers Support Group, senior center, first and third Tuesday, 10 a.m.

• Healthy Lifestyles Group meeting, senior center, second Thursday from 10:30 a.m.

• Parkinson’s Group, senior center, third Friday at 10 a.m.

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430 E. Verona Ave. 845-2010

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November 30, 2017

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Call 845-9559 to advertise on the Verona Press church page

ConnectVerona.com

November 30, 2017

The Verona Press

7

Spring election 2018

Nomination papers out Dec. 1 City, school board, town all have elections SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

The City of Verona found out last week there will be at least one open seat in next spring’s election, and candidates seeking to run for office in the area can begin circulating nomination papers Dec. 1.

Some candidates for the five city seats – mayor and four alders – have already announced their intentions to run, but there are also three seats up for election on the Verona Area school board, two supervisor seats in the town and a seat on county board. At least one and possibly two school board seats will be vacant.

Statewide offices on the ballot are

all judicial: state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman’s seat, Court of Appeals Judge Joanne Kloppenburg and three circuit court judges.

Those interested in running for one of the seats can pick up nomination papers from their local clerk beginning Dec. 1. They are due back by Jan. 2 with the required number of signatures, which varies by seat.

The general election is scheduled for April 3, with a Feb. 20 primary if necessary.

City of Verona Mayor Jon Hochkammer surprised many Nov. 20 when he announced he would not seek a seventh term in office.

That leaves Ald. Luke Diaz (Dist.

3) as the only announced candidate for the city’s highest seat.

The rest of the council has four

seats up for election, one in each district, and three of the four will have an incumbent on the ballot.

The exception to that is District 1 Ald. Mac McGilvray, who also announced he was stepping down Nov. 20, leaving his seat open with no declared candidates yet. The city has yet to determine whether to appoint someone to fill the seat between now and April.

Alds. Jack Linder (D-2) and Brad Stiner (D-3) both will run for re-election, but each will face at least one challenger, as well, as Katie Kohl and Kate Cronin have announced their intention to run in those respective races.

Ald. Evan Touchett (D-4) also told the Press he will run for re-election.

School board Three seats are up for re-election

on the school board, and at least one will be without an incumbent on the ballot.

Renee Zook, who began her service on the school board in 2009, told the Press in an email she will not run for re-election.

The other member with longtime experience, Tom Duerst, said in an email he was “leaning against running” but had not made a final decision yet and will announce at the board’s Dec. 11 meeting. Duerst served on the board from 2000-09, including time as board president.

Meredith Stier Christensen, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in April 2016, had to run in 2017 to fill out the term and will run for a full three-year term this spring, she told the Press in an email.

No one else has announced an intention to run for the board.

Town Town Sups. Arlen Christenson’s and Douglas Maxwell’s seats are up for election as their two-year terms come to an end.

Neither responded to an email about their intention to run by the Press’ deadline.

County County Sup. Mike Willett, who covers Verona, is still “undecided” on running for re-election, he told the Press in an email.

Verona Area High School teacher Jason Knoll announced his intention to run for the seat in July.

Contact Scott Girard at ungreporter@wcinet.com and follow him on Twitter @sgirard9.

Mayor: Hochkammer: ‘I don’t endorse candidates, I don’t get involved in their campaigns’ official nomination papers Dec. 1.

The changes start at mayor, where District 3 Ald. Luke Diaz has announced his candidacy, having originally planned to campaign against Hochkammer. Two other incumbent alders are being challenged, and another stepped down after 14 years.

So one way or another – and perhaps in more than one way – next spring will mark a new era in Verona politics.

It certainly won’t include Hochkammer, the city’s longest serving mayor by far, and it could lose decades of experience on the common council and see major political changes.

But Hochkammer, who has championed stability perhaps above all during his two-plus decades here, said he can rest easy knowing he’s done his part setting the city up for success.

“We are in the best financial condition that the city has ever been in. That along with the facilities we have and the city staff, which is second to none,” he said.

“There is never a perfect time to leave, but the city is in good hands that way.”

Setting direction The Common Council has generally followed Hochkammer’s guidance since his term started, April 18, 2006.

He’s often stayed out of the council’s way when its will has been strong. But for most of his first seven years, he was largely unchallenged, and when he was, his side usually won.

That included holding a referendum to merge with the town (which failed when town residents voted against it in 2008), and keeping budgets consistent and predictable while keeping reserve funding levels high, something he proudly touted when the city was financially secure during the Great Recession.

He also took a personal interest in converting the fire district to a city fire department and building well-appointed police and fire

stations.

“Public safety is my No. 1 issue,” he told the Press the day after his announcement last week. “If you don’t have good public safety services, people are going to go somewhere else. When people start leaving, that affects the schools, and when the schools fail, that’s the downturn of the community itself.”

To ensure the stability and predictability he believes most city residents want, Hochkammer has strongly supported a grow-your-own approach to elected officials, who for most of his time in Verona had generally entered office only after serving time on a city board or commission of some sort. Those include current and former alders Jack Linder, Clark Solowicz, Scott Manley, Steve Ritt, Jeremy Charles and Evan Touchett.

But that changed dramatically in 2013, when four people with no prior local government experience all won contested elections against incumbents with the support of Erika Hotchkiss, who had done the same thing a year earlier on the County Board.

The four soon became five with the resignation of another incumbent, and together they shook up the establishment. They quickly imposed their will on a set of core issues that included development, union relations and funding the library and social programs.

Potential takeover

What’s left

Jon Hochkammer is the longest-serving mayor in Verona history. programming and making the city more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.

Now, one of that group is the only announced candidate for mayor, and the bloc of alders who have generally supported Hochkammer’s positions is endangered.

Former council president Mac McGilvray (D-1), is moving out of his district, having made the announcement of his exit minutes before Hochkammer did.

Two others, Jack Linder (D-2) and Brad Stiner (D-4), who have more than three decades of Verona council or commission experience between them, face opponents next spring.

In theory, that could leave Evan Touchett, first elected in 2012, as the last Hochkammer holdover.

McGilvray, who got into some heated debates with the newer group in 2013, said he doesn’t doubt they understand the importance of keeping the city in a strong, sustainable position.

“We don’t always agree politically, but I still think they’re good people,” he said. “They’ll keep the best interests of the city in mind.”

Hochkammer’s exit signals the final gasp of the predictability he tried to cultivate.

Though relations among alders and government processes have largely stabilized since the tumultuous first year after the April 2013 sweep, the council is still in for a big change next year.

Three of those four alders remain on the council today, and they and a fourth who joined the council this year have indicated an interest in a variety of city policy changes they haven’t been able to enact with the current counNo meddling cil makeup.

For his part, HochkamSome of those include affordable housing, environ- mer has no plans to keep that mental sustainability, gov- change from happening.

While he expects to get ernment transparency, social

back into politics eventually at some level, the 61-yearold stated unequivocally that he will not be “meddling” as he takes a break to spend more time with his family.

“If people want to ask me questions about what it takes to run for office… I will meet with anyone.” he said, noting that he did that with Heather Reekie before she defeated Touchett in District 4 in 2013. “I don’t endorse candidates, I don’t get involved in their campaigns and I don’t do fundraising. That way I stay out of trouble.”

He said he made sure to hang on long enough to get his top priorities – budgeting after the closure of the Epic tax-increment financing district and the building of the fire station – out of the way.

Now, his priority is spending his non-working time on seeing his five grandchildren, two of whom live in

Photo by Jim Ferolie

Issaquah, Wash.

“One of the first things after I decided I wasn’t running, was we’re going out (to the Seattle area) for (my granddaughter’s) Christmas program,” he said. “Those things you can’t ever get back if you miss them.”

Undoubtedly, he’ll deliver many more speeches between now and April to help guide the next council and the new mayor, whoever it might be. He has plenty of opinions, especially about ideas he believes come from outside the city.

“We need to listen to people who actually live in Verona,” he said. “I asked (during campaigns) why did you move to Verona, and (many of them said) we lived in Madison and we wanted to get out of there. People have moved from other communities to Verona because we are different.”

Some issues he still has time to tackle, and that could include a decision on a community pool, which he opposes now that the school district has decided to build a second indoor pool on its new high school campus.

Instead, he said, the money that has been budgeted for it should return where it started, to an upgrade of Fireman’s Park, including a splash pad.

There will still be some debates over development before he leaves, as well, including apartments vs. single-family homes, and many more after he’s done.

There’s also a decision about whether to appoint an alder to fill the spot now vacated by McGilvray, whose last meeting was Nov. 20.

“With the difficulty we have getting quorums, if we have two people gone, we can’t have a meeting,” Hochkammer said.

He hopes that the new council and mayor will have as much interest in compromise as he has over the years.

He has credited his ability to weather storms like 2013 (and holding off a challenger the next year) to his ability to work with people, rather than against them.

“I get along with people, I try to get things done. I really believe in compromise,” he said. “Too many people I think now, and it’s getting worse and worse, people don’t want to compromise and you’re either on this side or the other side and if you’re not with me you’re my enemy.”

Email Verona Press editor Jim Ferolie at veronapress@wcinet.com.​

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Continued from page 1

8

November 30, 2017

The Verona Press

New VAHS

City of Verona

City approval process begins Site map on Plan Commission’s Dec. 4 agenda SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

The process for city approval of a pair of pieces of the new Verona Area High School began late last month and will continue into December and the New Year.

The city’s Plan Commission will review the district’s proposed site plan Monday, Dec. 4, two weeks after the Public Works committee held a discussion about a proposed street into the site from South Nine Mound Road.

The site plan submitted to the commission is similar to what the district has shown publicly in recent months, with the exception of the connector road with Nine Mound instead of from the south at Paoli Street as had initially been planned.

The commission review, which is listed as only a discussion item, is the first step in the process toward getting the necessary approvals for construction on the site. The Common Council will eventually get the opportunity to vote on

ConnectVerona.com

annexation and rezoning of Stewart’s Woods – which the district recently purchased from the state – and allowing a school on the site, but not on the design of the site.

The council is also expected to weigh in on the newly proposed road into the site after the Public Works committee offered generally positive feedback at its Nov. 20 meeting.

The committee did not make a recommendation on a more than 400-page traffic-impact analysis completed days before, which also includes plans for new stop lights, signs and turn lanes in the area. They asked for more information.

Committee chair Ald. Evan Touchett (Dist. 4) specifically wanted city staff to study the large intersection at Nine Mound Road and Legion Street, which he worried is “a mess waiting to happen” in its current state if student traffic is funneled there.

“I think that (information) gets us real close to where we need to be to have it be a council item,” Touchett said. “I think they’ve done a good job otherwise.”

Contact Scott Girard at ungreporter@wcinet.com and follow him on Twitter @sgirard9.

Northwest plan is back JIM FEROLIE Verona Press editor

Two months after a plan for the Northwest Neighborhood drew dozens of critics and supporters, it’s back for another shot with one major change.

The removal of all references to heights and building densities won’t prohibit the controversial 65-acre, high-density Legends End development proposal that led the city to begin constructing the plan, but it could also ease the fears of some town residents that it was greasing the skids for it.

The Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on the 22-page plan Monday evening and will also take its first official look at the Verona Area High School site plan and review a rezoning request to allow for a gymnastics studio. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and both the Northwest plan and the rezoning would be recommendations for the Common Council, which could approve it the following week.

The Northwest Neighborhood plan would not itself approve any development but rather would

NeedVaccines Vaccines Too! Too! AdultsAdults Need

On the agenda • Rezoning and permit for Capital Gymnastics, 310 Locust Dr. • Public hearing for Northwest Neighborhood plan • Certified survey map for Festival Foods • Annexation request for Stewart’s Woods • Initial review of Verona Area High School site plan • Certified survey map for Verona Technology Park put a 732-acre section of the city into context to ensure cohesive planning and appropriate transitions between different development types.

The vast majority of the plan hasn’t changed, but two elements in particular got attention in September, and both inspired some changes.

One was a provision in the plan that allowed buildings as tall as 65 feet and as dense as 15 units per acre, with a notation that heights as big as 100 feet and densities as high as 50 units per acre could be allowed if certain architectural standards were met. That drew intense opposition, particularly because that fit neatly with the Legends End proposal,

with its seven-story apartment buildings and highend design featuring copious amounts of glass and steel.

Another element of the plan that brought some concern was actually what some people saw as an omission – not enough attention paid to the Ice Age Trail, which runs through a large chunk of the planning area.

The Common Council recommended larger buffers between any development and the proposed trail area – along the terminal moraine where the glaciers stopped. The Plan Commission disagreed, however, in a working session in October, and the new proposal simply adds one line to reference it: “A generous buffer around the Ice Age Trail is recommended to preserve the rural character of the trail when possible.”

The effect of that change, in the “Policies” section on Page 18, would be much like that of the piece on heights and densities. Neither actually changes a policy, but they both provide a guide for city decisions in the future.

Though the changes didn’t require a great deal of staff or consultant time and the plan was submitted back to the city Oct. 20, action was postponed until December to allow for a new public hearing.

According to the state’s Smart Growth law, that requires a 30-day notice, and planning director Adam Sayre judged the changes significant enough to merit a new

hearing.

Other changes include numerous grammatical and minor technical fixes, Sayre said. There is no reference to affordable housing, one of the suggestions made by alders in the Common Council meeting in September.

Gymnastics studio The commission will review a request to rezone an industrial parcel with an existing building to accommodate a gymnastics studio.

April Namio plans to take the 7,000-square-foot building that is home to Busch’s Signs and Designs and restart Capital Gymnastics Academy.

According to submissions with the city and the business’ website, the Middleton resident owned a business of the same name in Madison for eight years before shutting it down to move to Arizona.

She returned a year later and has been teaching private and group lessons since.

B u i l d i n g ow n e r D o n Busch told Sayre he will be closing the business, which has been located there since 2001. The studio would mostly operate on weekdays, with potential open gym times and parties on the weekends.

The rezoning change would switch it from urban industrial to suburban industrial, and several adjoining businesses submitted letters in support of the change.

Email Verona Press editor Jim Ferolie at veronapress@wcinet.com.​

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Minutes walk to everything yet a country like setting.

What is recommended:  Influenza vaccine—every year  Tdap or Td vaccine—every 10 years  Pneumococcal vaccine—one dose if you’re 19-64 years, 2 doses if older  Hepatitis B vaccine—for anyone with diabetes

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November 30, 2017 - The Verona Press 9

ShopVerona Holiday Passport toot + kate’s W I N E B A R

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Hop Haus Brewing Co. 231 S Main St

The Ginkgo Tree 107 S Main St

The Sow’s So ’s Ear Ea 125 S Main St

Toot & Kate’s Wine Bar 400 W Verona Ave

Goochi Poochi Goochi Poochi 105 S. Main St

Fisher King Winery 1105 Laser St

Tuvalu Coffeehouse 300 Main St

Verona Wine Cellar 1015 N Edge Tr

Hometown Pharmacy 202 S. Main St

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Passports must be turned in by 12:30 pm CST on Monday, December 4, 2017 to one of the passport locations or the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Center at 120 W. Verona Ave., Verona WI 53593. Share a selfie with your finished passport with #shopverona and be entered into the drawing twice!

10 The Verona Press - November 30, 2017

November 30, 2017 - The Verona Press 11

Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Presents

Hometown Holidays 2017

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ALL Day

Stop in for a Value Basket.

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Gift Certificates Available!

Shop Locally

Saturday, December 2nd

Shop Local. Sales, discounts, activities, treats and more throughout the day at Verona retailers.

Visit Ice Sculptures at participating locations. Go to www.visitveronawi.com for participating businesses and to vote!

Stop in at the Verona Public Library for a FREE candy cane.

Saturday with Santa at State Bank of Cross Plains-Verona.

FREE Children’s Vision Screenings (sponsored by the Verona Lions Club).

Santa Photo Ops - Bring your camera.

Balloon Art - while the kids wait to see Santa.

Healthy Food Snacks after the kids visit with Santa.

Salem United Church of Christ Holiday Bazaar & Luncheon.

FREE Gift Wrapping at Verona Area Chamber of Commerce with receipt from Verona Retailers! For more information visit www.visitveronawi.com.

Ice Sculpting Demonstration, Hometown Junction Park.

300 S. Main St., Verona  (608) 845-6800 www.tuvalucoffeehouse.com

Sunday, December 3rd

Come experience the Hometown Holiday Spirit!

For more information visit www.veronawi.com!

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1:30pm & 4:00pm

125 S. Main Street • 848-2755

All Day

Verona Youth Ballet presents the 12th Annual Nutcracker Suite, Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center. 1:30pm & 4:00pm General Admission Tickets: Adults $15, Children (12 and under) $10, available online at veronayouthballet.org or at the door.

Jingle and Mingle, Verona Road Businesses Open House, for details go to facebook.com/veronaroad.info.

January 19th-27th

107 S. Main St., Verona | (608) 497-2267 www.GingkoTreeGifts.com

VACT presents “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center. For tickets or more information, go to: www.vact.org.

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SATURDAY, DEC. 2ND • 10 AM - 5 PM SUNDAY, DEC. 3RD • 10 AM - 4 PM

$10 off any purchase of $30 or more!

Verona 611 Hometown Circle, 608-848-7600

As always, thank you for supporting your local businesses during the holidays and beyond. We truly appreciate it!

Holiday Music & Prizes

120 W. Verona Ave. • 845-5777

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OPEN HOUSE – ALL WEEKEND LONG Friday-Sunday • December 1st-3rd

Stocking Stuffers and Gifts!

303 South Jefferson St., Verona, WI (608) 845-6465 • www.fourwindsmanor.com 7

Wisconsin Made Products:

320 S. Main Street • 848-5168 www.veronavisioncare.com

Friday Fish Fry • Sat/Sun Breakfast Homemade Soup & Pizza Best Burger In Town Cold Tap Beer • 10 TVs

161 Horizon Dr., Verona 845-9690 www.5thquarter.biz

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Verona Area High School PAC

210 S. Main Street • 845-6478

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300 Richard St.

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Saturday, February 17, 2018 7:30 pm

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Chic

This show re-creates the original sound of the Carpenters who are one of the most successful recording acts of all time. Led by Michelle Berting Brett and accompanied by her 4-piece Nashville band.

Stretch out, relax and feel at home here in our Hometown

Palermo’s Pizza – Milwaukee Berres Brothers Coffee – Watertown Yodelay Yogurt – Madison Area Sugar Brook Farms Cheese Spread – Monticello Lamer’s Dairy – Appleton

• • • •

Stop In During Hometown Holidays!

We’ve Only Just Begun - Carpenters Remembered

Family Visiting for the Holidays?

Come Enjoy Food Samples With Us! Calliope Ice cream – Madison Cher-Make Sausage Company – Manitowoc Delta Dream Andouille Sausage – Arena Sassy Cow Milk – Columbus Wisconsin Brewing Company – Verona Odyssey Feta / Klondike Cheese – Monroe Boar’s Head Meats – Milwaukee Skinny Stick Maple Syrup – Marathon Rural Route 1 Popcorn – Monfort Emil’s Pizza – Watertown Maple Essence Farms Maple Syrup – Menomonie

Enjoy a cookie and a hot cup of cider, while listening to live holiday music.

Our Residents Love Visitors!

Stop in for Coffee, Hot Chocolate and Cookies

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Stop in During Hometown Holidays.

Warm Cider & Cookies

Support Your Local Merchants, Shop Locally!

*See store for details. Cannot be applied to a bill payment. Offer Valid at Quality Cellular locations only.

Offer expires 12-31-17. Hometown Holidays.

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Stop By Any Friday Now ‘til Christmas for FREE Cider, Cookies and a tour of our community!

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4

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Beautiful Seasonal Accents

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FREE Gift Wrapping at Verona Area Chamber of Commerce with receipt from Verona Retailers! For more information visit www.visitveronawi.com.

Come Celebrate With Us! Friday, Dec. 1 5-8pm Buy One Drink, Get One Free!

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5:30-7:00pm

Member FDIC.

Shop Local. Sales, discounts, activities, treats and more throughout the day at Verona retailers.

Stop in at the Verona Public Library for a FREE candy cane (until 6pm).

Holiday Tree Lighting at Verona’s Central Park featuring WISC-TV’s Gary Cannalte (broadcast on Live at 5, weather permitting).

Christmas Carols by Resurrection Lutheran Church (and many more).

Santa arrives on a Verona Fire Truck - Central Park.

Visit the Verona Senior Center for: Verona Fire Department 5-Alarm Chili Supper.

Visit with Santa in front of the fireplace. Children can share their Christmas lists and have pictures taken.

Fun Children’s Activities with help from VAHS Yearbook Staff.

Verona Public Library will read seasonal story books to children in the Craft Room.

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5:00pm

Friday, December 1st

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ALL Day

Happy Holidays From Tuvalu

Verona Area Performing Arts Series

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Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year.

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Great Christmas Gift!

Tickets available at: www.vapas.org, State Bank of Cross Plains-Verona, Capitol Bank-Verona or 848-2787

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12 The Verona Press - November 30, 2017

Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Presents

Enterprise Dr.

N E

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Hometown Circle

18 E. Verona Ave.

15 St. Railroad

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Valley View St.

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Liberty Dr.

Central Park Verona Area Senior Center

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County M

American Way 17

Thousand Oaks Tr.

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on Dr. riz

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VAHS Performing Arts Center

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For all of Verona’s hometown news, sports and information!

133 Enterprise Dr., Verona (608) 845-9559 • connectverona.com

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Jeremy Jones, sports editor

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Anthony Iozzo, assistant sports editor 845-9559 x237 • sportsreporter@wcinet.com Fax: 845-9550

SPORTS

Women’s hockey

Getting defensive

Geier commits to St. Cloud State womens hockey team JEREMY JONES Sports editor

Tatyum Geier had a hockey stick in her hands from the time she could skate at 4 or 5 years of age.

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the Verona Area High School senior reached what she called a lifelong goal by signing a National Letter of Intent to play women’s hockey at St. Cloud State.

“St. Cloud State women’s hockey is thrilled to bring Taytum into the fold for next season,” coach Eric Rud said via the team’s Twitter page. “She is a big, strong defender and a great shot-blocker. She is very steady and a very dependable defender.”

The left-hander joins fellow VAHS softball players Claudia Kepler (Ohio State and Wisconsin) and Steph Keryluk (Mankato State) as Division I college hockey recruits.

“We all played for the Madison Capitols, and that program has always been great with promoting girls to go off to play college hockey,” Geier said. “It’s definitely not a coincidence.”

VAHS said softball coach Todd Anderson said, that Kepler, Keryluk and Geier are superb athletes whose athleticism would have translated well to any sport they chose.

There are some shared skills and physical characteristics that correlate between the two sports — hand/eye coordination, direct and angled movement to ball/puck, using a stick/bat to propel a puck/ ball, leg strength, etc.

But Anderson said, “I think that their shared character traits are more important to their athletic successes. Kepler, Keryluk and Geier all possess high degrees of discipline, drive, aggressiveness and competitiveness, along with confidence tempered by humility.

“I think that hockey was vital to developing these traits in these three athletes, but it may be

Photo by Jeremy Jones

Senior Taytum Geier signed her National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, Nov. 8 to play women’s hockey at St. Cloud State. that hockey (and softball) only exposed and honed these characteristics. Either way, our softball program is always on the lookout for more hockey players.”

Geier started talking to St. Cloud State at the end of her sophomore year, and things progressed from there, eventually leading to phone calls and in-person trips to watch her play in big tournaments and showcases. St. Cloud was a perfect fit for Geier, who wanted to stay close to home.

“There are a lot of schools out east that have D1 opportunities, but are only a few opportunities around here,” Geier said. “There were a couple of Minnesota schools I was interested in and thought would be a good fit for me. But St. Cloud really sparked

my interest from the beginning, so I was lucky to receive an offer from them.”

Geier’s connection to St. Cloud State began when she attended a hockey camp there two years ago at the age of 15.

“I loved the campus and coaches. I got to work a lot with them,” Geier said. “They were the ones that reached out to me, so it was a perfect fit.”

She has gotten a lot of encouragement closer to home, as well.

Hockey runs in the blood of the Geier family. Her father, Joe, played college hockey at UW-Whitewater and is now an assistant with his daughter’s U19 team, along with coach Tony Scheid.

“Taytum’s self-discipline and

13

Thursday, November 30, 2017

focus have led her on a path to Division 1 hockey at St. Cloud State,” Scheid said.

“I’ve come a long way as a player over the last 13 years,” Geier said. “My dad has always been pushing me to make sure I am doing the right things to keep growing as a player – making sure I’m a great leader and have great coaches.”

Geier had four goals and nine assists in 63 games last season, helping the Madison Capitols U19 team reach Nationals for the second straight year. The Capitols season goes nearly year-round, starting in September and running through May, leaving little time for Geier, who occasionally has to miss a softball game for hockey tournaments.

The things that most impresses me about Taytum’s softball play is her quiet confidence,” Anderson said. “For example, we teach hitters to try to be aggressive early in the count and whenever they are ahead in the count, because batting averages prove that later in the count/behind in the count, hitters are less successful.”

Geier, however, maintained confidence (and a consistent approach) throughout the at-bat, regardless of the count, and can hit successfully at any point in the count,” Anderson said. “Taytum’s ability to mimic me is also stellar.”

The nationals championships are in Boston this year, and Geier is already thinking about making the trek to New England.

“We’re looking to go as far in the playoffs as we did last year and hoping to make nationals again,” Geier said. “First we have to win state and regionals.”

Personally, Geier said, she is looking to get stronger and better in order to be ready for the next season when she heads off to St. Cloud State.

“I’m definitely excited to meet new people,” she said. “I won’t have anyone from high school around, but my parents will still be close enough to come watch me play. It’s so exciting.”

The

Verona Press For more sports coverage, visit: ConnectVerona.com

Boys swimming

Boys must replace four state qualifiers JEREMY JONES Sports editor

The Verona Area Mount Horeb boys swimming team will have plenty of new faces this season after graduating five state qualifiers following last season.

Jacob Wellnitz, Bryce Hoppe, Bryan Touchett and Zeke Sebastian are gone, but the Wildcats return eight letterwinners, including last year’s state qualifiers, Shane Rozeboom and Aidan Updegrove, both juniors.

Rozeboom swam at only two practices leading up to the state meet due to illness.

He tied for 14th place in the 50-yard freestyle, scoring two-and-a-half points with a season-best time of 21.9 seconds. He also took 22nd in the 100 butterfly (54.3) and qualified for state on the 200 medley relay.

Updegrove qualified for state in the 500 freestyle last year, taking 18th place in 4:55.72.

Seniors Ryan Stewart, Caulden Parkel, Torbin Kittleson and Kaleb McMillan are back, as are sophomores Owen Rothamer and Kyle Hoppe.

Just where everyone fits in this season remains to be seen.

“It’s going to take a few meets to figure out what each swimmer’s strengths are and where they fit in the lineup,” coach Bill Wuerger said. “Losing four state qualifiers, there are many holes in the line-up to fill.”

The Wildcats also welcome a trio of freshman newcomers, including Alex Ritter, who will both dive

Turn to Swimming/Page 15

Boys hockey

Cats beat Arrowhead in SO to close out Admiral Cup JEREMY JONES Sports editor

Goaltender Garhett Kaegi stopped 53 of 58 shots on goal for the Verona boys hockey team as it went 1-1-1 to open the season at the Milwaukee Admiral Cup. Forwards Brockton Baker (1 goal, 5 assists) and Mason McCormick (3g, 2a) led the offense during the tournament, which included a 7-1 victory and a tie against a top-10 team.

Verona 7, Cedarburg 1 The Wildcats had five different players record a goal Friday in the second round of the Admirals Cup as Verona cruised to a 7-1 victory over Cedarburg.

Cale Fufenacht, who had three points, sealed the win with a pair of third-period goals inside UW-Milwaukee’s Panther Arena. McCormick scored two more goals and assisted on a pair, as well. Baker also recorded multiple points, setting up four

goals.

Walker Haessig, Jake Osiecki and Ryan Mirwald each scored a goal.

The Bulldogs finished 0 for 3 on the power play. Trailing 5-0 after two periods, Cedarburg sophomore forward Nolan Burnside scored the team’s lone goal early in the third period.

Garhett Kaegi stopped 15 shots on goal to earn the win. Peter Gontarski made 29 saves for Cedarburg in the loss.

Verona 1, Arrowhead 1 The Wildcats allowed an early first-period goal and trailed for all but the final 8 ½ minutes before finding a way to earn a 1-1 tie Saturday against ninth-ranked Arrowhead.

Verona lost its top forwards Mason McCormick and Brockton Baker on 5-minute boarding and 10-minute unsportsman line conduct penalties near the end of the

Photo by Jeremy Jones

Forward Brockton Baker tangled up with Edgewood’s Quinn Friedow (22) inside LaBahn Ice Turn to Wildcats/Page 15 Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Verona lost the game 3-2.

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November 30, 2017

The Verona Press

ConnectVerona.com

Girls hockey

Metro Lynx open conference season with win over Lightning JEREMY JONES Sports editor

The Madison Metro Lynx girls hockey co-op is still trying to find its identity after graduating a large senior class last season.

But they got a good start last week, opening Badger Conference play with a 11-3 win over the Badger Lightning.

“We’re young. Even our veteran players are young because we graduated such a big senior class last year,” coach Derek Ward said.

“None of those juniors were asked to be leaders last year.

They’re going into those spots, along with the five freshman we have playing.”

Beginning the season listed as an honorable mention on the WisconsinPrepHockey state poll, Madison has gone 1-2-0 to start the season. The Metro Lynx have been looking for to replace the offense they lost, being shut out by the University School of Milwaukee before coming up short against Onalaska last week.

“Both of those teams are good every year regardless of the names on the back of the jersey,” Ward said. “We’ll have some growing pains but the goal is to be playing our best at the end of February.”

What’s next The Metro Lynx (1-20 overall, 1-0-0 Badger Conference) travel to Sun Prairie Ice Arena at 7 p.m. Thursday to face the defending champion Cap City Cougars (0-1-0, 0-0-0). The Lynx follow that up with an 8 p.m. game Friday against nonconference Arrowhead (1-2-0) and a 7:30 p.m. game Saturday at home against Appleton United (2-1-0).

Photos by Jeremy Jones

Ally Conybear tries to poke the puck between the pads of Onalaska goaltender Claire Bekkum in the second period Saturday.

The Metro Lynx lost the non-conference game 3-1.

Freshman Ava Jambor struck first Saturday but the Metro Lynx were unable to make the lead stick, falling 3-1 to the nonconference Hilltoppers.

Onalaska 3, Lynx 1 Jambor scored five minutes The Metro Lynx and the into the game on a rebound off Onalaska co-op renewed their the shot of Clair Wischoff.

Maria McHugh knotted the rivalry on Saturday inside score 8 ½ minutes later off a Madison Ice Arena.

scrum out front for Onalaska.

“I thought we controlled the first 10 minutes of the first period but we kind of lost our steam,” Ward said.

“We lost our defensive zone identity and ended up running around a little bit. You could see that second goal coming.

We had people covering each others spots were they were

supposed to be.”

Onalaska kept up the pressure, as Sascha Cromheecke and Jaidyn Groshek padded the Hilltoppers’ lead with goals 11 minutes apart in the second period.

Lynx goalie Sydney McKersie stopped 20 of 23 shots on goal. Claire Bekkum had 26 saves for Onalaska.

Lynx 11, Lightning 3 The Metro Lynx opened the Badger Conference season earlier, rolling 11-3 Tuesday, Nov. 21 against the Badger Lightning.

Sierra Berg, who had five points in the blowout, scored two of her three goals in the first four minutes. She

assisted on two more goals in the first period as the Lynx skated to a 6-0 lead.

Lynx goaltender Gwen Parker stopped 11 shots in the game.

The Lightning picked up goals from Kaylee Engel and Bergen Brandt. Lizzie Patton added a third goal early in the third period but the Lynx early lead was to overcome.

Lightning goalie Natalie Buss stopped 25 shots in the loss.

Lynx winger Haley Meskin scored twice and assisted on two more. The Lynx had six different goal scorers, with Ally Conybear, Vivian Hacker, Carey Baltes and Jambor each adding a goal.

Boys basketball

Verona starts new era with win under Budde ANTHONY IOZZO

62-56 win Saturday over Lake Geneva Badger.

It was the first win in the Jevin The Verona boys basketball Budde-era, as the Wildcats went jumped out to an eight-point 21-for-30 from the free-throw halftime lead and held on for a line to help cancel out Badger’s

Assistant sports editor

seven 3-pointers made.

Junior forward Ryan Van Handel led the charge with 19 points, and senior guard Bui Clements chipped in 10.

Sophomore Grant DuMez led

Badger with 18 points.

The Wildcats now jump into c o n f e r e n c e p l a y w i t h s eve n straight Big Eight opponenets before Christmas.

Wrestling

What’s next Verona hosts Janesville Parker at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and travels to Beloit Memorial at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Girls basketball

Wildcats look to get more state qualifiers in new sectional Three double-digit scorers lead Cats over Beloit ANTHONY IOZZO

Waunakee sectional. as the Fort Atkinson sectional, which Middleton, Waunakee and Sauk Prai- has Stoughton, Milton, Sun Prairie, rie, Baraboo, La Crosse Central/Logan, Fort Atkinson, Lake Geneva Badger, The postseason will be a little differ- Holmen and Sparta are still strong teams Turn to Wrestlers/Page 15 ent from before with Verona now in the in the sectional, but it isn’t as strong

Assistant sports editor

ANTHONY IOZZO

What’s next

Assistant sports editor

Verona girls basketball led by 21 points at halftime and never trailed in a 44-28 win over Beloit Memorial on Nov. 21.

Sophomore Rayna Briggs and freshman Kyiah Penn each scored 13 points to lead the Wildats, and senior Chandler Bainbridge followed with 10 points.

Junior Bre Penn

Verona travels to Madison Memorial at 7:30 p.m. Friday. chipped in six points.

Verona held the Purple Knights to just 11 points at halftime, and Beloit d i d n ’t h ave o n e d o u ble-digit scorer.

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ConnectVerona.com

November 30, 2017

The Verona Press

15

Wrestlers: Verona traveling new road to state Continued from page 14

Photo by Alexander Cramer

Returning letterwinners for the Verona Area wrestling team (front, from left) are: Nathan Feller, Nick Grassman, Porter Sundin-Donahue and Jono Herbst; (back) Zakh Kalifatidi, Lance Randall, Jeremy Grim and Wyatt Breitnauer.

2017 Big Eight schedule Date Opponent Team/Result Dec. 1 Madison Memorial 7 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Middleton 7 p.m.

Dec. 21 Janesville Craig 7 p.m.

Jan. 5 at Madison West 7 p.m.

Jan. 19 Big Eight Showcase 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 Conference meet at La Follette 10 a.m. in for an injury at 138 pounds.

Sophomore Nick Grassman took third at JV conference last season at 160-171 pounds.

Brandon Daniels, who took third at sectionals and made state in 2015, graduated from last year’s team.

What’s next Verona hosts Madison Memorial at 7 p.m.

Friday and travels to the Watertown invite at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Verona must get through Middleton, Craig to challenge in Big Eight Verona wrestling will need to win duals against Middleton and Janesville Craig to make the first-place match in the Big Eight Showcase this season.

Sun Prairie is expected to make the match after winning the Big Eight last season. The Cardinals won the regular season and tournament titles.

Craig and Middleton took second and third, respectively.

Sun Prairie brings back state champion senior Drew Scharenbrock, state qualifier Tyler Nelson, sectional qualifier senior Jack Heraldson and sectional qualifier Alex Haug.

The Cardinals graduated state qualifier Miguel Chestnut, sectional qualifier Landon Kovach, sectional qualifier Zach Perrich, sectional qualifier Will Van Pietersom, thirdplace sectional finisher Shijuan Robinson and sectional qualifier Sam Presser.

Janesville Craig brings back junior state qualifier Keeanu Benton, third-place sectional finisher senior Nathan Ellis, third-place sectional finisher senior Ethan Smith and sophomore sectional qualifier Marshall Getchell.

The Cougars graduated third-place sectional finisher

Stone Klingaman, fourthplace sectional finisher Nate Farrell and fourth-place sectional finisher Alex McNall.

Middleton brings back state runner-up junior Kevin Meicher, third-place sectional finisher senior Dion Huff, fourth-place sectional finisher junior Ortez Lockett, sectional qualifier junior Jesus Quechol Ramirez, sectional qualifier junior Joseph Hoffman and sectional qualifier senior Damian Benitez.

The Cardinals graduated state qualifier Christopher Rogers and fourth-place sectional finisher Matt Davey.

Wildcats: Verona goes 1-1-1 to start season Continued from page 13 first period. After successfully killing off penalties, the Wildcats went on the attack, outshooting Arrowhead 29 to 6 in the final two periods.

Verona finally found the back of the net when junior defenseman Jake Osiecki tipped in a shot from senior forward Aidan Schmitt.

Due to time constraints in tournament rules, no overtime was played and instead the game went to a threeman shootout. The shootout went six extra rounds before Kade Binger scored got the game-winner as the ninth shooter for the Wildcats.

The Warhawks jumped out to an early lead, scoring 13 seconds in to the game on a goal from Nick Vondrak.

It would be the only goal Arrowhead snuck past senior

What’s next The Wildcats open the Big Eight Conference schedule 7 p.m. Thursday inside Edwards Ice Arena against Beloit Memorial. goaltender Garhett Kaegi all night inside the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Kern Center.

Warhawks goalie Peter Genatempo stopped 36 shots on goal. Kaegi recorded 16 saves for Verona.

Edgewood 3, Verona 2 Verona fell behind by two goals 12 minutes into the first period and were unable to find the equalizer Tuesday, Nov.

21, losing 3-2 against Madison Edgewood in the opening round of the Admiral Cup. The Wildcats pulled within a goal one minute into the third period on a score from McCormick but couldn’t beat goaltender Ben Cegelski over the final 16 minutes. It was the second time Verona pulled within a goal.

Baker scored with 30 seconds remaining in the first period to cut the Crusaders’ lead to 2-1. Carter Hottman recorded both first-period goals for Edgewood, which were both assisted by Drew Lenz. Payton Smith added the game-winning goal four minutes into the second period.

Kaegi made 22 saves, and Cegelski stopped 21 inside UW-Madison’s LaBahn Ice Arena.

Photo by Jeremy Jones

Returning letterwinners for the Verona Area/Mount Horeb boys swimming team (front, from left) are: {span}Aidan Updegrove, Parker Jones, Kyle Hoppe and Shane Rozeboom; {back) Torbin Kittleson, Kaleb McMillan, Ryan Stewart and Caulden Parkel.

Swimming: Cats open season against Cardinals Continued from page 13 and swim, as well as Conner Arneson and Ben Wellnitz

Conference Madison West, Madison Memorial, Middleton, Sun Prairie and VA/MH should compose the upper half of the Big Eight Conference again this season.

The Regents will once again be led by seniors L a i n We ave r a n d We s Jekel and junior Henry Miller.

Weaver finished last season as a state runner-up in the 50 free and 100 butterfly. Jekel placed second in the 100 backstroke to the state record 48.8.4 of Hudson sophomore Shane Blinkman.

Jekel also took fifth in the 200 individual medley.

Miller took third place in the 100 breast stroke, and he is the top returner this season. Millez, Jekel,

What’s next The Wildcats open the season with a big test right out of the gate, traveling to Big Eight rival Sun Prairie at 5:30 p.m. Fiday.

Weaver and Matthew Fernandez all return from last year’s second place 200 medley relay. Jekel and Weaver are also returning state qualifiers on the 400 free relay, where they helped the Regents finish third with sophomore Isaac Casey.

Madison Memorial senior Alex Wowk returns looking to defend his state title in the 100 butterfly.

He finished third in the 100 backstroke last year.

The Spartans also return three-fourths of their third-place 200 medley

and fifth-place 200 free relay.

Middleton Michael Draves finished fourth in the 200 free and second in the 500 free last year.

He is the second-fastest returner in both events.

The Cardinals also return half of their fourth-place 200 medley relay.

The Wildcats finished 7-4 in dual meets last year, and while the team returns eight letterwinn e r s , VA / M H h a s j u s t two swimmers with state swimming experience.

Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial bested Madison Memorial 246-216 to end the Spartans’ six-year string of WIAA Division 1 state titles. The Eau Claire Memorial co-op was a distant third with 189.

Big Eight rivals Madison West (174), Middleton (131), VA/MH (27.5) and Sun Prairie (22.5) finished fifth, eighth, 20th and 21st, respectively.

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Elkhorn, Janesville Craig and Oconomowoc.

Verona gets two sectional qualifiers back that can go farther this season. Senior Jono Herbst was 14-19 at 113 pounds last season and took third at regionals, and junior Nathan Feller was 11-24 at 132 pounds and took fourth at regionals.

Seniors Reagan Stauffer and Jordan Recob were both injured for regionals, but both medaled at the Big Eight Conference meet. Stauffer took fifth and finished 13-14.

Recob was sixth and finished 13-20.

Juniors Porter Sundin-Donahue and Zakh Kalifatidi were also both injured for regionals last season. They will be back this season. Sundin-Donahue took sixth at the Big Eight meet and finished 10-15 at 106 pounds. Kalifatidi was seventh at conference at finished 11-18 at 126 pounds.

Seniors Luke Slekar, Lance Randall and Wyatt Breitnauer, junior Jeremy Grim and sophomore Henry Tang also return.

Slekar was 4-10 at 142 pounds, and Randall was 7-15 at 160 pounds. Both took sixth at regionals. Breitnauer was 2-14 at 170 pounds, and Grim was 3-22 at 182 pounds. Tang finished 4-6 at 195 pounds.

Sophomore Caden Page wrestled in the Big Eight meet last season after filling

16 The Verona Press - November 30, 2017

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ConnectVerona.com

November 30, 2017

Verona Area School District

VESPA staff get raise SCOTT GIRARD

Unified Newspaper Group

Staff members in the Verona Educational Support Professionals Association got a raise for this school year.

The school board voted unanimously Nov. 20 to approve a 1.26 percent base

wage increase retroactive to July 1, as well as other supplemental wage increases that brought the increase to 3.1 percent overall.

Superintendent Dean Gorrell explained to the board that every job title with a starting wage below $15 an hour was raised to $15 an

VASD in brief

hour, and everyone else got the same numerical increase in their wage.

Gorrell said negotiations had “taken a little different look this year” with that focus.

VESPA approved the agreement earlier in the evening, Gorrell said.

Board members Noah Roberts and Russell King, who have family members who work in the district, abstained.

Contact Scott Girard at ungreporter@wcinet.com and follow him on Twitter @sgirard9.

The district has focused on more

Behavior team provides update positively focused initiatives, includ- Apprenticeship agreement District staff provided an update on the efforts of the behavioral emotional support team, which has overseen the implementation of the district’s behavior initiatives.

They reported to the board that staff development has continued, with more than a dozen “staff trainers” now in place for each of the initiatives.

ing Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports, non-violent crisis intervention and the Nurtured Heart Approach.

District director of student services Emmett Durtschi said they want to make sure the approaches do not function as “silos,” that they fit together in how a teacher or staff member applies them.

The school board approved a school-to career program agreement with 14 area school districts Monday.

The board has approved the agreement annually, which allows the Monona Grove School District to hire the Dane County school consortium director to provide youth apprenticeship and school-to-career services for participants.

The Verona Press

17

Design: Update on HS project Continued from page 1 been made public to this point, according to a website post by the school district.

The most recent renderings until now were unveiled at the Oct. 9 school board meeting, where consultants talked with board members about what they had designed so far. Planning groups so far have included the Core Team – made up of construction officials and architects, VASD staff, administrators and school board members – and the Visionary Design Team, which met five times after the referendum to discuss the layout of the school with high school staff, the construction team and architects.

O ffi c i a l s h ave b e e n working on the “schematic design” phase of the

project since voters strongly approved a package of three referendum questions totalling more than $180 million related to the new high school on the April ballot. The new building and athletic fields will be constructed on the West End property, bounded to the west by Hwy. 18/151, to the south by Paoli Street, to the north by West End Circle and to the east by properties adjacent to Nine Mound Road.

T h e n ew s c h o o l i s expected to open for the 2020-21 school year. The current high school building will become a middle school, while the current Badger Ridge building will be converted to an elementary school.

Contact Scott Girard at ungreporter@wcinet.com and follow him on Twitter @sgirard9.

Road: School board members, alders express disappointment in lack of communication

Paoli problems

Under either scenario, the city’s funding would be in exchange for district property where Sugar Creek Elementary School and New Century School stand now.

Ald. Evan Touchett (D-4) said the value of that property should provide an easy answer for how much the city should contribute.

“Whatever is deemed a fair value of these properties, I think it’d be very fair to ask the city to contribute for these roads,” Touchett said. “If it’s X, why wouldn’t we give you X?” But Meredith Stier Christensen suggested that rethinking the number would violate the principles of negotiating in good faith and that the district has been relying on that number since it first decided how much to ask for in the referendum.

“We’ve been relying on our plan and on the assertions from the city at that point when we were making our referendum,” she said. “I am rather disappointed that we had some assertion from the city that we would be supported in some numerical way that is maybe not reflected here in the opinions today.”

There were strong disagreements over the validity of that argument because of the $5 million figure’s tie to that specific road to Paoli Street, which would have featured an assortment of

THE THE

The district’s original plan for a road to provide what’s believed to be a necessary additional access point to the site would have

Land value questioned

city, what’s fair for the school district,” Touchett said. “I’m sorry, but we can’t move as fast as you want us to.”

Both bodies have met independently in closed sessions over the last year to discuss the road and land swap.

School officials said they had been requesting a joint meeting since January to discuss these issues.

“We have hit some notable points at which this information would’ve been helpful to know,” said school board president Noah Roberts. “We’ve made decisions based on the information that was provided to us. We would appreciate if a decision would be made tonight because our timeline is crunched.”

Mikorski said the city had also reached out to request a joint meeting in September but was turned down because the new road was not worked out yet.

Touchett said he was unsure “where the disconnect happened” on a joint meeting, because the council is interested in that, as Pushing deadlines well.

“As both groups, we’ve all had Representatives of both bodies questioned why, with deadlines the same desire,” he said. “I don’t fast approaching, this meeting know why it hasn’t happened.” waited until late November.

Contact Scott Girard at ungreBoth sides appeared to be porter@wcinet.com and follow scrambling and some members him on Twitter @sgirard9. were uncomfortable with it.

“We’re just trying to look at things fairly, what’s fair to the

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complicated engineering issues.

Staff on both sides also disagreed over statements made in an Aug. 10 meeting, about two weeks after it became clear the Paoli Street connection would not happen.

Gorrell’s written timeline states that, “I was told we should expect the same level of financial commitment from the city as previously stated, $5M.” But Mikorski countered that Monday, saying the council did not discuss making the swap and paying for a different road until Sept. 25.

“Council never got back together to reaffirm that commitment,” he said. “Basically that was, ‘Council has not changed the commitment because it had not gotten together.’”

On Aug. 28, with the $5 million in city money for the road still a part of their plans, the school board approved spending $5.7 million to add a second pool to the aquatic center at the new site, a move that appeared to take city leaders by surprise.

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made as soon as possible, because it really impacts the ultimate goal of getting the site permitted,” said district consultant Hans Justeson of JSD Professional Services.

For the council, that’s no sooner than January. Alders came out of an hour-and-15-minute closed session without a quorum but asking for more information from city staff before committing any money to the road, particularly the projected cost of the road and the value of a school district property being swapped for it.

“Our hope is to be able to have those numbers (from staff) and to have a meeting of the Common Council to discuss this at the first meeting in January,” city attorney Bryan Kleinmaier said after alders returned from a closed-session meeting.

As the meeting was about to adjourn, city public works director Theran Jacobson suggested that Justeson submit the district’s documents as planned before the end of the year, regardless of monetary decisions.

“You need to move forward with your schedule,” Jacobson said.

connected to Paoli Street. The city strongly supported that in concept.

In December 2016, city administrator Jeff Mikorski told VASD superintendent Dean Gorrell the council had committed up to $5 million for the costs of the connector road, according to a timeline provided by Gorrell. The district has used that number throughout the planning before and after voters approved the referendum in April.

The district abandoned efforts to build a connection to Paoli Street because of a lack of city support for an intersection far too close to the U.S. Hwy. 18-151 onramp – something that was expected to be an issue with getting state approval. So the district instead pursued a road connecting to South Nine Mound Road – in addition to roads planned off West End Circle and Wall Street – as another access point.

It continued to use the $5 million figure for its planning, but city officials told the board Monday that road would offer less of a “benefit” to the general public.

“It seems like this is more something that’s serving people just to and from the high school, it’s not necessarily serving the larger community,” said Ald. Elizabeth Doyle (Dist. 1). “There’s been some back and forth about what was actually committed to from a council standpoint.”

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Continued from page 1

18

November 30, 2017

The Verona Press

ConnectVerona.com

Verona History October‌

between $300,000 and $375,000.

• The high school football team • St. Andrew Parish celebrated completed its best season in 11 its 50th anniversary with several years, finishing 7-2 (6-2 in the past pastors present and Bishop Madison Suburban, second place).

O’Donnell leading the mass. The church had grown from 25 fami- 40 ‌years ago lies to over 200 and added a paro• Verona trustees voted unanchial school during that time. imously to have the village • Verona hosted the first Indian become the City of Verona, beginInvitational cross country meet, ning Jan. 1. featuring 10 teams and 63 runDuring a public hearing on the ners. Albany took first place, with issue, proponents noted that the the top two runners, and Verona groundwork had already been was sixth. laid with the hiring of an admin• Village Clerk Martin Fiess istrator, establishment of the ward predicted a nearly 8 percent system of voting and setting up a increase in the village’s tax rate, retirement fund for employees. or more than $150 on a $20,000 • Village President Burr Weihome. Most of that increase was land resigned under pressure as a attributed to the school budget, result of a scandal over a disconwhich rose dramatically with nected water meter. the construction of the new high Weiland had disconnected the school. meter in July and reconnectThe surprisingly sharp increase ed it in October. In his resigna– about 2.5 percent higher than tion statement he said he did not expected – was blamed on the believe he did anything wrong; housing industry and a drop in that it was normal for contracVerona housing prices and a mis- tors to not hook up meters until a calculation. house is built.

The Chamber of Commerce The Finance Committee met for asked the village to borrow mon- three hours on the issue, and recey and sell property to cut that ommended seeking payment of increase in half.

100,000 gallons, at $89.40.

• An architect showed citizens The board chose Keith Brue to revised plans for a municipal replace him until the spring elecbuilding that would house city, tions. police and library facilities, as well as a youth center. It was only 30 ‌years ago slightly smaller than the one that • The Wisconsin Department of would be constructed for police Transportation held a public input and city only more than a decade session on the three main poslater. sible routes for the U.S. 18-151 The cost was estimated to be improvement in the Verona area.

50 ‌years ago

One of the possibilities was a northern bypass, which Quivey’s Grove objected to because it could have changed the idyllic setting of the restaurant, and another would have gone along Verona Avenue and would have required tearing down some of the buildings along the road. The southern bypass was eventually chosen years later, and the road was built in the 1990s.

• The Verona Area Board of Education announced that the WIAA had voted to allow girls to compete in the boys’ pole vault.

The action, taken a few weeks earlier, avoided a possible sexual discrimination lawsuit from the parents of a Verona Middle School girl who wanted to participate in the event.

• The VHS football team began using a new electronic scoreboard, which was the result of a multifaceted cooperative effort.

• Michael’s Frozen Custard opened its second location, on West Verona Avenue.

20 ‌years ago • Homecoming activities turned into a dripping mess after neighborhood kids got into a garbageand-egg fight with students painting the hill. Several egg fights over the previous week had culminated in local stores refusing to sell eggs to teens.

• The Verona Area Board of Education voted to put a $22 million referendum on the November ballot. The referendum, which was rejected, included money for

the building of what eventually became Country View Elementary School, remodeling the former Country View elementary into part of the high school, building a new middle school in Fitchburg and adding to the Sugar Creek Elementary School gym.

• The boys cross country team repeated as Badger Conference champions, led by seniors Eric Davis and Nick Iverson, while the girls team took second.

• Dane County made plans to remodel the Five Corners intersection into a four-way intersection with a stoplight and a barrier to make northbound turns onto Raymond Road impossible.

10 ‌years ago • Toxicology reports suggested alcohol may have played a factor in the crash on Hwy. 69 that killed four people – including three Verona Area High School Students – the month before.

• The Verona Fire District decided to ask its three contributing municipalities to increase its total budget by more than 60 percent over the previous year.

The municipalities compromised by increasing the budget about halfway, passing on the full-time chief and holding off on the replacement of a front-line tender truck, leading to an angry rebuke from commission chair Richard Schwenn.

“I think it’s kind of a kick in the teeth to the commission that’s put a lot of work into this,” he said.

• Dane County switched the

Badger Prairie dog park over to a newly built off-leash exercise area, which was 30 percent bigger and had various improvements, including a gravel trail.

The switch was made to accommodate the upcoming construction of the new Badger Prairie Health Care Center.

• VAHS No. 1 singles player Megan Kasten won one match at the WIAA Division I state tennis tournament before getting knocked out the following day.

• The Verona football team wrapped up a perfect regular season, winning a third straight conference championship for the first time in school history.

• An extension of Fitchrona Road – which would later lead to SuperTarget – opened.

• The Town of Verona passed a new animal control ordinance limiting the number of dogs on smaller properties in response to complaints about dog owners in the Goose Lake area who were letting their dogs run free.

• The 12-acre lot behind Verona Area High School got an official designation from the state as a school forest.

• Sugar Creek Elementary School students celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their plant and wildlife habitat outside the front doors with songs and a play.

• Three Miller and Sons employees, Dawn Hollis, Laura Eyler and Ryan Voss, placed in state grocery skill competitions.

Spotlight: 30 years ago

On Oct. 7, 1987, the Sharpe house, located at the corner of U.S. 18-151 and Hwy. M was leveled to the ground to make room for a new Hardee’s restaurant. Protesters and onlookers, both young and old, watched from a distance as the Verona historical landmark fell to the ground.

The Hardee’s itself was demolished in 2005, making room for a Park Bank.

Sharpe house torn down The fate of the Sharpe House in Verona is sealed legally, though not all the citizens are happy at the prospect of seeing the historic house torn down to make way for a new Hardee’s restaurant.

Still, no one has come forward to buy the house for little or nothing with plans to move it elsewhere.

The property was purchased by Hardee’s restaurant recently from Marion J. Balousek of Verona, who owned the property since 1969. Balousek bought the property from the Village of Verona for $75,000, the same amount of money the village paid for the property several years earlier.

Legally, both Balousek and Hardee’s have had the legal right to destroy the building, and if no one comes forth to move the structure, that appears to be its

– Jim Ferolie

fate.

Through the years, a number of citizens have decried efforts to convert the property to retail application, though it is commonly known that the property has been zoned legally and demolition appeared to be the future of it.

Unofficial estimates place raising and moving the house to another location at approximately $20,000. The home was owned in the past by Dr. William Sharpe, who resided there and also had his office in the structure.

There appears to be a fund drive underway to save the Sharpe property from the demolition ball, and there is some talk of a picket line Thursday, Oct. 8.

However, little impetus appears to be forming beyond telephone calls of concern.

Legals MEETING OF TOWN OF VERONA PLAN COMMISSION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, 2017, 6:00 P.M. TOWN OF VERONA HALL, 7669 COUNTY HIGHWAY PD 1. Call to Order/Approval of Meeting Agenda 2. Public Comment - This section of the meeting provides the opportunity for comment from persons in attendance on items not listed below over which this governing body has jurisdiction.

Comments on matters not listed on this agenda could be placed on a future Plan Commission meeting agenda.

3. Approval of minutes from Nov 16 4. Land use application 2017 – 17 – for property located adjacent to 6440 Sunset Drive submitted by Tony Heinrichs on behalf of Steve Reinen. The purpose of the application is the rezoning from RH-1 to R4 to allow for condominium development made up of 16 single family units on 39.6 acres. * Public Hearing * Discussion * Action 9. Other 10. Adjourn Plan Commission agendas will be posted at Millers Grocery and Town Hall and on the Town’s website. Go to www. town.verona.wi.us and sign up for the Town List Serve to receive notices via email. Public hearings will be published in the Verona Press. If anyone having a qualifying disability as defined by the American With Disabilities Act, needs an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access these meetings, please contact the Town of Verona Clerk’s office @ 608-845 -7187

or jwright@town.verona.w.us Please do so at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that proper arrangements can be made. Notice is also given that a possible quorum could occur at this meeting for the purposes of information gathering only, of the Town Board, Natural and Recreational Areas Committee, and/or Public Works Committee.

Douglas Maxwell, Chair, Town of Verona Plan Commission Posted and notices sent: 11/21/17 Published: November 30, 2017 WNAXLP ***

RESOLUTION 2017-6 A Resolution to Amend Ordinance 1991-01 Governing Sewer Use, Industrial Wastewater Discharges, Sewer Service Charges, and Sewer Connections and Construction WHEREAS, Ordinance 1991-01 Validity (3) states: The municipality, through its duly authorized officers, reserves the right to amend this Ordinance in part or in whole whenever it may deem necessary, and WHEREAS, Ordinance 1991-01, Article VIII (7) states: All service charge rates shall be reviewed at least annually and may be adjusted whenever necessary, and WHEREAS, The Town of Verona Board, acting as the Utility Commission met on November 21, 2017 for the purpose of holding a public hearing to approve the 2018 budget for Utility District #1 and Marty Parcels as well as to set the annual rate for sewerage collection in 2018, and THEREFORE, Utility Commission Ordinance 91-1 article VIII CATEGORY B is amended as follows: Development Type, 2017 Annual Fee Single family, $473.00

Duplex, $827.75 3 unit, $1,064.25 4 unit, $1,419.00 8 unit, $2,838.00 Commercial, $503.00 This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage and posting as provided by law. /s/ Mark Geller, Town Chair __________________________ I, John Wright, Clerk/Treasurer of the Town of Verona, do hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance was duly passed and adopted by the Verona Town Board at the November 21, 2017 Special Town Board meeting. /s/ John Wright, Clerk Treasurer __________________________ Effective: November 21, 2017 Published: November 30, 2017 WNAXLP ***

NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION VERONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT APRIL 3, 2018

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that at an election to be held in the School District Verona Area School District, on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. The term of office for school board member is three years beginning on Monday, April 23, 2018.

Office, Incumbent At Large, Tom Duerst At Large, Renee Zook Portion 1, Outside Cities, Meredith Stier Christensen NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a Campaign Registration Statement and a Declaration of Candidacy, must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday,

(Tuesday, January 5, 2018), in the office of the school district clerk. (If nomination papers are required the first day to circulate nomination papers is December 1, 2017 and the final day for filing nomination papers is 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 5, 2018, in the office of the school district clerk.)

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that if a primary is necessary, the primary will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

A description of the school district boundaries can be obtained from the school district office.

Acceptable Photo ID will be required to vote at this election. If you do not have a photo ID you may obtain a free ID for voting from the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Done in the city of Verona on November 21, 2017 Thomas Duerst, District Clerk Published: November 30, 2017 WNAXLP ***

TOWN OF VERONA REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2017 6:30 P.M. TOWN HALL/COMMUNITY CENTER 7669 COUNTY HIGHWAY PD, VERONA, WI 53593-1035

1. Call to Order/Approval of the agenda 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Public Comment - This section of the meeting provides the opportunity for comment from persons in attendance on items not listed below over which this governing body has jurisdiction. Com-

ments on matters not listed on this agenda could be placed on a future meeting agenda.

4. Announcements – 5. Discussion and Approval of Minutes from November 7th.

6. Discussion and possible action re: plowing for contract in condominium subdivisions 7. Reports and Recommendations A. Plan Commission: i. Discussion and action re: Land use application 2017 – 13 – for property located at 6555 CTH M submitted by Anthony Puccio. The purpose of the application is the splitting of 4.33 acre parcel into at 2.33 acre parcel and a 2 acre parcel. The existing zoning of RH1 allows for two acre parcels. ii. Discussion and action re: Land use application 2017- 8 - for property located at 3151 Shady Oak Lane submitted

by JSD Professional Services for Jim Coons. The purpose of the application is the rezoning from RH-4 to R4 to allow for condominium development made up 13 single family units on 26 acres iii. Informational presentation re: Land Use application 2017- 9 – for property located at 11451 Mid Town Road submitted by Justin Temple for OAJ Development. The purpose of the application is the rezoning from RH-4 to R4 to allow for condominium development made up of 29 single family units on 62.9 acres. iv. Informational presentation re: Land use application 2017 – 17 – for property located adjacent to 6440 Sunset Drive submitted by Tony Heinrichs on behalf of Steve Reinen. The purpose of the application is the rezoning from RH-1 to R4 to allow for condominium development made up of 16 single family units on 39.6 acres.

B. Public Works i. Discussion and possible action re: purchase of a generator

C. Natural and Recreational Areas Committee D. Financial Sustainability: i. Discussion and action re: adoption of the 2018 general fund budget E. Ordinance Committee i. Discussion and possible action re: seasonal Weight Limits Ordinance F. EMS Commission G. Town Chair H. Supervisors I. Clerk/Treasurer: J. Planner/Administrator 8. Approval of Payment of Bills 9. Adjourn Regular board agendas are published in the Town’s official newspaper, The Verona Press. Per Resolution 20162 agendas are posted at the Town Hall and online at www.town.verona.wi.us.

Use the ‘subscribe’ feature on the Town’s website to receive agendas and other announcements via email.

Notice is also given that a possible quorum of the Plan Commission and/or Public Works, Ordinance, Natural and Recreational Areas, and Financial Sustainability Committees and could occur at this meeting for the purposes of information gathering only.

If anyone having a qualifying disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act needs an interpreter, materials in alternate formats, or other accommodations to access these meetings, please contact the Town of Verona Clerk @ 608-845-7187 orjwright@town. verona.wi.us. Please do so at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that proper arrangements can be made.

Mark Geller, Town Chair, Town of Verona.

Posted: November 30, 2017 Published: November 30, 2017 WNAXLP ***

ConnectVerona.com

370 Trucks 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 Regular cab, 8' bed, topper, rubber bed liner.

185,500 miles. Runs great, good brakes and decent tires. Everything works. Rust in fenders and rocker panels. Good work and Winter truck. Asking $3,900 OBO. Call 608-575-5984.

434 Health Care, Human Services & Child Care

646 Fireplaces, Furnaces/Wood, Fuel DRY OAK and Cherry Firewood For Sale.

Contact Dave at 608-445-6423 or Pete 608-712-3223 DRY OAK/CHERRY WOOD Kept inside, delivered. $110 pickup load. 608-8326662 SEASONED SPLIT OAK, Hardwood. Volume discount. Will deliver.

608-609-1181

CHERYL'S HOUSEKEEPING Stoughton, Oregon. No job too big or too small.

608-322-9554

SIMPLICITY SINGLE Stage Snowthrower. 9.00TP 22 inch. $235.00 Cash. 608276-4549. Barely used.

696 Wanted To Buy

RECOVER PAINTING currently offering winter discounts on all painting, drywall and carpentry. Recover urges you to join in the fight against cancer, as a portion of every job is donated to cancer research.

Free estimates, fully insured, over 20 years of experience. Call 608-270-0440.

554 Landscaping, Lawn, Tree & Garden Work

OREGON SELF-STORAGE 10x10 through 10x25 month to month lease Call Karen Everson at 608-835-7031 or Veronica Matt at 608-291-0316

WE BUY Junk Cars and Trucks.

We sell used parts.

Monday thru Friday 8am-5:30pm.

Newville Auto Salvage, 279 Hwy 59 Edgerton, 608-884-3114

705 Rentals GREENWOOD APARTMENTS Apartments for Seniors 55+, currently has 1 & 2 bedroom units available starting at $795 per month, includes heat, water, and sewer.

608-835-6717 Located at: 139 Wolf St., Oregon, WI 53575

548 Home Improvement A&B ENTERPRISES Light Construction Remodeling No job too small 608-835-7791

NORTH PARK STORAGE 10x10 through 10x40, plus 14x40 with 14' door for RV & Boats.

Come & go as you please.

608-873-5088

652 Garage Sales

RN/LPN OR CNA for quadrapedic man to spend 4 months (Dec-April) at a private villa on the west cost of Mexico. Full staff. 608-833-4726

516 Cleaning Services

FRENCHTOWN SELF-STORAGE Only 6 miles South of Verona on Hwy PB. Variety of sizes available now.

10x10=$60/month 10x15=$70/month 10x20=$80/month 10x25=$90/month 12x30=$115/month Call 608-424-6530 or 1-888-878-4244

720 Apartments ROSEWOOD APARTMENTS for Seniors 55+. 1 & 2 bedroom units available starting at $795 per month. Includes heat, water and sewer. Professionally managed. Located at 300 Silverado Drive, Stoughton, WI 53589 608-877-9388

750 Storage Spaces For Rent

SNOW PLOWING Residential & Commercial Fully Insured.

608-873-7038 or 608-669-0025

602 Antiques & Collectibles COLUMBUS ANTIQUE MALL & CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS MUSEUM "Wisconsin's Largest Antique Mall"!

Customer Appreciation Week 20% DISCOUNT Dec 4-10 Enter daily 8am-4pm 78,000 SF 200 Dealers in 400 Booths Third floor furniture, locked cases Location: 239 Whitney St Columbus, WI 53925 920-623-1992 Road Reconstruction Hwy 60 & 16 in City www.columbusantiquemall.com THEY SAY people don’t read those little ads, but YOU read this one, didn’t you?

Call now to place your ad, 873-6671 or 835-6677.

OFFICE SPACES FOR RENT In Oregon facing 15th hole on golfcourse Free Wi-Fi, Parking and Security System Conference rooms available Kitchenette-Breakroom Autumn Woods Prof. Centre Marty 608-835-3628

C.N.R. STORAGE Located behind Stoughton Garden Center Convenient Dry Secure Lighted with access 24/7 Bank Cards Accepted Off North Hwy 51 on Oak Opening Dr. behind Stoughton Garden Center Call: 608-509-8904

Call: 608-255-1551

Apply in Person: 5501 Femrite Drive Madison, WI

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Full/Part Time Positions Available

WE’RE ALL EARS

Let us know how we’re doing.

Your opinion is something we always want to hear.

Call 845-9559 or at connectverona.com

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DISH Network. 190+ Channels. FREE Install. FREE Hopper HDDVR. $49.99/month (24 mos). Add High Speed Internet - $14.95 (where avail.) CALL Today & SAVE 25%! 1-855-997-5088 (CNOW) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-855-711-0379 (CNOW) All Things Basementy! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1-855-781-4387 (CNOW) Win $4,000 in cash and prizes! Enter to win. Take our survey at www.pulsepoll.com and tell us about your household shopping plans and media usage. Your input will help us improve the paper and get the advertising specials you want. Thank you! (CNOW)

Now Hiring - Traveling Banker At Capitol Bank, people come first; each customer and employee is important and deserves respect, courtesy and professional service. We’re committed to building relationships that make a difference. We want each of our employees to know that their needs matter to the Capitol Bank team.

We are recruiting for a Traveling Banker. This position would be a part-time employee working Monday-Wednesday a.m. This employee will be performing their duties at established senior retirement facilities. They will handle cash transactions accurately, and provide quality customer service in a friendly and professional manner. They will also determine the customer’s needs and meet their expectations by recommending appropriate products when needed.

Services Provided for Facility Residents Only: •

•

Providing change-breaking down larger denominations for smaller or providing rolled coin.

Cashing checks customers and non-customers Savings Withdrawals

Skills:

• • • • •

Taking deposits Transferring funds Opening new accounts Selling postage stamps Notary service

• Excellent communication with

• Ability to handle detailed work

• •

• Computer knowledge and

customers and coworkers Ability to establish priorities Flexibility to meet changing workload

RENT SKIDLOADERS MINI-EXCAVATORS TELE-HANDLER and these attachments. Concrete breaker, posthole auger, landscape rake, concrete bucket, pallet forks, trencher, rock hound, broom, teleboom, stump grinder.

By the day, week, or month.

Carter & Gruenewald Co. 4417 Hwy 92 Brooklyn, WI, 608-455-2411

along with strong follow-up skills

•

experience Previous banking preferred

Please submit a cover letter and resume by email to: Mandy.Ayers@CapitolBank.com or visit one of our locations to complete an application, 710 N. High Point Road, Madison or 108 E. Verona Avenue, Verona.

(608) 836-1616 Capitol Bank is an equal opportunity employer and offers a complete benefits package. Member FDIC.

DANE COUNTY’S MARKETPLAE. The Verona Press Classifieds. Call 873-6671 or 835-6677.

W E ’R E G ROW I N G !

NO EXPERIENCE NO PROBLEM

Machine Operators - Fabrication

Free blueprint reading course for Machine Operator positions

Located in Fitchburg, WI Starting Pay: $17.00/hr + up to an additional $ 2.74/hr for incentive pay

2nd Shift

Questions?

Comments?

Story Ideas?

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HORSE FARM 5+ acres. 3 bedroom ranch, 8 stall stable, indoor arena. OPEN HOUSE Dec 2nd and 3rd. 9am-4pm.

3902 Rutland Dunn Townline Rd, Oregon.

990 Farm: Service & Merchandise

VERONA DRIVERS WANTED

Increase Your sales opportunities…reach over 1.2 million households!

Advertise in our Wisconsin Advertising Network System.

For information call 835-6677.

•

WE BUY Homes any condition. Close quickly. Joe 608-618-1521 jssrealestate@ tds.net

It only takes a few clicks to renew your newspaper subscription electronically with our secure site at:

connectverona.com

845 Houses For Sale

883 Wanted: Residential Property

DEER POINT STORAGE Convenient location behind Stoughton Lumber.

Clean-Dry Units 24 HOUR LIGHTED ACCESS 5x10 thru 12x25 608-335-3337

Apply Locally at: 219 Paoli St., Verona, WI E-mail: Jobs@BadgerBus.com Call: 608-845-2255 or Go Online: BadgerBus.com

UNION ROAD STORAGE 10x10 - 10x15 10x20 - 12x30 24 / 7 Access Security Lights & Cameras Credit Cards Accepted 608-835-0082 1128 Union Road Oregon, WI Located on the corner of Union Road & Lincoln Road

801 Office Space For Rent

ALL SEASONS SELF STORAGE 10X10 10X15 10X20 10X30 Security Lights-24/7 access BRAND NEW OREGON/BROOKLYN Credit Cards Accepted CALL (608)444-2900

Drive Locally andWages Support your Community •Excellent Badger Bus Offers: •Paid Training • $150 Sign-On Bonus for Van Drivers •CDL Program • $500 Sign-On Bonus for (If Qualified School Bus Drivers •Signing Bonus Applicable) • Paid Training and Available Bonus to get in your CDL •Positions Madison and Verona • Full and Part-Time Positions Available

RASCHEIN PROPERTY STORAGE 6x10 thru 10x25 Market Street/Burr Oak Street in Oregon Call 608-520-0240

Easily renew your subscription online!

19

3rd Shift

2pm - 10pm

10pm - 6am

Monday - Friday

Sunday - Thursday

WHY SUBZERO WOLF? Comprehensive fabrication training provided n State of the art fabrication equipment n Clean, temperature controlled working environment n Excellent employee benefit package n On-site employee clinic and fitness center available n

Apply Online: www.subzero-wolf.com/careers We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

WHEN December 13 5:00pm December 14 9:00am

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SEEKING FORMER employees that worked at Jo Dot Ceramics located in Oregon, WI (1960-1980). Please contact Jonathan at 800-358-5922-ext. 1233 or 314-312-9734

The Verona Press

WHERE Wolf Facility, Doors 61&62 2866 Buds Drive Fitchburg, WI 53719

On-site interviews will be conducted after the course. To reserve your spot in the course please call human resources at 608-270-3254 or stop by either date.

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143 Notices

November 30, 2017

20 The Verona Press - November 30, 2017

Show off your kids in Unified Newspaper Group’s

Kids Today Send us a special fun photo of your child to be published in the Great Dane Shopping News on Wednesday, January 24.

• Selfies • Kids with Pets • Any Fun Photo Poses!

Voting on facebook

Great Dane Shopping News

Like us on facebook to vote from Wednesday, January 10 thru Wednesday, January 18 for the most creative photos!

The top 5 winners and prizes will be announced in the Great Dane Shopping News on Wednesday, January 24.

Children of all ages accepted

Let’s have some fun!!

To enter: Fill out and mail the form below, along with a current photo, or visit one of our websites!

Must be received by Monday, January 8, 2018.

Please print clearly. One entry per child. One form per child.

Mail to: Kids Today 133 Enterprise Dr., PO Box 930427, Verona, WI 53593 Or enter online on any of our websites below, click on “Submit an Item.” connectoregonwi.com, connectstoughton.com, connectverona.com, connectfitchburg.com Child’s Name __________________________________________________________________________ Age (please indicate months or years)___________________________

Please check one:

❏ Male ❏ Female

Parents’ Names _________________________________________________________________________ Phone (for contact purposes only)________________________City ______________________________________ This photo submission constitutes permission to publish. If submitting your photo(s) electronically, please be sure the photo resolution is at least 150 DPI. Photos must be received by Monday, January 8, 2018 to be included. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like your photo returned.

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Photo taken by (if a professional photo) ______________________________________________________