Fitchburg Board of Public Works Meeting - November 3, 2025

The Fitchburg Board of Public Works met on November 3, 2025, at approximately 6:00 PM. The meeting covered routine approvals, a report from the Director of Public Works, and five legislative items including agreements, ordinance updates, infrastructure maintenance, equipment purchase, and a budget amendment. All motions passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (October 20, 2025): Moved by Mr. Wilburne, seconded, and approved by voice vote without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public appearances for non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Public Works Director’s Report (Tim Bolker, P.E.):
  • Haight Farm Road Closure: The road will be closed from November 4 through November 12, 2025, to accommodate a water main installation for the Uptown Hills development project. The closure was previously delayed due to a subcontractor switch.
  • Flashing Yellow Arrow Education: A Talking Fitchburg video has been produced to educate drivers on permissive flashing yellow arrows. Board members suggested sharing it with the senior center.
  • Syene Road Reconstruction Phase 3: MG&E completed electric service for traffic signals; testing begins November 4. Road opening anticipated on Friday, November 7. Minor striping issues remain.
  • Street Sweepers & GIS iPad System: Both sweepers are operating; the second was added when leaves fell. An iPad-based GIS system tracks routes and allows drivers to log curb/pothole issues as work orders. A dashboard demonstration was proposed for the next meeting.
• Resolution R209-25 (Sustain Dane Phase 2 Agreement): Authorizes using contingency funds ($64,171) to reimburse the City of Madison and Sustain Dane after a federal EPA grant was rescinded. Window replacements for two buildings were removed from the project to free up funding. All phase 2 work is complete. Approved.
• Ordinance 2025-026 (Solid Waste & Recycling Updates): Revises Chapter 41 and Chapter 770 to align with July 2025 revisions to Wisconsin administrative code for recycling programs. Changes include updated volume requirements for multifamily dumpsters/carts and a revised forfeiture schedule. Does not affect existing contracts or operations. Approved.
• Resolution R201-25 (Stormwater Utility Facility Maintenance Bids): Authorizes $773,000 for dredging and installing a clay liner at Quarry Ridge Pond (to maintain permanent pool) and repairing the infiltration basin at Techlands (adding granular storage and underdrains). Funding comes from the CIP dredging account, including rollover and additional appropriations from the prior year. Approved.
• Resolution R195-25 (Brush Chipper Purchase): Approves $74,832.30 for a Morbark BVR 16 brush chipper to replace a 2013 model (900 hours of use). The old chipper will be auctioned with a reserve price of $22,000; if unsold, it will be traded in. Board discussed leasing or sharing with other municipalities but concluded purchasing is most cost-effective given usage of ~80 hours per year. Approved.
• Resolution R203-25 (Syene Road Phase 3 Budget Amendment No. 1): Adds $450,000 ($235,000 for stormwater pond and $215,000 for roadway) for additional select crushed material and common excavation. The roadway portion is funded from excess Syene Road CIP savings; the pond portion from the stormwater street resurfacing fund. The additional material addresses poor sand layer conditions discovered during construction, including the reconfigured intersection. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All five legislative items were approved unanimously:
  • Resolution R209-25 (Sustain Dane agreement) — passed.
  • Ordinance 2025-026 (Solid waste & recycling updates) — passed.
  • Resolution R201-25 (Stormwater utility facility maintenance bids) — passed.
  • Resolution R195-25 (Brush chipper purchase) — passed.
  • Resolution R203-25 (Syene Road Phase 3 budget amendment) — passed.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2025. The meeting adjourned at 6:27 PM.