Fitchburg Board of Public Works Meeting - October 5, 2026

The Fitchburg Board of Public Works met at 5:30 p.m. on October 5, 2026, with the full board present. Director of Public Works Tim Volker reported on active construction projects, and the board unanimously approved six action items, including subdivision, rate, path funding, sewer service, and improvement acceptance resolutions. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the minutes of the September 21, 2026 meeting.
• During the review of utility P-card and check payments, a board member asked about a check to SCS Engineers for stormwater pond sediment sampling ahead of upcoming dredging; the pond dredging project budget was described as just under $1.6 million. Another payment to Beast Busters LLC was for beaver removal at Swan Creek Park. No formal action was taken on the payment list.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No one appeared for the non-agenda public comment portion. Matt, associated with Viridian, was present and registered for the first action item but did not give separate public testimony.

Discussion Items

• DPW project updates:
  • Whalen Road Pave Shoulder Project: paving was completed last week; shouldering restoration and pavement markings remain.
  • 2026 Street Resurfacing: Tower Hill curb and gutter replacements are installed, pavement has been removed, and grading and manhole adjustments are underway; paving is expected in the next couple of weeks and by the end of the month.
  • 2025 ARPA Street Resurfacing (Bellmar neighborhood): curb and gutter has been poured, all pavement has been removed, and paving is expected in the next couple of weeks.
  • 2026 Sidewalk Replacement: the contractor expected to complete restoration, followed by a final walkthrough to create a punch list; the project is substantially complete.
  • Fitch Rona Road Reconstruction: private utility relocations by MGE, Alliant, and other utilities are ongoing through November 30, 2026.
  • Street sweeping: both sweepers will operate beginning in October for about six months.
• Resolution R-191-26 (read in the transcript as 'R-1912'): approved the fifth amendment to the Highfield Reserve subdivision improvement agreement. The amendment updates the phasing plan so improvements in future phases adjacent to both sides of corner lots are complete before building permits are released, extends the timing of infiltration facility restoration to reduce sediment clogging, and allows the subdivider to construct park improvements in Outlots 6 and 10 with costs credited toward park improvement fees. Parks staff said the concept plans feature native plantings, accessible trails, and sidewalks linking a multi-use trail, with maintenance in mind; the developer must follow city standards, go to public bid, and provide a five-year warranty. One board member expressed displeasure with Viridian over earlier premature sidewalk failures and said the city would not accept that again.
• Resolution R-192-26: approved 2027 solid waste collection rates. The city's residential contract is with Pelletary Waste Systems LLC. Approximately 6,700 homes will be charged $240 per unit for weekly refuse, every-other-week recycling, five yard waste collections, and 14 brush collections; the 2026 rate was $236. Approximately 3,766 apartment and condominium units will be charged $7.50 per unit for brush and holiday tree collection, up from $7.35. The resolution cost is approximately $1.83 million; a board member noted the 2027 budget lists $1.851 million, a roughly $18,000 discrepancy, and there was also an apparent unit-count discrepancy. Tim Volker said he would check both with Ben Shulte.
• Resolution R-194-26: approved a state municipal agreement for the Traceway-Leopold shared-use path along Traceway Drive and Post Road to Leopold Way. The project is in the CIP for 2028 design and 2030 construction and received Federal Transportation Alternatives Program funding. State funding covers up to 80% of construction costs, but a board member noted the city's share is roughly $647,000 of about $1.4 million and design costs are not covered. Staff said the path will not quite reach the Cannonball path because the connecting segment is in Madison; Madison wants that segment included, so Fitchburg would invoice Madison for the work, and that segment is not in the funding totals. No real estate needs are anticipated; lighting and Traceway resurfacing are included.
• Resolution R-148-26: approved a sewerage service agreement among the Village of Oregon, the City of Fitchburg, and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for a juvenile corrections facility. A November 25, 2025 council resolution conditionally approved the certified survey map for the facility. Fitchburg's sanitary sewer is about 2.5 miles north, making extension impractical, so Oregon will provide service under a 2010 arrangement. The Department of Corrections will pay all design, construction, usage, and permitting costs; Fitchburg and Oregon will cooperate if Fitchburg service becomes available; and DOC will provide easements for future extension of the Sciene interceptor. Stormwater service had not yet been addressed.
• Resolution R-193-26: accepted subdivision improvements for Lot 2 of CSM 10031 and Lot 2 of CSM 11021 on Basswood Drive, constructed under a 2016 contract with Sub Zero Group Inc. Public Works inspected and conditionally approved the improvements, which included a new cul-de-sac disconnecting Basswood Drive from private Buds Drive. No conditions remained.
• Resolution R-181-26: approved a state municipal agreement for the Southdale Path from McCoy Road to Englehart Drive. The project is in the CIP for 2027 design and 2029 construction and received Wisconsin DOT carbon reduction program funding at 80% of construction costs. The funding application included a pedestrian bridge and roughly half boardwalk, but staff and board members discussed minimizing the boardwalk and preferring an at-grade asphalt path, extending culverts instead of a bridge, and using a guardrail or other separation from traffic. One board member questioned the carbon reduction benefit, and another noted the need to start by September 30, 2028 to avoid losing CRP funding. Staff will work with Dane County on any easements and will consider a connection through the wooded area at the north end.

Key Outcomes

• The board approved the September 21, 2026 minutes unanimously.
• Resolution R-191-26 (Highfield Reserve) — approved unanimously.
• Resolution R-192-26 (2027 solid waste rates) — approved unanimously.
• Resolution R-194-26 (Traceway-Leopold Path) — approved unanimously.
• Resolution R-148-26 (Oregon/Fitchburg/DOC sewer agreement) — approved unanimously.
• Resolution R-193-26 (Basswood Drive acceptance) — approved unanimously.
• Resolution R-181-26 (Southdale Path) — approved unanimously.
• Staff follow-ups: Tim Volker to verify solid waste unit counts and the $1.851 million versus $1.83 million budget/resolution difference with Ben Shulte; staff to coordinate with Madison on the Traceway connector, explore lower-cost Southdale Path design options, and work with Dane County on easements.
• Next Board of Public Works meeting: Monday, October 19, 2026, at the same time and place.