Outstanding Citizen Award Nominations can be made beginning at the November Budget Hearing through the January Caucus each year. BUT – none were received this year. PLEASE write a letter or email stating the nominee’s name, address and phone number and why you think he/she should receive this award. Please include your name, address and phone number as well. Candidates may be citizens or even a group who has voluntarily contributed to the community of the Town of St. Joseph and its citizens. (ie: has shown leadership in community causes, efforts and/or concerns, personal resourcefulness, time and talent, as well as a genuine concern for their fellow citizens and community as a whole). Upon receipt of these nominations, the Town Board will consider the candidate’s merits. The recipient(s) will receive their award at the April Annual Meeting.

Plowing Standards and Guidelines The Town Board has approved standards and guidelines to improve the snowplowing process. The goals included providing uniform plowing and sanding in all areas of the Town, establishing priorities, identifying the timing for completing plowing and sanding, setting performance standards and measures to avoid over-time billing. Actual storm conditions and other factors have to be weighed by the decision makers in real time.

The Priorities: Primary Town sub-collector roadways will be plowed first including Valley View Trail, River Road, Rolling Hills Trail, Scout Camp Road, 60th, 80th, 83rd, 140th, and the 150th bridge. School bus routes will be plowed next. Roads serving single developments or houses will be plowed last.

Timing: WEEKDAYS: Dry snow and colder than 25 degrees and 2” or more on the ground • First pass plowing and sanding as necessary, to be completed by 6:30AM • First pass plowing and sanding as necessary, to be completed by 3:30PM • First pass means cleared for commuter traffic and school bus passage. Less than 2” on the ground • Only Primary sub-collectors and stop signs will be cleared and sanded as needed. Wet snow—25-32 degrees and 1” or more on the ground • First pass plowing and sanding as necessary, to be completed by 6:30AM • First pass plowing and sanding as necessary, to be completed by 3:30PM • First pass means cleared for commuter traffic and school bus passage. Ice and compaction on the roadways • Sand when and as necessary to keep intersections clear of ice and curves, hills, driveway intersections and limited visibility areas. Plowing and sanding will be completed as practicable but no later than 12 hours after commencing work, the roads will be plowed blacktop edge to edge, intersections and cul-de-sacs cleaned. WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS: 4” or more of snow on the ground, or more than 2” of snow on the ground and the snow has stopped. • First pass plowing and sanding will commence, clean-up will be completed on regular time Monday or the next regular time opportunity. • Complete plowing and sanding will be completed as soon as practical on the first work day after this snowfall. The roads will be plowed blacktop edge to edge, intersections and cul-de-sacs will be cleared. • Once again Todd Tuma will be plowing for all roadways west of County Road V and those that access County Road V. Haas Excavation will be plowing all other roads in the Town.

Make sure you don’t plow your snow from your driveway across the Town road. This makes it very difficult for the plows. If you leave for the winter, make sure and have someone plow your driveway so there is access if needed for a fire. Give the plows plenty of room when meeting or passing. They have a difficult job to do and the Board hopes these guidelines will make everyone aware of when and how the plowing will be done this winter. Have a safe one!

How do I register to vote?

Registration Form

Fillable Registration Form

MAKE YOUR WRITTEN REQUEST FOR A MAILED ABSENTEE BALLOT EARLY !! You don't have to stand in line on Election Day - you can vote absentee without a reason... it's for your convenience! Don't get caught on a business trip without voting.

REQUEST BY MAIL - Download the Application For Absentee Ballot (EB-121). Complete the form and mail it to:

TOWN OF ST. JOSEPH Marie Schmit, Clerk/Treasurer 1337 County Road V Hudson, WI 54016

The application must be received by the clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election in order for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you. Of course you must already be a registered voter.

DEADLINE FOR RETURNING BALLOT - The completed ballot must be received by the municipal clerk no later than the day of the election so that it can be delivered to the polling location by 8 p.m.

IN-PERSON AT YOUR MUNICIPAL CLERK'S OFFICE - You can also personally go to the Clerk's office, complete a written application, and vote an absentee ballot during the regular office hours. This can be done up until 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election.

Regular Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Absentee Ballot Application

December 10, 2009 TO: All residents of the Town of St. Joseph FROM: The St. Joseph Town Board RE: Garbage Service The Town Board has been considering having a contract with one garbage contractor to service the entire Town. We have developed a request for proposals. At the last Town Board meeting two providers, Waste Management and Veolia presented their proposals and costs associated with them. The board will probably make a decision on whether we will contract with a provider at the next board meeting on January 7, 2010. Some members of the board are concerned about making one hauler the mandatory provider to the entire Town.

Pros and cons: • Best prices will be achieved by one contractor under contract to pick up every resident’s garbage and recycling. 100% participation by the residents will assure the best price. • The board has asked for additional costs projections if we were to make participation optional. If we have any haulers who are willing to bid on this option, the prices will be higher than those stated below. • Residents who are snowbirds will have an option to suspend their service while they are gone. • An exclusive contract will have one company driving on the Town’s roads rather than various trucks at various times therefore causing less wear and tear. • There is no cost to the Town to provide this service as the hauler will take care of all billing, collections and customer service issues. • Prices under the mandatory option and including all fees and taxes are: o 35 gallon container: $36.00 - $43.50 per quarter o 64 gallon container: $42.00 - $47.25 per quarter o 96 gallon container: $49.50 - $51.00 per quarter o There will be surcharges if fuel exceeds certain price points. o Those residents who need back in service to the door will be able to do so at a cost of $10.00 - $13.75 per month o Recycling is included in the rates quoted and will be picked up every other week.

If you need more information or have an opinion regarding this proposal and whether it should be mandatory participation with one hauler---or not-- please contact the deputy clerk- Jackie Hildebrand. Jackie’s email address is: deputy@townofstjoseph.com OR you can leave a message at the Town Hall offices at 715-549-6235.

Feel free to contact any of the members of your Town Board to express your opinion regarding these proposals.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to this information—we need your input.

Theresa Johnson, Chairperson Town of St. Joseph 715-222-6235

Are you new to Wisconsin? Do you really understand how our town government affects you? Isn't the word town just another word for a small city? It is important that you know the role of your local government, and that you participate. Learn more by coming to your local town board meetings, annual town meetings and just become involved. You are important!

What is a town? Should I care??