Local News Briefs 11/16/15

Special Use Permit For Catholic Schools On FDL Plan Commission Agenda

Fond du Lac’s Plan Commission tonight will be asked to approve special use permits for Commonwealth Development Corporation’s plans to convert St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Schools in Fond du Lac to apartments and townhouses. Commonwealth hopes to redevelop St. Mary’s School into 21 apartments and 4 townhouses. Plans call for turning St. Joseph’s into 20 apartments and 2-cottage style units. If the Plan Commission approves the request their recommendation will go to the City Council for final approval. The commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at the City-County Government Center.

Approval Of BID Budget And Plan Raises Questions

The Fond du Lac City Council recently approved the 2016 operating plan and budget for the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership’s Business Improvement District. As part of that the Council increased a grant for the DFP’s façade improvement program from $50,000 to $75,000. Council members wanted to make certain they got more information on how that money was being used. DFP Board President Tom Deitte told the Council all the grant money they were given for 2015 went into the façade program. City Manager Joe Moore told the Council one of the changes made this year after DFP Executive Director Amy Hansen reported to the Council was separating the grant from the BID budget. Hansen will give the Council an update next May on how the money for the grant is being used. Moore says one thing they want to make certain of is that both the DFP and Council are on the same page when it comes to measuring the success of the program.

Tough Winters Require Bigger And Better Equipment

With Wisconsin winters snow plow drivers and law enforcement are using bigger and better equipment to handle our roads. Fond du Lac County Highway Commissioner Tom Janke says their trucks are bigger, but also more efficient at removing snow. He says they are double-wing with multiple and underbody plows that clear the snow on the first attack. Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says after a particularly tough winter one year where sheriff’s deputies had to ride along with snow plow drivers on calls they purchased two Chevy Tahoes. He says they weren’t really equipped for law enforcement, but they are purchasing two SUVs this year with all wheel drive. He says the SUVs are no different in than the sedans they’ve been using in terms of ground clearance, frame or tires, but it’s something they are trying.

CP Respite Home Benefits From United Way Funding

One of the agencies funding from donations to the Fond du Lac Area United Way goes to provides respite for family who take care of loved ones with Cerebral Palsy. Pam Schutz is the Executive Director of Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin. She says while they serve people with Cerebral Palsy they aren’t just limited to that. She says they also serve people with all developmental disabilities including those with autism, Down syndrome, and varying physical disabilities. She says they have two respite homes in Wautoma and the Oshkosh area. Schutz says the program is about giving family caregivers a break from their responsibilities so they can have some time just for themselves. She says a respite care facility can provide respite all or part of a day for up to 21 days. She says if you would like to know more give them a call at 920-424-4071 or check out their website.

County Thanksgiving Closings Announced

Fond du Lac County offices hours have been announced for the Thanksgiving holiday. County offices at the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac , Sheriff’s Office lobby window, Portland Street Annex including the Veteran Services Office, Highway Department, Department of Social Services and the Department of Community Programs will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th.