SHULLSBURG — The Shullsburg City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Gloria Swenson on Wednesday, October 4, 2017.
    Discussion regarding lowering the speed limit on Hwy. 11 that goes through Shullsburg resurfaced. A request to Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT) was made earlier this year and after a study was performed by the WDOT what follows are the findings.
    From the Lafayette County Highway Safety meeting held June 15, 2017: Ryan Mayer, Wisconsin SW Region Highway Traffic Operations – Speed Zones, looking into complaints for the intersection of Judgement Street & Hwy. 11. Mayer stated he pulled a crash study on the intersection and found none in the last five years. He also conducted a speed study May 31 and thought the speed limit was appropriate. He sat at the intersection and could see vehicles (in both directions) for approximately eleven seconds. He stated it’s not an ideal intersection, but his investigation showed that the speed limit there was appropriate.
    Alder Emmett Rielly making a case to change the limits at the intersection wanted to move the 45 m.p.h. signs to the city limits. Rielly said, “We need to approach them with a letter campaign, from city council members, the mayor and city residents. I think it makes sense.” He continued, “This request would not to change the speed limit, but to move the speed limit signs (to the city limits). I think that would be agreeable. I think people in Shullsburg would want to protect that intersection (Judgement & Hwy. 11). We wouldn’t be changing the speed limit, we would be moving the signs.” [Note: It seems that moving the speed limits signs would change the speed limit.]
    Rielly made a motion to pursue moving the 40 m.p.h. signs to the city limits and send a request to the WDOT. Approved.
Acknowledgements
    Alder Duane Wedige thinks that many people in Shullsburg need to be acknowledged for all they do to help beautify and keep Shullsburg a great place to live. This includes Pam Paquette heading the flowers on Water Street and lining up workers to maintain the flowers; those that maintain the flowers; Jim Paquette for spraying the weeds in the park; Pat Hiem for time and equipment; Bruce Russell family for time and equipment; Wayne Gehrt for donation of Christmas lights and Legion Memorial in the park and more; Tom Lethlean for all he does. Wedige and the council appreciates the time and effort that these and many more Shullsburg people put into the city.
    Alder Cory Ritterbusch added, “We have a huge tradition of philanthropy in Shullsburg, from the Townsend Building, churches, etc. and that’s why we have one of the lowest tax rates in the region.”
    In other business:
    •Approved paying the bills for General, Water, Sewer, Electric, Pool, Museum, Library and TIFF Finds in the amount of $68,923.
    •Approved Open Burning for Oct. 15 to Nov. 15.
    •Approved Trick or Treat date and hours for Oct. 31 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.