Information about several topics has been release by Whitewater city officials, including plans under discussion to help provide affordable housing, planned construction on Fremont Street, indications of the presence of spongy moths near Starin Park, and a controlled burn conducted by the city’s fire department early Wednesday.

Affordable housing

According to information released by city officials earlier this month, the city’s affordable assistance loan program has helped its first new homeowner.

Additionally, during the March 5 meeting of the Whitewater Common Council, changes were approved to the housing policy to make applying for a loan through the program “more accessible.”

The program is among mechanisms in place to help forge the city’s commitment to providing adequate housing, the release noted, further stating that the program works to help foster a “missing middle” population, defined, within the release, as entry-level workers, professionals and public employees such as teachers, police officers and public work staff.

The release cited rezoning efforts, which it stated, “have allowed for projects such as Habitat for Humanity and the Meadowview Neighborhood to be approved and are currently in development.”

As noted in the release, the city’s strategic goals call for the development of more than 50 new family-style homes to be built within the next five years. 

“These new additions to workforce housing in our community are expected to support public works, school systems, and general economic development in the area. We are excited to see the positive impact that these new housing developments will have on our community. By providing affordable and accessible housing options for our workforce, we are helping to create a more vibrant and thriving city for all residents,” Taylor Zeinert, interim economic development director, was quoted as saying in the release.

Fremont Street construction

According to information released by city officials on Monday, a Fremont Street reconstruction project is set to begin in April.

The relocation of private utilities has commenced in anticipation of the project.

The project includes a new gas main, which will be installed by We Energies, the release noted.

While private utility construction is underway, the release read, street construction work has not yet begun.

The release notes that Fremont Street will remain open to through traffic  during the early stages of the project, with additional information to be announced as the project unfolds.

“The Fremont Street reconstruction project aims to improve infrastructure and enhance safety and efficiency of the roadway for all users,” the release concluded.

Spongy moth near Starin

Additionally on Monday, city officials stated within a news release that “recent findings indicate the presence of spongy moth (also known as Lepidoptera Porifera) in the local vegetation surrounding Starin Park.”

According to the release, the moths do no pose a threat to humans or animals. Still, the release reminded residents to employ vigilance and take “necessary precautions” to prevent “potential damage to their own outdoor spaces.”

The release advised that the moths have been observed in increasing numbers “due to favorable weather conditions and abundant nearby vegetation.”

The organisms “possess a sponge-like abdomen and rely on plants as their primary food source,” the release continued.

To limit the affects of spongy moths, the release offered the following recommendations:

• Monitor vegetation. Residents are advised to regularly inspect plants and trees in gardens or yards for signs of larvae or cocoons.

• Mitigate potential damage: Residents are advised to prune infested branches or use environmentally friendly pest control methods to minimize potential damage caused by spongy moths.

•  Seek out education: Residents are advised to learn about spongy moths and their lifecycle.

Controlled burn

Whitewater Fire and EMS, in conjunction with the city of Whitewater’s Parks and Public Works departments, conducted a controlled burn “of several sub units inside the Effigy Mounds Preserve Property on Wednesday, March 13.

The 21.5-acre, city-owned park is located on the city’s west side.

According to information released by Whitewater Fire Department Assistant Chief Ryan Dion, the dual-purpose training opportunity offered a live-fire exercise in a controlled environment, providing firefighters with the experience required to perform their jobs safely and efficiently in an emergency.

“All of the tools, strategies, and tactics used in a prescribed fire can be applied to suppression activities when we are called to duty in an emergency. Moreover, the application of prescribed fire will help control invasive plant species and reduce timber litter. Not only does this make the park a pleasant spot for everyone to enjoy, it also reduces the amount of dead vegetation/fuel load to help reduce the chance of a significant fire occurring on the property,” the release read. 

The controlled burn was conducted Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.