DPW Reports Some Road Closures Because of Rain

Most of the reported closures, or potential closures, are on the city's west side near the Root River.

Another round of heavy rain has led to a handful of road closures in Greenfield. Division of Public Works Superintendent Dan Ewert said portions of Root River Parkway were closed again Thursday morning, as they often are with heavy rainfalls. Ewert said the Root River is close to cresting at approximately 105th and 106th Streets and Cold Spring Road, adjacent to Alan Kulwicki Park, which could lead to the temporary closure of Cold Spring. In addition, 116th Street between Howard and Morgan avenues is flooded, Ewert said. The entire city, and all of Milwaukee County, is under a flood watch through 9 p.m. Thursday evening. Patch will update this story as more closures are announced. Know of a flooded or closed street? Tell us about it in the…

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Emerald Ash Borer Now in Greenfield

The insect was found in trees along the Greenfield-Greendale border Wednesday.

On the heels of an announcement that the Village of Greendale had trees infested with Emerald Ash Borer, Greenfield officials announced late Wednesday that the insect was in their city as well. Division of Public Works Superintendent Dan Ewert and city forester Dennis Fermenich inspected ash trees on the border with Greendale, in the 5500 to 5600 blocks of South 43rd Street north of Ramsey Avenue. After cutting off branches of a few suspect trees, these branches displayed evidence of Emerald Ash Borer. Return to Greenfield Patch for more on this developing story.

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Greenfield Streets Should be Plowed for Morning Commute

Plow crews were out at 3 a.m.

Following a long day of keeping up with the consistent snow fall, Greenfield Division of Public Works employees were back at it early this morning. According to DPW Superintendent Dan Ewert, the plow crew was plowing and salting streets until approximately 8:30 p.m. Thursday, concentrating on making all main raids passable and going through most neighborhood roads at least one time. The crews were back out at 3 a.m. to ease the morning commute and school bus traffic. Tell us: How were your streets when you left for work?

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New Church Makes Building Donation to City, Opening in Spring

The Ridge Community Church, which just began renovations of the former Walmart building, gave the city Walmart's lawn and garden building.

Pastor Mark Weigt of The Ridge Community Church has said often his church would “be a good neighbor.” And though The Ridge is not expected to move into its new home on Highway 100 until the spring, it has already made good on that promise. The church, which began renovating the former Walmart building Jan. 11, has donated the lawn and garden building on the north end of the old Walmart to the City of Greenfield. The Division of Public Works plans to use it to store city equipment. “The donation by the church allows the city to obtain a useful structure that we would not otherwise have the means to afford,” Mayor Michael Neitzke said. “For pennies on the dollar, when one takes into account that we have to remove it and reinstall it, the …

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When Will Your Holiday Garbage be Picked Up?

And how late is too late to put out your leaves for the Division of Public Works. We've got answers to both questions.

Wondering when your garbage will be picked up the week of Thanksgiving? Or Christmas? According to Division of Public Works Superintendent Dan Ewert, John’s Disposal, the city’s refuse collection contractor, will run its residential routes one day after it normally does on the holiday and the rest of the week. So, for those scheduled to have their garbage picked up on Thanksgiving Day, John’s will pick up their garbage Friday, Nov. 23. And for those slated for a Nov. 23 pickup, John’s will make its pick-ups Saturday, Jan. 24. For the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Day, those scheduled for pickups Dec. 25-28 and Jan. 1-4 can expect John’s to come one day later, with the final pickups those weeks coming Saturday, Dec. 29, and Saturday, …

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Does Your Tap Water Smell Bad? Don't Worry

The smell is a result of maintenance work being done by Milwaukee Water Works this week.

Updated 2:50 p.m. Oct. 8 If you notice your tap water smells bad this week, don't be alarmed. According to Greenfield Superintendent of Public Works Dan Ewert, Milwaukee Water Works, the city's water supplier, has shut down the ozone filters at its Howard Avenue plant for the rest of the week during routine maintenance and servicing. Milwaukee Water Works informed Ewert the water is safe to use and drink, but the ozone filters reduce or eliminate the smells. In an email sent by Milwaukee Water Works Superintendent Carrie Lewis, Lewis said customers may notice a slight musty or earthy or moldy lake water smell in their tap water, especially those on the south side or near-north side of the service area. Work began Oct. 1, and ozone …

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Joe Booj

3:28 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The preemtive notification should have come from Milwaukee Waterworks! From my knowlege The City of Greenfield knew nothing until residents called with concerns about the water smelling bad. Greenfield officials made an inquiry to MWW and got the info on the filter maintenence which was past along to Patch soon after recieving. So thank you Patch and Greenfield DPW.   more ›

Downed Trees, Flooding at City Hall Reported After Storm

A quick afternoon thunderstorm produced high winds that knocked down as many as 15 trees that needed to be cleared from city streets Monday.

An afternoon thunderstorm that brought with it plenty of wind, rain and hail hung around Greenfield just long enough to be a nuisance. Just how much of a nuisance remains to be seen. According to Division of Public Works Superintendent Dan Ewert, four, two-person crews were called in to clear at least 15 trees from city streets after the storm. In addition, Ewert reported flooding in the basement of City Hall. The extent of the damage was not known as of 10:30 p.m. Monday. Greenfield police responded to more than a dozen calls for downed trees, some of which were blocking roads; more than 10 building alarm calls; and 15 calls about flooding, according to Greenfield Police Chief Brad Wentlandt. Share your weather photos with Patch by …

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Editor's Notebook

DPW Workers Recognized for Going 'Above and Beyond'

Earlier this summer, four Division of Public Works employees assisted the Greenfield Fire Department with a car fire.

It’s always nice to hear about someone lending a helping hand, looking for someone else and going the extra mile. Earlier this summer, four Division of Public Works employees – Renae Roehl, Steve Prokop, Robert Streim and Michael Dermody – did all those things. The DPW crew came across a car on fire in the 6300 block of West Layton Avenue. They called the city’s police/fire dispatch center, as expected, but didn’t just hop in their trucks and take off once they did. No, the DPW workers checked to see if someone was in the car and then redirected traffic both before and after fire personnel arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire. “I’m proud that my people for taking the time to do above and beyond what they needed to do,” DPW …

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Southridge's 74th Street Entrance Closed Through Monday

Greenfield's Division of Public Works staff are replacing concrete road panels, forcing vehicles to use the 71st Street entrance.

Beginning Thursday, the 74th Street entrance approach to Southridge Mall will be closed for concrete panel replacement, according to Greenfield Division of Public Works Superindented Dan Ewert. Vehicles are being detoured east to the mall parking lot's 71st Street entrance. The 74th Street entrance is expected to reopen at 8:30 a.m. July 16.

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