Waupaca city buildings, playgrounds still closed
By Angie Landsverk
City of Waupaca facilities are now closed until Thursday, April 30.
The common council unanimously approved the extension when it met on April 8.
All members were present for the virtual meeting.
Mayor Brian Smith said the city originally closed its facilities until April 8.
When Gov. Tony Evers issued the Safer at Home Order on March 24, the closure then became until April 24, he said.
Current federal government guidelines are to maintain physical distancing guidelines until April 30, Smith said.
Angie Landsverk Photo
Playground reminder
People are encouraged to go outside during the state’s Safer at Home Order.
Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Whitman said Waupaca’s parks have been busy, and people are following the order.
“I would just like to remind people that per the governor’s Safer at Home Order, our playgrounds are currently closed. For your own safety, please stay off the playground equipment and any other area marked with these signs,” he said.
Whitman said the skate park and batting cages at Swan Park are also closed during this time.
With more than 25 miles of trail throughout and around Waupaca, people are able to hike and bike on those trails.
“It is still recommended by the governor to get outside and be active but to follow all CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines when it comes to social distancing and group activities,” Whitman said. “At this time, our trails and parks are still available for use, but our bathrooms are not currently open.”
Mutual aid
The common council also unanimously approved an updated public works mutual aid agreement when it met on April 8.
The agreement is between the cities of Clintonville, New London, Waupaca and Weyauwega.
City Administrator Aaron Jenson has weekly meetings with the administrators in Clintonville, New London and Weyauwega.
This updated public works mutual aid agreement is a result of those meetings.
During conversations, they learned municipalities throughout the county entered into such an agreement in 1999, Jenson said.
He told the council the municipalities were still operating under it.
The agreement automatically renewed every year.
These four cities wanted to update that agreement, Jenson said.
It outlines the mechanics if one needs assistance from another, he said.
Jenson said all the city administrators agreed they were comfortable with the updated agreement.
“At this time, we’re bringing it forward with just these four municipalities,” he said.
The original agreement also included Manawa and Marion.
Jenson planned to have phone calls with those municipalities and said they could be added to the list.
“I think it’s a great start,” Smith said.