Waukesha County will host four Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) One-Time Collection events this year in addition to operating three ongoing collection ...
Waukesha County will host four Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) One-Time Collection events in 2022, in addition to operating three ongoing collection sites. All events and sites are free to Waukesha County residents with proof of residency.
“Keeping dangerous materials and chemicals out of our landfills is important,” said Analiese Smith, Recycling & Solid Waste Supervisor for Waukesha County. “Providing ongoing collection sites and one-time collection events makes it easier for residents to properly dispose of those unwanted household waste items.”
Waukesha County residents can participate in the following one-time collection events with proof of residency from 8 a.m. – Noon:
May 21: Mukwonago - Village Public Works Garage, 630 Hwy NN
June 4: Brookfield - City Public Works Yard, 19700 Riverview Dr.
June 18: Delafield - City Dept. of Public Works, 111 Main St.
September 10: Oconomowoc - City Public Works Garage, 630 S. Worthington St.
Residents can also utilize one of the County’s ongoing collection sites during their scheduled operating hours with proof of residency. Sites may be closed on and around holidays. Review the holiday schedules at www.waukeshacounty.gov/hazardouswaste.
Waukesha: City Incinerator Building, 900 Sentry Dr.
Muskego: North of Emerald Park Landfill, W124 S10391 S. 124 St.
Old, unusable chemicals, pesticides, wood preservatives, solvents, oil-based paints, and
mercury-containing products will be accepted. Latex paint, non-hazardous cleaning materials, motor oil and oil filters will not be accepted. For more information on what items are accepted, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/hazardouswaste.
Follow @WaukCoRecycles on Twitter or like Waukesha County Recycles on Facebook for product disposal and recycling information.
Waukesha County leaders are pleased to announce that Union Pacific will undertake replacement of the railroad crossing at Moorland Road (County Highwa...
Moorland Road Railroad Crossing Replacement Scheduled for May 21 - 24 in New Berlin
Waukesha County leaders are pleased to announce that Union Pacific will undertake replacement of the railroad crossing at Moorland Road (County Highway O) in New Berlin, just south of Greenfield Avenue (State Highway 59). Construction is set for Saturday, May 21 through Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
During this work, a 1.5-mile segment of Moorland Road (CTH O) will be closed between West Greenfield Avenue (State Highway 59) and West Cleveland Avenue (County Highway D). Drivers will be detoured to S. 108th Street. Alternate routes are strongly encouraged. Additional resources for Waukesha County drivers are found at www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/Crossing.
“Waukesha County has been advocating on behalf of residents since 2016 to get this railroad crossing repaired,” said Waukesha County Public Works Director Allison Bussler. “I am pleased to announce that this crossing will be fully replaced. This will benefit tens of thousands of drivers and neighbors using our roadways for decades.”
It was in 2016 that Waukesha County began reporting the crossing to Union Pacific for needed repairs. In June 2021, the Waukesha County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution authorizing staff to take all necessary steps to resolve repair issues, which was conveyed to Union Pacific with a 30-day deadline for appropriate action plans.
“Although this project will be an inconvenience during construction, this long overdue improvement will significantly enhance safety on Moorland Road,” said County Board Supervisor Ted Wysocki. “We worked with Waukesha County Public Works, the state, the railroad, and residents to make this happen.”
After the 30-day period lapsed, the County petitioned the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) to investigate the crossing. As a result, a public hearing was scheduled, with testimony from experts and more than 500 official comments by Waukesha County drivers. In November 2021, the OCR issued a decision that Union Pacific must replace the railroad crossing by June 1, 2022.
“Moorland Road is one of the most significant transportation corridors in Waukesha County,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “One of our most significant transportation projects is Moorland Road’s rehabilitation that will, over time, improve most sections of the road from Bluemound Road in Brookfield all the way south to Interstate 43 in New Berlin. Replacement of this very busy crossing is key to fully improving this roadway.”
About Waukesha County Public Works
Residents can learn more about this project, and others, on the Waukesha County Public Works’ Road Improvement Projects page at www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/RoadProjects.
Waukesha County Public Works provides the foundations of success for the residents, visitors, and businesses of Waukesha County by constructing and maintaining quality transportation and building infrastructure. More information: www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/DPW. Follow Waukesha County DPW on Twitter at twitter.com/WaukeshaCoDPW.
For National Prevention Week in 2022, Waukesha County leaders announce new efforts to prevent substance abuse in the community. The Waukesha County De...
Waukesha County Focuses on Schools, Crisis Response During National Prevention Week
For National Prevention Week in 2022, Waukesha County leaders announce new efforts to prevent substance abuse in the community. The Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has allocated additional grant funds to schools and the community to enhance primary substance abuse prevention; the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office will implement a pilot program that deploys mental health professionals to crisis calls in real-time; and peer support will increase at the community level.
“Prescription drug misuse, especially of opioids, is devastating to our community,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “Prevention is an investment in the lives and safety of all our residents, so the County is using multiple strategies to stop substance abuse before it can start.”
Expanding Prevention Programs in Schools
Waukesha County will offer approximately $200,000 in new Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) funds to expand prevention efforts in schools and the community. The grants can fund six primary prevention strategies: information dissemination, education, alternative activities, problem identification and referral, community-based process, and environmental. Schools and licensed prevention agencies each have the opportunity to apply.
Waukesha County has partnered with Addiction Resource Council, Inc. to offer free technical assistance to develop, implement, and document programming to schools applying for grants. Awardees may collaborate with other licensed Substance Use Prevention Agencies for activities not provided by schools.
Ongoing Implementation of Embedded Mental Health Professional Program
The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), in partnership with HHS, will implement the embedded Mental Health Professional program, which began as a pilot program in November 2021. The Sheriff’s Office has experienced improved response to mental health and crisis calls since the pilot program began. It will be fully implemented at the end of June.
“This program accommodates the changing needs of the community,” said Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson. “Mental health-related issues continue to rise, and this program protects both the safety of our deputies and those in crisis, while maximizing our deputies’ time for public safety and criminal issues.”
Since WCSO became the first and only County agency to embed a mental health professional in its office:
Average response time for the mental health professional to arrive on scene to meet with a person experiencing a mental health crisis is 22.1 minutes, compared to 45 minutes for similar responses with non-embedded mental health professionals.
The embedded mental health professional clears deputies on 38% of calls for service because the situation is not imminently dangerous and does not require law enforcement's presence.
Mental health-related issues and contacts with law enforcement continue to rise dramatically, both locally and nationally. In 2018, Waukesha County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 236 calls for service related to a mental health and/or substance use crisis that required the assistance of an HHS crisis clinician. Such calls for service have increased, with 691 calls occurring in 2020 and almost 800 calls in 2021.
More Information About Overdose Prevention in Waukesha County
Waukesha County utilizes a collective impact approach through multiple programs to fight the opioid crisis, including participation in National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, the Wisconsin Injection Drug Use Prevention Project, and its Drug Treatment Court.
In 2022, Waukesha County will utilize grants to launch medicated-assisted therapy awareness campaigns to highlight treatment options for individuals in recovery.
HHS has added an additional full-time peer support specialist to its Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Services Clinic Staff.
The Waukesha County Heroin Task Force’s prevention action team is conducting community presentations to highlight the risks associated with prescription misuse.
HHS maintains a strong relationship with the AODA Volunteers of Waukesha County, who provide valuable outreach, education and support services to individuals in recovery, or who are considering abstinence from drugs or alcohol.
The Women’s Health and Recovery Project (WHARP), coordinated by Waukesha County HHS, assists women with substance use disorders, and their children, who have complex needs such as housing, employment, mental health and physical health issues, transportation, and childcare.
Since 2017, more than 291 documented lives have been saved, at least 289 of those were overdoses reversed by Naloxone, as a result of the Waukesha County HHS Naloxone Project.
About Addiction Resource Council (ARC), Inc.
ARC promotes the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and supports the recovery of individuals and families affected by the chronic disease of addiction throughout Waukesha County. ARC collaborates with local and state initiatives such as the Waukesha County HHS Board’s Substance Use Advisory Committee, the Waukesha County Heroin and Illicit Drug Task Force, Your Choice to Live, WisHope Recovery, Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA,) and many more. Waukesha County supports ARC’s initiatives through community partnerships, and Substance Abuse Block Grant Funding awards. More information is available at www.addictionresourcecouncilwaukeshawi.org.
About Waukesha County
The mission of Waukesha County government is to promote the health, safety and quality of life of citizens while fostering an economically vibrant community. More information is available at www.waukeshacounty.gov.
Waukesha County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) staff encourage residents to volunteer for the statewide Clean Boats, Clean Waters project to help prev...
Waukesha County to Offer Free Training for 'Clean Boats, Clean Waters' Inspector Volunteers
Waukesha County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) staff encourage residents to volunteer for the statewide Clean Boats, Clean Waters project to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and fish diseases between lakes, rivers and streams. Free training for boat launch inspectors are being held throughout May.
“Volunteering at your local boat launch is a great way to get involved in the ever-growing world of aquatic invasive species,” said Amanda Schmitz, AIS Coordinator for Washington and Waukesha Counties. “People can make a difference in preventing the spread of these species to waterbodies throughout the state and beyond!”
Volunteer inspectors are trained to perform boat and trailer checks for invasive species, distribute informational brochures, and report any new water body infestations. Training dates are open to both new and returning volunteers.
Clean Boats, Clean Waters Inspector Trainings:
Monday, May 9 – West Bend, 5-7 p.m. Big Cedar Lake PRD – 4480 Gonring Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Wednesday, May 11 - Oconomowoc, 5-7 p.m. Oconomowoc Community Center – 220 W. Wisconsin Ave, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Wednesday, May 18 - Waukesha, 5-7 p.m. Retzer Nature Center – S14 W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI 53188
Tuesday, May 24 – West Bend, 5-7 p.m. Public Agency Center – 333 E Washington St (Room # 3224), West Bend, WI 53095
Waukesha County Parks and The Tap Yard Beer Gardens invite residents and visitors to celebrate the new beer garden in Fox Brook Park with a ribbon cut...
The Tap Yard Beer Gardens to Open New Location in Fox Brook Park May 4th
Waukesha County Parks and The Tap Yard Beer Gardens invite residents and visitors to celebrate the new beer garden in Fox Brook Park with a ribbon cutting and ceremonial first pour on Wednesday, May 4 at 3 p.m. Fox Brook Park is located at 2925 N. Barker Road in Brookfield.
“We are very excited to be bringing additional locations to Waukesha County,” said Nick Marking of The Tap Yard Beer Gardens. “Fox Brook Park is a phenomenal location to catch up with family and friends over a beer.”
The Tap Yard beer garden in Fox Brook Park will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from May 4 through November 1. A daily park entrance or annual park entrance permit is required for all vehicles entering Fox Brook Park or another fee-based Waukesha County Park. Visitors will need to pay within 5 days of visit to avoid a violation ticket. Guests can purchase permits online before or after their visit at www.waukeshacounty.gov/parkentry.
The Tap Yard will have a rotating selection of craft beers on tap at the outdoor bar. They will be hosting a variety of special events such as trivia nights, food truck fests and tap events throughout their season. Guests can also enjoy the beach, playground, and trail amenities within the park.
“It’s great to have a new partnership with The Tap Yard for our community,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “It’s an excellent location to gather and enjoy the outdoors.”
About The Tap Yard Beer Gardens
The Tap Yard Beer Gardens have four locations to serve the community in Waukesha, West Bend, Brookfield, and Milwaukee. For more information, hours and events, visit www.thetapyards.com or follow them on Facebook.
