Wauwatosa was among the communities hit Aug. 18 by heavy downpours and strong wind, which snapped branches, uprooted whole trees and temporarily knocked out power to parts of the city.
After months of deliberation over how to fill the District 6 seat, the Common Council voted last month to begin the process of making a temporary appointment. Applications are due by Aug. 21.
Wauwatosa gets its water from the Milwaukee Water Works. A previous fluoride supplier was unable to renew its contract, and Milwaukee received no bids from new potential suppliers.
Currently serving as community development director for Brown Deer, Nate Piotrowski will fill the position formerly held by Mark Hammond, who stepped down in May.
After Tosa Forward News reported on the looming decision, numerous District 6 voters contacted the 11 sitting members of the Common Council and Mayor Dennis McBride calling on them to appoint someone to fill Sean Lowe's former seat.
The plan approved by council was the costliest of four options considered and the only one involving building both a new City Hall and a new Wauwatosa Public Library. Construction could start in 2028, with many design details still to be worked out.
City officials have not said how many residents would benefit from waiving Tosa's overnight parking restrictions, but they indicate it is likely a small fraction of households.
The permits would be available to those living within a 16-block trial area of Tosa East Towne. If they demonstrate they don't have any place else to park, they could avoid the parking tickets that normally are issued for parking on Tosa streets from 3 to 6 a.m.
Under the plan, which is due for a final vote July 28, the city would commit to spending $107.2 million on new construction for both the City Hall and the Wauwatosa Public Library while attempting to shift more of the cost to private donors.
If the proposed plan is affirmed July 28 by the full Common Council, eligible residents of District 6 can begin circulating nomination forms Dec. 1 to get on the ballot in the April 2027 election.
The board voted July 15 to send a letter to the Common Council advocating in favor of the options that would entail construction of a new library on the southwest corner of North and Wauwatosa avenues.
