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Open house gives Beloit residents a behind-the-scenes look at public works department

BELOIT — Public works expenditures in Beloit — street maintenance, parks and recreation, water resources and wastewater treatment among them — account for more than 20 percent of the city’s operations budget.

Only the police and fire departments receive a larger chunk of the city’s $29.7 million budget.

Local residents interested in how their money is spent by the Department of Public Works are invited to attend an open house May 20 as part of National Public Works Week.

“It’s a chance for people to get a behind-the-scenes look at what the Department of Public Works crews do on a daily basis to keep the city running smoothly,” said Patti Miller, an environmental technician for the city.

The theme this year for National Public Works Week is “Above, Below and All Around You.” In keeping with that theme, DPW officials will offer guided bus tours of several department facilities throughout the city from noon to 7 p.m. Along the way, they will point out ongoing street and DPW projects.

The Beloit Transit buses will make four stops at the utilities and engineering, DPW operations, wastewater treatment and transit system facilities. (see related graphic).

The one-hour tours begin every 30 minutes, starting from the new Beloit Transit System Transfer Center downtown. The last bus leaves at 6 p.m.; each tour concludes at the transfer center.

The city also will host a grand opening celebration at 11 a.m. that same day at the new transfer center on Shirland Avenue downtown.

Read the full story in the May 5, 2010 e-edition of The Stateline News, HERE.