Jonathan Lampe for Watertown

10/07/2026

Thank you District 2 / Mary Knoll residents who wrote in or spoke at tonight’s City of Watertown, WI - Government council meeting about the noise concerns of the pickleball courts tentatively sited next to the existing Brandt-Quirk tennis courts.

With the help from Ald. Arnett the Council voted in favor of an amendment I put forward mandating the inclusion of noise mitigation in the form of trees and a fence wrap. Unfortunately the Council then weakened the requirement with a vague “if needed” clause, that could nullify the noise mitigation. With only that weak language in place I was unable to support the final resolution, but it nonetheless passed as amended.

Despite tonight’s result, there are three important opportunities left to turn the “if needed” into “yes we will put in noise mitigation”.

One is to influence the Watertown Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department staff to decide that noise mitigation is needed. (This may involve an audio study, a closer look at mitigation effects of trees, etc.; I’ll keep working to find out.).

Two is to engage the private group who has generously fundraised to make the courts a reality somewhere in the City to understand if they would voluntarily add it to their plans.

And the third is to adjust the written agreement between the private pickleball group and the City before or when it comes to Council for final approval.

I’m looking forward to pursuing any or all of these avenues collaboratively so we can all deliver a new space for healthy activity while preserving the outdoor enjoyment of District 2 residents.

10/01/2026

I agree with Mayor Stocks that putting a solar farm near to the airport and on a key highway interchange is a bad idea.

Whether or not the City is successful in modifying or halting the related solar project, I hope this encourages the City to take more aggressive action (including annexation) to ensure the City alone controls and encourages smarter development along the 26 bypass.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19REmsFzyE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/30/2026

Putting my app in today! Please use this program to build and maintain our parkrow tree forest.

🌳 LAST CALL! 🌳

There’s still time to participate in the Rooted in Watertown Tree Planting Program, but registration ends TOMORROW, October 1!

City property owners can choose from a variety of tree species for planting along the street right-of-way by the Watertown Forestry Department.

🌱 $100 per tree
🌳 Limit of 2 trees per property
📅 Registration deadline: October 1, 2026

Help grow Watertown’s tree canopy and create a more diverse, sustainable urban forest for years to come!

👉 Register online on RecDesk or stop by the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Office.

09/26/2026

A few weeks ago the City of Watertown, WI - Government Council was shown a draft of an economic vision that leaned into a rural identity. One of the easiest things we could do to make that a reality and create an immediate economic spark would be to allow UTVs in the city.

Two years ago I sponsored an ordinance that would do exactly that but it was voted down at the City’s Public Safety Committee on a split vote. Maybe it’s time to try again?

(Thought of this today after seeing yet another similar-sized city in Wisconsin finally get their ordinance passed:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/wisconsin-city-just-opened-nearly-110300393.html; and thank you for past and future education efforts Jefferson 1/2 Mile ATV Club!)

09/18/2026

I attended this tonight; the City of Watertown, WI - Government has been represented on the working committee by Watertown Fire Department Chief Reynen. The committee’s recommendation (after consultation with the county finance committee) was to create a .25 mill county-wide levy that would provide more than $500K a year to Watertown. Under the draft formula, Watertown is a municipality providing about 15% of Jefferson County’s coverage after weighting population, area and property value. The expected impact of the new levy would be about $75/yr on a Jefferson County $300K home, and could help our fire department add the equivalent of two 24/7 staff (often allowing a second staffed ambulance) to our new fire station.

IMO it’s bold proposal that finally addresses the volunteer fire and EMA departments that are disappearing from the country, and a great way to support our emergency providers.

Public EMS Discussion -- September 17 and 24

Attend one of these sessions to learn about the Jefferson County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Working Group and ideas the group has presented. You'll also have an opportunity to ask questions during the Q&A session.

Please note: Both sessions cover the same content. We hope you can attend!

Full press release:
https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/news_detail_T7_R154.php

09/17/2026

Good news for people who can’t stand the current condition of East Main Street: our Public Works committee found a way to get the street repaved this year! That’s two years ahead of the major Main Street reconstruction and three ahead of that section’s scheduled reconstruction. Last time the City repaved a section of Main Street we used federal ARPA funds; this time we’re just planning to redirect some existing work in that direction. See memo for details!

09/16/2026

Tonight: your one and only chance to get your hands on the artwork that’s been livening up Main Street this summer!

🎨 ART ON MAIN LIVE AUCTION IS TOMORROW NIGHT! 🎨

Join us tomorrow night at Lyons Irish Pub for the Art on Main Live Auction!

📍 Lyons Irish Pub
🕠 Preview begins at 5:30 PM
🔨 Live Auction begins at 6:30 PM

Come out, see the incredible artwork that has been displayed along Main Street all summer, and support our local artists! ❤️

Enjoy an evening of art, food, drinks, laughter, and—most importantly—community. Gather your friends and make a night of it in Downtown Watertown!

✨ Every dollar raised supports the Watertown Main Street Program’s Facade & Sign Grant Program, helping local businesses invest in the beauty and character of our historic downtown.

Support Local Artists. Support Downtown. Support Main Street. 🎨❤️

09/15/2026

With gas and grocery prices continuing to increase, many Americans’ budgets are getting tighter. Fortunately, the City of Watertown, WI - Government offers and supports a number of no- and low-cost services to keep people moving, connected, informed and entertained year round.

- Taxi and shared ride service in or within 2 miles of the city: https://passengertransit.net/PassengerCity?Name=Watertown
- Over a dozen city parks: https://www.watertownwi.gov/page/parks
- Children, family, senior and adult programming at the public library: https://www.watertownpubliclibrary.org/events/upcoming
- Indoor and outdoor pools: https://www.watertownwi.gov/page/aquatics
- Makerspace and crafting room: https://www.watertownpubliclibrary.org/makerspace
- Senior center performances, meals, games and more: https://mycommunityonline.com/organization/watertown-senior-community-center-53094
- A hiking, biking and rollerblading trail that runs through Ixonia to Oconomowoc: https://parks.jeffersoncountywi.gov/recreation/trails/watertown_oconomowoc_interurban_trail.php
- A replica of the Vietnam Wall honoring the fallen from the conflict in Aero Park: https://www.facebook.com/vietnamwall.watertown/
- Rock River kayak rentals:https://www.watertownchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Kayak-BikeRentalFlyer.pdf
- Fishing on the Rock River, Silver Creek or Heiden Pond from many city parks and access points: https://fishbrain.com/fishing-waters/ACP4_eXM/lower-watertown-2wp81-dam
- Free books, DVDs, CDs, games, snowshoes and other media from the Watertown Public Library
- Historical walking and driving tours from Watertown Tourism: https://www.watertownchamber.com/experiences/walking-and-driving-tours/
- America’s First Kindergarten, Octagon House and regional history at the Watertown Historical Society, Watertown, WI

Please join me in continuing to support and use these essential City services, and thanking the staff, volunteers and leaders who make them possible. These free and low cost options let everyone in the City be part of the community!

09/11/2026

As we remember 9/11 here’s another TV option for folks who worked today from the museum at ground zero.

09/09/2026

I know several downtown businesses received scary “eminent domain” letters like these recently. I believe these are related to the acquisition of utility easements ahead of 2028’s reconstruction. Please reach out to the City of Watertown, WI - Government for confirmation. Meanwhile I’ll check in on the development of a city communications strategy to avoid future surprises like this. (I’m serving on the Main Street Board this term and will plan to check in with them on the guidance they received from the City on this letter before it was sent too.)