Editor's note: The phone number to contact the Brodhead Police Department has been updated in this story.
BRODHEAD - The city of Brodhead is considering changing the names of some streets in town to cut down on confusion for everyone from residents to emergency personnel.
Last month, the Brodhead Public Safety Committee approved resolutions to change street names in the Crosswinds and Woods Point subdivision on the Rock County side of the city, as well as 1st Center Avenue and East 2nd Avenue, north of 1st Street, in the area known as Timm Town.
The resolutions presented by Police Chief Chris Hughes states the house numbers would remain the same, but would no longer have an "E" or "N" prior to the numbers. In the Crosswinds subdivision, 3rd Street and 4th Street would be changed to Sand Prairie Street and Crosswinds Street. In the Woods Point subdivision, 23rd Street would be changed to Woods Point Street. In area known as Timm Town, 1st Center Avenue and East 2nd Avenue would be changed to Center Avenue and Pierce Avenue. No other streets or avenues would be effected.
Hughes said going as far back as 1997, city ordinance prescribed how street names and house numbers are to be assigned. When the city began placing an "E" or "N" before the house number, it was no longer in compliance with the existing house numbering base it created under the ordinance. In addition, city ordinance required the city to consider house number difficulties when determining if a street name should be changed.
The city was originally laid out so house numbers began at 100 south of 1st Street and increased south of the avenue. The same applied to house numbers beginning at 100 west of East 9th Avenue, which would increase the further west the street went.
However, when the city grew outside these boundaries, it began placing an "N" or an "E" in front of the house number and kept the street name the same.
Hughes said using the letters creates confusion for residents, delivery companies, navigational system providers and especially for emergency services.
"In many cases there is a house or business with a nearly identical address south of 1st Street or west of E. 9th Avenue," Hughes said.
He used an example in which a business located in the Crosswinds subdivision are shown by two different navigational systems to be located at the intersection of 4th Street and East 3rd Avenue.
"If there is an ambulance call at this business, and if seconds can make a world of difference in patient care, a half a mile difference can now turn into minutes," Hughes said.
Committee Chair Rich Peach questioned the impact this would have on those effected. Hughes said it would be no different than if the resident or business actually moved.
"Residents and businesses will need to notify their various providers, the DMV, postal service, etc. of their new address," Hughes said.
The city will notify the utilities and effected county agencies, as well as filing the resolutions with the Register of Deeds and erecting new street name signs at a cost of approximately $400.
The committee voted unanimously for the new streets names, and recommended the Common Council hold a public hearing before it votes on the matter. The public hearing and Common Council vote on this issue will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Common Council Chambers of Brodhead City Hall, 1111 W. 2nd Ave.
Questions or comments can be directed to Hughes at 1004 W. Exchange St., Brodhead, or by calling the department's non-emergency number at 608-897-2112.
BRODHEAD - The city of Brodhead is considering changing the names of some streets in town to cut down on confusion for everyone from residents to emergency personnel.
Last month, the Brodhead Public Safety Committee approved resolutions to change street names in the Crosswinds and Woods Point subdivision on the Rock County side of the city, as well as 1st Center Avenue and East 2nd Avenue, north of 1st Street, in the area known as Timm Town.
The resolutions presented by Police Chief Chris Hughes states the house numbers would remain the same, but would no longer have an "E" or "N" prior to the numbers. In the Crosswinds subdivision, 3rd Street and 4th Street would be changed to Sand Prairie Street and Crosswinds Street. In the Woods Point subdivision, 23rd Street would be changed to Woods Point Street. In area known as Timm Town, 1st Center Avenue and East 2nd Avenue would be changed to Center Avenue and Pierce Avenue. No other streets or avenues would be effected.
Hughes said going as far back as 1997, city ordinance prescribed how street names and house numbers are to be assigned. When the city began placing an "E" or "N" before the house number, it was no longer in compliance with the existing house numbering base it created under the ordinance. In addition, city ordinance required the city to consider house number difficulties when determining if a street name should be changed.
The city was originally laid out so house numbers began at 100 south of 1st Street and increased south of the avenue. The same applied to house numbers beginning at 100 west of East 9th Avenue, which would increase the further west the street went.
However, when the city grew outside these boundaries, it began placing an "N" or an "E" in front of the house number and kept the street name the same.
Hughes said using the letters creates confusion for residents, delivery companies, navigational system providers and especially for emergency services.
"In many cases there is a house or business with a nearly identical address south of 1st Street or west of E. 9th Avenue," Hughes said.
He used an example in which a business located in the Crosswinds subdivision are shown by two different navigational systems to be located at the intersection of 4th Street and East 3rd Avenue.
"If there is an ambulance call at this business, and if seconds can make a world of difference in patient care, a half a mile difference can now turn into minutes," Hughes said.
Committee Chair Rich Peach questioned the impact this would have on those effected. Hughes said it would be no different than if the resident or business actually moved.
"Residents and businesses will need to notify their various providers, the DMV, postal service, etc. of their new address," Hughes said.
The city will notify the utilities and effected county agencies, as well as filing the resolutions with the Register of Deeds and erecting new street name signs at a cost of approximately $400.
The committee voted unanimously for the new streets names, and recommended the Common Council hold a public hearing before it votes on the matter. The public hearing and Common Council vote on this issue will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Common Council Chambers of Brodhead City Hall, 1111 W. 2nd Ave.
Questions or comments can be directed to Hughes at 1004 W. Exchange St., Brodhead, or by calling the department's non-emergency number at 608-897-2112.