The following are additional State of Wisconsin Boating regulations that must be followed when operating a personal watercraft (PWC) in Wisconsin. 

1.      It is prohibited to operate a PWC between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

2.      The operator and all passengers of a PWC must wear a personal flotation device.

3.      When towing someone on a tube or on water skis there must be capacity on the PWC to accommodate the operator, the observer and the person being towed.

4.      PWCs must be operated at a distance of 100 feet from other water skiers or others being towed behind a vessel.  

5.      PWCs must be operated at slow-no-wake speed, the slowest possible speed to maintain steerage and headway, when: 

• Within 100 feet of any dock, pier, raft or restricted area on any lake;
• Within 100 feet of any vessel; or
• Within 200 feet of shoreline on all lakes, reservoirs, and bays.

6.      PWC operators must not exceed slow-no wake speed when approaching within 100 feet of any boat or vessel.

7.      Operating a PWC between the hours of sunset and sunrise is prohibited.

Starting on Monday, August 3rd, the library will be adjusting our hours of operation. The library will be open Monday thru Friday from 10:00am-5:00pm for all ages. We will not be open on Saturdays.

Library Service Level 4 to begin on August 3rd, 2020.

• Library open with limited hours, fully staffed.
• Library programs will be approved by the Library Director on a case-by-case basis if they can be done following protocols and staff is comfortable doing so.
• Number of people in the building at one time to be limited to 50.
• Furnishings/toys/games/crafts are not available to the public. They are in storage to encourage proper social distancing.
• Patron computer time will be limited. One 45 minutes session, per person per day. Patrons can call the library to reserve a computer time.
• Staff and patrons are encouraged to use PPE and recommended hygiene practices.
• If needed, Library Director may limit amount of time people may be in the building.
• Curbside service will continue to be available. Call the library to schedule a pickup time.
• Drinking fountains will not be available to the public.
• Community and Study rooms will not be available to the public.
• Outside bookdrop will be open for all returned materials. Inside bookdrop will be closed and returns will not be allowed at the front desk.
• All materials will be quarantined for 96 hours before being checked in.
• The library will not be accepting donations during this time.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call the library at 715-325-8990 or email Renee at rdaley@romepubliclibrary.org

In order to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Wisconsin, we are taking proactive measures by suspending all DNR burning permits until further notice. Therefore, all burning debris in barrels, piles on the ground and grass or wooded areas with annual burning permits in DNR protection areas is prohibited at this time.

Small campfires for warming or cooking only are allowed, but discouraged.  Eliminating ignition sources on the landscape reduces wildfire risk, smoke for vulnerable populations and person-to-person contact. Emergency responders and firefighters have an increased need to take pandemic precautions so they remain available to continue to protect the public from wildfires and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Missed the State of the Lakes Lunch?  View the presentations by clicking on the link below:

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact Don Ystad, 14 Mile Creek Watershed Committee Chair, 262-894-9423 or dystad@gmail.com

 COMMITMENT TO FERTILIZER ORDINANCE

LOCAL AREA PERFERRED APPLICATORS

Rome, WI (March 22, 2019) – The Town of Rome is committed to improving the water quality of the lakes and streams within our boundaries.  As part of this commitment the Town, in conjunction with the 14 Mile Joint Watershed Committee, launched a Preferred Fertilizer Applicator Recognition Program.  Licensed Professional Fertilizer Applicators who provide services in the Town of Rome were asked to join the effort by committing to adhere to the Town’s Fertilizer Ordinance.  Below is a list of preferred applicators, who have pledged to follow best practices for lake quality and signed the commitment to the fertilizer ordinance.

Preferred Fertilizer Applicators:

·         NatureScape

·         Paul’s Lawn Care

·         Rapid Quality Lawn & Landscaping

·         Schalows Nursery

·         Spring-Green Lawn Care

·         Stay Green Sprinkler Systems

If you’ll be using a fertilizer service during the 2019 season, please consider using one these applicators.  If your lawn care provider is not listed, please ask them to sign the commitment.  Any additional companies who sign the commitment will be periodically added to the Preferred Applicator list, which will be kept on the Town of Rome’s web site.  Additionally, if you prefer to apply your own lawn fertilizer, we would strongly encourage you to review the fertilizer ordinance and use the Preferred Applicator methods.    

To review the Fertilizer Ordinance in it’s entirely, please visit https://www.romewi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/9-CHAPTER-09-OFFENSES-AND-NUISANCES.pdf, and scroll to section 9.09.  

Disclaimer – The Town of Rome makes information available on its website and in media releases to enhance public knowledge and to provide a better understanding of the Town and its government.  This release is not advertising for any of the above-listed businesses, and the Town of Rome does not guarantee the work of the companies.  All information contained herein is supplied “as is” and the Town of Rome disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, related to said information, including but not limited to, accuracy, the completeness or suitability of said information, and any implied warranties of any provider or information contained in this release for any particular purpose.

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14 Mile Joint Watershed Committee is a public led advisory committee that was reconfirmed by the Tri-Lakes Management District at its 2017 Annual Meeting.  It is made up of private citizens representing Lakes Camelot, Sherwood, Arrowhead and Petenwell, as well as citizens at large, representatives of the Town of Rome, Wisconsin DNR, and Adams County Land Conservation.  The objective of the committee is to improve water quality in our Town’s lakes and streams, realizing that there are a number of contributing factors including, but not limited to upstream agriculture, shoreline erosion, fertilizer application, septic systems and water flow.

The committee seeks to build upon various groups to partner in its endeavor to improve water quality and the health of the lakes and streams in the 14 Mile Watershed.  Groups identified to lead this effort include the following: Lake Sherwood Property Owners Association, Lake Camelot Property Owners Association, Lake Arrowhead Property Owners Association, Petenwell and Castle Rock Stewards, Town of Rome and Adams County.

Synopsis of the Town of Rome Fertilizer Ordinance    

· Only use lawn fertilizers with 0% phosphorus or other compound containing phosphorus, such as phosphate.  · Only use lawn fertilizers labeled as containing less than 20% slow release nitrogen.  · Don’t apply lawn fertilizer when the ground is frozen.  · Be careful not to apply fertilizer to impervious surfaces including parking lots, roadways, and sidewalks.  · Buffer zones of 35 feet are required by state law for lakes, streams, wetland and ponds and fertilizer should not be applied to the buffer zones.  · Lawn clippings cannot be discharged into any drainage ditch, lake, stream or creek.

Remember these Best Practices in Fertilizing your Lawn     

· Soil tests should be done every three years to support fertilizer applications.  · Lake friendly slow release granular fertilizer should be used; quick release granular or liquid fertilizer should not be used.  · Nitrogen applications should be limited to 1 pound and 8 ounces per 1,000 square feet per application.  · Applications of lime will assist plants to take up more nutrients.  · Limit fertilizer applications to three times per year unless soil samples call for additional applications.  · If clippings are not bagged, two annual applications should be considered.  · If lake water is used for irrigation, two annual applications should be considered.  · Fertilizer should not be applied within 24 hours of forecasted significant rainfall.  Irrigation systems should not be operated within 24 hours of a fertilizer application except for a lite application to introduce the fertilizer to the ground surface.