Mayor’s Column January 16, 2026
Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun
Hello Waupun,
Earlier this week, the council approved a grant for the extension for Shaler Drive with construction starting later this year. The grant agreement was made possible through the Dodge County Community Development Grant Program between the City of Waupun and Dodge County and would cover about 50% of the costs pertaining to the completion of Shaler Drive connecting the street between the Waupun Junior Senior High School to the intersection of Watertown Street. This street connection is important for a significant housing project, along with what looks likely to be more apartments and commercial development coming to the southeast corner of Waupun.
As you know, connecting Shaler Drive has not only been a priority of mine, but also a priority of the council and city staff. It’s taken a lot of effort to get us to this point, where we can pay for the street construction, including creating a tax incremental financing district, clever budgeting, and the time put into getting the grant from Dodge County. I’m confident with this street project along with the improvements we’ll be seeing, and the convenience it will bring to the residents in the Robin Road and Clagget Street area, the work will be more than worth it!
Since the completion of the new valve at the dam, I’m often asked questions about the Rock River, including about restocking fish upstream from the dam, and why is the water a blue greenish color, so much so that even the ice along the dam is a swimming pool blue. A friend reached out to the WI DNR and asked about both. First, the color. The color is caused by a dye that Saputo Cheese is using in their wastewater treatment plant that empties into the river. They have a permit from the DNR to use the dye, and I’m assured it’s harmless to the fish. As far as restocking the river, we can do it, but the State of Wisconsin cut funding for restocking in 2018, and the Mill Pond is no longer stocked with Northern Pike. We did get a couple of fisheries that are approved by the DNR, but we’d have to pay for it ourselves. I don’t know if this is something folks are interested in donating towards, but it’s something I think some folks are going to work towards accomplishing.
Last week, I asked residents in the Park, Roosvelt, and Grove Street area to please fill out the surveys that we the city sent to them. Since then, more are coming in and I appreciate that, but we still need more. The reason for the surveys is we’re looking to get a million dollar grant to help us pay for the street reconstruction in that area. The cost of the project is $3 million, and the grant would be $1 million. Please help us save us a million dollars and return the surveys ASAP.
Finally on Tuesday, I had the opportunity to attend the Entrepreneurship Class pitch event at the Waupun High School. What is a pitch event? It’s when students create small groups and come up with a small business idea. The students find a need that they think they can help with by selling a product or service. They put together a business plan; devise a solution with the product or service they wish to sell. The students then “pitch” their ideas before judges in hopes of winning money to help get their idea off the ground. Thankfully, I was a guest and not a judge because both groups of kids did a fantastic job! Kudos to Waupun School District and the Waupun Business Education Department for offering our students such awesome opportunities. It is a wonderful experience for the kids, and I’m honored to attend to be supportive. Waupun has a bright future with these talented young people coming through.
Thank you and God Bless,
Mayor Rohn
