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Middleton sustainability coordinator: composting kiosk sees heavy use; council urged to fix Century and Allen pedestrian signals
Summary
The Middleton Common Council heard that a USDA-supported composting kiosk at Quarry Skate Park has 439 registrations and has composted roughly 3.5–4 tons since June 1. Council members also raised pedestrian-safety concerns at the Century and Allen intersection and asked staff to press contractors for earlier signal electrification.
Kelly Hilliard, Middleton’s sustainability coordinator, told the Common Council on Sept. 16 that the city’s Quarry Skate Park ‘Scribe Stop’ food-composting kiosk has 439 registered users and composted about 3,200 pounds in August, totaling an estimated 3.5 to 4 tons of food since June 1. “It’s going very well,” Hilliard said, and she reported “little to no contamination.”
The update drew praise from council members and staff and was presented as part of broader sustainability committee work to expand community engagement. Hilliard also said the Middleton site currently diverts more food than any other site in the USDA grant-funded program.
Separately, Alder Henaira told colleagues the temporary traffic signals at the Century and Allen intersection create confusion for pedestrians because the pedestrian crossing signals are not yet electrified and there is no signage indicating that the crosswalk buttons do not function. “I finally decided today to go out there myself and give it a try, and it’s harrowing,” she said, describing difficulty discerning which traffic lanes have right of way.
Henaira said staff member Brian is already working on the issue and urged council members to walk the intersection with staff to see the problem firsthand. She recommended either expediting the contractor’s electrification schedule or erecting temporary signage to warn pedestrians and help them know how to use the crossing safely.
The council did not take formal action on the pedestrian issue during the meeting; Henaira said she would continue pressing the contractor (referred to in the record as MGNE) and suggested inviting outside contacts to assist with FAA-related runway issues elsewhere in town.
The meeting also included other sustainability items: a brief note about the ‘Sustainable U’ educational series, which staff said has seen lower attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic and is seeking new engagement ideas.
The council moved on to other agenda items and later voted to convene into closed session to discuss pending litigation.
