City of Tomahawk to utilize resident education in response to rat concerns

TOMAHAWK – After numerous residents expressed concerns regarding rats in the City of Tomahawk, a city committee is looking to utilize education to help address the issue.

During the city’s Health and Safety Committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 30, a Tomahawk resident spoke on behalf of other citizens who wished to see the matter taken up by the city.

The individual highlighted a late-September email from another city resident to City Clerk/Treasurer Amanda Bartz, which said they had caught six rats in their yard on N. 7^th St. over the course of three weeks. The email said they keep a “neat and tidy yard” and did not understand why the rodents had continued to be spotted and caught on their property.

The email also said they had contacted City Hall, the Tomahawk Police Department, Mayor Steve Taskay, one member of the City of Tomahawk Common Council and the Lincoln County Health Department in an effort to resolve the matter.

Following reports of rat sightings around E. Wisconsin Ave., committee members and Bartz said they inspected the area. Although no rats were seen during these visits, exposed garbage and open garages were witnessed, which could potentially provide an environment conducive to rodents, it was noted.

In regards to unkempt homes and yards, Tomahawk Police Chief Al Elvins said the department can issue 30-day notices to property owners. If no action is taken to address the issue by the end of the 30-day period, the department can issue a citation to the property owner. One such citation was issued for a property on Wisconsin Ave. in mid-September, according to Elvins, who noted that the home is in foreclosure.

Bartz said she researched what other Wisconsin municipalities have done in response to rat issues, and she discovered that many have focused on resident education.

“(Municipalities) rarely, if ever, provide extermination services to residents,” Bartz stated. “Instead, they encourage property owners to take action by eliminating food sources, water, shelter, etc., for the rodents.” 

Bartz referenced an informational brochure the City of Green Bay mailed to residents in response to a rat problem there. After further discussion, the committee voted to direct Bartz to develop a flyer to be mailed to residents on E. Wisconsin Ave.

A specific timeline regarding when the flyers will be produced and sent out was not discussed.