City of Oconomowoc - Club Porticello on Silver Lake in Oconomowoc had it's liquor license renewed for the upcoming year starting July 1, after paying $35,528 in delinquent real estate taxes by the 5p.m. June 30, deadline.

City of Oconomowoc ordinance states that a business cannot obtain a liquor license if it has delinquent tazes, assessments, or other claims outstanding, including money owed to alcohol vendors.

The Italian eatery's owner Tony Pipito, also agreed with the city to payback $10,000 of an $18,696 special attorney fee who represented the city during a series Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing in which Porticello sought out needed variances over the past few months that were needed to open the restaurant on the Silver Lake shore.  

Pipito has 90 days to pay the $10,000, according to the agreement.

City of Oconomowoc - Thursday night, city of Oconomowoc alderman told several Oconomowoc businesses, including the upscale Club Porticello restaurant on Silver Lake, that they need to pay off outstanding fees by June 30 or they would not be renewed their liquor license starting July 1.

Included in the group are the Olympia Sports Center and the future Blue Ribbon restaurant that will be located at the southwest corner of the Highway 67 and Valley Road intersection.

City of Oconomowoc ordinance states that a business cannot obtain a liquor license if they are found to have deliquent taxes, assesments or other claims outstanding including money owed to alcohol vendors.

Porticello, which was found to owe over $35,000 in taxes as well as over $18,000 in special council fees relating to the Board of Zoning Appeals meetings they have took part in while obtaining "area" and "use" variances in recent months, which allows the business to operate.

However, aldermen raised the concern on whether or not these fees should have to be paid by Porticello owner Tony Pipito as the money was for a special council attorney and not normal City Attorney Bill Chapman who often times sits in on the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, but was not part of the Porticello appeal hearings due to what is said to be a conflict of interests.

The alderman motion for Porticello's case was that that Pipito and his Attorney Michael Krill will have to reach an agreement with the city that they will agree on a resolution determining whether or not Pipito is to pay for the special attorney fees, by June 30 as well.

Five other businesses either paid off outstanding fees prior to the Thursday night hearing, or else they arranged an agreement and payment plan with their utility provider like the Corner Stone Pub and Eatery has done in order to obtain their license by July 1, for the 2008-2009 year.

The new Maxim's at the Oconomowoc Depot was another business who will receive a license after paying outstanding fees. They however were not part of the hearing as they are a new business.

If the three business, Porticello, Blue Ribbon, and Olympia Sports Center do not pay their fees by June 30, they will not be renewed their license starting July 1, but it is still possible for them to reapply after this date and go through the application process again once their payments are cleared, assuming their is still licenses available at that time, accoroding to Oconomowco Mayor Maury Sullivan.

City of Oconomowoc - The Oconomowoc Zoning Board of Appeals approved three area variances for Club Porticello last night, giving the upscale and controversial restaurant on Silver Lake near complete approval.

The boards granting allows owner, Milwauke based restaurateur Tony Pipito, the go ahead fto get an occupancy permit from the city which would put the retaurant in compliance with both the city and county.

After nearly three years of municipal, judicial and other state setbacks, Pipito opened the bar at Porticello April 28, and the resturant May 12, despite not having the area variances or occupancy permit to operate legally.

He received daily fines by the city for doing so.

Opponents such as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Silver Lake Environmental Association continued to fight against the approval of the restaurant at Wednesday's meeting claiming it will cause harmful environmental effects to the Silver Lake area as the building is just 17 feet away from the shoreline

City of Oconomowoc  -- Invesitgations by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco and Explosives, along with the Department of Criminal Invesitgation have been completed into the gas leak and explosion that destroyed First Baptist Church and will be forwarded to the City's police department, which will then take the lead on the case.

The City of Oconomowoc Police Department will interview all the parties involved, including the Department of Transportation, Dorner, Inc., and We Energies.

 The Chief said they will review the reports from DCI and ATF.

"Any lay person knows there was some type of gas leak and that gas entered the church," Beguhn said. "We'll have to draw a conclusion and send it to the District Attorney for review," he explained."It's too early to draw a conclusion of cirminal negligence," Beguhn added.

The Oconomowoc Community Center, located across thre street from the site of the church explosion that took place April 2,  will reopen tomorrow for its regular activities, according to City of Oconomowoc Police Chief Dave Beguhn.

Portions of Wisconsin Avenue will re-open tomorrow to allow people access to the center and to their residences, Beguhn noted.

Two church-owned residences were also impacted, one was destroyed and the other sustained significant damage. Preliminary reports place damage estimates at $1 million.

Oconomowoc -

Yesterday morning, members of First Baptist Church in Oconomowoc gathered together at the Oconomowoc Public Library, where they worshiped and gave thanks.

The old church bell was replaced with a hand bell, but the bell still rang and with that, the service began.  Rev. Sam Brink thanked members of the community for their support.

"We cannot express the support we have felt from the community," said Brink.  "We know that you care.  We want to say thank you to the community as a whole."

Members were thankful that no lives were lost in last Wednesday's explosion and said they had a lot to be thankful for.

See full story tomorrow in the Oconomowoc Focus.

Oconomowoc - City of Oconomowoc District 2 Alderperson Lora Mae Cochrane has narrowly defeated challenger and former Oconomowoc mayor Gary Kohlenberg by six votes, reported city officials.

The seven-term alderwoman Cochrane tallied 289 votes while Kohlenberg received 283.

If a recount were to occur, the petitioner would need to return the recount paperwork to the city by 5p.m. April 4, according to the city clerk.