News & Notes: Jan. 30

New software streamlines city's hiring process

New Berlin - Those seeking jobs with the New Berlin city government will now be able to track applications and create account to simplify future submissions.

The Insight Enterprise System, known as NeoGov, replaces paper applications with an employment website where job seekers can track their applications. They also can be notified of job vacancies through online job interest cards, which human resources department officials predict will result in a more qualified pool of applicants, especially for hard-to-fill positions.

NeoGov automates the hiring and employment process that streamlines the recruiting and hiring process.

The online application process can be accessed at newberlin.org/jobs.

Muskego gallery takes second in gift shop listing

Muskego - A year after opening her handmade pottery and gift gallery in Muskego last February, Jessie Schroeder Voss won second place in the Milwaukee WISN A List for the Gift Shop category.

Her gallery, My Table, is located at S9912 North Cape Road.

Callen Construction wins five remodeler awards

Muskego - Callen Construction Inc., W13131 Janesville Roadwon five awards in the Milwaukee/NARI-sponsored 2011 Wisconsin Remodeler of the Year Awards (WRA).

The company won four silver and one bronze awards, all for residential remodeling. The silver awards were for kitchen remodeling projects costing $40,001 to $80,000; for the interior and exterior specialty categories, and for exterior remodeling projects for less than $100,000. The bronze award was for bath remodeling projects more than $60,000.

This is the 12th consecutive year Callen Construction has won an award in the WRA competition, which is conducted annually by the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council.

Callen Construction has been in the home improvement and remodeling business since 1986.

City busy correcting redistricting errors

New Berlin - New Berlin hasn't been immune to the redistricting headaches that have plagued communities around the state, but City Clerk Kari Morgan said she has been working with state officials on a daily basis since Dec. 1 to see that voters are recorded in the correct wards.

Because of a snafu at the state level that wasn't discovered until redistricting had been completed, some voters are not shown on state maps as living in the correct wards. And some wards have nobody living in them, in the state computer, Morgan said.

But everything will be corrected by the spring election April 3, she said. Luckily, New Berlin has no primary Feb. 21, she said. Voters must be recorded in the correct ward or their names will not show up in the voting books the poll works use to allow people to vote.

The problem came about because the State Legislature used census blocks to draw state legislative district boundaries. It wasn't found out until later that those census blocks contained errors.

Last year was the first time the legislature redrew boundaries from scratch after a federal census. In the past, local communities redrew their wards and aldermanic districts following each census and then state legislators used those local wards and districts as building blocks for their districts.

Weight Watchers opens location in New Berlin

New Berlin - Weight Watchers recently opened locations in five states, including one in New Berlin at Moorland Road and National Avenue.

Company embarks on major expansion

New Berlin - Hastings Air Energy Control Inc., 5555 S. Westridge Drive, recently began an expansion project that will nearly double its size.

The 10,000 additional square feet is needed to accommodate additional showroom equipment and provide more warehouse space.

Currently, the facility has a 2,000-square-foot laboratory/working showroom, 6,000 square feet of office space, and 7,000 square feet of warehouse and dock area. The expansion will increase overall facility size to approximately 25,000 square feet. At the same time the parking area will be expanded.

The family-owned business was established in 1969. It sells, services and supports dust collectors, process ventilation systems and vehicle exhaust systems designed to save energy and minimize cost of ownership. The company serves the upper Midwest Great Lakes region.

Author comes to inspire, instruct

Muskego - On Feb. 1, Tess Corners Elementary School was to be host to author Mary Casanova who will talk to students about writing books.

The Minnesota author was to give three presentations.