The
City of Waukesha Common Council voted to annex approximately 96 acres
of land which is north of 59 and east of the Walgreens on Sunset
creating another Town island.
The
Department of Administration, who reviews all annexations, wrote a
strong letter finding the annexation '...against the public interest."
Here is a copy for your review:
The
town residents who remain all reside on Big Bend Road and will continue
to be served by the Town of Waukesha. They have expressed no interest
in joining the city and will not be forced to do so.
I
attended the City of Waukesha Common Council meeting last week to hear
the discussion. I was encouraged that at least two Common Council
members spoke and voted against the annexation.
They clearly acknowledged realities for the City that others on the Common Council may not fully accept.
One,
that growth through annexation does not always relate to a net
tax increase given the cost of providing services to new developments.
Two, that the City should not expand until a water solution is in place.
Continuing
to expand with the water issues the City is grappling with seems
short-sighted and reckless, especially given that they plan to locate
shallow aquifer wells in and around the Town of Waukesha if they are
unsuccessful obtaining a Lake Michigan water source.
Good
news is the City does not always accept annexations, as was
demonstrated not long ago with their denial of the 'Walgreens' property
area on Sunset and Genesee.
We
will continue discussions with the City regarding the Water Service
Area to see if we can come to terms to protect Town of Waukesha
territory and water supply on a cooperative basis.
The
DNR has taken the position that we will be out of the Water Service
Area and related Sewer Service Area, unless the Waukesha Town Board asks
that we be included within 3o days of the City of Waukesha executing a
Memorandum of Understanding with a Lake Michigan water supplier. All
indications are that the supplier will be Oak Creek.
This is an improvement as the City of Waukesha simply included us.
Stay tuned.
Angie, you sold out your Town by needlessly agreeing to a inclusion in the service area without going to referendum.
ReplyDeleteA Lake Michigan Diversion is not in the interest of the other 7 states with the application inclusion of an expanded service area - which you agreed to.
Every property owner in the Town faces a significant property devaluation with the fear of the Town being forced at some point in the future to develop an entire utility and infrastructure to deliver water and sewer.
You don't represent Angie. You're an elected official representing your community.
All isn't lost, Angie. Technically, your 30 days hasn't started because Oak Creek hasn't inked the LOI.