Town Of Waukesha Further Squeezed On Water Hook-Up
I can't remember another Wisconsin community experiencing what the Town of Waukesha is being put through by other units of government.
People in the relatively small and still somewhat rural community bordering the county seat - - the City of Waukesha - - have to wonder what happened to home rule.
It all began a few years ago when the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC)- - an unelected body - - drew up a new regional water service map at the request of the City of Waukesha to include in the City's application for a diversion of Lake Michigan water.
SEWRPC put part of the Town in the territory map without the Town being consilted.
Meaning the Town would be in line to receive diverted water - - if the other Great Lakes states approve the diversion plan - - setting up all sorts of possibilities, outcomes and options for the Town including new water and infrastructure, customer and municipal costs, conservation requirements, legal responsibilities and water-fueled building, development or annexations.
The City wants the Town in the plan because it will buttress the plan to divert more water and have a hand in potential development across the municipal border.
And now the DNR has given the Town a deadline - - the end of January, 2013 - -to say if it is in or out of the application, as the City and DNR have decisions to make and questions to answer about the scope of the diversion, the size of the return flow to Lake Michigan and all other legal, financial and environmental matters raised.
It's a helluva way to run a railroad, or a water supply system or to treat your neighbors, or to make important public policy and to forward, with credibility, the first such application of its kind to seven other states whose unanimous approval is needed to make it happen..
3 comments:
Single family home owners would likely experience a significant devaluation of property in the Town of Waukesha.
Should they agree to inclusion, whether the diversion exception passes, or not, the table is set for a reasonable annexation to the city.
With those big lots, the city stands to gain substantial revenue from Town residents based on land value alone.
But but - the big right wing brother is looking out for the wittle town. Big Brother knows best right?
How many times does everyone need to spell out the obvious for the Waukesha Common Council?
Once more? O.K.
The Town of Waukesha doesn't have a contaminated water supply.
The Town of Waukesha doesn't have a water shortage.
The Town of Waukesha doesn't even have a municipal water utility.
The Town of Waukesha does not meet the criteria requirements for compliance with a diversion exception application for Great Lakes water.
So then, the action of the chairwoman of the Town begs the question: Why hasn't she brought these issues to the City of Waukesha--just like Milwaukee did?
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