Town Hall-2595 French Road, De Pere, WI 54115

Thursday, August 24, 2006 – 7:00PM

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tom Perock at 7:00PM.

Roll Call

Present: Tom Perock, Town Chairman

Randy Treml, Town Supervisor

Kenneth VanDeHei, Town Supervisor

Dale Warpinski, Town Supervisor

Judy Benz, Town Clerk-Treasurer

Excused: Randy Vandenack, Town Supervisor

See attached Roll-call Sign-In Sheet

1. Information Meeting in reference to sanitary sewer and water main extension to properties located east of the railroad tracks to Lost Dauphin Road to include Barrington Point Subdivision south to Lost Dauphin Park.

Chairman Tom Perock explained that the Town Engineer Matt Greely would review the proposed route for the sanitary sewer and water extension and the preliminary costs for the project. The floor will then be opened for questions.

Matt Greely displayed a map with the route, and reviewed the costs and frequently asked questions.

Kip May, 2577 Lost Dauphin Rd. asked why the water and sewer project was divided between those properties in Barrington Point Subdivision and south and those property owners north of Barrington Point. Chairman Perock stated the properties north of Barrington Point are being assessed strictly on road frontage and the project would be correlated with the City of De Pere properties on the opposite side of the road. Mr. May asked if the north portion of the project would move ahead if the south portion did not. Perock stated it is a possibility.

Ed Skoldberg, 1796 Christie Ct. stated he is being assessed on 326’ and does not feel it is fair when it is an un-buildable area and everyone receives the same benefit. Chairman Perock stated the town may have to look at that closer

Mick Hager, 1885 Mistique Lane thanked the Town Board for all the work they put into this project so far. Mr. Hager stated that this meeting should be to decide if this project is to move forward and not for long discussions on assessments. Hager stated he is confident the assessments will be as fair as possible. Mr. Perock stated this project has always been under the presumption it will be constructed only by a majority vote of the property owners.

Michael Techlin, 2563 Emau Chase Tr stated he was enthusiastic on the project until he learned it will cost him $34,000. Mr. Techlin stated he cannot support thee project when he is paying more than anyone else.

Sheryl Piechocki, 2594 Misty River Ln asked if this project does not go now, will it cost more in the future. Will there be any mandates on this? Chairman Perock responded “no to a mandate and yes prices generally go up ”.

Kevin Brauer, 2559 Emau Chase Tr. stated he has a sewer system only 3 years old. Mr. Brauer stated this estimate is based on 2006 prices.

James Manders, 1871 Mistique Lane stated with the price of this project, a new well would cost less. Mr. Manders stated he moved here from the City of De Pere intending to have a private well. I have four lots and would not be able to sell the lots and get my money out. When I moved here, we were looking for rural living. There is a potential for 17 lots behind my property with this proposed project—that is not rural living.

Kip May, 2577 Lost Dauphin Rd. stated he noticed 32 hydrants on the project list. Is this number of hydrants necessary? Mr. Greely stated the DNR requires a hydrant every 600’ and all locations would be verified more thoroughly if the project moves forward. Mr. May also asked what is E&C mean on the project list. Mr. Greely stated that means “engineering and contingencies” Mr.May also asked if there is a future project further south. Mr. Perock stated “yes, sometime in the future.”

Tom Lemmer, 2796 Legend Lane, said interruptions to ESA’s are done all the time with roads, why not with water and sewer? Mr. Greely stated if you are referring to the fact that the ESA is being taken out of the assessments, the answer is this is a general practice with water and sewer projects. Mr. Lemmer asked what is keeping a neighbor from splitting his lot and blocking my view if smaller lots are allowed with municipal water and sewer? Nothing was the response from Mr. Perock.

Mike Hager, 1885 Mistique Lane stated he is speaking as past chairman and reminded everyone the wells in Bellevue are very bad. Hearing about bacteria in the well water is a scare tactic. The town pays for over sizing and wants to know if the town board member who lives in this area is abstaining from any votes on the project.

Brian Katers, 2831 Legend Lane, asked if the Board is looking out for the best interest of the property owners, why are you as a town board so adamant on development. Mr. Perock stated the town is not forcing this project, we are trying to manage it.

Marcia Vasta, 1784 Christie Ct. stated these are estimates for the project, what additional costs are involved from the town right-of-way to the house? An estimated costs would be $20.00 per lineal feet from the right of way to the house.

Joe Draves, 1824 Christie Ct. stated there is a lot of discussion of risk of wells. What about others not drawing from the aquifer such as Ashwaubenon and De Pere, will that help with the radium? Mr. Perock stated municipalities draw from a different aquifer.

Kurt Cameron, 2766 N. Whistling Wind Dr. stated the municipal water will be coming from Lake Michigan and how much chorine is in that. I lived in Milwaukee and got sick on their water.

Wesley Corey, 2784 N. Whistling Wind Dr. said he has researched a geological survey and there was no awareness of ground water problems in this area.

John Hathaway, 2617 Lost Dauphin Rd, thanked the board for their efforts in this project. Mr. Hathaway stated he has been waiting for twenty years for this project. His water does not work well for even washing his vehicle. Sometimes the water is black in color. Mr. Hathaway asked what happens if this project does not go now and we begin to have problems. Will the price go up? Mr. Greely stated that petroleum prices have a lot to do with the price of these projects. Costs vary and generally increase as time goes by.

Jim Manders, 1841 Mistique Lane stated the area will be a mess for 3-4 years. There will be 30’ to 40’ disturbed area throughout the route of the project. Mr. Perock stated that restoration on the project does not take 3-4 years.

A resident asked if all easements have been approved. Mr. Greely stated that only preliminary approvals have been sought for a possible route.

Sue Pankratz, 2769 N. Whistling Wind Dr stated that she recently purchased property and the seller dropped the price to accommodate for this potential project

David Meyer, Mistique Lane, stated his lot is vacant and wanted to know why it will take until September 8 to find out if this project is going to go. Mr. Perock stated it gives everyone enough time to vote.

Todd Teske, 1623 Barrington Drive, asked what is the number on tax increase after development goes in. How is that reassessed.

Brad Collard, 2793 N. Whistling Wind Dr. asked if the votes will be tabulated and if he can find out who votes. Mr. Perock stated it is a public record and if they would like to see the tabulation, they can stop in during office hours.

Mike Techlin, 2563 Emau Chase Tr. stated it appears this project is high in costs. If the Barrington Point Subdivision area would hook on to the project north, would the costs go down? Mr. Greely responded that we do not know for sure.

Ed Servais, 1844 Christie Way, asked why can’t you calculate votes by project and divide the project.

Jim Manders, Mistique Lane stated the cost of services will be about $800.00 per year.

Randy Vandenack, 2910 Lost Dauphin Rd. stated this project has not been forced on us. The board is being pro-active. Wells are going bad in the county. We may not need this right now, but we will need it in the future with more chemicals in the ground and the costs are not going to go down.

Mick Hager, Mistique Lane, asked if the vote is “no” can we get some kind of a statement in good faith that Town will not come back for a number of years and try to move this project forward?

Mike VandeHei, 2696 Lost Dauphin Rd. said he has lived in the town for 25 years and when he moved here, there was no Barrington Point, no subdivisions, and we all ready dropped our well. If anyone does have a problem, it will take some time to get municipal services.

Town Supervisor, Ken VanDeHei commented that some people like the larger lots and some people like the smaller lots.

Ron Zahn, 2811 Legend Lane, commented saying his holding tanks are only one month old.

Tom Lemmer, 2796 Legend Lane asked if taxes would be less if smaller project.

Michael Techlin, 2563 Emau Chase stated the covenants in his subdivision do not allow for subdivision of the lots. Quality of water is a great concern. Do we need to take sewer and water at the same time. Chairman Perock stated the project will include water and sewer at the same time.

Kip May, 2577 Lost Dauphin Rd. gave thanks to the Board for their efforts. Mr. May asked if there was some property in this project that the town is carrying the costs of the interest for future development. Mr. Perock stated the town is carrying some interest costs on a portion of land behind the town hall to prevent annexation, but that has nothing to do with this water and sewer project.

H. Harris, 2617 Sunrise River Ct. is there any documentation in reference to bad wells in the area.

With no further comments or questions, Chairman Perock thanked everyone for their attendance. Mr. Perock asked everyone to pick up their ballot for voting on the project and return it no later than September 8. At the Town Board meeting on September 11, the Board will decide, based on the votes, if the project moves forward.

2. Public Comments on issues not on the agenda
None

3. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:00PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Judy Benz, Town Clerk

Town of Lawrence