Municipal Water Service Expansion

Project Background

The Village is extending safe, reliable municipal drinking water in response to a decades long issue with fecal bacteria contamination of private wells

Construction Updates

Questions?

Onsite Construction Representative: Isak Fruchtman (Strand), 414.982.2300 x1535

Overall Project Manager: Ben Wood, P.E., (Strand), 414.271.0771

Public Water Main and Well Construction Update – 7/23/21

• Lake Street storm sewer lining is being conducted by Visu-Sewer as part of the overall project and will take place during the month of July
• Work Zone A, Good Hope Road from Main Street to Lannon Road:
  • Water main installation and testing is complete.
  • Road paving and restoration is ongoing.
  • Road will re-open to through-traffic the week of 7/26.
• Work Zone K, Good Hope Private Driveway (West of Lannon Elementary):
  • Water main installation and testing is complete.
  • Road reconstruction and restoration is ongoing.
• Work Zone C, W. Main Street from Townline Road to Flagstone Pass:
  • Traffic control signs will start to be set up the week of 7/26, with the lane closure and partial detour scheduled to start the week of 8/2.
  • Water main installation is scheduled to start the week of 8/2.
• See the chart below for the anticipated schedule for other work areas. The schedule has been modified to accommodate Cars on Main and Lannon 90th festivities.

Private Property Work Construction Update – 7/23/21

• Mid City will contact property owners after the water main has been installed to schedule completion of the private property work.
• Note that if you do not provide access to the Contractor, you will become liable for additional costs related to the delays (extra mobilizations, overtime pay, etc.).
• The Village Board has placed a temporary moratorium on the mandatory well abandonment aspect of the Village Ordinances. The Board will consider an ordinance revision that may allow private wells to be kept for outdoor use, but not for drinking water.
• For folks on existing water main, contact the Village regarding a 5-year payment plan option if you cannot pay your $7,692 impact fee in full at the time of connection.

Policy Updates – 6/7/21

• A group of organized citizens has expressed their concerns and allegations of fraud to the Wisconsin DNR, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, the Village Police Chief, the Village Board, Waukesha County, the USDA Rural Development Department, and to State Representatives. An individual even contacted the FBI alleging that the Village committed fraud. These allegations have been heard by these entities. The USDA-RD legal department has reviewed Lannon’s application materials thoroughly. The following responses affirm that Lannon’s project will proceed:

• • Mandatory connections are a requirement of the USDA-RD funding imposed by USDA-RD in their Letter of Conditions. This is common to USDA-RD funded projects and not unique to Lannon.
  • USDA-RD has indicated their legal counsel has reviewed Lannon’s application materials and has found no fraud.
  • USDA-RD has indicated that the impact fees that Lannon is imposing are common to nearly every community that undertakes a similar project.
  • USDA-RD has indicated that private well water quality was not a criterion for loan and grant eligibility or award.
  • The Village Attorney indicated that Lannon’s Impact Fee determination follows its past imposition, and together with the Special Assessment being used, constitute methodologies consistent with Wisconsin State Statutes and should be defended as validly formulated. This was discussed at length with Trustee Kelly Jenson, President Don Sommers, and resident Chris Barber at a meeting with the Village Attorney and Village Engineer that took place on May 7, 2021.

• The Village Attorney is working with a family with a unique health concern related to municipal water to identify a reasonable accommodation.
• The project is otherwise proceeding as outlined in the public hearing presentation.
• The Village Board voted 5-2 to affirm its support for proceeding with the Water System Expansion Project on April 21, 2021 following the Spring, 2021 election.
• The Village Board voted 6-0 to appoint Trustee Patrick Yates as the authorized representative of the Village Board for all matters relating to the Water System Expansion to all consultants, contractors, governmental agencies, and financing entities. Trustee Yates continues to make himself available to discuss the project with anyone who is interested.
• The Village Board voted 7-0 in May 2021 to place a temporary moratorium on the enforcement of the well abandonment aspect of the Village Ordinances. The Village Board will be considering an ordinance revision that may allow residents to keep their wells for outside use only, not for drinking water.

What is Public vs. Private?

Public

Water main and services within the public right of way.

Existing Public Water Mains

These are primarily on Main Street and the Village has been paying the debt since 2008. Properties with an existing main must pay a water impact fee at the time of connection. (~ $7500-$7700)

New Water Main 

These will be installed in 2021 and will be paid by a special assessment. This $15,000 Special Assessment will be applied to the tax bill that you will receive in November 2021 and payments will be spread out over 20 years. The interest rate is 2.25% and the annual payment is $940 per year.

Private

Private property work is being completed by the Village’s contractor, Mid-City Corp, and is being paid for directly by Waukesha County and the Waukesha County Community Foundation. Properties must connect within the six months after the water main is installed in the street in front of the property.

Well abandonment costs will be paid as follows: 50% paid by the Waukesha Community Foundations and 50% paid for by the property owner.

Past Meeting Minutes & Information