This past Friday, November 5, 2010, the Wisconsin Supreme Court granted the Village's Petition for Review in the case involving the issuance of the 2005 high capacity well permit to the Village.  The Court also granted the Lake Beulah Management District's Petition for Review in the case involving the No-Net Transfer Ordinance.  The Court set the following briefing schedule in these cases:

1. Initial briefs in the respective cases are due on December 6, 2010.
2. Response briefs in the respective cases are due 20 days after the initial briefs are filed.
3. Reply briefs in the respective cases are due 10 days after the response briefs are filed.

The Court further stated that the cases will be scheduled for oral argument "in due course." Perhaps Spring 2011.

• The Wisconsin Lakes Association
• Trout Unlimited
• Midwest Environmental Advocates
• Wisconsin River Alliance
• Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

The 2010 LBMD Annual Meeting was held on August 23, 2010 at the East Troy Town Hall. Key agenda items/decisions include:

1. Approval of the Proposed 2011 Budget

Electors approved the proposed 2011 budget with a 5% tax levy increase over the 2010 levy. Key additions in this budget include  $9,000 to cover legal and engineering fees for District expansion, $10,000 for continued USGS water quality sampling/analysis and $10,000 for the Highway J dam inspection and maintenance. Well Defense Fund legal expenses are budgeted to decline by 1% vs. the 2010 budget but could increase significantly depending on the State Supreme Court’s decision on the Village of East Troy’s request to review the Appeals Court decision on the legality of the DNR permit for Well #7. The additional $150,000 line-of-credit agreement approved in 2009 will cover any over budget litigation expenses.

Click here to see the Approved 2011 Budget

2. Weed Harvest/Equipment Status report

Commissioner Stan Alger reported that the DNR has delayed, until October, their decision on our application to provide grant funds towards the purchase of the new weed harvester that was approved by the Electors in 2009. The new harvester will be purchased in October 2010 for delivery in the spring of 2011. Our existing Reserve Capital CD’s will more than cover the cost of the harvester. Mr. Alger also reported that the DNR has ruled that milfoil and “good” weeds are currently in good balance and that chemical treatment of milfoil concentrations is not required in 2011.

3. Highway J Dam Status Report

Commissioner Dave Skotarzak reported that the DNR will now only inspect dams every 10 years and that dam owners are required to fund inspections of high hazard dams every two years. A meeting was held on July 20, 2010 with dam owners, the DNR Dam Safety Engineer and Walworth County representatives to agree on dam inspection, repair and on-going maintenance.

Click here to see Mr. Skotarzak’s report on the results of this meeting

4. Septic Ordinance and District Expansion report

Chairman Dave Bitter reported that Walworth County will take over the program to enforce maintenance and inspection of individual septic systems. Electors will no longer have septic tank pumping fees added to their annual tax levy. Electors are encouraged to employ our current septic service (Otto Jacobs of Burlington) as needed but this service provider is no longer mandatory.

Mr. Bitter also reported that the District will seek to expand our district boundary to include properties on Beulah Park Road that have lake access but are not currently in the District. Walworth County will hold a public hearing on this subject before approval.

5. Re-election of Commissioners

The nominating committee reported that, following published requests for nomination to the Board, there have been no applicants. Commissioners Dave Bitter and Stan Alger were each re-elected to serve another three-year term.

Agenda

Agenda