Town of Mukwonago- The Mukwonago Town Board voted tonight to suspend any further activity in regard to all engineering solutions pertaining to the flooding in Country Bliss subdivision.

Board members cited concerns with the proposed solutions and budgetary issues among reasons for their decision.

Mukwonago- The Mukwonago Town Board will hold a Special Town Board meeting tomorrow to further discuss Country Bliss flooding problems.  Comments will be taken from the public and then the board will discuss the projected costs and alternatives for solutions, as well as the possibility of creating a storm water utility district.

Note that the meeting will not be held at the Town Hall.  Instead, it will be held at Section Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.

Town of Mukwonago - Residents poured in to Rolling Hills Elementary School last night, waiting to hear a presentation from engineering firm Ruekert-Mielke on possible solutions to the high water problem in Country Bliss Subdivision.

After hearing solutions and financial options, the board members expressed concerns, especially with the engineers' preferred option which would involve constructing a force main to Jericho Creek.

Board members listed cost, uncertainty of success, and the board's record in working to preserve groundwater in the area as reasons for concern. 

The item was tabled until a future special meeting date can be determined.

Town of Mukwonago - The Mukwonago Town Board plans on recommending preferred alternatives for both the technical and financial solutions to the flooding situation in Country Bliss Subdivision at their board meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting has been relocated to Rolling Hills Elementary School to accommodate the expected number of attendees.

Upcoming Schedule

Sept. 17 through October 15: Ruekert/Mielke will proceed with the design of the preferred technical option and the financial analysis for the recommended alternative.  The Town Attorney will create a draft storm water utility ordinance.

October 15: At the Town Board Meeting, Ruekert/Mielke will provide the board with a written status report on technical and financial solutions; the Town Attorney will provide a report on property acquisitions status for all alternatives, and the board will review the storm water utility district financial study and ordinance and set public hearing date for creation of district.

Town of Mukwonago - Town Board officials met with Country Bliss residents at their regular monthly board meeting last night, and instead of making progress, residents say they feel it's back to square one.

The Town Board, however, says they are working toward a permanent solution to the problem.  Town Engineer Sean Sullivan said last night that the solution to the problem lies in transporting the water from Country Bliss to the retention pond in Jericho Creek.

"My goal is to provide relief to as many people as I can as economically as I can," said Sullivan, who presented two possible solutions.

The first solution Sullivan suggested is an all-gravity system that "involves no pumping at all."

The second solution is a force main and pumping system.

Sullivan estimates that both solutions will cost around $1.3 million.

Questions regarding the solutions were raised by Town Attorney John Macy, who expressed concern that these solutions actually work, as well as from residents, such as John Schreiber, who said he's worried that both solutions involve drainage into his pond.

Town of Mukwonago - At tonight's Town Board meeting, the board will address Country Bliss residents' request to continue funding from the Town.  Sean Sullivan, the Town Engineer, is also expected to give an update on the flooding/pumping situation as well as an update on FEMA.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.

The Town of Mukwonago now has a link to daily updates on the flooding situation in Country Bliss subdivision.

To learn more, visit www.townofmukwonago.us.

The water test required by Stone Brook Hollow Homeowners Association before allowing water to be pumped from Country Bliss through their subdivision, and eventually to Jericho Creek, came back OK, according to Town of Mukwonago Supervisor Fred Leppin.

"We are trying to get the contractor lined up for Monday," he said.

If the contractor begins laying the piping Monday, the town hopes pumping can begin by Friday. 

Town of Mukwonago - At a Special Town Board meeting this evening, Town Chairman Dave Dubey informed residents of Country Bliss subdivision that help was coming soon.

The Stone Brook Hollow Homeowners Association voted to allow water to be pumped from Country Bliss through their subdivision, but only after the Town agreed to their eight conditions, which included taking a water sample before the initiation of the pumping.

Supervisor Fred Leppin said that two samples were taken today and that the results would be in tomorrow.  If the water sample results are satisfactory, Leppin said that the contractor would begin laying the piping as early as Monday; and he hoped to begin pumping water through those pipes by Friday.

Once the Chief learns the results of the tests, we will post them on this site.

Mukwonago -  At a Special Town Board meeting tonight, the board voted to authorize Town Chairman David Dubey to use up to $125,000 to pump water from Country Bliss through about 3,000 feet of 12-inch piping and into Jericho Creek.

The board further specified that the vote was subject to the following:

1.  That Dubey receive the necessary permission from homeowners for use of piping on private property

2. That no permit was required from the DNR for pumping water into Jericho Creek

3. That the Town Engineer, Sean Sullivan, address the concerns specified by the DNR

4.  That the Town Board review the situation at their July board meeting

According to Supervisor Fred Leppin, there is an estimated 19 million gallons of water sitting in Country Bliss.  The equipment he is obtaining to pump the water out of the subdivision will pump about 1,400,000 gallons of water a day.  No one knows for certain just how long the pumping will need to continue; however Dubey estimated that a reasonable amount of time is two months, which could cost the Town between $122,000 and $123,000.  The board's hope is that 87.5% of the total cost will be reimbursed by FEMA and the state.

Town of Mukwonago- At the Special Town meeting called tonight, the Town board decided to turn the pump back on in the Country Bliss subdivision, pending permission from a local farmer whose fields could be affected if the water levels raised too high.

Officials agreed to monitor the water levels to ensure that the pumped water would remain at capacity in Stone Brook Hollow's water retention ponds.

The board also plans on meeting in the near future to investigate long term solutions to the flooding problems, which may involve the installation of an underground pipe from the neighborhood that would eventually head toward Jericho Creek.
 

Town of Mukwonago - FEMA representatives visited Mukwonago this afternoon, surveying damage in the Country Bliss subdivision and meeting with local officials.

They passed out fliers encouraging homeowners, renters and business owners who have sustained losses or damages to call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or apply online at www.fema.gov.

When you apply for disaster assistance, they ask that you have the following available:

-Social security number

-Daytime telephone number

-Current mailing address where you are staying

-Address and zip code of the damaged property

-Directions to the damaged home or property

-Private insurance information, if available.

The Mukwonago Town Board will meet Friday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. for a special town board meeting to discuss and act upon the Country Bliss flooding problems.

The Town Hall Meeting Room was filled with concerned residents of the subdivision at Wednesday night's board meeting, who asked the board to consider turning the pumps back on and for help in determining both short and long term solutions to the flooding problem.

The Board is scheduled to report on their Friday meeting with FEMA as well as provide an update on the status of acquiring easements needed should they decide to turn the pumps back on.