With an eye on a possible spring referendum on consolidating the city and village of Pewaukee, the governing bodies of both communities this week each agreed to expend up to $15,000 for a merger study.

The Common Council Monday agreed to the expenditure as well as the formation of a committee to study the merger issues and the Village Board Tuesday took similar action on both the expenditure and creating the committee.

The moves paves the way for a committee to take a look at the finer financial details of a merger, its legality and methods to make it work financially. The next study would involve hiring a financial advisor to work with the new committee and take a look at the finer financial details of a merger, its legality and methods to make it work financially.

The study is hoped to be completed by the end of the year and a non-binding, advisory referendum be held in the spring election.

Pewaukee - The Pewaukee Chamber of Commerce will be bidding farewell to its executive director and welcoming a new one next week.

The chamber will be holding a farewell party Tuesday for Amy Kommer, who served as the chamber's executive director for about five years. On Monday, Laura Podd will be joining the chamber as the new director.

Jean Daul, president of the chamber, said Kommer is leaving for new endeavors.
"She is such a positive person," said Daul. "She has an outstanding personality. She will be missed."

Daul said Kommer was warm and welcoming and worked well with the businesses in the community and government officials as well.

Podd was previously employed at Elmbrook Church, Daul said.

AP - A lightning strike started a fire at a Pewaukee condominium Tuesday.

Pewaukee Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Bierce said firefighters responded at about 9:30 a.m. Monday to the three-unit condominium building.

He said residents were home when the lightning struck. They went outside and saw the roof on fire.

Bierce said one unit was damaged by fire and the other two had slight smoke damage.