PSEM19790430a 0
PUBLIC SEWER COMMITTEE - CITY OF MUSKEGO
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD APRIL 30, 1979
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 P.M. by Chairman Dumke. Also
present were Committee Members Ford and Salentine, Mayor Gottfried,
Aldermen Weed and Tomczyk, the city's Consulting Engineer John Mielke
and three representatives of the DNR, including Mr. Frank Schultz and
Mr. Jeff Bode.
Mr. Jack Radtke appeared before the committee to request permission
for St Leonard's to build a structure over a permanent sewer easement
which the city has across St. Leonard's property. He indicated that
a walkway connecting the church with the school would be approximately
20 feet wide It was the committee's decision to instruct City Attorney
Buckley to prepare whatever papers are necessary to grant the request.
Approximately 100 persons, most of whom reside in the Bass Bay area,
were present to discuss the condition of the waters of Bass Bay as
well as Big Muskego Lake. Several of those present asked about the
status of sewers for the Bass Bay area, the possibility of abandoning
the northwest treatment plant and the timetable for connecting into
the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer System or the building of a permanent
treatment plant at the McShane site. Discussion was also held
relative to the quality of water, the reasons for the fish kill as
well as the presence of algae.
• Committee members as well as representatives of the DNR answered those
questions indicating the following: The fish kill was primarily due
to a lack of oxygen in both Bass Bay and Big Muskego Lake The algae is
caused by an abundance of nutrients of primarily phosphates emanating
from the surrounding lands as well as the northwest treatment facility.
It was indicated that once the new phosphate removing process is
operating properly the amount of phosphates entering into the lake
in comparison to other sources would be somewhat insignificant.
The abandoning of the northwest treatment plant is at least five
years away according to Mr. Schultz. In spite of the moratorium,
extensions to the sewers can be permitted in several areas with
failing septic systems such as Bass Bay Although the monies were prev-
iously borrowed for Bass Bay sewers d-ey had to be used in a different
project because of the arbitrage laws Additional monies, when
needed, could be borrowed in a very short period of time Any efforts
to abandon the northwest treatment facilities and build either an
interim plant or a permanent plant must wait for the completion of the
facilities plan presently being conducted by the Milwaukee Metropolitan
Sewer Commission as a result of a Court Order handed down by Judge
Grady.
In answer to a comment from Lloyd Human, Chairman of the Town of
Norway, Mayor Gottfried indicated that it is the city's position that
any pollution of lakes in the Town of Norway is not coming from Big
Muskego Lake The committee advised those present that the city
will request the Waukesha County Health Department to take samples of
water in different areas of Bass Bay and Big Muskego Lake. They
further indicated that the results of these tests will be sent to all
residents of the Big Muskego Lake Protection and Rehabilitation
District. The possibility of requesting a grant from the State in
order that a feasibility study of Bass Bay and Big Muskego Lake can be
made will be considered by the Lake Commissioners at their next meeting
The committee once again assured all those present of the city's
continuing interest in resolving the problems of Bass Bay and Big
Muskego Lake and urged them to cooperate with the city in these
efforts.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerome J. Gottfried, Acting Sec'y
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