On August 14, New Berlin’s Utility Committee unanimously approved the water agreement with the City of Milwaukee. See JS report.

I reckon that displeases unsuccessful NB aldermanic candidate JJ Blonien.

His vehement opposition to the water agreement and attack against our mayor had been popping up all over NOW.

Blonien’s rant was posted online in NOW’s Your Stories (Aug.1) and Community Voices (Aug. 4) sections and published in the Aug. 7 New Berlin-Muskego NOW newspaper (Best of Blogs).

And that wasn't all. NOW added a “forum” about the water agreement to its web page. The "forum" provided just two highlighted links: one  to a reporter’s article, the other to Blonien’s blog deriding the mayor and water deal. The "forum" posed the question "What do you think of the deal?"   (So far, only two individuals have posted comments to it) 

The interactive “forum” NOW created did not include a link to the Your Stories July 31 blog item by Tiffany Wankowski that was supportive of the water deal.  With the author's permission, I am posting it here.

New Berlin Residents to Receive Safe, Healthy Water Through Agreement with City of Milwaukee

By Tiffany Wankowski
NewBerlinNOW.com user

Posted: July 31, 2008

20-year water-sharing deal resolves New Berlin's radium problem while complying with Great Lakes Water Resources Compact

NEW BERLIN, Wis. - New Berlin Mayor Jack Chiovatero today praised separate water-sharing and regional benefit agreements approved by the Milwaukee Common Council, saying the agreements will provide safe and healthy water for New Berlin residents while demonstrating regional cooperation on important issues. The New Berlin Common Council is scheduled to vote on the agreements in the next several days.

"The water-sharing agreement is a major health and safety victory for the City of New Berlin," Chiovatero said. "After being ordered by the state Department of Natural Resources to resolve the threat posed by radium-contaminated wells in the central third of New Berlin or face substantial fines, our engineers researched a number of alternatives. Repairing the system would cost many millions of dollars, and purchasing water from Racine or Oak Creek would not be cost-effective at this time. The agreement with the City of Milwaukee is the best combination of cost and providing New Berlin citizens with the safest, healthiest water available."

The City of New Berlin has purchased Lake Michigan water from Milwaukee to serve the community's eastern third since 2005. The new agreement expands the service area to also provide Lake Michigan water to New Berlin's central third. The agreement will be in effect for 20 years, with water supplied through existing New Berlin water mains and pumping stations. New Berlin's western third, largely undeveloped land that is not served by City water or sewer systems, is not part of the plan, will not receive Lake Michigan water and will retain its rural character.

A second, separate agreement calls for the City of New Berlin to make a one-time, $1.5 million regional benefits payment to the City of Milwaukee. Chiovatero said the payment recognizes that important issues extend beyond community borders and shows regional support for Milwaukee's efforts to address shared Milwaukee-New Berlin concerns such as transportation, job creation and other issues. The New Berlin Water Utility will fund the full cost of the one-time payment, and tax dollars will not be used, Chiovatero said.

"Our joint and successful efforts such as passage of the Great Lakes Compact and the water talks between our two cities show the good that can come from suburban and urban leaders finding ways to work cooperatively," he said. "The City of New Berlin looks forward to finalizing these agreements with the City of Milwaukee and to future positive partnerships."

The water agreement adds Lake Michigan water service to approximately 3,930 New Berlin customers, as well as approximately 400 new homes projected to be built in the approved service area over the next 20 years. New Berlin will pay Milwaukee a rate determined by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, which regulates the state's utilities. The current average rate is $1.12 per 1,000 gallons, and the City of Milwaukee could see over $40 million in revenue because of the deal. The agreement sets a peak rate of pumpage from Milwaukee at 6.5 million gallons a day. (For comparison purposes, average 2007 water demand for the entire City of New Berlin was 3.184 million gallons per day.)

The New Berlin-Milwaukee agreement fully complies with the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact, which Gov. Doyle signed in May. The Compact allows Lake Michigan water to be temporarily diverted outside the Great Lakes Basin to serve communities like New Berlin that straddle the basin dividing line, provided the water goes back into the lakes. Because eastern and central New Berlin are served by existing Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District sewers, all water going to New Berlin will be returned to Lake Michigan.

"This is a good agreement

Congratulations to Wayne Hamilton, who was presented with the 2008 Citizen of the Year award* on April 22 by Mayor Chiovatero.

Gary Drinan nominated him, maintaining that Wayne Hamilton was deserving of this honor because of his active involvement in New Berlin youth sports for over 41 years.

Mr. Drinan’s compelling nomination letter conveyed that Wayne Hamilton-----

• Is an upstanding citizen, committed volunteer, Korean War Veteran, married 52 years to Audrey and has 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
• Joined the New Berlin Youth Athletic Program (NBYAP) in 1967
• Volunteered for the newly created New Berlin Athletic Association (NBAA) Board in 1972, which succeeded NBYAP and continues to be an active board member
• Besides his duties on NBAA Board, served as county coordinator for youth sports from 1975-1987
• In his 41 year association with NBAA, has coached, recruited others to coach (boys and girls sports---baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, track and bowling)--and coordinated award dinners & ceremonies, including arranging for prominent speakers. Echoes the NBAA philosophy: “The NBAA was formed to give all kids a chance to play. There is no cutting. If they come out to play, they make the team.”

    In addition---

• New Berlin Lakes Baseball, Inc. was formed in 1971 to serve talented youth and adults who wished to play baseball after high school. In 1972, it combined with NBYAP to form the NBAA. Wayne Hamilton not only played on the team for 2 years, he managed it for 3 years, winning the Land O’Lakes Grand Championship in 1977.
• In 1977, Wayne Hamilton assumed the General Manager position, helping the team secure financing and to keep it functioning to the present. He worked closely with the City Parks and Recreation Department and NBAA board to keep the hardball diamond at Malone Park in excellent playing condition, installing modern lighting and reconditioning the playing field with a new drainage system and playing surface. Wayne Hamilton was inducted into the Land O’ Lakes Hall of Fame in 2004.

* Nominations for Citizen of the Year are judged by the Mayor’s Office and City Clerk on this criteria: Contribution to community welfare; Civic achievement; Contribution of something of a lasting effect on the community; Volunteerism; Enrichment of the cultural, civic, and youth facilities of the City of New Berlin.

New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) President Ralph Heun spouted lots of nonsense in the NBCRG March 7 blog entry. See my previous blog entry titled  NBCRG Spin and Blunders.

In that March 7 NBCRG blog post, Ralph Heun complained that citizens and civic groups cannot use City Hall. He bemoaned the “short-sighted policy that has kept election forums, Christmas and July 4 parades and other events from being televised”--and he blamed Alderman Bill Moore for it. He accused Ald. Moore of being a prime instigator in passing an ordinance two years ago that prohibited any non-city group from using City Hall/or City Channel 25 for any purposes. What a distortion of facts! Actually, in 2006 Ald. Moore argued against and voted against the restrictive policy/resolution No. 06-11. Furthermore, Ald. Ken Harenda---whom NBCRG has chosen to endorse not only voted in favor of this awful policy/resolution that Heun has complained so bitterly about, he made the motion to approve it.

Let’s get something else straight: Ald. Dave Ament called the Feb. 16 meeting at City Hall, but it was for area residents--not only his own District #7 constituents. The meeting dealt with Coffee Road changes, as well as sidewalks, side paths or bike trails in various areas of the City. Heun’s statement that Ald. Poshepny (District #5) was not shouted down is untrue. When Ald. Poshepny attempted to speak, some members of the audience rudely yelled out. I witnessed that. Heun admits that Ald. Ament asked Ald. Poshepny not to speak. And yet, others at the meeting were allowed to speak.

Perhaps if NBCRG President Ralph Heun had not stood beside Ald. Ament at the front of the room, facing and addressing the audience, for part of the meeting --which did occur-- it would not have appeared so much like a NBCRG meeting or political rally. Interesting that Ralph Heun, the president of a political action group, was allowed to do that and grandstand, but the 5^th District alderman who tried to speak during the meeting was silenced and not permitted to speak!  A so-called  “informational meeting”-- that prevents someone--an elected official--  from asking questions or providing information?  Does that serve the public's best interests?  Well, the format gave Heun the opportunity to spew negative comments about the Transportation Committee, sidewalks, etc.

If it was just an “informational meeting” as Heun contends, why was there a stack of inflammatory “Just Say No” fliers opposed to sidewalks (and referring to a petition) prominently displayed on a table inside the meeting room ( by the entry), a petition for people to sign--as well as two individuals seated at the table, apparently to assist them?

And why wasn't a City traffic engineer invited to the meeting? Kudos to him for coming to the meeting anyway (it was held on a Saturday)  to answer people’s questions. Ald. Ament introduced the City traffic engineer, but acknowledged during the meeting that he hadn’t invited him.

Heun also maintained in the NBCRG blog entry that Ray McInerny, Sr. is president of a small group that apparently is not active as they claim to be exempt from state law requiring that expenditures over $25 must be reported to the City Clerk. What a bogus accusation!

Ray’s group formed late last year. It’s an active group whose membership is growing. Heun misrepresented the facts: State law requires that a group that is supporting or opposing candidates (political action group) be registered with the City Clerk before making expenditures over $25. Ray’s group registered in October -- before it even knew who would be running for office in April (candidates had until Jan. 2 to file to get their name on the ballot) and is in compliance with that law. As for filing an exemption: Political action groups and candidates are eligible for exemption from filing campaign finance reports if they don’t anticipate accepting contributions or making disbursements totaling more than $1000 in a calendar year and don’t accept more than $100 from a single source during the calendar year. Local candidates typically claim exemption status. New Berlin candidates for local public office (including those endorsed by NBCRG) often claim exemption from filing . Independent committees have to file itemized campaign finance reports. In 2008, when Ray’s group decided to support a specific candidate--it filed as an “independent committee” and filed the appropriate reports by the reporting deadline as the law requires.

Ironically, Ralph Heun stated, “ If Mr. McInerny does not know the facts, He should not make the complaints”. Mr. Heun should follow his own advice.

New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) has endorsed a passel of candidates, including these fellows------

Ted Wysocki, who is the only candidate running for alderman in District 2. NBCRG is endorsing him anyway and apparently doesn't care about Wysocki's history of poor leadership decisions in public office that helped get the City into costly losing legal battles/lawsuits.

JJ Blonien, who is running in Aldermanic District 6. I guess NBCRG doesn't care that he's less qualified than the incumbent and lacks experience. A New Berlin resident for just a little over a year, Blonien has not held an elected public office. He's also been involved in numerous lawsuits. In contrast, the incumbent Bill Moore has been actively involved in our community, held elected public office (school board and now alderman), served our country (Vietnam Veteran) and passionately cares about the environment.

Speaking of the environment, the State Supreme Court has ruled against Harenda Enterprises, Inc. (an environmental consulting company) owned by Ken Harenda for violating government rules/regulations regarding asbestos, a hazardous substance/pollutant. See my blog:

NBCRG has chosen to endorse Ken Harenda, who is running for re-election (Alderman, District 4)

Ald. Harenda has been less than attentive to his duties:

On March 11, he pushed to table an item that's been on the agendas of Committee of the Whole/Common Council meetings month after month for 16 months---arguing that he was unprepared and wanted more time to review his file on the matter. Hopefully, a lawsuit against the City won't result from his failure to do his homework and this irresponsible stalling. See my blog:

At the Oct. 23, 2007 City Council meetings the mayor was absent so Council President Ald. Harenda presided. Vern Bentley seized the opportunity to give a privilege of the floor (POF) speech that included personal attacks against Ald. Bill Moore. Despite Council rules prohibiting personal attacks in POF speeches (those rules are read aloud by the City Clerk prior to POF), Harenda was silent and did nothing. One of Moore's constituents was so upset at Bentley's attacks being permitted against her aldermanic representative, she emailed Harenda to voice a protest. How do I know? I attended the Oct. 23 meetings. Later, I made an Open Records Request of Harenda, for any correspondence related to Bentley's speech/attacks.  Click here for a previous blog about Vern Bentley's letter containing false accusations against Moore. As Council President, Harenda is paid $600 more than the other aldermen.

By the way, Matt Thomas, who has been posting blogs very infrequently on NOW, recently resurfaced to post one about Ike basketball and surprise, surprise! present his views on the election. After bashing Ald. Moore, he goes on to attack Harenda's opponent Paul Lincoln Scheuble. Thomas refers to Scheuble as a perennial losing candidate, points out that he's currently running for three offices simultaneously and snidely remarks that Scheuble was elected alderman once back in the 20^th century. Actually, Scheuble was elected to a 3-year term which ended in April 2002. Thomas' one year stint as an appointed alderman also ended in April 2002. Thomas was serving simultaneously on the School Board and County Board when he applied for the aldermanic seat vacated by Wysocki. Thanks to Wysocki (who, as mayor, cast the tie-breaking vote), Thomas got the aldermanic appointment--making 3 simultaneous public offices for Thomas. Thomas chose to quit his school board office. But he kept his seat on the County Board which pays more than school board and served his one-year aldermanic appointment. Unlike Thomas, Scheuble served his entire elected term and did not quit in the midst of it.  Thomas has called Keith Heun (son of NBCRG leader Ralph Heun) and himself "political strategists".

NBCRG has endorsed Michael Gableman for Wis. Supreme Court judge. Did you see the disgusting, sleazy TV attack ad by Gableman's own campaign committee against his opponent Justice Louis Butler? It has been denounced by many judges and other people. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorials condemn the ad. The MJS Editorial Board, which evaluated both candidates, has endorsed Louis Butler and claimed that Butler is more qualified than Gableman for the Supreme Court seat.

New Berlin aldermen receive $10,000 annually in taxpayer-funded salary and expenses (the Council President gets an extra $600). I don’t think it’s asking too much of Council President/Alderman Ken Harenda to do his homework and come prepared to vote/take action on items that are on the meeting agendas.

At the March 11 City government meetings (Committee of the Whole/Common Council), Ald. Harenda pushed to table an item: Resolution No. 06-42   A Preliminary Resolution Declaring Intent to Levy Special Assessments and Directing the City Engineer to Prepare a Report for the Installation of Sanitary Sewer System to Service Areas on the North Side of Howard Avenue (west of Sunny Slope Road)

Tabled since November 2006, that resolution has appeared on the Committee of the Whole and Common Council meeting agendas month after month.

At the March 11 meeting, District #5 Alderman Joe Poshepny rightly moved to take the resolution off the table (which allows discussion and possible action). The aldermen voted yes--except for Alderman Ament who voted no.

Ald. Poshepny implored the aldermen to take action to get the process to move forward.

It shouldn’t have been a difficult decision for our aldermen to direct the City Engineer to prepare a report and get the process moving along. However, not only did Council President/Alderman Ken Harenda chose to stonewall, he argued he was unprepared and wanted additional time to review his file on the matter!

Alderman Harenda certainly had plenty of time to familiarize himself with Resolution No. 06-42 and the special assessments affecting a handful of residents, prior to the meeting. His failure to do so was inexcusable. What a poor leadership example Ald. Harenda set for his fellow aldermen.

Using his deficient preparation as an excuse, Ald. Harenda then made a motion to table the resolution. He even refused requests to “defer” the resolution to a later date  rather than “table” it . 

Ald. Harenda’s motion to table was seconded by Ald. Seidl and carried with Alderman Hopkins, Augustine, Seidl, Harenda, and Ament voting yes. Ald. Poshepny and Moore voted no.

It was made clear during the meeting that a developer (who was present and spoke at the meeting) is owed many thousands of dollars for investing in Howard Avenue improvements. Under Ken Harenda’s leadership, the City Council keeps dragging its feet. That’s not efficient or responsible representation. I hope the stalling tactics of Ald. Harenda and his cohorts don’t result in a lawsuit against the City.

Ald. Harenda was elected with the help of a political group that calls itself New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG). NBCRG has a Web site that states one of its objectives is to hold government officials and employees accountable for their actions and lack of action.

"Lack of action", such as the 16 months of tabling Resolution No. 06-42  and the paltry excuse given by Ald. Harenda to perpetuate this irresponsible stalling indefinitely?   But instead of holding Alderman Harenda accountable for his inaction, inadequate preparation for scheduled Committee of the Whole/Council meetings, and poor leadership, NBCRG has chosen to endorse and support him in the April election.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (March 18 CommunityWatch & March 19 Business section of newspaper) brings us the exciting news that the courts have given the Deer Creek Inn and Conference Center the go-ahead.

Last year, owners of an apartment complex near the proposed 405-room hotel/ water park at S. Moorland Rd. and W. Greenfield Ave. sued the City of New Berlin and its Board of Appeals claiming the hotel’s height had been improperly allowed to increase to 94 feet. This lawsuit stalled the project. Fortunately, the City and Board of Appeals won the court case. Circuit Court Judge Kathryn Foster ruled that the Deer Creek Inn and Conference Center development was within city height restrictions and that proper procedures were followed in approving the project.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also informs us the State Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Harenda Enterprises, Inc. is liable for violating state administrative code. The Court reinstated an order requiring the company pay penalties and surcharges for failing to remove asbestos during renovations of the Milwaukee Theatre. The state had initially filed a complaint against the company about it in 2003. The JS news story, which appears in the Regional News Watch section of the March 14 newspaper, did not mention the Harenda Enterprises, Inc. owner's name--- Ken Harenda. Yup. THAT Ken Harenda-- the New Berlin Alderman (District #4) who is running for re-election and endorsed by NBCRG.  

Review the Supreme Court decision and you’ll find these remarks from a judge: "….Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the protective sac of most internal organs such as the lungs. "Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. Symptoms, however, may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure. The incidence of this rare cancer has increased over the past 20 years but may be stabilizing now. Once symptoms appear and the cancer is diagnosed, the disease is often very advanced. Mesothelioma is often associated with a horrible death."

Obviously, asbestos is a dangerous substance and poses a serious health hazard. Aldermen vote on issues that affect community development, the environment, people’s health and safety. We expect them to abide by state codes, regulations and laws. It's troubling that a New Berlin alderman owns a company cited for violating state code regarding asbestos,  potentially put people’s health in jeopardy--and then sought to evade responsibilty.  

A 2002 Journal Sentinel news article disclosed that Ken Harenda was the owner of the consulting firm Harenda Enterprises, Inc. It also reported: A state inspector alleged Ken Harenda’s brother (County Board Supervisor Keith Harenda) pressured him to drop the asbestos charges and offered the inspector tickets to a Bush appearance event. The official said he declined the offer, citing state law, which prohibits offering a state official "anything of value" if the gift could reasonably be expected to influence that official's actions or be considered a reward. The article also states, “Mark Davis, head of the state's asbestos-control program, said overtures by Waukesha County Supervisor Keith Harenda, the contractor's brother, included a plea to "make this case go away" because it could hurt his brother's political ambitions.”

Don’t forget to vote in today’s Wisconsin Primary Election.

Voting information is easily accessible via the City of New Berlin’s web site  ( click on How do I/FAQ ) 

You'll find the following information and more:

District Maps & Polling Places

District 1 - (Wards 1-2-3)
Vote at: Hickory Grove Senior Center, 2600 South Sunny Slope Road

District 2 - (Wards 4-5-6-7)
Vote at: New Berlin Community Center (Old New Berlin Library), 14750 West Cleveland Avenue

District 3 - (Wards 8-9-10-11)
Vote at: World Harvest Church, 1500 South West Lane

District 4 - (Wards 12-13-14-15-27-28)
Vote at: Peace Lutheran Church, 17651 West Small Road

District 5 - (Wards 16-17-18-19)
Vote at: Eisenhower High School, 4333 South Sunny Slope Road

District 6 - (Wards 20-21-22)
Vote at: Glen Park School, 3500 S. Glen Park Road

District 7 - (Wards 23-24-25-26)
Vote at: New Berlin City Hall, 3805 South Casper Drive

All polling places open at 7:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is February 14 and yet:

The most recent New Berlin School Board Meeting minutes posted on the NBPS District Web site are for the November 26, 2007 meeting!

The minutes of the December, January and February School Board Meetings are not yet posted on it.   

In contrast, the City of New Berlin Web site is more regularly updated.  

Click on the City's Web site, and you can view the minutes of the Common Council or  Committee of the Whole Meetings that were just held on February 12---as well as minutes of previous meetings.

The New Berlin Community Center located at 14750 W. Cleveland Avenue, New Berlin will be celebrating its Grand Opening, official ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Saturday January 19 at 10 am.

An Open House will follow until noon.

See press release for more information.

The New Berlin School Board’s request to continue holding regular monthly and any related special meetings at City Hall was approved by aldermen (4-2 vote) at the October 9 Common Council Meeting.

So, the School Board gets to use City Hall.  And it does not pay a user fee.  

That's ironic, considering-----

• We New Berlin residents/taxpayers aren’t allowed to use City Hall for meetings. (although our taxes pay/paid building, maintenance, repair, and utility costs for the facility)  Community and citizen groups including Scout troops and charitable organizations, are not permitted to have their meetings at City Hall. We can not have voters forums there, either. Why? Because the Common Council adopted a policy last year restricting the use of our City Hall to City staff, local elected and appointed officials, and Federal legislatures.
• The School Board has imposed user fees on the City (and other groups) for school facility use. But the School Board wants or expects to use City facilities (City Hall) for free?!!!!  What a double standard. (Of course, our taxes pay/paid building, maintenance, repair and utility costs for school facilities, too). 
• Last August, the School Board unilaterally canceled a contract signed in 1968 that required the District and City to negotiate any changes to that agreement, including changes in charges (such as increases) for use of school facilities (mostly by Park & Rec. Dept.). The SB unilaterally opted to charge for school facility use and sent a new contract to the City. See NewBerlinNow article containing this quote: “This is not going to be a negotiated contract with the city, board president Keith Heun said. “It’s going to be ‘here’s our terms and conditions'.”   ( The SB was unwilling to negotiate a contract? It resorted to 'my way or the highway' -type stance and swagger?!)
• The Common Council voted on December 11 to table its meeting agenda item “Agreement for Use of School Facilities-NB School District” after the City Attorney indicated there's an issue regarding any additional charges that may come up and how they are handled that needs to be resolved. There was some discussion on this topic at the Dec. 10 School Board Meeting, too.  
• At the December 10 School Board Meeting, District Superintendent Paul Kreutzer assured the School Board that the Use of School Facilities Agreement does not give preferential treatment to the City. The District could choose to approve requests by groups for school facility use on a first come, first serve basis, give city groups higher priority than county groups, or whatever. It was also mentioned that some groups made it known they’d like to reserve a school facility for the maximum time the District would allow. 

Today, November 11 is Veterans Day, the national day set aside to remember and honor those who have served in the country’s military.

Mayor Jack Chiovatero will conduct the City’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 7 pm tonight in the Common Council Chambers at New Berlin City Hall, which is located at 3805 S. Casper Drive. The ceremony will be approximately 45 minutes in length.

New Berlin Hoeppner Horn VFW Post 5716 and American Legion Post 488 will participate.

The New Berlin Community Band will perform a selection of patriotic music.

New Berlin resident and WWII veteran Kenneth Sharping will accept a proclamation on behalf of all New Berlin veterans, and the guest speaker will be Donald Hermann, a WWII veteran and past VFW Post 5716 Commander.

All residents are invited to attend. The ceremony will also be broadcast on local cable channel 25.

Our city is in danger of losing its Paramedic service?

That is unacceptable.

From my experience as a registered nurse, I know how valuable it is to have highly trained and skilled personnel on the scene quickly in true medical emergencies.

Paramedics can and do save lives. Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Dobernig reports that since August 2006, the Fire Department Paramedic Program has documented 39 lives saved and treated 2193 people.

You can show your support for maintaining the Paramedic program by speaking at tonight's meeting at City Hall during Privilege of the Floor (POF).  The Committee of the Whole meeting is at 7 pm. POF (the public comment period) follows it. The Common Council meeting is held after POF.      

For additional information about the paramedic situation, see this morning's Journal Sentinel Community Watch article on New Berlin Now.  The article provides a link to an important, heart wrenching email message from Tom Dobernig.

Here’s what the Journal-Sentinel's Sept. 24 editorial had to say about widening Calhoun Road:

“Traffic
Doing it the right way

A two-lane Calhoun Road in New Berlin no longer meets the needs of growing area businesses and families. What’s needed is a safer four-lane road with sidewalks.

Some New Berlin residents are understandably frustrated that the city has spent two years talking about whether to widen Calhoun Road and yet has been unable to come up with a plan for its reconstruction. And no doubt, some are frustrated that the Common Council was unable recently to override Mayor Jack Chiovatero’s veto of a plan that called for a two-lane reconstruction.

Nevertheless, the veto was the right thing to do, and the failure to override it will serve the city better than the two-lane plan would have.

Because of growing business and residential demands in the area, Calhoun should be widened to four lanes with sidewalks; a two-lane subdivision feeder simply can no longer meet the needs of residents and businesses in the area.

As Chiovatero said in his veto statement, the two-lane road design was unsafe for pedestrians, failed to meet the needs of the New Berlin Industrial Park and did not include provisions for stormwater management. He also stated that a two-lane design would meet traffic capacity on Calhoun Road for only about five years.

That should be unacceptable for residents as well as aldermen.”

People tend to resent being charged fees on top of the taxes they pay. Savvy folks know that it's government taking additional money out of their pockets to provide services. They aren't fooled by tax hikes hidden behind fees.

Raise a fee here, raise a fee there. Fee increases can sure annoy people. For example, Senator Lazich has been grumbling online about fee increases in the proposed State budget.

But the New Berlin School Board favors jacking up some fees to generate revenue. Not only did it increase fees for Middle School sports, the School Board is considering revising Board Policy #1330 Use of School Facilities, to squeeze more money from groups using school facilities.

Did you know that many community groups, including NBAA, Scouts, New Berlin Park & Rec., Home & School, use our schools?

Sticking it to families who just want to have their kids participate in wholesome activities is hideous.

The School District notified Park & Rec. that it was requiring $67,000 in additional fees for use of school facilities. That's in addition to the $48,000 per year Park & Rec. pays. The payments would be required by July 1. This fee increase would likely have a negative impact on the already-adopted City budget and citizens who use the facilities in the recreational programs. School Board President Keith Heun said he expects the city Parks Dept. to pass the fee along to its users. Never mind that increasing user fees would be especially hard on lower income citizens and large families.
Indeed, some senior citizens raised concerns and objections at the June 18 School Board Meeting.

At that board meeting, some board members advocated canceling the District’s contract with Park & Rec.
Too bad. The contract says that both parties (School District and Park & Rec.) recognize it is in the public interest that tax-supported facilities be utilized as much as possible in order to maintain the maximum benefit and return for the taxpayers. And that since the Park & Rec Commission is charged with the responsibility of establishing and conducting recreational facilities and programs for the community, it should make use of the school facilities.

The community is already paying for schools! To shake them down for more is obscene.

Presentation of Construction Award for Reagan Elementary School was item E on the consent agenda, but one of the first topics discussed at the monthly New Berlin School Board Meeting held on June 18.
But the following relevant information was not mentioned:

VJS Construction Services, Inc. had been charged in 2006 with violating state law in the construction of the Reagan School.
According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), VJS Construction Services, Inc. was found GUILTY Due to No Contest Plea of violating Statute NR216.46(l) and ordered to pay a forfeiture/fine. It paid the Court $4,883.
The offense? Failure/Maintain Erosion Control Best Management Practices.

The construction management firm’s failure to do proper erosion control was inexcusable, especially given the Reagan School site's wetlands and threatened/endangered species habitat, the proximity to a navigable waterway, and the stated conditions on the required permits obtained prior to construction.

Under the circumstances, should the School Board and District administration be publicly touting a construction award for the Reagan School and proudly accepting it?
(and keeping mum about construction deficiencies)
Do they believe the end justifies the means? That breaking the law is permissible sometimes?
That protecting the environment is unimportant?

Although the School Board has refrained from publicly chiding VJS, several Board members have openly bashed various New Berlin residents over lesser matters.

Nothing was said at the same monthly June 18 School Board Meeting about another construction-related issue: the Claim Against Adair Plumbing and the New Berlin School District.

After I spotted the Claim item on the agenda of the June 12 Common Council Meeting, I made a records request. The City Clerk provided me with records indicating a sanitary sewer backup occurred August 29, 2006 on Calhoun Road right by the Reagan Elementary School. Adair Plumbing (a NBPS subcontractor) allegedly pulled a sanitary lateral plug to flush the school water system--an action that was called a direct violation of the City of New Berlin Developer’s Handbook. Reportedly, a VJS employee had directed Adair to use the sanitary line and not the storm sewer.
Per a Utility Supervisor’s report, when Adair pulled the plug, a high volume of water flushed debris in the schools sanitation system into the City’s system, causing the backup. The basement of one residence had at least 3 feet of water.
City utility staff were contacted to try to alleviate the problem. They observed water at two manholes and determined the blockage was between the two. They cleaned and re-cleaned the sanitary sewer line.
The City Attorney advised a property owner seeking over $600 reimbursement for bills arising from the sewer backup, including replacement of soiled, damaged items, to contact NBPS. The City's investigation concluded that stone plugging the lateral may have arisen from School District action in the construction of the Reagan Elementary School. There was also reference to a repair cost exceeding $12,000

In his latest blogs, New Berlin School Board VP Matt Thomas is in a dither about City government/officials. Could it be that he's trying to shift attention from the School District/School Board? And blowing lots of smoke?

Here are a few things to ponder:

Taxes: Based on 2005-06 tax rate data recently published by Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance-- among Wisconsin cities with populations over 30,000 like New Berlin, the City of New Berlin's equalized tax rate was ranked lowest. In contrast, the New Berlin School District's levy and tax rates were among the highest of Wisconsin school districts. In fact, according to the Wis. Taxpayers Alliance data, the New Berlin School District's tax rate exceeded our neighboring school districts of Elmbrook (Brookfield), Muskego-Norway, West Allis, Greenfield, and Waukesha.

When Ted Wysocki was elected mayor in 2001, his aldermanic seat became vacant. Several people applied for it, including Thomas. Wysocki's tie-breaking vote gave Thomas the appointed seat for a year. When that expired, Thomas chose not to run for the aldermanic office.
Thomas served a 3-year term on the School Board. He was re- elected to a second term, but quit during it--to take that aldermanic appointment. Now, years later, Thomas is on the School Board again----and grumbling about the City budget, the mayor chosen by the electorate to replace Wysocki, and other City officials.

If Thomas really believes the School Board should be notified about an increased school tax credit from the State, why doesn't he take that up with state officials? If the State fails to notify the School Board, why should it be the mayor's job to notify the School Board? After all, the School Board isn't doing the tax collection/sending taxpayers the tax bill. Thomas argues the City isn't the School District. Well, that's true. Maybe its time the School District collected its own taxes instead of having the City collect them.

For many years now, the City has utilized a form that not only lists the state, county, city and school districts tax levy and tax rate figures, it also states under "subtotal tax rates" the amount of the school tax credit, as well as the lottery credit. It's been standard practice for city officials to review and consider the total tax picture--including the tax credits.

Disagreeing with Thomas or Aldermen Dave Ament and Ken Harenda or approving a budget under the State maximum, doesn't make someone a "liberal".

Our so-called "fiscally conservative" New Berlin School Board is spending a ton of money on 2 school buildings.

There are so many troublesome School Board/School District issues and actions to address, it would take multiple blogs. But don't count on Thomas to bring them to your attention.

Years ago, young people thought it fun to squeeze a bunch of people into a telephone booth.
Lately, we've been experiencing local government bodies cramming multiple meetings into a meeting night.

Yeah, they can do it, but is it smart?

When their night is stacked full of different meetings, will our New Berlin officials feel time-pressured to whiz through individual agenda items, skip or limit discussion, postpone action or make a hasty decision?

When meetings begin at suppertime and end in the wee hours of the next morning, how alert and attentive are the officials to all of the agenda issues, discussion and debate?

And is this in the public's best interests?

On November 13, the New Berlin School Board held three meetings. The first and third were closed session meetings (public not allowed).

Sandwiched between them was the monthly work session-board meeting. It was a quickie, half-hour, open-to-the public meeting consisting mostly of a report from administration and a plea from a church pastor. There was hardly any comment from board members. And no board vote (except to adjourn).

The evening of November 14 was jam-packed with City government meetings. A public hearing was followed by a lengthy Committee of the Whole Meeting. The Common Council Meeting started around midnight. There was even a brief closed session later. What a meeting marathon!

Maybe school and city officials want to give up as few of their evenings as possible to government meetings, preferring to pack several into a single night---and maybe it's easier to schedule meetings this way---- but is it really good practice/ public service?