Muskego Lake District Update

The Little Muskego Lake District board met at Thursday night to review a series of issues that continue to elude resolution. While little progress was made on some items, the board was able to determine how and when notices for goose round up permission slips and chemical treatments would be distributed to riparians.

Here's a recap:

• New Berlin property plans for Calhoun Creek are coming together, but the board said they are awaiting word from the Muskego Lakes Land Conservancy on a pending funding agreement that would construct a short driveway into the property, a culvert and gate. Previously the two sides disagreed on how funds received from a Holz Family Foundation grant should be utilized, and the MLLC proposed paying for these items from those funds. The board said they had not received confirmation on that offer, and is hoping that as spring nears, they can begin construction.

• A purchase of a new weed harvester may need to be put on hold, as the LMLD is going forward in applying for a DNR grant to help offset the approximately $175,000 cost. Funding would not come through until August, which would mean the district would have to keep using the oldest piece of equipment (a 1976 harvester) for another year. They will follow up with the manufacturer's of the new harvesters in the meantime to see if they can proceed with a purchase given the tentative status of the grant.

• The board is continuing to search for a second staffing firm to address its concerns over unemployment claims. Apparently, some firms do not engage in hiring for positions that involve the operation of the weed harvesters, and they want to obtain at least one additional bid for staffing services before making a recommendation.

• Goose permission slips will be mailed out to the approximately 400 riparians to allow the LMLD to access properties to round up geese as well as perform egg oiling for those properties containing nests. The mailing will likely go out in March.  In addition, a public notice will be posted in spring for the 2012 chemical treatment on the lake, composing approximately 80 acres of application area.

• Bridge construction over Martin Road could impact the districts ability to access property for weed tipping, and New Berlin City Hall is presenting an neighborhood meeting on the impact of the I-43 construction on February 16 at 6pm in their council chambers.