Board approves easement for We Energies to install underground utility box near West Milwaukee property

The West Allis–West Milwaukee School District Board of Education approved an easement May 19 allowing We Energies to run underground utility lines and install an on-site utility box on district property to support updated street lighting in the City of West Milwaukee.

Mr. Eichmann, the district’s facilities manager, told the board the city and We Energies are replacing overhead lines with underground service and need an easement both to place the box on district property and to maintain it over time. He said the proposed work would replace existing overhead equipment in that area and allow the new lighting service to come from the underground box rather than the old poles.

Board members asked about liability, public access and landscaping restoration. Mr. Eichmann said We Energies would be responsible for liability and for restoring turf or landscaping to the same condition after work, and that the company would provide advance notification before site access. Board discussion noted that rejecting the easement would require the city to redesign and seek easements from neighboring private property owners, which the district was told would add time and cost to the municipal project.

A motion to approve the easement was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The district’s approval grants We Energies the limited access rights described in the easement document; it does not authorize any other use of district property.