Hartland residents oppose siting new police station and village hall in Hartbrook Park; board schedules public information sessions

Dozens of residents told the Village of Hartland board on Monday that they oppose locating a proposed new police station and village hall on Hartbrook Park, arguing the park’s ball field, river access and walking trails are heavily used and would be lost if the project proceeds there.

The comments came during the meeting’s public-comment period and were followed by a presentation from village officials who said they will hold two informational sessions — planned for Aug. 13 and Aug. 20 from 6:05 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. — to share site studies, preliminary drawings and to arrange escorted tours of the existing police space.

Many speakers said Hartbrook Park is an essential neighborhood asset. “We just don’t wanna give up green space,” resident Bill Truchill told the board. Resident Steven Golke said the park is “a really nice area” used daily by children and families. “It’s just so Americana,” resident Tom Zyska said of watching games and families gather at the ball fields.

Other speakers focused on traffic and safety. Resident Dan Bear said vehicles entering and exiting a new parking lot could create hazards for children who play in the park and generate new cut-through traffic in surrounding neighborhoods. Josh Kell told the board an emergency vehicle leaving a station next to an active park “is not safe for the kids.”

Several residents proposed alternate sites, including the vacant former bowling-alley parcel off Hartbrook Drive, underused commercial lots near Highway 16 and the village-owned public-works area. Resident Ben Sobczak and others pointed to examples in neighboring towns where municipalities located public safety buildings in underused commercial areas rather than on parkland.

Village officials acknowledged the turnout and concerns and said earlier communications about the need analysis and site work could have been better. President Banterstil said he would accept responsibility for communication shortfalls and said administration will arrange more robust outreach. Village staff said the architectural firm under contract, Keller, will present conceptual plans at the upcoming sessions and that tours of the police department will be escorted to meet CJIS (criminal justice information) requirements.

At the meeting the board voted to hold the two informational sessions, with trustees voting in the affirmative. Village staff said the Aug. 13 meeting will be the primary session and that additional open houses and walkthroughs will be scheduled as the design work proceeds.

The board did not vote on any site selection or on construction financing at the meeting. Officials said the sessions are intended to expand public information and allow residents to view site constraints, design options and operational needs before further decisions are made.

Residents who addressed the board asked for clearer public notices and urged the village to consider alternatives that would preserve Hartbrook Park’s existing fields, pavilion and river access. Officials said they will publish dates and materials on the village website, by email to residents who have contacted the village, and at local posting points in the coming weeks.