Waukesha Board recommends $17,711.67 special assessment per property for Silvernail Road sewer, sends measure to Common Council

The Waukesha City Board of Public Works on Jan. 23 recommended the Common Council approve a preliminary resolution to install sanitary sewer along Silvernail Road and to special-assess affected properties $17,711.67 each, with a 10-year repayment option at 5% interest.

The board’s action amends the preliminary assessment resolution and sends that recommendation to the Common Council for final approval. The board’s vote followed public comment and staff presentations about the project, the assessment process and alternatives for dividing costs among properties.

The Silvernail Road project is framed as a roadway reconstruction that would include a sanitary sewer extension between Sussex Lane and the western city limits. Alex (staff member) told the board the street is beyond its useful life and that installing sewer during the reconstruction is less costly than installing it later when the street would need to be reopened. He said the assessment covers the sewer main and the lateral to the right-of-way line; future work from the right-of-way to individual houses would be a separate, later cost.

Residents who live on Silvernail Road spoke against the proposed sewer assessment during public comment. Katie Pudliner, who identified herself as a resident at 3033 Silvernail Road, said, “So basically bottom line is we’re opposed,” and raised concerns about loss of privacy, removal of trees and changes to drainage. Michael Mallory, 3005 Silvernail Road, said his existing well and septic system “works fine” and warned the assessment would be unaffordable for some homeowners: “What about option 4 where we don’t do this project? … I’ll have to move if you pass that.”

City staff presented three assessment-splitting options and a possible alternative in which costs would be split in half because there are no residences opposite many of the affected properties. Staff said the assessment amounts are preliminary estimates that would be adjusted if and when bids are opened. Brandon (staff member) and Chris (staff member) explained the process: approval of a preliminary resolution is an early step that would be followed by certified notices, a public hearing, a final assessment resolution before the Board of Public Works and then final approval by the Common Council.

Board discussion acknowledged residents’ concerns. Board member Eric Payne said the properties’ situation — no opposite-side neighbors to share costs — creates “extreme hardship” and urged adjustments. Payne moved to amend the resolution to use the option that produced the lowest assessment, and set the assessment at $17,711.67 per property; Kevin Riley seconded the motion, and the board adopted the amendment with the interest rate revised to 5% for a 10-year payment plan as a friendly amendment. The motion passed on recorded aye votes.

Staff emphasized that property owners would not be required to connect immediately after the sewer is installed; however, staff said properties would be required to hook up if a septic system fails in the future, and that delaying sewer installation likely increases future costs because later installations would require reopening the street and paying road restoration costs. Staff also noted that the city is not proposing water main installation as part of this assessment; the current proposal covers sanitary sewer only.

The board’s action is a recommendation to the Common Council; it does not itself impose assessments. If the Common Council approves the preliminary resolution and moves forward, property owners would receive certified notices and have another public hearing before any final assessments are charged.

The board said staff will prepare the assessment tables and notices required by state statute and return the item to the board and then to the Common Council for final action.