Muscoda board reviews regional stormwater control plan for industrial park; decision postponed to Aug. 6

The Muscoda Village Board on Aug. 1 reviewed a proposed regional stormwater control plan for the village industrial park that would place a retention pond southeast of the sanitary lagoon and route storm water through new pipes toward nearby properties, but the board postponed a decision until its Aug. 6 meeting.

Engineer Bart Nies of Delta 3 presented the plan and associated cost estimates. He described two build options: a two-phase stormwater-only scheme and a full reconstruction of Industrial Drive. Phase 1 calls for a retention pond and two 36-inch stormwater pipes (one running roughly 900 feet west then south between Meister Cheese Company and Nelson Forest to Industrial Drive; the other running about 400 feet east then south between Nelson and Smallberger and then 560 feet along Industrial Drive). Phase 1 was estimated at $1,255,000. Phase 2 would place about 1,650 feet of 24-inch storm sewer along Industrial Drive and an additional 560-foot segment toward Azim Street, estimated at $231,000. Combined, the stormwater-only work was presented as $1,486,000.

Nies said an alternative ditch drainage approach is not feasible because of existing underground utilities and property-line constraints, so piping is the recommended route. He also presented a full reconstruction option for Industrial Drive, from Howard Street to Azim Street, that would replace and upgrade underground utilities, add curb and gutter and new blacktop and carry a price tag of about $4.2 million; that option, he said, could eliminate two lift stations and save up to $50,000 in annual sewer operating expenses.

On financing, the board was shown a scenario in which phases 1 and 2 financed together with a 10-year loan at 6% would produce annual payments of about $201,900. Engineer Nies noted the entire project lies within the boundaries of TID #5 and that related expenses are eligible under the TID plan; based on the TID plan and projected expansions by Meister Cheese Company and Fairfield Specialty Eggs, he said an estimated tax increment could be about $365,000.

Nies recommended drafting developer agreements with Meister Cheese Company and Fairfield Specialty Eggs if the board proceeds, arguing completing the entire project at once would make nearby vacant property more marketable. The board reached a consensus to postpone further discussion and any formal decision until its Aug. 6 Village Board meeting.

Procedural items recorded in the Aug. 1 minutes include a motion by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Johnson, to accept proof of publication (motion carried) and a later motion by Trustee Anderson, seconded by E. Johnson, to adjourn (motion carried). The board is scheduled to revisit the stormwater project at its Aug. 6 meeting.