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Germantown board moves into closed session on plan to buy land for Lift Station 6 relocation
Summary
After a staff presentation on flooding risks to Lift Station 6, the Village Board voted to go into closed session to deliberate purchase negotiations for a 4.7‑acre parcel across the river that staff said was not flooded in August 2025.
The Village Board of Germantown voted on July 20 to convene in closed session to deliberate the purchase of property for relocation of wastewater utility Lift Station 6.
Public works staff presented a history and risk assessment for the station, which staff said was constructed in 1977 with a 25–30 year design life and has repeatedly been threatened by flooding. Tim (public works staff) said the station "was constructed in 1977 as part of the river's development" and noted the structure has exceeded its design life and was submerged during the August 2025 flooding. Staff described the existing wet well and constrained footprint near County Line Road and said constructing a new wet well on the current site would be nearly impossible due to buried steel structure under the sidewalk.
Staff told the board the parcel under consideration across the river is approximately 4.7 acres and "would provide a cost effective location for the relocation of the lift station and give the village flexibility for design for future flows in the basin." The parcel, staff said, was not flooded in August and could reduce the village's operational risk from future flood events.
A resident raised concerns during public comment that the proposed purchase should be vetted by the Utility Advisory Board and questioned the pace of what she described as repeated "million dollar" projects; Village President Soderbergh responded that the relocation "was properly vetted through the utility advisory committee and also through the public works and highway committee" and that the project was included in the budget.
After discussion, the president asked for a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate or negotiate the purchase of public property. The board approved the motion by roll call and the public portion of the meeting adjourned for closed-session deliberations at 7:35 p.m.
No final purchase terms were disclosed in the open meeting. The record shows the matter will be discussed in closed session and any subsequent open‑session action will be recorded at a later meeting.
