Chapter 60

60.71(1) (1) Town board authority.

60.71(1)(a) (a) The town board may establish one or more town sanitary districts under this section.

60.71(1)(b) (b) If a proposed town sanitary district is in more than one town, the town board of the town containing the largest portion of the equalized full value of taxable property within the proposed district has exclusive jurisdiction to establish the town sanitary district.

60.71(2) (2) Petition.

60.71(2)(a) (a) At least 51 percent of the persons owning land or the owners of at least 51 percent of the land within the limits of the territory proposed to be organized into a town sanitary district may petition the town board for the establishment of a town sanitary district. The petition shall be addressed to the town board and filed with the town clerk. The petition shall contain the following information:

60.71(2)(a)1. 1. The proposed name of the town sanitary district.

60.71(2)(a)2. 2. A statement of the necessity for the proposed work.

60.71(2)(a)3. 3. A statement that the public health, safety, convenience or welfare will be promoted by the establishment of the town sanitary district and that the property to be included will be benefited by the proposed district.

60.71(2)(a)4. 4. A legal description of the boundaries of the proposed town sanitary district.

60.71(2)(a)5. 5. A plat or sketch showing the approximate area and boundaries of the proposed town sanitary district.

60.71(2)(a)6. 6. A general description of the proposed improvements.

60.71(2)(b) (b) One or more of the petitioners shall verify that the petition was signed personally by the persons whose signatures appear on the petition, or a person who signs a petition may have his or her signature notarized. The petition is presumed to have been signed by the persons whose signatures appear on the petition. No petition with the requisite number of valid signatures may be declared void because of alleged defects in the information required to be included in the petition. The town board at any time may permit a petition to be amended to conform to the facts.

60.71(3) (3) Bond. At least 15 days prior to the hearing under sub. (4), the petitioners shall file a personal or a surety bond with the town clerk, with security approved by the town board, sufficient to pay all of the expenses connected with the proceedings if the town board refuses to organize the district. The petitioners shall maintain the bond until either the town board issues an order to organize the district, the petitioners pay the costs of the town board under sub. (6) (f) or the proceedings are otherwise terminated. If the town board determines that a bond is insufficient, it may order the execution of an additional bond within a specified time, but not less than 10 days from the date of the order. If the petitioners fail to execute or maintain the bond, the town board may dismiss the petition.

60.71(4) (4) Hearing.

60.71(4)(a) (a) The town board shall schedule and conduct a hearing within 30 days after receipt of any petition with the requisite number of valid signatures.

60.71(4)(b) (b) The town board shall publish a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, of the hearing. The notice shall contain an announcement of the hearing and a description of the boundaries of the proposed town sanitary district. The town board shall mail the notice to the department of safety and professional services and the department of natural resources at least 10 days prior to the hearing.

60.71(4)(c) (c) Any person may file written comments on the formation of the district with the town clerk. Any owner of property within the boundary of the proposed district may appear at the hearing and offer objections, criticisms or suggestions as to the necessity of the proposed district and the question of whether his or her property will be benefited by the establishment of the district. A representative of the department of safety and professional services and of the department of natural resources may attend the hearing and advise the town board.

60.71(5) (5) Territory comprising a district.

60.71(5)(a) (a) A town sanitary district may not include any territory located within a village or city.

60.71(5)(b) (b) A town sanitary district may include territory located within a metropolitan sewerage district or any other similar district outside of the boundaries of a village or city for the purpose of auxiliary sewer construction by the town sanitary district.

60.71(6) (6) Decision by the town board.

60.71(6)(a) (a) Within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing under sub. (4), the town board shall issue written findings and a decision on formation of the proposed town sanitary district.

60.71(6)(b) (b) As part of its findings, the town board shall determine if:

60.71(6)(b)1. 1. The proposed work is necessary.

60.71(6)(b)2. 2. Public health, safety, convenience or welfare will be promoted by the establishment of the district.

60.71(6)(b)3. 3. Property to be included in the district will be benefited by the district.

60.71(6)(c) (c) If the town board’s findings required by par. (b) are all in the affirmative, the town board shall issue an order establishing the boundaries of the town sanitary district, declaring the district organized and giving the district a corporate name. After the district is established, the town board and the petitioners may submit to the commission certified bills covering their reasonable costs and disbursements in connection with the petition and hearing. The commission shall pay the expenses out of the funds of the district.

60.71(6)(d) (d) If the town board’s findings required by par. (b) are in the affirmative, except that part of the territory described in the petition will not be benefited by the establishment of the district, the town board shall issue an order under par. (c), but shall exclude such territory from the district.

60.71(6)(e) (e) If the town board determines that other territory not described in the original petition should be included within the town sanitary district, the town board shall continue the hearing for not more than 30 days and publish a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, of the continued hearing. The notice shall contain a description of the revised boundaries of the proposed town sanitary district.

60.71(6)(f) (f) Except as provided in par. (d), if any of the town board’s findings under par. (b) are partly or wholly in the negative, the town board shall dismiss the proceedings and order the petitioners to pay, within 30 days, all reasonable costs and disbursements of the town board in connection with the proceedings.

60.71(7) (7) Filing and recording the order. The town board shall file copies of the order establishing the town sanitary district with the department of natural resources and record the order with the register of deeds in each county in which the district is located.

60.71 History History: 1983 a. 532; 1985 a. 281; 1987 a. 77; 1993 a. 301; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3302, 3303, 9116 (5); 2001 a. 88; 2011 a. 32.

60.72 60.72 Creation of town sanitary district by order of the department of natural resources.

60.72(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “department” means the department of natural resources.

60.72(2) (2) Hearing. The department shall conduct a public hearing to determine whether to order the establishment of a town sanitary district under this section.

60.72(3) (3) Notice. The department shall give notice of a hearing under this section by mail to the town clerk of each town in the area to be affected at least 30 days prior to the hearing. The town board shall publish a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, of the hearing. The notice by the town board shall contain an announcement of the hearing and a description of the area identified by the department for inclusion in the town sanitary district.

60.72(4) (4) Finding. Following the public hearing, the department shall determine if private on-site wastewater treatment systems or private domestic water systems, or both, in the affected towns constitute a threat to public health, safety, convenience or welfare or of pollution of waters of the state, and that there is no local action to correct the situation. The department shall issue its determination as written findings.

60.72(5) (5) Order. If the department’s findings under sub. (4) are in the affirmative, the department shall issue an order specifying the work which is necessary and designating the property which is to be included in the proposed town sanitary district.

60.72(6) (6) Town board action. Notwithstanding s. 60.71, upon receipt of an order from the department under sub. (5), the town board may order the establishment of a town sanitary district or create a utility district under s. 66.0827.

60.72(7) (7) Town board failure to act. If the town board fails to establish a town sanitary district within 45 days after receipt of the department’s order, the department shall issue an order establishing boundaries of the town sanitary district, declaring the district organized and giving the district a corporate name. The department’s order establishes the district without any further action by the town board. The department shall record the order with the register of deeds in each county in which the district is situated and file a copy of the order with the town clerk of each town in which the district is situated.

60.72(8) (8) Commissioners.

60.72(8)(a) (a) After a town sanitary district has been established under sub. (6) or (7), the town board shall appoint or provide for the election of commissioners or constitute itself as the commission under s. 60.74 within 60 days after the expiration of the review period under s. 60.73, if no appeal is filed, or within 60 days after the department’s order is affirmed in a proceeding under s. 60.73. If the town board does not appoint or provide for the election of commissioners or constitute itself as the commission, the department shall appoint, for 2-year terms, 3 commissioners who meet the residence and property-ownership requirements of s. 60.75 (3).

60.72(8)(b) (b) If the department appoints commissioners under par. (a), the town board, after the initial 2-year terms, shall appoint or provide for the election of commissioners under s. 60.74 or constitute itself as the commission. If the town board does not appoint or provide for the election of commissioners or constitute itself as the commission within 60 days after the initial 2-year terms expire, the department shall appoint, for staggered terms as provided in s. 60.74, 3 commissioners who meet the residence and property-ownership requirements of s. 60.75 (3).

60.72(8)(c) (c) If the town board fails to fill any vacancy on the commission within 60 days, the department shall appoint a person who meets the residence and property-ownership requirements of s. 60.75 (3) to fill the vacancy.

60.72(8)(d) (d) The department shall file notice of all appointments of commissioners with the town clerk in each town in which the district is located.

60.72(9) (9) Statutes applicable. Except as otherwise provided in this section, and unless clearly inapplicable, all other statutes relating to town sanitary districts shall apply to any town sanitary district created under sub. (6) or (7).

60.72 History History: 1983 a. 532; 1993 a. 301; 1995 a. 378; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2011 a. 146.

60.726 60.726 Property with private on-site wastewater treatment system included.

60.726(1) (1) Property that is excluded from a town sanitary district under s. 60.725 (1), 1995 stats., or, subject to sub. (2), property that is excluded from a town sanitary district under s. 60.725 (2), 1995 stats., shall be included in the town sanitary district, retroactive to April 19, 1990, and shall be subject to all property taxes, special assessments, special charges or other charges imposed or assessed by the town sanitary district on or after April 19, 1990.

60.726(2) (2) If a property owner installed on his or her property a private on-site wastewater treatment system that conforms with the state plumbing code, before a town sanitary district that encompasses that property came into existence, that property shall be included in the town sanitary district. If the private on-site wastewater treatment system was installed on or after 10 years before May 14, 1992, and if the property owner provides the town sanitary district with any information about the cost of the private on-site wastewater treatment system required by the district, the town sanitary district, when the district issues any assessment or charges or imposes property taxes to construct a sewage service system, shall pay or credit the property owner an amount equal to 10 percent of the cost of the private on-site wastewater treatment system, less any grants or aids received by the property owner for construction of the private on-site wastewater treatment system, multiplied by the number of years of remaining life of the private on-site wastewater treatment system. The number of years of remaining life of the private on-site wastewater treatment system is equal to 10 minus the number of years that the private on-site wastewater treatment system has been in operation.

60.726 History History: 1991 a. 270; 1993 a. 213; 1997 a. 252; 2011 a. 146.

60.726 Annotation Homeowners did not have a constitutionally protected vested property right in being excluded from a sanitary district; retroactive application of sub. (1) requiring connection was constitutional. State ex rel. Vanderbloemen v. Town of West Bend Board of Supervisors, 188 Wis. 2d 458, 525 N.W.2d 133 (Ct. App. 1994).

60.73 60.73 Review of orders creating town sanitary districts. Any person aggrieved by any act of the town board or the department of natural resources in establishing a town sanitary district may bring an action in the circuit court of the county in which his or her lands are located, to set aside the final determination of the town board or the department of natural resources, within 90 days after the final determination, as provided under s. 893.73 (2). If no action is taken within the 90-day period, the determination by the town board or the department of natural resources is final.

60.73 History History: 1983 a. 532.

60.74 60.74 Commissioners; method of selection.

60.74(1) (1) Single town districts. If a town sanitary district is located entirely within one town, the town board shall determine how commissioners will be selected. The town board may appoint the commissioners, provide for their election or constitute itself as the commission. If the town board constitutes itself as the commission, it shall do so by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the town board supervisors. The town board shall determine the method of selection for the initial commissioners within 60 days after the town sanitary district is established.

60.74(2) (2) Multiple town districts.

60.74(2)(a) (a) If a town sanitary district is located in 2 or more towns, the town board of the town containing the largest portion of the equalized full value of taxable property of the district shall determine, within 60 days after the district is established, how commissioners will be selected. The town board may appoint commissioners or provide for their election.

60.74(2)(b) (b) If, as a result of a change in each town’s share of the equalized full value of taxable property in the district, a town’s share exceeds the share of the town first authorized to determine selection under par. (a), the town board of the town with the greater share, within 60 days, may provide for the election or appointment of commissioners to replace the commissioners selected under par. (a). Any commissioner selected under par. (a) shall serve until new commissioners are appointed or elected under this paragraph.

60.74(3) (3) Election of commissioners.

60.74(3)(a) (a) If the town board provides for the election of commissioners, the town board shall either schedule the election of the first commissioners at the next regular spring election or call a special election. If the town board schedules the election of the first commissioners at the next regular spring election, the town board shall appoint commissioners, within the time limits specified in sub. (1) or (2), to serve until the 3rd Monday of April in the year when the next regular spring election is held.

60.74(3)(b) (b) After the first commissioners are elected, all subsequent commissioners shall be elected at a regular spring election.

60.74(4) (4) Change from appointment to election.

60.74(4)(a) (a) If the commissioners of a district have been appointed, a petition requesting that commissioners be elected may be submitted, subject to sub. (5m) (b), to the town board responsible for the selection of commissioners under sub. (1) or (2). The petition shall state whether the petitioners wish to have the first commissioners elected at a special election or at the spring election. The petition shall conform to the requirements of s. 8.40 and shall be signed by qualified electors of the district equal to at least 20 percent of the vote cast for governor in the district at the last gubernatorial election.

60.74(4)(b) (b) Upon receipt of the petition, the town board shall provide for the election of commissioners. If the petition requests the election of the first commissioners at the spring election and the petition is filed on or after the date of the spring election and on or before November 15 in any year, they shall be elected at the succeeding spring election; otherwise they shall be elected at the 2nd succeeding spring election. If the petition requests the election of the first commissioners at a special election, the town board shall order the special election in accordance with s. 8.50 (2) (a). After the first commissioners are elected, all subsequent commissioners shall be elected at the spring election.

60.74(4)(c) (c) If the commissioners are elected at a special election, the current appointed commissioners continue to serve until their successors are elected and qualify. If the commissioners are elected at a regular spring election, the current appointed commissioners continue to serve until the 3rd Monday of April following the election of the commissioners.

60.74(5) (5) Change from election to appointment.

60.74(5)(a) (a) If the commissioners have been elected as the result of a petition under sub. (4), the town board may not change the method of selection from election to appointment except as provided under par. (b).

60.74(5)(b) (b) A petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 signed by qualified electors of the district equal to at least 20 percent of the vote cast for governor in the district at the last gubernatorial election, requesting a change to appointment of commissioners, may be submitted to the town board, subject to sub. (5m) (a). The petition shall be filed as provided in s. 8.37. Upon receipt of the petition, the town board shall submit the question to a referendum at the next regular spring election or general election, or shall call a special election for that purpose. The inspectors shall count the votes and submit a statement of the results to the commission. The commission shall canvass the results of the election and certify the results to the town board which has authority to appoint commissioners.

60.74(5)(c) (c) If the change in the method of selection of commissioners is approved at the referendum, the town board shall appoint commissioners within 60 days after the referendum is conducted.

60.74(5m) (5m) Frequency of changes between election and appointment restricted.

60.74(5m)(a) (a) If the commissioners have been elected as a result of a petition and election under sub. (4), no petition may be submitted under sub. (5) (b) to change the method of selection from election to appointment within 5 years after the date on which the election of the commissioners was held.

60.74(5m)(b) (b) If the commissioners have been appointed as the result of a petition and referendum under sub. (5), no petition may be submitted under sub. (4) (a) to change the method of selection from appointment to election within 5 years after the date on which the results of a referendum held under sub. (5) have been certified under sub. (5) (b).

60.74(6) (6) Elector determination. Whenever in this section the number of names of electors required on a petition cannot be determined on the basis of reported election statistics, the number shall be determined as follows:

60.74(6)(a) (a) The area of the district in square miles shall be divided by the area, in square miles, of the municipality in which it lies.

60.74(6)(b) (b) The vote for governor at the last general election in the municipality within which the district lies shall be multiplied by the quotient determined under par. (a).

60.74(6)(c) (c) If a district is in more than one municipality, the method of determination under pars. (a) and (b) shall be used for each part of the district which constitutes only a fractional part of any area for which election statistics are available.

60.74 History History: 1983 a. 532; 1987 a. 391; 1989 a. 192, 359; 1993 a. 167; 1999 a. 182.

60.75 60.75 Commissioners; requirements.

60.75(1) (1) Number of commissioners.

60.75(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the commission shall consist of 3 or 5 members.

60.75(1)(b) (b) If the town board constitutes itself as the commission, the number of commissioners shall be the number of town board supervisors.

60.75(2) (2) Terms.

60.75(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b), (bm), and (c), commissioners shall serve for staggered 6-year terms.

60.75(2)(b) (b) Except as provided under par. (c), of the commissioners in a district in which the town board changes the number of commissioners from 5 to 3 or of the commissioners first appointed or elected in a newly established town sanitary district, which consists of 3 members, one shall be appointed or elected for a term of 2 years, one for a term of 4 years and one for a term of 6 years. If the commissioners first elected in a newly established town sanitary district are elected at a special election, the town board shall specify shorter staggered terms for the commissioners so that their successors may be elected at a regular spring election.

60.75(2)(bm) (bm) Except as provided under par. (c), of the commissioners in a district in which the town board changes the number of commissioners from 3 to 5 or of the commissioners first appointed or elected in a newly established town sanitary district, which consists of 5 members, 2 shall be appointed or elected for a term of 2 years, 2 for a term of 4 years, and one for a term of 6 years. If the commissioners described in this paragraph are first elected at a special election, the town board shall specify shorter staggered terms for the commissioners so that their successors may be elected at a regular spring election.

60.75(2)(c) (c) If the town board constitutes itself as the commission, the terms of the commissioners are concurrent with the terms of the town board supervisors.

60.75(2)(d) (d) An elected commissioner shall hold office until the 3rd Monday of April in the year that his or her successor is elected. An appointed commissioner shall hold office until a successor takes office.

60.75(3) (3) Residence; requirement to own property.