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The Sanitary District
around Crystal Lake was created in 1966 because of
the high nutrient load (pollution), subsequent
excessive weed growth, restricted navigation, and
concerns for the health and safety of all users of
Crystal Lake. By the mid 1970’s residential,
commercial, and institutional properties were
connected to the new sewer collection system which
completely encompasses Crystal Lake as well as
much of the surrounding watershed to Crystal Lake.
Later Camp Evelyn was added. Weekly garbage
collection service was also added.
In 1996 the Wisconsin
state legislature enacted special provisions,
relating to sanitary districts which include
public inland lakes, that granted the Sanitary
District Board of Commissioners the ability to
also function as an inland lake protection and
rehabilitation board. In 2006 the Sanitary
District, by resolution, adopted the additional
role of the board of an Inland Lake Protection and
Rehabilitation District.
There
are more than 225 families and 3 commercial users
hooked up to the system at this time.
The 2006 assessed value of taxable property within
the District was over $81 million
dollars. Two tax exempt facilities owned
by the Girl Scouts, including Camp
Evelyn, are part of the district. All of the property
with frontage on Crystal Lake, and
which contains most of the District’s assets and
works is zoned R-1 or R-3 residential. The
present system contains 5.7 miles of gravity
and force main piping, 6 lift stations,
and 33 grinder pump lift stations. The annual operating budget of the
district exceeds $125,000 per year.
For
many years the Sanitary District’s work,
performed by appointed commissioners, consisted
of maintaining the main mechanical components of
the collection system, some funding
of weed control projects, financial management,
and participation on the commission
of the Northern Moraine Utility filtration plant.
In
the Spring of 2003 the residents of the Sanitary
District decided to elect their commissioners
rather than have them be appointed by the Town of
Rhine Board.
A subsequent election for one Commissioner, whose
first 2 year term had expired, took
place in the Spring of 2005.
Since
being elected in 2003 the new Commission has
additionally taken a broad and active
position in the assessment & updating of the
entire collection system and the internal
operations of the Sanitary District. The
commission also has a renewed interest in other issues that
directly affect Crystal Lake.
For
example:
·
The entire collection system drawings and
specifications have been mapped and computerized.
This mapping is integrated with Sheboygan
County’s computerized
information. This has added accuracy, ease in
updating, many other efficiencies
in daily functions, and preserved this vital and
necessary information for
the future.
·
For the first time the entire collection system
has been surveyed with internal cameras.
This information has been preserved for study
and comparison in future periods.
As a result of this project several serious
conditions were revealed and repaired.
·
A 5 year program of replacing the 33 grinder
pumps, and their electric controls, was
started as most of the pumps were at least 25
years old. This is about a $150,000
undertaking which is 2/3 complete.
·
The District’s accounting, billing, customer
information data and other internal functions
are now computerized. The District maintains a
telephone hotline, email, and
website. The website is
has increased communication
and service tremendously between the District
and its members.
·
Reduced the total tax levy
·
Retired the total debt of the District.
·
In 2003 The Sanitary District Commission undertook the
project of addressing additional needs
brought about by a trend toward declining lake
levels. Included in the project budget are
well construction if required, engineering, site
preparation and restoration, engineering
reports of outlet options, possible dredging,
and other lake water level management plans and
issues, permits, water testing fees, legal fees,
and any other items deemed necessary by the
Commission.
·
In 2006 the District spent almost $2500
in efforts to eradicate invasive plants from
Crystal Lake.
The District has achieved the highest rating
possible by the DNR for financial and
operational performance for 2005.
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