IF YOU GO …
WHAT: Special public meeting about proposed Norway-Dover Drainage District project; impact on Fox River and Waterford-area riparian owners
WHERE: Yet to be determined, but will be held at one of two downtown locations next door to each other: either Waterford Village Hall, 123 N. River St., or Waterford Public Library Community Room, 101 N. River St.
WHO: State DNR officials, Norway-Dover officials and riparian property owners and officials from all nearby communities invited
WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 11
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Village of Waterford officials hope an upcoming meeting with representatives of the state Department of Natural Resources will bring answers to a growing list of questions about possible future work in and near sections of the Fox River.
The Village Board this week decided to roll out the red carpet for members of the DNR. A public meeting will be held Wednesday, March 11, at either the village hall itself or a community room in the library, and DNR staffers will be on hand to answer questions.
Earlier this month, Village Administrator Rebecca Ewald wrote a letter to two high-level DNR officials, expressing concerns about the possible draw down of the Fox River, specifically near the Rochester Dam. Ewald said she has fielded numerous calls from residents, many of them riparian owners.
“We’re continuing to hear concerns,” Ewald reported at a Feb. 23 Village Board meeting. “People want to be more informed. There’s confusion, and a lack of information.”
The village hopes commissioners overseeing the Norway-Dover Drainage District attend the meeting. The drainage district, primarily serving agriculture property owners, had proposed a dredging project along the Wind Lake Canal, but is now moving forward with a draw down plan at the Rochester Dam.
While outside the village’s auspices, the drainage district plans could impact an unknown number of riparian owners, Ewald said. Some of those property owners could also live within the Village of Rochester.
In her dialogue with DNR officials, Ewald said the formal opportunity to weigh in on Norway-Dover’s plans is during a public hearing, separate from the community meeting taking place March 11. But the upcoming event in the village will be an opportunity to learn about DNR’s permitting process and to ask questions of officials of the state agency.
Village Board President Tom Roanhouse said he is pleased to offer a village facility as a hosting site for the meeting, but encouraged an outreach effort to ensure residents of nearby communities are aware it is taking place.
“We can’t have a party if no one is here,” Roanhouse commented. “We should be extending invitations to people.”
-
-
-
-
-