Citizens Group Raises Questions about Shorewood's Sewer Plan

A local citizens group has some questions about the execution of Shorewood’s plan to address its faulty sewer system.

Shorewood Citizens for Responsible Government says while it supports the — which calls for $34.4 in improvements to sanitary and stormwater sewer pipes and replacement or repair of private laterals, the sewer piping connecting homes to the village’s sewer system — it is concerned that changes in the makeup of the Village Board could increase those costs.

“Since it is not possible to predict the actions of future Village Boards of Trustees, we seek a complete plan and all necessary permits for the plan prior to implementation of the initial phase of the project,” the group said in questions sent to the trustees and Village Manager Chris Swartz.

The village will complete design work and start construction in phases. Officials have , with each one assigned to one corner of the village. Designs for much of the sewer work that will be performed west of North Oakland Avenue are expected to be finished by mid-2012, but work east of Oakland Avenue could take longer to design.

Kelly O’Brien, president of Shorewood CRG, said the group's concern stems from the possibility new trustees would fill the Village Board and — with designs for half the village still pending — change the size, and cost of the project.

“A complete design, along with authorized approvals, is our only assurance that the project will be able to be completed in a timely and fiscally responsible manner,” the group's website says.

Shorewood's sewer plan was approved in May, after torrential rains saturated the area in July 2010, causing severe street flooding and rampant basement backups.

The village still has to discuss the timing of different projects related to the sewer plan, financing options, establishing a stormwater utility and bidding out sewer work west of Oakland Avenue.

Visit the group's website to view the questions and Village President Guy Johnson's responses.