Lin Property Restoration
The following page has been developed to provide interested individuals information and action taken in response to stream dredging activities to an unnamed navigable tributary in the Town of Greenville. This activity occurred on property south of the Fox Cities YMCA, west of State Highway 76 and North of State Highway 96. The property is currently owned by the Lin Family, LLC. Parcel IDs are 110080700, 110080600.
The Town of Greenville has established the following list of priorities in response to the dredging activities.
- Protect and restore the stream, wetlands and any other important environmental areas to the condition required under the enforcement measures issued from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Outagamie County Zoning and any other regulatory agencies.
- The Town submitted final permit applications to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers and Outagamie County on March 2, 2018 in accordance to the agencies' requirements.
- A public hearing was held on April 10, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. for the County's Conditional Use Permit. The County approved the CU Permit as of 4/10/2018.
- A public hearing was held on April 16, 2018 at 3:00p.m. for the State of Wisconsin's Chapter 30 permit. The DNR approved the Chapter 30 permit as of 5/18/2018.
- The Town has received permit approval for the DNR Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Permit as of 5/22/2018.
- The Town has received concurrence from the Wisconsin DNR indicating the project meets NR116 technical standards.
- The project was competitively bid. Bids were received by May 30, 2018 and are summarized by the Town's contract Engineer. Contract award was given on June 11, 2018 to Radtke Contractors Inc. Restoration activities will take place between June 27, 2018 and October 31, 2018.
- The Town through consultation with Sand-Creek Consultants, conducted a geological study related to reported "karst-features". Sand Creek Consultants reported their findings in a presentation at a Town Board meeting on September 11, 2017.
- The Town submitted final permit applications to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers and Outagamie County on March 2, 2018 in accordance to the agencies' requirements.
- Minimize the legal risk and financial exposure to the Town and ultimately the taxpayer.
- The Town settled the enforcement action from the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice through a Stipulation and Order for Judgement.
- Investigate, determine and assign responsibility for the actions leading up to this incident. This will include the following:
- Negotiate the recovery of expenditures from responsible parties for costs incurred to resolve and satisfy enforcement measures levied. Litigate if necessary. The Town of Greenville filed a formal complaint with the Outagamie County Circuit Court against Michael Woods and RJ Excavating on March 6, 2018.
- Implemented and updated Town policies and procedures to improve administrative oversight.
- The Town Board adopted the following Purchasing Policy in August 2017
- Provided discipline to staff where appropriate.
- Rebuild trust with Town residents, the general public and other agencies (DNR, Outagamie County, etc.). We will do this through transparent and responsible governance.
- The Town Board adopted Resolution #16-17 (Censure of Town Board Supervisor for Action Impacting Lin Property in the Town of Greenville) on October 9, 2017
The Town Board and administration have put certain policy and procedural controls in place since this incident. Namely, the Town Board adopted a formal purchasing policy. Under this policy, formal Town Board action would have been required through an open meeting. Furthermore, additional management controls have been established to provide another layer of oversight on the payment of vouchers.
On behalf of the Town of Greenville Board and staff, we appreciate your patience and understanding in addressing this incident. We strive to make the Town of Greenville government transparent, accountable and responsible. Updates to this project will be posted on this page as they develop and become available.Who to Contact?
Questions, comments or concerns can be directed to Town Administrator Joel Gregozeski. Joel can be reached at (920) 757-5151 or by email at: joelg@townofgreenville.com