August 1, 2016

To The School Board of Muskego-Norway: 

We oppose the Muskego-Norway School District’s 3rd Referendum that was placed on the April 5, 2016 Ballot, which was voted down by Norway, and marginally passed with 56% of total voters in Muskego voting yes.  More specifically, we oppose construction on the land located on North Cape Road between McShane Drive and Hi View Drive, and are requesting that this land be left as green space and listed as an area of high conservation priority.  

This land provides approximately 60 acres of mixed habitat consisting of partial wooded, partial marshland, and partial open land which has sustained a variety of native flora and fauna for decades, as well as provides a buffer for predatory animals.  According to The City of Muskego Conservation Areas and Priorities website, this area is encompassed by existing DNR protected wildlife areas, existing protected conservation areas, and areas of high conservation priority.  Some of the animal and plant species which thrive on this land are included on Wisconsin DNR Endangered and Threatened Species Watch List, such as but not limited to the following: Peregrine Falcon, Southern Flying Squirrel, Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat, Bobolink, Wild Petunia, Purple Milkweed, Smooth Phlox, Prairie Thistle, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod, Prairie Plum, Fly Honeysuckle, and numerous insect species.  These animal and plant species are in addition to all other species that thrive on this land but not listed on an endangered/threatened watch list. 

This land has helped maintain the rural atmosphere and culture that attracts and adds value to Muskego homes and community as a whole.  The school district plans to construct a middle school on this land beginning in 2017.  There are currently two middle schools within this district.  According to our City’s Awards and Rankings, Muskego was ranked “The 2015 2nd best city place in all of Wisconsin to raise a family in”, directly referenced from http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wisconsin/raise-family-wi/ which reads, “Kids are well-prepared for college in Muskego, with the average ACT score being just under 24. Your family will enjoy a really nice quality of life, with plenty of outdoor activities to do such as fishing and hiking”.  This information is taken directly from the City of Muskego website.  This is evidence that Muskego is, and has already been, exceeding the expectations in terms of academics and quality of life, and validates that the proposed referendum is not necessary, and that this would be another example of mismanagement of tax payer dollars.  This referendum is projected to exceed 43 million dollars, therefore increasing property taxes.

Not only would construction on this land adversely affect wildlife, it would also disturb surrounding homeowners and residents.  This land is located in a quiet residential area, and construction/development of this area would exponentially increase traffic noise, resulting in a disturbance of the peace, leading to noise and traffic pollution causing a decrease in quality of life, decrease in quality of health, and decrease in home value. 

In order to align with Muskego’s values, especially in terms of upholding conservation efforts that have already been made by Muskego’s Department of Lakes, Forestry, and Conservation; and to protect Muskego residents, we must value, maintain, and respect the diverse natural resources, as well as the structures that currently exist. 

It is not in the best interest of our community to build/develop this land, nor does it coincide with Muskego’s vision, and we ask that it is left as green space as well as to be listed as an area of high conservation priority.  Leaving this land as green space is critical to sustaining what Muskego has worked to achieve, allowed the community to thrive, as well as to the continued growth and development of Muskego’s community in a multifaceted direction.

Sincerely,

Concerned Citizens of Muskego and Norway