Watson v. Town of Three Lakes
Watson v. Town of Three Lakes
Opinion of the Court
The Department of Natural Resources ordered the Town of Three Lakes to close its town dump. The Three Lakes town board decided to furnish area residents with a new sanitary landfill facility. For this purpose, it condemned the Watsons’ property. The Wat-sons commenced this action contesting the condemnation.
The Watsons alleged that the taking was not of necessity, was arbitrary, unreasonable, and in bad faith in that the site condemned did not conform to DNR requirements and that the Town did not follow the jurisdictional offer requirements of ch. 32, Stats. Three Lakes denied improper taking and moved for summary judgment. The trial court granted Three Lakes’ motion for summary judgment, finding that there was no substantial issue of fact and that Three Lakes had proceeded lawfully in condemning the Watson property.
On appeal, the Watsons contend that summary judgment was not appropriate. They argue that the town board lacks authority to create and operate a sanitary landfill, that the town board’s condemnation of an access road pursuant to the provisions of sec. 32.06, Stats., was erroneous, and that the town board condemned more land than is necessary. The Watsons also argue that because discovery had not been completed, summary judgment was premature.
Summary judgment is not appropriate if there is a material issue of fact or if different inferences may be drawn from the facts.
AUTHORITY
The Watsons contend that the town board has no authority to create and operate a sanitary landfill. In support of its motion for summary judgment, the town board submitted the affidavit of the town clerk, who avers that village powers were conferred on the town board by resolution at an adjourned annual town meeting on May 4, 1967. He further avers that the resolution has not been modified, changed, or amended and remains in full force and effect. The circuit court correctly determined that this resolution conferred village powers on the town board.
The Watsons argue that because there was no vote recorded, the resolution was therefore not adopted. They also argue that even if this resolution was adopted, it did not confer upon the town board the authority to operate a sanitary landfill as this conflicts with the statutory provisions regarding a town sanitary district.
The affidavit of the town clerk, averring that the resolution was in full force and effect, is sufficient to trigger the presumption that the resolution was properly adopted.
A village is empowered to acquire property for waste disposal.
The Watsons contend that the legislature has determined that towns must create sanitary districts to operate sanitary landfills. They argue that the provisions of sec. 60.30, et seq., Stats., are mandatory. The statutes cited by the Watsons provide that a town board has jurisdiction to create sanitary districts and provide a manner for their creation.
The Watsons also argue that the town board improperly used the procedures of ch. 32 to condemn land for a town road. They contend that the only procedure for condemning land for a town road is provided in ch. 80. They argue that the town board must proceed under the provisions of ch. 80 to properly acquire an access road to the sanitary landfill.
Pursuant to village powers, the town board is empowered to condemn for rights of access under ch. 32.
CONDEMNED AREA
The Watsons argue that the town exceeded its authority in condemning fourteen acres for use as a sanitary landfill. They argue that the DNR had authorized the town to operate a single-cell facility consisting of five acres. The Watsons also argue that other lands are more appro
The town is given the authority to determine the necessity of the condemnation.
The exercise of the right of condemnation is in the wisdom of the legislature or those to whom the legislature has delegated such authority.
The town board found that taking fourteen acres was appropriate because the initial five-acre cell would serve the needs of the town for only ten years. It was deter
The town board is required to create a buffer zone to separate and screen the sanitary landfill from surrounding lands.
The Watsons made no showing that the board acted in bad faith or fraudulently in condemning their land. As the town board did not abuse its discretion in condemning the total acreage sought, there is nothing further for this court to consider. The town board properly exercised its authority in making this condemnation.
The town board having exercised its lawful authority, and there being no disputed issues of fact, summary judgment was appropriately granted.
By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.
Krezinski v. Hay, 77 Wis.2d 569, 253 N.W.2d 522 (1977).
Section 802.08(2), Stats.
Wright v. Hasley, 86 Wis.2d 572, 273 N.W.2d 319 (1979).
Section 60.30 to 60.31(b), Stats.
City of Lake Geneva v. Smuda, 75 Wis.2d 532, 249 N.W.2d 783 (1977); McKinnon v. Benedict, 38 Wis.2d 607, 157 N.W.2d 665 (1968).
Section 60.09, Stats.
Section 61.34(3), Stats.
Section 61.34(3m), Stats.
7 McQuillin, Municipal Corporations §24.242 (3d ed. 1968).
Section 60.301, et seq., Stats.
State v. Christopherson, 36 Wis.2d 574, 153 N.W.2d 631 (1967).
Section 61.34 (3m), Stats.
Wis. Adm. Code, sec. NR 151.12(6) (o).
Section 990.01(12), Stats.
Section 32.07(2), Stats.
Falkner v. Northern States Power Co., 75 Wis.2d 116, 248 N.W.2d 885 (1977).
Klump v. Cybulski, 274 Wis. 604, 81 N.W.2d 42 (1957).
Swenson v. Milwaukee County, 266 Wis. 129, 63 N.W.2d 103 (1954).
Falkner, supra note 16
Wis. Adm. Code, sec. NR 151.12(6) (R).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.