reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.44 - Claims against town.

60.44
Claims against town.
(1)
General procedure.
(a)
Claims for money against a town or against officers, officials, agents or employees of the town arising out of acts done in their official capacity shall be filed with the town clerk as provided under s. 893.80 (1d) (b). This paragraph does not apply to actions commenced under s. 19.37, 19.97 or 281.99.
(b)
The town board shall allow or disallow the claim. Notice of disallowance shall be made as provided under s. 893.80 (1g).
(2)
Alternative procedure.
(a)
The town board, by ordinance, may provide a procedure for approving financial claims against the town which are in the nature of bills and vouchers. The ordinance shall provide that payment may be made from the town treasury under s. 66.0607 after the town clerk reviews and approves in writing each bill or voucher as a proper charge against the treasury, after having determined that:
1.
Funds are available under the town budget to pay the bill or voucher.
2.
The item or service covered by the bill or voucher has been duly authorized.
3.
The item or service covered by the bill or voucher has been supplied or rendered in conformity with the authorization.
4.
The claim appears to be a valid claim against the town.
(b)
The town clerk may require submission of proof to determine compliance with the conditions under par. (a) 1. to 4.
(c)
The ordinance shall require that the clerk file with the town board at least monthly a list of the claims approved, showing the date paid, name of claimant, purpose and amount.
(3)
Court actions to recover claims. Subsection (2), or an ordinance adopted under that subsection, does not affect the applicability of s. 893.80. No action may be brought or maintained against a town upon a claim unless the claimant complies with s. 893.80. This subsection does not apply to actions commenced under s. 19.37, 19.97 or 281.99.
History:  1983 a. 532; 1995 a. 158; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2011 a. 162.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.46 - Public depository.

60.46
Public depository.
The town board shall designate one or more public depositories for depositing funds of the town. The treasurer and the treasurer's surety are not liable for loss, as defined under s. 34.01 (2), of money deposited in the name of the town in a designated public depository. Interest accruing from town money in a public depository shall be credited to the town.
History:  1983 a. 532; 1985 a. 25 s. 15.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.50 - Public works.

60.50
Public works.
Without limitation because of enumeration, the town board may:
(1)
Acquire lands. Notwithstanding s. 60.10 (2) (e), acquire lands to lay, construct, alter, extend or repair any highway, street or alley in the town.
(2)
Streets, sewers and service mains. Provide for laying, constructing, altering, extending, replacing, removing or repairing any highway, street, alley, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main or any other service pipes, under s. 62.16 (2) (d), in the town.
(3)
Sidewalks. Provide for construction, removal, replacement or repair of sidewalks under s. 66.0907.
(4)
Lighting highways. Provide for lighting for highways, as defined under s. 340.01 (22), located in the town.
(5)
Lake improvements. Provide for making improvements in any lake or waterway located in the town.
(6)
Inspections. Gather at the site of a public works project or a highway, street or alley project that has been approved by the town board for the sole purpose of inspecting the work that has been completed or that is in progress if, before gathering at the site, the chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee notifies by telephone or facsimile transmission those news media who have filed a written request for notice of such inspections in relation to that project and if the chairperson of the board or the chairperson's designee submits at the next board meeting a report that describes the inspection. The board may not take any official action at the inspection site.
History:  1983 a. 532; 1993 a. 246; 1995 a. 185; 1999 a. 150 s. 672.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.52 - Sewer and water systems of adjoining municipality.

60.52
Sewer and water systems of adjoining municipality.
(1)
With the approval of the town board, any city or village adjoining a town may construct and maintain extensions of its sewer or water system in the town. An extension of a sewer or water system under this subsection is subject to s. 62.175 (1) and the rights of abutting property owners.
(2)
An abutting property owner who is permitted to connect with and use a sewer or water system constructed under sub. (1) may not be deprived of the use of the sewer or water system, except for nonpayment of water or sewer charges, without the approval of the town board.
History:  1983 a. 532.
A city or village sewer extension through town lands that does not provide service for town residents does not require approval of the town board under sub. (1). Danielson v. City of Sun Prairie, 2000 WI App 227, 239 Wis. 2d 178, 619 N.W.2d 108, 99-2719.
In determining under Danielson whether the extension through a town serves the town and thus requires the town's approval, the extension project must be looked at as a whole, and not in its component parts. Town of Union v. City of Eau Claire, 2003 WI App 161, 265 Wis. 2d 879, 667 N.W.2d 810, 02-3393.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.54 - Solid waste transportation.

60.54
Solid waste transportation.
(1)
The town board may designate any town highway which provides reasonable access to a solid waste disposal site or facility licensed under s. 289.31 as appropriate for the transportation of solid waste into, within or through the town for the purpose of disposing of the waste at the site or facility and may prohibit the use of other town highways for that purpose.
(2)
Any person violating a prohibition enacted under sub. (1) shall forfeit not more than $1,000.
History:  1983 a. 532; 1995 a. 227.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.55 - Fire protection.

60.55
Fire protection.
(1)
General authority.
(a)
The town board shall provide for fire protection for the town. Fire protection for the town, or any portion of the town, may be provided in any manner, including:
1.
Establishing a town fire department.
2.
Joining with another town, village or city to establish a joint fire department. If the town board establishes a joint fire department with a village under s. 61.65 (2) (a) 3., the town board shall create a joint board of fire commissioners with the village under s. 61.65 (2) (b) 2.
3.
Contracting with any person.
4.
Utilizing a fire company organized under ch. 213.
5.
Creating a combined protective services department under s. 60.553.
(b)
The town board may provide for the equipping, staffing, housing and maintenance of fire protection services.
(2)
Funding. The town board may:
(a)
Appropriate money to pay for fire protection in the town.
(b)
Charge property owners a fee for the cost of fire protection provided to their property under sub. (1) (a) according to a written schedule established by the town board.
(c)
Levy taxes on the entire town to pay for fire protection.
(d)
Levy taxes on property served by a particular source of fire protection, to support the source of protection.
History:  1983 a. 532; 1987 a. 399; 2011 a. 32.
Any fire department created under this section, whether formed under ch. 181 or 213, is a government subdivision or agency entitled to immunity under s. 893.80 (4). Mellenthin v. Berger, 2003 WI App 126, 265 Wis. 2d 575, 663 N.W.2d 817, 02-2524.
This section does not create an exception to the grant of power to the town meeting to authorize land purchases or construction by the town board. If a town board chooses to meet the requirements of this section to provide fire protection by providing housing for fire protection services and also chooses to purchase land and construct that housing, then the town board must proceed with the authorization of the town meeting under s. 60.10 (2) (e) and (f) to purchase the land and construct the building. Town of Clayton v. Cardinal Construction Co., 2009 WI App 54, 317 Wis. 2d 424, 767 N.W.2d 605, 08-1793.
The presence of a fire district standing by ready to extinguish fires constitutes a fire protection service for which a fee may be assessed. Unlike in the pre-1988 version of this statute, fire protection services for which a fee may be assessed are not limited to “fire calls made." Here, the town demonstrated that the primary purpose of a charge was to cover the expense of providing the service of fire protection to the properties within its geographic boundaries and, therefore, the charge was a fee rather than a tax and assessable against county property. Town of Hoard v. Clark County, 2015 WI App 100, 366 Wis. 2d 239, 873 N.W.2d 241, 15-0678.
A town may assess a fire protection special charge under sub. (2) (b) for making fire protection services generally available, and not based on the incidence of fire calls at a property. The special charge is a fee, not a tax, and, therefore, may be assessed against the county. OAG 1-15.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.553 - Combined protective services.

60.553
Combined protective services.
(1)
Any town may provide police and fire protection services by any of the following:
(a)
A combined protective services department which is neither a police department under s. 60.56 (1) (a) nor a fire department under s. 60.55 (1) (a), and in which the same person may be required to perform police protection and fire protection duties without being required to perform police protection duties for more than 8 hours in each 24 hours except in emergency situations, as described under s. 62.13 (7n).
(b)
Persons in a police department or fire department who, alone or in combination with persons designated as police officers or fire fighters, may be required to perform police protection and fire protection duties without being required to perform police protection duties for more than 8 hours in each 24 hours except in emergency situations, as described under s. 62.13 (7n).
(2)
The governing body of a town acting under sub. (1) may designate any person required to perform police protection and fire protection duties under sub. (1) as primarily a police officer or fire fighter for purposes described in ss. 62.13 (7m), (7n), (10m), and (11), 891.45, 891.453, and 891.455.
History:  2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 165 s. 115.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.555 - Fire safety regulations.

60.555
Fire safety regulations.
Except as provided in s. 101.14 (4) (de), the town board, by ordinance, may adopt regulations to prevent, detect and suppress fire and related fire hazards. The regulations may include provision for the inspection, at reasonable times, of property in the town for compliance with regulations adopted under this section.
History:  1983 a. 532; 2015 a. 240.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.557 - Reimbursement for fire calls on highways.

60.557
Reimbursement for fire calls on highways.
(1)
If a town incurs costs for a fire call by responding to a vehicle fire on a county trunk highway, the county maintaining that portion of the highway where the vehicle was located at the time of the fire shall reimburse the town up to $200 for the costs if the town submits written proof that the town has made a reasonable effort to collect the cost from the insurer of the person to whom the fire call was provided or from the person to whom the fire call was provided, except that the town may attempt to collect the cost from the person only if the town is unsuccessful in its efforts to collect from the person's insurer or if the person has no insurer. If the town collects the cost from an insurer or such person after the county reimburses the town, the town shall return the amount collected to the county.
(2)
If a town incurs costs for a fire call on a state trunk highway or any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate highways and maintained by the department of transportation, the department of transportation shall reimburse the town up to $500 for the costs, even if the fire equipment is not actually used, if the town submits written proof that the town has made a reasonable effort to collect the cost from the insurer of the person to whom the fire call was provided or from the person to whom the fire call was provided, except that the town may attempt to collect the cost from the person only if the town is unsuccessful in its efforts to collect from the person's insurer or if the person has no insurer. If the town collects the cost from an insurer or such person after the department reimburses the town, the town shall return the amount collected to the department.
History:  1983 a. 532, 538; 1993 a. 16; 1999 a. 131; 2003 a. 205.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.56 - Law enforcement.

60.56
Law enforcement.
(1)
General authority.
(a)
The town board may provide for law enforcement in the town or any portion of the town in any manner, including:
1.
Establishing a town police department.
2.
Joining with another town, village or city to create a joint police department. If the town board establishes a joint police department with a village under s. 61.65 (1) (a) 3., the town board shall create a joint board of police commissioners with the village under s. 61.65 (1) (b) 1. b.
3.
Contracting with any person.
4.
Creating a combined protective services department under s. 60.553.
(am)
If a town board establishes a town police department under par. (a) 1. or 2. and does not create a board of police commissioners singly or in combination with another town, village or city, or if a town board establishes a combined protective services department under s. 60.553 and does not create a board of police and fire commissioners, the town may not suspend, reduce, suspend and reduce, or remove any police chief, chief of a combined protective services department, or other law enforcement officer who is not probationary, and for whom there is no valid and enforceable contract of employment or collective bargaining agreement which provides for a fair review prior to that suspension, reduction, suspension and reduction or removal, unless the town board does one of the following:
1.
Establishes a committee of not less than 3 members, none of whom may be an elected or appointed official of the town or be employed by the town. The committee shall act under s. 62.13 (5) in place of a board of police and fire commissioners. The town board may provide for some payment to each member for the member's cost of serving on the committee at a rate established by the town board.
2.
Appoint a person who is not an elected or appointed official of the town and who is not employed by the town. The person shall act under s. 62.13 (5) in place of a board of police and fire commissioners. The town board may provide for some payment to that person for serving under this subdivision at a rate established by the town board.
(b)
The town board may provide for the equipping, staffing, housing and maintenance of law enforcement services.
(2)
Funding. The town board may appropriate money to fund law enforcement services.
History:  1983 a. 532; 1985 a. 166 ss. 1, 8; 1987 a. 27; 2011 a. 32.
A town cannot “establish" a police department without official action. Christian v. Town of Emmett, 163 Wis. 2d 277, 471 N.W.2d 252 (Ct. App. 1991).
That a police chief served on a volunteer basis without compensation did not render him a probationary officer under sub. (1) (am). “At-will" employment has no relevance to whether the procedures outlined in this section must be followed. Town of LaGrange v. Auchinleck, 216 Wis. 2d 84, 573 N.W.2d 232 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-3313.
A sheriff may not unilaterally withdraw investigative services provided to one urbanized town within the county because the town maintains its own police department. 81 Atty. Gen. 98.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.563 - Rewards for crime information.

60.563
Rewards for crime information.
When any heinous offense or crime has been committed against life or property within a town, the town board chairperson, with the consent of a majority of the members of the town board, may offer a reward for the apprehension of the criminal or perpetrator of such offense.
History:  1993 a. 246.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.565 - Ambulance service.

60.565
Ambulance service.
The town board shall contract for or operate and maintain ambulance services unless such services are provided by another person. If the town board contracts for ambulance services, it may contract with one or more providers. The town board may determine and charge a reasonable fee for ambulance service provided under this section. The town board may purchase equipment for medical and other emergency calls.
History:  1983 a. 532; 1991 a. 39.
County home rule under s. 59.03 (1) allows every county to “exercise any organizational or administrative power, subject only to the constitution and to any enactment of the legislature.” The language of this section acknowledges that another person can provide the ambulance service instead of a town and withdraws the mandate when another person provides ambulance services. The absence of a command from the legislature that towns provide an ambulance service in all situations causes the argument that county home rule prevents counties from providing ambulance service to miss the mark. Town of Grant v. Portage County, 2017 WI App 69, 378 Wis. 2d 289, 903 N.W.2d 152, 16-2435.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.57 - Police and fire commission.

60.57
Police and fire commission.
(1)
The town board may:
(a)
If the town has a police department, establish a board of police commissioners.
(b)
If the town has a fire department, establish a board of fire commissioners.
(c)
If the town has both a police and fire department, or a combined protective services department, establish a board of police and fire commissioners.
(2)
A board created under this section shall be organized in the same manner as boards of police and fire commissioners under s. 62.13 (1).
(3)
A board created under this section is subject to the provisions of s. 62.13 (2) to (5) and (7) to (12) to the extent that the provisions apply to 2nd and 3rd class cities. In applying s. 62.13 under this section, the town board chairperson has the powers and duties specified for a mayor, the town board has the powers and duties specified for a common council and the town has the powers and duties specified for a city.
History:  1983 a. 532; 2011 a. 32.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.625 - Required notice on certain approvals.

60.625
Required notice on certain approvals.
(1)
In this section, “wetland" has the meaning given in s. 23.32 (1).
(2)
(a)
Except as provided in par. (b), a town that issues a building permit or other approval for construction activity, shall give the applicant a written notice as specified in subs. (3) and (4) at the time the building permit is issued.
(b)
1.
A town is not required to give the notice under par. (a) at the time that it issues a building permit if the town issues the building permit on a standard building permit form prescribed by the department of safety and professional services.
2.
A town is not required to give the notice under par. (a) at the time that it issues a building permit or other approval if the building permit or other approval is for construction activity that does not involve any land disturbing activity including removing protective ground cover or vegetation, or excavating, filling, covering, or grading land.
(3)
Each notice shall contain the following language: “YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION NEAR OR ON WETLANDS, LAKES, AND STREAMS. WETLANDS THAT ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN WATER CAN BE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY. FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL OR MODIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION THAT VIOLATES THE LAW OR OTHER PENALTIES OR COSTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WETLANDS IDENTIFICATION WEB PAGE OR CONTACT A DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SERVICE CENTER."
(4)
The notice required in sub. (2) (a) shall contain the electronic website address that gives the recipient of the notice direct contact with that website.
(5)
A town in issuing a notice under this section shall require that the applicant for the building permit sign a statement acknowledging that the person has received the notice.
History:  2009 a. 373; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 365 s. 112.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.635 - Environmental protection; interstate hazardous liquid pipelines.

60.635
Environmental protection; interstate hazardous liquid pipelines.
A town may not require an operator of an interstate hazardous liquid pipeline to obtain insurance if the pipeline operating company carries comprehensive general liability insurance coverage that includes coverage for sudden and accidental pollution liability.
History:  2015 a. 55.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.64 - Historic preservation.

60.64
Historic preservation.
(1)
Subject to subs. (2) and (2m), the town board, in the exercise of its zoning and police powers for the purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the community and of the state, may regulate any place, structure or object with a special character, historic interest, aesthetic interest or other significant value for the purpose of preserving the place, structure or object and its significant characteristics. Subject to subs. (2), (2m), and (3), the town board may create a landmarks commission to designate historic landmarks and establish historic districts. Subject to subs. (2) and (2m), the board may regulate all historic landmarks and all property within each historic district to preserve the historic landmarks and property within the district and the character of the district.
(2)
Before the town board designates a historic landmark or establishes a historic district, the town board shall hold a public hearing. If the town board proposes to designate a place, structure, or object as a historic landmark or establish a historic district that includes a place, structure, or object, the town board shall, by 1st class mail, notify the owner of the place, structure, or object of the determination and of the time and place of the public hearing on the determination.
(2m)
In the repair or replacement of a property that is designated as a historic landmark or included within a historic district or neighborhood conservation district under this section, the town board shall allow an owner to use materials that are similar in design, color, scale, architectural appearance, and other visual qualities.
(3)
An owner of property that is affected by a decision of a town landmarks commission may appeal the decision to the town board. The town board may overturn a decision of the commission by a majority vote of the town board.
History:  1983 a. 532; 2015 a. 176; 2017 a. 317.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.66 - Town park commission.

60.66
Town park commission.
(1)
Established by annual town meeting. The annual town meeting may establish a town park commission consisting of 7 members.
(2)
Appointment and term.
(a)
The town board shall appoint the members of the commission within 60 days after the commission is established. Each member shall take and file the official oath.
(b)
Except as provided under par. (c), members shall serve a term of 7 years, commencing July 1 of the year in which appointed. The town board shall appoint a successor during the month of June immediately preceding the expiration of the member's term.
(c)
The first 7 members shall be appointed for staggered terms so that on the first day of July in each of the 7 years next following the year in which they are appointed, the term of one member expires.
(d)
A member shall hold his or her office until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.
(3)
Organization.
(a)
Within 30 days after the appointment and qualification of the initial members of the commission, the commission shall hold a meeting to appoint officers and establish bylaws for its operation.
(b)
The commission may appoint necessary assistants and employees to carry out its functions, make rules and regulations concerning their work and remove them at pleasure.
(c)
The town board shall provide sufficient office space for the maps, plans, documents and records of the commission.
(4)
Powers and duties.
(a)
In this subsection, “park" means a public park, parkway, boulevard or pleasure drive.
(b)
The commission shall have charge of and supervision over all parks located in the town and may exercise the powers of a board of park commissioners under ss. 27.08 and 27.10 (1).
(c)
Within 2 years after its organization under sub. (3), the commission shall:
1.
Make a thorough study of the town with reference to reserving lands for park purposes.
2.
Make plans and maps of a comprehensive town park system.
3.
Present the results of its study and its plans to the town meeting.
(d)
The commission may:
1.
Lay out, improve and maintain parks in the town.
2.
Lay out, grade, construct, improve and maintain highways, roads and bridges in a park or connecting the park with any other park or with any municipality.
3.
Establish regulations for the use and enjoyment of the parks by the public.
4.
With town board approval, acquire, in the name of the town, by purchase, land contract, lease, condemnation or otherwise, tracts of land suitable for parks. No land acquired by the commission may be disposed of by the town without the consent of the commission. If the land is disposed of, all money received for the land shall be paid into a town park fund.
5.
Accept, in the name of the town, grants, conveyances and devises of land and bequests and donations of money to be used for parks located in the town.
History:  1983 a. 532.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.70 - Definitions.

60.70
Definitions.
In this subchapter:
(1)
“Commission" means the town sanitary district commission.
(1m)
“Commissioner" means a member of a commission.
(2)
“Equalized full value" means the assessed full value adjusted to reflect the full value as determined under s. 70.57.
(3)
“Municipality" means a city, village or town.
(4)
“Pollution" means contaminating or rendering unclean or impure the waters of the state, or making them injurious to public health, harmful for commercial or recreational use, or deleterious to fish, bird, animal or plant life.
(5)
“Private on-site wastewater treatment system" has the meaning given under s. 145.01 (12).
(6)
“Sewerage system" means all structures, conduits and pipelines by which sewage is collected, transported, pumped, treated and disposed of, except plumbing inside and in connection with buildings served, and service pipes from building to street main.
(7)
“Solid waste" has the meaning given under s. 289.01 (33).
(8)
“Solid waste disposal" has the meaning given under s. 289.01 (34).
(9)
“Town sanitary district" or “district" means a town sanitary district created under this subchapter.
(10)
“Water system" means all structures, conduits and appurtenances by means of which water is delivered to consumers except piping and fixtures inside buildings served and service pipes from building to street main.
(11)
“Waters of the state" has the meaning given under s. 281.01 (18).
History:  1983 a. 532; 1991 a. 189; 1995 a. 227, 378; 2011 a. 146.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.726 - Property with private on-site wastewater treatment system included.

60.726
Property with private on-site wastewater treatment system included.
(1)
Property that is excluded from a town sanitary district under s. 60.725 (1), 1995 stats., or, subject to sub. (2), property that is excluded from a town sanitary district under s. 60.725 (2), 1995 stats., shall be included in the town sanitary district, retroactive to April 19, 1990, and shall be subject to all property taxes, special assessments, special charges or other charges imposed or assessed by the town sanitary district on or after April 19, 1990.
(2)
If a property owner installed on his or her property a private on-site wastewater treatment system that conforms with the state plumbing code, before a town sanitary district that encompasses that property came into existence, that property shall be included in the town sanitary district. If the private on-site wastewater treatment system was installed on or after 10 years before May 14, 1992, and if the property owner provides the town sanitary district with any information about the cost of the private on-site wastewater treatment system required by the district, the town sanitary district, when the district issues any assessment or charges or imposes property taxes to construct a sewage service system, shall pay or credit the property owner an amount equal to 10 percent of the cost of the private on-site wastewater treatment system, less any grants or aids received by the property owner for construction of the private on-site wastewater treatment system, multiplied by the number of years of remaining life of the private on-site wastewater treatment system. The number of years of remaining life of the private on-site wastewater treatment system is equal to 10 minus the number of years that the private on-site wastewater treatment system has been in operation.
History:  1991 a. 270; 1993 a. 213; 1997 a. 252; 2011 a. 146.
Homeowners did not have a constitutionally protected vested property right in being excluded from a sanitary district; retroactive application of sub. (1) requiring connection was constitutional. Vanderbloemen v. Town of West Bend, 188 Wis. 2d 458, 525 N.W.2d 133 (Ct. App. 1994).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.73 - Review of orders creating town sanitary districts.

60.73
Review of orders creating town sanitary districts.
Any person aggrieved by any act of the town board or the department of natural resources in establishing a town sanitary district may bring an action in the circuit court of the county in which his or her lands are located, to set aside the final determination of the town board or the department of natural resources, within 90 days after the final determination, as provided under s. 893.73 (2). If no action is taken within the 90-day period, the determination by the town board or the department of natural resources is final.
History:  1983 a. 532.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.75 - Commissioners; requirements.

60.75
Commissioners; requirements.
(1)
Number of commissioners.
(a)
Except as provided in par. (b), the commission shall consist of 3 or 5 members.
(b)
If the town board constitutes itself as the commission, the number of commissioners shall be the number of town board supervisors.
(2)
Terms.
(a)
Except as provided in pars. (b), (bm), and (c), commissioners shall serve for staggered 6-year terms.
(b)
Except as provided under par. (c), of the commissioners in a district in which the town board changes the number of commissioners from 5 to 3 or of the commissioners first appointed or elected in a newly established town sanitary district, which consists of 3 members, one shall be appointed or elected for a term of 2 years, one for a term of 4 years and one for a term of 6 years. If the commissioners first elected in a newly established town sanitary district are elected at a special election, the town board shall specify shorter staggered terms for the commissioners so that their successors may be elected at a regular spring election.
(bm)
Except as provided under par. (c), of the commissioners in a district in which the town board changes the number of commissioners from 3 to 5 or of the commissioners first appointed or elected in a newly established town sanitary district, which consists of 5 members, 2 shall be appointed or elected for a term of 2 years, 2 for a term of 4 years, and one for a term of 6 years. If the commissioners described in this paragraph are first elected at a special election, the town board shall specify shorter staggered terms for the commissioners so that their successors may be elected at a regular spring election.
(c)
If the town board constitutes itself as the commission, the terms of the commissioners are concurrent with the terms of the town board supervisors.
(d)
An elected commissioner shall hold office until the 3rd Monday of April in the year that his or her successor is elected. An appointed commissioner shall hold office until a successor takes office.
(3)
Residence; requirement to own property.
(a)
Except as provided in par. (b) or (c), all commissioners shall be residents of the town sanitary district.
(b)
If commissioners are elected or appointed and if the sanitary district is composed primarily of summer resort property, any of the commissioners may be a resident of the district. Any commissioner who is not a resident shall own property within the town sanitary district.
(c)
If the town board constitutes itself as the commission, par. (a) does not apply.
(4)
Vacancies. Any vacancy on an elective or appointive commission may be filled by appointment by the town board for the remainder of the unexpired term, except as provided in s. 9.10. Any vacancy on a commission consisting of town board supervisors remains vacant until a successor town board supervisor is appointed or elected.
(5)
Oath of office. Before assuming office, each commissioner shall take and sign the oath of office required under s. 19.01 and file the oath with the town clerk.
History:  1983 a. 532; 2007 a. 56; 2015 a. 245; 2017 a. 233.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.76 - Organization of the commission.

60.76
Organization of the commission.
(1)
Election of officers.
(a)
Except as provided in par. (b), the commission shall organize by electing one of its members president and appointing a secretary and treasurer.
(b)
When the town board constitutes the commission, the town chairperson shall be the commission president, the town clerk shall be the commission secretary and the town treasurer shall be the commission treasurer.
(2)
Secretary; duties. The secretary shall keep a separate record of all proceedings and minutes of meetings and hearings. At the end of each fiscal year, the secretary shall submit to the town board of each town in which the district is located a report showing a complete audit of the financial transactions of the commission during the fiscal year. The report shall be incorporated in the annual financial statement of the town containing the largest portion of the equalized full value of all taxable property in the district.
(3)
Treasurer. The commission may require the treasurer to execute an indemnity bond, provided by the district, in an amount which the commission finds appropriate for the proper performance of the treasurer's duties.
(4)
Fiscal year. The town sanitary district fiscal year is the calendar year.
History:  1983 a. 532.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.78 - Powers to borrow money and issue municipal obligations.

60.78
Powers to borrow money and issue municipal obligations.
A town sanitary district may, under ss. 66.0621 and 66.0713 and ch. 67, borrow money and issue and execute municipal obligations, as defined under s. 67.01 (6).
History:  1983 a. 532; 1987 a. 197; 1999 a. 150 s. 672.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.782 - Power to act as a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district.

60.782
Power to act as a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district.
(1)
In this section, “public inland lake" means a lake, reservoir or flowage within the boundaries of the state that is accessible to the public via contiguous public lands or easements giving public access.
(2)
A town sanitary district that has at least 60 percent of the footage of shoreline of a public inland lake within its boundaries for which a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district is not in effect may do any of the following that is authorized by the commission:
(a)
Create, operate and maintain a water safety patrol unit, as defined in s. 30.79 (1) (b) 2.
(b)
Undertake projects to enhance the recreational uses of the public inland lake, including recreational boating facilities, as defined in s. 30.92 (1) (c).
(c)
Appropriate money for the conservation of natural resources or for payment to a bona fide nonprofit organization for the conservation of natural resources within the district or beneficial to the district.
(d)
Lease or acquire, including by condemnation, any real property situated in this state that may be needed for the purposes of s. 23.09 (19), 23.094 (3g) or 30.275 (4). The power of condemnation may not used to acquire property for the purpose of establishing or extending a recreational trail; a bicycle way, as defined in s. 340.01 (5s); a bicycle lane, as defined in s. 340.01 (5e); or a pedestrian way, as defined in s. 346.02 (8) (a).
(3)
The commissioners of a town sanitary district that has the powers of a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district under sub. (2) shall possess the powers of the board of commissioners of a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district that are authorized by resolution of the town sanitary district.
History:  1995 a. 349; 2017 a. 59.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.80 - Publication or posting of ordinances and resolutions.

60.80
Publication or posting of ordinances and resolutions.
(1)
General requirement. The town clerk shall publish either in its entirety, as a class 1 notice under ch. 985, or as a notice, as described under sub. (5) (b), or post in at least 3 places in the town likely to give notice to the public, the following, within 30 days after passage or adoption:
(a)
Resolutions, motions and other actions adopted by the town meeting, or in the exercise of powers, under s. 60.10.
(b)
Ordinances adopted by the town board.
(c)
Resolutions of general application adopted by the town board and having the effect of law.
(1m)
Exception for municipal obligations. Nothing under sub. (1) may be deemed to require notice under this subsection of the passage of any resolution authorizing the issuance of municipal obligations, as defined under s. 67.01 (6).
(2)
Requirement for forfeitures. If an ordinance imposes a forfeiture, posting may not be used in lieu of publication under sub. (1).
(3)
Effective upon publication. An ordinance, resolution, motion or other action required to be published or posted under this section shall take effect the day after its publication or posting, or at a later date if expressly provided in the ordinance, resolution, motion or action.
(4)
Affidavit of posting. If an ordinance, resolution, motion or other action is posted under this section, the town clerk shall sign an affidavit attesting that the item was posted as required by this section and stating the date and places of posting. The affidavit shall be filed with other records under the jurisdiction of the clerk.
(5)
Requirements for notice.
(a)
In this subsection, “summary" has the meaning given in s. 59.14 (1m) (a).
(b)
A notice of a resolution, motion, ordinance, or action that may be published under this subsection shall be published as a class 1 notice under ch. 985 and shall contain at least all of the following:
1.
The number and title of the resolution, motion, ordinance, or action.
2.
The date of enactment.
3.
A summary of the subject matter and main points of the resolution, motion, ordinance, or action.
4.
Information as to where the full text of the resolution, motion, ordinance, or action may be obtained, including the phone number of the town clerk, a street address where the full text of the resolution, motion, ordinance, or action may be viewed, and a website, if any, at which the resolution, motion, ordinance, or action may be accessed.
History:  1983 a. 532; 1987 a. 197; 2007 a. 72; 2017 a. 365 s. 112.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 60 - Towns. › 60.82 - Regional planning programs.

60.82
Regional planning programs.
The town board may act jointly with other municipalities in the area to establish and maintain a regional planning program to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the town as part of the region. The board may make payments out of the general fund for the town's share of the cost of the program.
History:  1983 a. 532.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 61 - Villages. › 61.187 - Dissolution.

61.187
Dissolution.
(1)
Procedure. Whenever a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40, signed by at least one-third as many electors of any village as voted for village officers at the next preceding election for village officers in that village, shall be presented to the village board, and filed as provided in s. 8.37, praying for dissolution of the village, the village board shall submit to the electors of the village the question whether or not the village shall be dissolved. The question shall be determined by ballot, in substantially the manner provided by ss. 5.64 (2) and 10.02, at a general election or at a special election called by the village board for that purpose.
(2)
Date of; property; claims; territory.
(a)
Subject to par. (c), if two-thirds of the ballots cast at the election under sub. (1) are in favor of dissolution, the village shall, at the expiration of 6 months from the date of the election, cease to be a village.
(c)
The territory included within the village at the time of its dissolution shall revert to and become a part of the town or towns from which it was taken or in which it is then located, except that if the town or towns from which all of the village territory was taken is no longer in existence, the village may not dissolve. The assets and liabilities of the village shall be apportioned under s. 66.0235 and, in accordance with that section, all assets and liabilities of the village shall become the assets and liabilities of the town or towns to which the village territory reverts.
(d)
If, in accordance with par. (a), the results of the election under sub. (1) provide for dissolution, the village clerk shall, within 10 days after the election, record the petition and determination of the village board of canvassers in the office of the register of deeds of the county or counties in which the village is located and file with the secretary of administration certified copies of the petition and the determination of inspectors of election. The village clerk shall also record in the office of the register of deeds a certificate by the village clerk showing the date on which the dissolution takes effect and file with the secretary of administration 4 copies of the certificate. These documents shall be recorded and indexed by the register of deeds. The index shall include the document number of the original documents and, if given on the original documents, the volume or reel and the page or image number where the original documents are filed or recorded. The secretary of administration shall forward 2 copies of the certificate to the department of transportation and one to the department of revenue.
History:  1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (8) (c); 1977 c. 273; 1989 a. 192; 1993 a. 301; 1999 a. 182; 2001 a. 107; 2005 a. 391; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 102.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 61 - Villages. › 61.188 - Certain villages may become cities by charter ordinance.

61.188
Certain villages may become cities by charter ordinance.
Any village having a population of 1,000 or more may proceed under s. 66.0101 to organize as a city of the appropriate class. The village may by charter or charter ordinance adopted under s. 66.0101 elect not to be governed by ch. 62 or 66 in whole or in part or may create that system of government considered by the village to be most appropriate. The charter or charter ordinance may include the following: method of election of members of the council by districts, at-large or by a combination of methods, procedure for election of the first common council, creation and selection of all administrative officers, departments, boards and commissions, powers and duties of all officers, boards and commissions and terms of office. The charter or charter ordinance may not alter those provisions of ch. 62 dealing with police and fire departments or chs. 115 to 121 dealing with education. Any village incorporated after August 12, 1959, may not become a city under this section unless it meets the standards for incorporation in ss. 66.0205 and 66.0207.
History:  1999 a. 150 s. 25.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 61 - Villages. › 61.189 - Villages of 1,000 may become cities.

61.189
Villages of 1,000 may become cities.
(1)
Whenever the resident population of any village exceeds 1,000 as shown by the last federal census or by a census provided for under sub. (3), the village may become a 4th class city, and the trustees of the village may at a regular meeting, by a two-thirds vote of the members thereof, by resolution, so determine. The resolution shall observe the requirements of s. 5.15 (1) and (2) for wards, and shall fix the number and boundary of the aldermanic districts into which the city shall be divided and fix the time for holding the first city election, which shall not be less than 20 days from the date of such resolution, shall designate a polling place for each ward, and shall provide for the appointment of initial inspectors of election in the manner provided in ss. 7.30 and 7.32.
(2)
The election shall be noticed and conducted and the result canvassed and certified as in the case of regular village elections and the village clerk shall immediately file with the secretary of administration 4 copies of a certification certifying the fact of holding such election and the result thereof and a description of the legal boundaries of such village or proposed city and 4 certified copies of a plat thereof; and thereupon a certificate of incorporation shall be issued to such city by the secretary of administration. Two copies of the certification and plat shall be forwarded by the secretary of administration to the department of transportation and one copy to the department of revenue. Thereafter such city shall in all things be governed by the general city charter law. All debts, obligations and liabilities existing against such village at the time of such change shall continue and become like debts, obligations and liabilities against such city, and such city may carry out and complete all proceedings then pending for the issue of bonds for improvements therein.
(3)
If the last federal census figures are not used the village trustees shall cause to be taken an accurate census of the resident population of the village on some day not more than 10 weeks previous to the time of the adoption of such resolution, exhibiting the name of every head of a family and the name of every person a resident in good faith on such day and the lot on which that person resides, which shall be verified by the affidavit of the person taking the same affixed thereto. The original of such census shall be filed in the office of the village clerk and a duly verified copy filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county wherein such village is situated.
(4)
Any village incorporated after August 12, 1959, may not become a city unless it meets the standards for incorporation in ss. 66.0205 and 66.0207.
History:  1971 c. 304, 336; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (8) (c); 1981 c. 4 s. 19; 1981 c. 390; 1983 a. 484; 1985 a. 304 s. 156; 1991 a. 316; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2015 a. 55.