Judge denies restraining order

West Bend Daily News 06/20/2015, Page A06

Judge refuses to grant injunction Developer can’t stop Richfield from taking action against landfill

By JOE VANDELAARSCHOT Daily News A Washington County judge won’t issue a restraining order against the village of Richfield. Judge Andrew Gonring, at the conclusion of a Friday morning hearing, refused to grant the order sought by Scenic Pit LLC, the developer of a proposed clean-fill landfill in Richfield. Gonring scheduled a telephone scheduling conference for 1:30 p.m. July 22. Landfill managing co-owner Danah Zoulek said her company wants to prevent village officials from interfering with the company’s plans to haul clean fill to a former sand and gravel pit along Scenic Road so residential development can take place. The village has worked to prevent the landfill from operating. Village Administrator Jim Healy said he and other village officials are pleased with the judge’s decision. “We know that even with this ruling it isn’t the end,” Healy said. “There will more than likely be other legal action regarding this so I doubt this is the end of what we’re going to have to spend on this. The village has already spent nearly $29,000 on legal fees for this case.” An attorney from the village’s insurance carrier is representing Richfield in the dispute. At Thursday night’s Village Board meeting, Healy provided the board and the public with an update on the legal battle. “There were 17 people who spoke on the subject during the public comment portion of the meeting,” Village Administrative Services Coordinator KateLynn Schmitt said. Healy said many residents at the meeting wanted to emphasize their opposition to the landfill plans. Zoulek and at least one other spoke in favor of the project. In a sworn affidavit, Zoulek accused village officials of “acting unreasonable and discriminatory in regards to our site versus other sites in the area.” Reach reporter Joe VanDeLaarschot at jvan@conleynet.com

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