Boundary deal OK'd in Fitchburg; town delays vote
0:01 AM 10/23/02
Dean Mosiman City government reporter

Despite concerns about secrecy and details, the town of Madison and Fitchburg are endorsing a sweeping boundary agreement with the city of Madison.

The Fitchburg City Council unanimously approved the agreement after a three-hour public hearing and meeting Tuesday night.

"It establishes a framework for a great deal of cooperation between communities, and it ends years of bloodletting over annexations issues," Fitchburg Mayor Mark Vivian said later.

A majority of the three-member Madison Town Board voiced support for the deal after a separate public hearing Tuesday evening.

The board, however, delayed its vote until Nov. 4.

"It's reasonable for all communities," town Chairman Jim Campbell said of the deal after the meeting.

Board member Rindert Kiemel Jr. said he intends to vote for the deal, and colleague MaryLee Brimmer said she is likely to support it but is making no commitment until all public comment is heard.

The Madison Plan Commission is scheduled to make a recommendation Nov. 4, and the City Council is expected to vote on Nov. 5.

The deal, announced by leaders of the municipalities Oct. 16, would end a half-century of border wars, quickly redraw some boundaries and dissolve the town in a maximum 20 years.

The Urban League of Greater Madison, Communities United and two Dane County supervisors, concerned about details and the pace of approval, have scheduled independent public forums on the deal for Oct. 30 at Aldo Leopold Elementary School and Oct. 31 at Lincoln Elementary School.

The deal must be approved by early November to avert actions and likely litigation on pending annexations proposed by property owners and Fitchburg, leaders said.

And the deal gained momentum Tuesday night.

The Fitchburg City Council met jointly with the city's Plan Commission, which voted 4-2 to endorse the agreement.

Only eight Fitchburg residents attended a public hearing, and no one spoke or registered comment. Parks Commission Chairman Mike Mahoney objected that the city would consider such a land-use matter without involving the Plan Commission at an earlier stage.

About 60 people attended the public hearing at the Madison Town Hall fire garage - a third of the number who showed up for a spirited information meeting last week.

Some praised town services, others voiced concern about the lack of public input in crafting the deal, and a few called for a referendum.

"The town residents weren't given a vote," said resident Margaret Rassom.

But most said the deal provides certainty and ends a gradual erosion of the town and continued litigation.

The town, Campbell said, could lose about $200,000 in annual tax payments, if the deal isn't approved and various proposed annexations to the city of Madison move forward.

"I think this is a good compromise solution," town property owner Karen Johannsen said.

Correspondent Gary Fisher contributed to this report.