Tensions run high in Town of Cedarburg as residents push for private pond

TOWN OF CEDARBURG, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Two residents in the Town of Cedarburg are pushing to build a 13-acre private pond on their property just north of Cedar Creek Road and east of Covered Bridge Road.

Michael and Stacy Gauthier presented their plan to the town board at their meeting on Wednesday night.

Over 100 people from the town were at the meeting to express their concerns about the body of water.

Concerns included noise from the water, what the family will be using it for, surrounding wells used for water, and potential flooding.

“I hope and pray that they build it strong enough to stay up there.” resident Edward Cherwink said. “Is it going to leach out and cause more water problems elsewhere because everybody out there has water problems?”

The Gauthier family says water will come from Cedar Creek and a nearby well. The body of water will use around 35 million gallons of water for the first nine months, and 0-50,000 gallons per day after those nine months.

“We are preserving the real nature of the Town of Cedarburg, protecting the neighbors from further flooding, enhancing the environment and creating a critical habitat for wildlife,” Michael Gauthier said.

The town administrator did not have comment on Wednesday night and wanted to let the public voice concerns ahead of a future vote on the plan by the planning commission.

“It’s just not going to happen on my watch,” Cherwink said.