The Brookfield Scene

I read the city's newsletter last week and came to some conclusions:

The Community Survey

In addition to an explanation of community development projects / proposals, it talked about the June 2006 survey results. Residents were asked to prioritize several factors. One dealt with “maintaining the quality of the area’s public schools.”

According to property tax bills, the school districts are separate and distinct from city government. Why would city government ask residents to prioritize something it (as a governing body) does not control?

The separation between these two entities is blurred on occasion. Recall the Swanson School proposal? The school board tried convincing residents that relocating the school (to accommodate a developer’s proposal) would best serve the public need. Both city government and the school district were unhappy that the proposal was defeated.

The city’s motto is community service.


Median Landscaping Beautification Projects

Now that Calhoun Road (north of Bluemound) is wider, Brookfield is beautifying the new medians. Perennials, shrubs and trees will be added, along with additional trees within the right of way. Tree species amenable to fall plantings will be added this year. Other plantings will wait until 2007.

Median plantings will temper the harshness of the concrete lanes. There are, however, costs associated with beautification. A smaller neighbor to the west can attest to that.

The city of Delafield put extensive plantings in their downtown area as part of a TIF (tax incremental financing improvement) district. Downtown Delafield has beautiful planting areas between the street and sidewalk. The TIF covered the plant materials and installation but the community failed to budget for the ongoing care, maintenance and replacement of the plants.

I'm sure Brookfield won't overlook budgeting the care of the medians.