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Meeting resolves little in annexation dispute

ELKHORN — A Friday mediation session failed to resolve major disputes in the town of Bloomfield annexation issue.

Retired Walworth County Judge Robert Kennedy worked with the two sides from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. before ending the session.

At issue is the newly created Walworth County village of Bloomfield’s attempt to annex the remaining town of Bloomfield land. The Bloomfield Town Board approved the annexation and ordered a referendum. Those opposed to the annexation include two major players: the city of Lake Geneva and the village of Genoa City. A lawsuit challenging the referendum is pending in Walworth County Circuit Court.

“The mediation session was held under the authority of a closed meeting of the town of Bloomfield and village of Bloomfield boards,” said Delavan lawyer Brian Schuk, who represents both the town and village of Bloomfield. “Because the mediation was held in closed session, I cannot reveal any details.”

Schuk said two minor issues were resolved. Lakes Area Joint 1 School District and the Immanuel Lutheran Church were exempted from the annexation, and they will be included in the city of Lake Geneva.

“Judge Kennedy did everything anyone could do to help us resolve the issues,” Schuk said. “But the parties just could not get to where they needed to get to come to an agreement.”

The town board will meet Monday at 7 p.m. Schuk said the board might go into open session to discuss the mediation session, which would be an opportunity to reveal details of unresolved issues.

The pending lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial Feb. 18.