TOWN OF WASHINGTON, Wis. (WKBT) — The Town of Washington officially filed a petition to incorporate as a village on Wednesday.
In August, the town announced their plan to petition after the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of filing. The town said they wanted to incorporate as a village to gain control of its own land, establish fixed borders, and “prevent ongoing annexations from eroding the Town’s jurisdictional boundaries.”
The town announced Wednesday that they received 625 signatures from residents that would live in the proposed village territory, exceeding the 50 signature requirement.
According to a release, the number of signatures received “is one of the highest number of resident signatures ever submitted on a petition to incorporate by a town in Wisconsin.” The Town of Washington also received additional support from neighboring towns and residents that do not live in the proposed area.
If the petition is successful it will lead to a referendum vote in the town. It would also stop annexation in the proposed village until after a decision is made.