AG Van Hollen: Announces settlement requiring upgrades to Franklin Mobile Estates mobile home park and payment of $18,000 in forfeitures, costs and fees

For More Information Contact:

Dana Brueck 608/266-1221

MADISON — On January 5, 2012, the Milwaukee County Circuit Court approved a settlement agreement between the State of Wisconsin and Franklin Mobile LLC owner, David Steinberger. The settlement provided that Mr. Steinberger would complete upgrades to the water supply systems that serve Franklin Mobile Estates and adjacent commercial buildings, that the defendants would pay $9,000 in forfeitures and costs to the Court, and that they would pay $9,000 toward the State’s investigation and prosecution costs.

The civil complaint filed against the defendants at the request of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) alleged that the water supply system that served the City of Franklin mobile home park was in violation of several State drinking water code requirements. The violations ranged from casing height, electrical conduit, corrosion and ventilation issues to insufficient pressure, insufficient capacity, and the lack of a back-up water supply system when more than 50 units are served by one well.

Since 2009, Mr. Steinberger has been working with the DNR and the Department of Justice to upgrade the water supply systems and resolve the lawsuit. After the lawsuit was filed, he permanently sealed a well in a crawlspace under a tavern, and he completed the necessary upgrades for a well serving 27 units. As part of the parties’ settlement, Mr. Steinberger has committed to connecting the remainder of the park’s units to the City of Franklin’s municipal water supply system. According to his attorney, the upgrades thus far have cost approximately $70,000, and connecting to city water will cost approximately $140,000. These costs were factored into the parties’ settlement and payment terms.

“The public is entitled to a safe and adequate drinking water supply,” Attorney General Van Hollen said. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with the DNR to ensure that everyone served by public water systems has both.”

Copies of the Complaint, Stipulation and Order and the Judgment are available at the following links:

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/amended-complaint-steinberger-franklin-20111215.pdf

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/stipulation-order-steinberger-franklin-20111215.pdf

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/judgment-steinberger-franklin-20111215.pdf

Assistant Attorney General Diane Milligan represented the State.