Trustees and staff for the Village of Hartland told residents at an information session that the village is likely to place a new police department and village administration at the vacant Hartbrook Drive site, though Waukesha State Bank still owns the property and has the right to review the village’s appraisal and obtain its own assessment.

“That's where we're gonna land,” Trustee Jeff said, adding the bank has about 60 days to respond after the village presented its appraisal. He emphasized the village intends to negotiate in good faith and to make the bank “whole” if the sale proceeds.

The village presented the appraisal to Waukesha State Bank and expects a response within the roughly 60‑day review period, officials said. If the bank obtains its own appraisal, village staff said both parties would meet to negotiate price and terms before any transfer proceeds.

Officials reiterated a prior budget target: the board has aimed for $30,000,000 or less to cover both municipal projects together, but trustees acknowledged buying property makes that target harder to reach. “We’re still shooting for this…30,000,000 or under for both projects,” Trustee Jeff said, but added the final cost will depend on negotiations, construction prices and the economy.

Design staff and department leaders described planning progress. Police Chief Misko estimated the police facility would be in the neighborhood of 21,000 square feet to accommodate office space, evidence processing and storage, locker rooms and other operational needs. “Our big pinch points were office space for our staff, and then our biggest pinch point was evidence room for our evidence, and processing the evidence, not just storage,” Chief Misko said.

Trustees and designers said site plans and floodplain analysis are the next critical steps: the village’s Department of Public Works recently marked utilities and a survey should be complete within about a week, officials said. If floodplain constraints force a footprint change, the location or orientation of buildings could shift.

Village staff said interior floor plans should be ready for public viewing by late November or December, barring unexpected delays. Clerk Sandy said the proposed community room at the new village facility would allow all elections to be held at Village Hall and would consolidate voting storage and equipment that is currently split across multiple smaller rooms.

Officials also discussed the fire department. A consultant study that examined calls and volunteer staffing recommended the village consider moving from an all‑volunteer fire force toward paid staffing — potentially four to five people on duty with administrative support — as volunteer numbers decline. Trustees said that discussion is likely to come forward in the next several years as part of longer‑term planning; no formal decision was made at the meeting.

Trustee Jeff said the existing building that currently houses some village functions and the library is likely to be sold because of its age and condition, though he emphasized the board has not voted on disposition and acknowledged community attachment to the building. “There’s a very good chance that this will just end up getting sold,” he said, while noting residents’ historical and emotional ties to the structure.

No votes or formal actions occurred at the information session. Officials encouraged residents to follow village agendas and social media for updates and to contact Village Manager Ryan Bailey, department chiefs or trustees with questions.