BRISTOL — The Wisconsin Department of Administration has approved a petition to allow Bristol to incorporate its northwest portion as a village, town officials said Tuesday.

The department finalized its decision Thursday and notified the town Friday, according to Administrator Randy Kerkman. The results were sent to Kenosha County Circuit Court, which has set Nov. 3 for a voter referendum on the proposed incorporation.

Only residents who live within the proposed village will be allowed to vote. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 19801 83rd St., and the Senior Center, 19200 93rd Street (Highway C).

A public meeting begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Town Hall for residents who have questions. Town officials will remind residents of the upcoming referendum by mail.

Should voters approve the incorporation, there would be 60 days in which to schedule elections for six new Village Board members, a village president and the Town Board.

The incorporation area, about 9 square miles, is bounded roughly by Highway K to the north, the Des Plaines River to the east, Highway C and a peninsula-like configuration south of Highway C encompassing Lake George to the south, and its current border with Salem to the west.

In January, the state rejected the town’s initial request for incorporating its 18-square-mile western half, saying the area did not meet population density requirements for village status and that it included land beyond the proposed village’s core.

The new proposal was submitted in March after state officials encouraged new boundaries.

“We pretty much drew the border where they asked us to, so there wasn’t anything that said that we should expect they would reject it,” he said.

Kerkman said village status isn’t final until the residents give it their blessing.

“We’re cautiously optimistic. And we did spend a lot of time and money to bring this to this point. Ultimately it is up to them to make the decision, and that’s why we want to have one more public meeting before the referendum,” he said.

“We are delighted that the citizens of the proposed new village of Bristol will have a opportunity to vote on their future,” Town Board Chairman Rich Gossling said in a news release. “The new village will have an agreement with the existing town to maximize efficiency and minimize overlap of services.”

Leaders of Salem and Paris, towns that border the new village, said they were pleased.

“I’m in favor of it. I think the towns are forced to do it if they want to compete,” said Linda Valentine, Salem Town Board chairwoman.

In general, villages are afforded jurisdiction over their own zoning while towns are under the control of counties. Too many times villages have infringed on towns, according to Valentine, but because of a cooperative agreement signed by both municipalities and recognized by the state, the two will continue essentially the same relationship it has traditionally enjoyed.

“In the case of Bristol, the line they’re honoring is the town line,” said Valentine. “So we know they’re not going to infringe on us, and we’re not going to infringe on them, and we think it will work out for everyone. I hope voters turn out to vote and impact (the process) in a positive way.”

Paris Town Board Chairman Virgil Gentz said he continues to support Bristol’s efforts.

“I wish them well. We’ve worked closely with the town for many years, and we’re going to continue to work together. It’s a step forward for them. And we hope all positive things happen with this incorporation,” he said.