Marathon approves new Veterans Park projects
The Village of Marathon City Board last week Wednesday approved projects for a relocated Veterans Park on the east side of CTH NN. The work will be paid for with both donations and federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The board approved a bid from Sunrise Trucking and Excavating, Mosinee, for $475,356 to build a road to the park grounds and a pedestrian tunnel under CTH NN. The work will include installation of sewer and water utility mains, storm sewer inlets and pipes and a park trail. The utility will require laying the eight-inch and 10-inch sewer and water mains, respectively, across CTH NN.
Kurtz said the ARPA funds will be used to install the water and sewer mains for the park project.
In related news, village administrator Andy Kurtz played a two minute video produced by Marathon resident Jessica Belanger and village officials to advertise a capital campaign that will raise funds for the sports complex.
Kurtz said the video will be released to the public close to Fun Days held annually over Labor Day weekend.
In other village board business:
_ Administrator Kurtz reported progress in addressing building code issues in apartment buildings at 600, 606 and 608 Main Street. He said the village is dealing directly with the owner of the buildings, not his lawyers, and that he has “a better appreciation of the severity of the issues.” Kurtz said he thought village officials were finally “making progress” on resolving the building code dispute.
_ Board members approved two street reconstruction contracts. The board approved having RC Pavers, Weston, repave 940 lineal feet of Westview Drive (Pheasant to Thornapple) and Butternut (Westview to the end of Butternut) for $75,045. The board also voted to have American Asphalt, Mosinee, repave Fourth Street (Walnut Street to Pine Street), First Street (East Street to Market Street) and Hillside Drive for $156,127.
Administrator Kurtz said the approved bids were $26,000 below estimates.
_ Kurtz said he will start working on the 2022 village budget. He said the village’s net new construction for the past year was two percent. This will allow the village to increase property taxes under state levy limits by a maximum of $15,600.
_ Board members approved a fiveyear lease agreement with the Marathon County Public Library. Under the agreement, the library gets use of the village library for $1 per year but has to pay approximately $8,000 in annual maintenance costs. Kurtz said it was to the village’s advantage not to charge a minimal rent and have the library handle all maintenance. “We are ahead in this process,” he said.
_ Board members approved crossing guards Brenda Wirkus, David Martin and Roger Grell with substitutes Paige Koch and Suzanne Martin.
