Lead reversal | The Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of Aug. 22, 2024

Lead is starting to become the center of city debate. It showed up in two city meetings this week.

One, a city committee of the whole (often referred to as a COW) held a hearing on the potential for a lead service line replacement ordinance. The ordinance had raised concerns when it was first introduced because residents thought it meant they would be forced to pay for the replacement of their service lines.

City leaders carefully reworded the ordinance so that it would only apply if the city had the funding to fully pay for the replacement of the private side of the line (which goes from the curb to the spot where it enters the home - it has nothing to do with plumbing inside the home). The city needs the ordinance because upcoming rules will only allow the city to replace its side of the service line if they also replace the private side.

But, the ordinance does impose some pretty steep penalties for not complying with it - up to $1,000 per day. Legal staff says that would only be used in the worst-case scenario, though the public likely remains suspicious.

The city council this week also had another lead discussion — the council ultimately reversed course on rejecting a $2 million lead abatement grant. The city initially balked at the grant because it looked like it would be more costly and paperwork-inducing than it seemed worth. Staff, in fact, had told city leaders that much.

But after some nudging from county officials and learning more from HUD, the city changed course after learning that the Marathon County Health Department would handle most of the work on it, since they already handle lead abatement, and a HUD representative said their staff did a poor job in explaining the grant.

The Wausonian this week looked at two perspectives on a proposal to dismantled the county/city parks department from Mayor Doug Diny and City Council President Lisa Rasmussen.

We also dove into a new child care proposal:

And posted another installment of our Full Court Press, a look at notable civil cases in Marathon County. It’s a feature you won’t find anywhere else in Wausau:

What else in Wausau?

Consultant says ending pilot payment complicated: City officials hired a consultant to look at a plan to potentially eliminate the pilot payment the city’s water utility pays to the city in lieu of taxes. The main idea is that lowering the payment could help lower costs to ratepayers (ie Wausau residents). According to Brian Roemer of Ehlers, it’s a little more complicated than that. Removing the payment wouldn’t automatically lower rates - the city would need to apply for a rate change and Roemer says the timing is the most important aspect.

Speaking of water…: City officials want to start installing new water meters. Why? Because with the current meters, a lot of the water isn’t being counted, and thus not paid for. Public Works Director Eric Lindman says the utility is losing about 17% of the water that should be paid for. The city plans to spend nearly $2 million all told on new meters.

Downtown killing: A 43-year-old man is in custody following a fight downtown that ultimately led to another man’s death. Police arrested Thomas Schroeder, 43, of Wausau after police say he struck another man, knocking him down in the roadway. The man was knocked unconscious and taken to a hospital Sunday. On Monday, he died of his injuries. Schroeder is facing murder by battery charges, a rare Felony U charge that makes his potential sentence if convicted unclear.

Around the metro

Police searching for elder abuse suspect: Police are searching for a man they say beat up an elderly person at Sunnyvale Park in July. Police say the crime happened in the evening of July 14 and they have yet to apprehend him. Investigators describe the suspect as 5’9” and 170 pounds, as either Hispanic or Asian, with a thin build. If you have any information on the case, contact the Marathon County Crime Stoppers at 1-877-409-8777 or on their website.

Business

Wendy’s is coming back: A new Wendy’s is being built on the corner of Schofield Avenue and Business Hwy. 51, Weston officials confirmed to Channel 9. A Wendy’s had been located where Fuzzy Tacos is now, but closed due to its inability to retain staff - an issue that began before the pandemic. Now Michael Scott will once again have someone to to call for a date:

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Entertainment

Friday, Aug. 23: Wausau isn’t the only municipality hosting movie nights in the outdoors. Kronenwetter has been doing so as well, and Friday is another chance to try this out! This one will be held at Friendship Park and better get your Golden ticket and your sweet tooth ready, because this one features Wonka as the night’s entertainment. Based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a book by Roald Dahl, this 2023 adaptation stars Timothee Chalomet, Hugh Grant and Rowan Atkinson, among others. The story of a poor boy who wins one of five tickets to tour the chocolate factory of Willie Wonka is a classic, and now’s your chance to enjoy this film version out under the stars. Plus, you’ll get a chocolate bar that might actually have a golden ticket, which nets you a prize. Movie starts at dusk, around 8:45 pm, and they suggest arriving around 6:30 pm to secure a good seat. See the event page for more information.

Sat.-Sun., Aug. 24-25: I’m a big fan of Anastasiia and Anton, the Ukrainian family who started Just Right Bakery - and now they’re about to host an art show. The show will celebrate the work of Ukrainian artist Julia Ivanisova, whose show Shadows of War: Ukraine in Monochrome, which is a series of black and white drawings detailing the harsh realities of the War. Just Right will host an opening event on Saturday from 3-6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. where you can meet the artist, but will display the artwork through the end of September. Proceeds from sale of postcards of Ivanisova’s work and 50% of bakery sales will go to support Ukrainian orphans and defenders of their hometown, Kkarkiv. See the event page for more.

Tuesday, Aug. 27: They’ve been going all summer, but if you haven’t had a chance yet, these free waterski shows are an excellent way to spend a summer evening. Now at a new location at Bluegill Bay Park after performing for years at D.C. Everest Park, the Central Wisconsin Water Walkers are ready to present you with a solid performance that will leave you entertained. You’ll have a blast watching the Water Walkers carve up the waves of Lake Wausau with a season theme of “Skierella.” 6:30 pm. Free. See the event page for more.

Looking for kids/family events? Check out the family-oriented listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.

Sports

High school season on the horizon: Girls golf starts next Thursday, with most other high school sports beginning the following week.

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