Several years ago the city of Wausau joined numerous other municipalities in class action lawsuits against the manufacturers of PFAS.
That paid off, as the city is slated to receive millions from PFAS settlements with potentially more to come.
And, as the city’s Waterworks Commission discussed Tuesday, that could help ratepayers.
The money could be put toward capital improvements that would help limit future water rate hikes, something PFAS contributed to in the first place because of the need for more equipment to filter those chemicals from the water.
But the Department of Natural Resources might have other ideas. Staff told the commission that the DNR told the utility it needs to use at least half that money to pay down the loan for the granular activated carbon treatment system (i.e., fancy PFAS filter), which also received emerging-contaminant funding.
Wausau and other municipalities are questioning that requirement. City staff say using the money for new projects instead could avoid borrowing at higher rates than the existing loan.
“There’s a pretty big question not only from us but other municipalities on whether they can actually do that, right?” Public Works Director Eric Lindman says. “How they would have any control over what those settlement funds are.”
An out-of-control washing machine sparked a lawsuit, and that’s just one of many cases in our latest Full Court Press feature, covering the county’s civil court cases:
One wild washing machine | Full Court Press
Once per month, The Wausonian digs through the civil court filings in Marathon County to find the most interesting cases. It’s one of those Wausonian features that you only get here. Become a paid subscriber to see the whole post.
And it’s budget season at The Wausonian! This is our first in what will be coverage of several municipal budgets this year:
Everything you need to know about Marathon County’s 2027 budget
Marathon County has always had one of the better budget processes of local governments I’ve covered.
What else in Wausau?
Police arrest two boys in gun incident outside John Muir: Two 16-year-old boys were arrested last week after police say one of them displayed a gun near the playground of John Muir Middle School. The two boys were walking by the fence while children were at recess and got into a verbal exchange with some of them, police reports say. One of them allegedly lifted his shirt and displayed a gun. Three children alerted school staff and the school resource officer. The two boys were arrested coming out of Marathon Park, police say.
Peoples State Bank to lose 47 jobs: Bank First, which is in the process of acquiring Peoples State Bank, issued a WARN notice late last week as the company plans to eliminate 47 jobs in the Wausau area. The notice is categorized as a workforce reduction, not a facility closure. Bank First agreed to acquire Peoples in May and plans to close on the merger in December after shareholders agreed to the deal in September. The layoffs, which come primarily from the Stewart Avenue location, involve eliminating overlapping positions between the two companies, according to Bank First.
Debate continues on Cleveland Avenue property: The future of city-owned 1300 Cleveland Avenue, south of Thomas Street, continues to be a source of debate. City Council President Terry Kilian says the city is still leaving debris on the site as the city debates what to do with it next and how to clean it up. Residents have expressed a preference for a park or a senior center on the site, but Kilian, who represents that neighborhood, said residents could be open to other uses as long as they’re able to give input. The Economic Development Committee directed staff to draft a deed restriction for consideration in November.
City could share former UWSP campus space with school district: Members of the city’s Economic Development Committee Tuesday recommended a six-month planning and due-diligence agreement for potentially moving the city’s police department to the former campus. But that could potentially involve sharing space with the Wausau School District, staff said. Police Chief Matt Barnes has been involved in discussions, but right now, no agreement has been reached. The move could allow the fire department on Thomas Street to expand to the entire building, avoiding the need for a new building.
Wausau leaf pickup starts next week: Wausau’s leaf pickup starts next week, according to the city map. The pickup will be handled in phases. Check the map for the date for your neighborhood.
Around the metro
County will ask Hub City Wind Farm for a proposal: Marathon County leaders will ask Hub City Wind Farm’s developers for a concrete proposal by Nov. 1 that it can share with townships. That’s the next step in the county addressing an upcoming proposal for a wind farm in the southwest corner of the county by Alliant Energy. The project has been controversial because of concerns about potential noise, pollution, wildlife and property value impacts, among other issues. The request passed with seven no votes, and another seven were absent from the meeting.
Restraining order portal goes live in all 72 Wisconsin counties: An online restraining order portal is now live, according to Wisconsin court officials. The portal, which went live last month, allows people to prepare and submit petitions for domestic abuse and harassment temporary restraining orders without visiting the courthouse to file them.
Mosinee unveils stone honoring former mayor: Mosinee officials hosted an unveiling of a memorial stone honoring former Mayor Pete Nievinski Tuesday. Nievinski died in March, only a month after resigning from office citing health concerns. The memorial stone is installed at City Softball Field in the city.
Weston board approves borrowing after cutting $100k: The Weston Village Board, meeting jointly with the Finance and Human Resources Committee, approved $13.01 million in borrowing — but only after cutting $100,000 for a pedestrian bridge lighting project. The debate was part of a larger budget discussion, which The Wausonian will cover later this week or early next week.
County officials confirm two more measles cases: Two more cases of measles have been identified in Marathon County, bringing the total cases identified in the county to five. County officials identified the first case of measles in Marathon County on Sept. 15. The first case in Wisconsin this year was discovered in January in Waukesha County.
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Business
Whimsy and Wonder eyeing former Bull Falls Radio location: Whimsy and Wonder Toys is planning to move into the corner storefront on Third Street that once housed Bull Falls Radio. The business’ owner says the move is taking longer than expected and a firm date on when the move will occur is currently unknown.
Camp 51 to open in former Campus Pub spot in weeks: Camp 51 Bar, which plans to open in the former Campus Pub on the city’s north side, is expected to be open in a couple of weeks, its new owner says.
Raising Cane’s opens in Rib Mountain to morning line: Dozens were lined up outside of Raising Cane’s in Rib Mountain Monday morning as the business opened in the former Fazoli’s location on Rib Mountain Drive.
Entertainment
John Gay demonstrates the old mantra that appearances can be deceiving. The guy looks like a metal singer but has an angelic, soulful country voice, and he’ll be bringing that to the Mosinee Brewing Company. But we also have a Brad Emanuel Packers Party at Cheeks, a Mexican textile crafting event, an Ice Age Trail hikeathon and much more, all in your Wausome Weekend Guide!
A powerful voice comes to Mosinee | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
John Gay demonstrates the old mantra that appearances can be deceiving. The guy looks like a metal signer but has an angelic, soulful country voice, and he’ll be bringing that to the Mosinee Brewing Company. But we also have a Brad Emanuel Packers Party at Cheeks, a Mexican textile crafting event, an Ice Age Trail hikeathon and much more, all in your Wa…
Sports
Football: Wausau West now holds the top spot amongst Wausau area teams in the Wisconsin Valley Conference after a 41-0 win over Eau Claire Memorial. The Warriors are now 3-2 in the conference, third behind SPASH and Marshfield, respectively.
Volleyball: D.C. Everest fended off SPASH in four games to notch another Wisconsin Valley Conference win, putting the team in a tie for first with Marshfield. That comes ahead of the Wisconsin Valley Conference meet this Saturday, held at Wausau East.
Boys soccer: D.C. Everest moved into the lead in the Wisconsin Valley Conference table after a 3-1 win over metro rivals Wausau West. That gave the Evergreens a 5-2 record, with SPASH and Rapids close behind in second place.
Girls tennis: Wausau West played strong all season and did exactly that at Thursday’s Wisconsin Valley Conference meet to close out conference play. The Warriors finished in first with 31 points, edging out SPASH with 25 and Marshfield with 24. The Warriors also took the conference title, with Marshfield in second and SPASH in third. D.C. Everest finished fourth and Wausau East fifth.
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