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October 2003 Newsletter

Summer is over and what a busy summer it was. With the landscaping projects, hall signs, parking lot stripping, road work, curbside garbage/recycling contract and the reassessment this summer was a learning and enlightening experience for the new Chairman Vern Utecht and Supervisor Duane Grunenwald and also a very interesting experience for the incumbent Town Board members Supervisor Marty Zernicke, Treasurer Marilyn Grunenwald and Clerk Betty Hoenisch.

The first challenge this spring was to decide what roads would be resurfaced or receive the much-needed granite. The roads that were resurfaced were Beecher, Belaire, Burlington, Cassidy and Maine Drive. Tom Ellias from Anderson Brothers worked with the Town of Maine and used Kellar Drive as part of an experiment. They hauled, graded, watered and rolled five inches of a crushed rock material that has a life expectancy of 2.5 times longer than rotten granite. The roads that received granite were Decator, Lincoln, 20th, 3rd, 28th and 72nd.

The Town employees Todd Bishop and John Marquardt are presently working with Chairman Utecht on a new road program to prepare roads for resurfacing, a resurfacing priority list and a maintenance schedule for current roads, which will help extend the life of the town roads.

The second challenge this summer was to complete unfinished projects at the new Town Hall facility. Chairman Utecht along with the help of the John and Todd, North States Utilities (donated the top-soil), Down to Earth Greenhouse (donated some shrubbery and discounted other plants and trees), Gruetzmacher Landscaping and Dale Janisch (excavating) the landscaping at the Town Hall was completed. Wausau Seal Coating stripped the parking lot at the Fire Department, Maine Lions Shelter and the Town Hall with walkways, parking spaces and designated handicap parking areas. After much discussion at several Town Board meetings Graphic House was awarded the sign project, which included a large sign on the canopy and a smaller sign at the west hall door. All of the Town of Maine residents can be very proud of their new Town Hall now that it is completed!

The third challenge was the reassessment that was mandated by the Department of Revenue to bring the Town’s valuation into compliance, since the valuations had been below 90% of fair market value since 1999. In November the Town Board has the challenge of trying to budget for 2004 while dealing with the cuts in shared revenues from the State of Wisconsin.

The fourth challenge will actually take place January 1, 2004 when the Town contracts with Industrial Recyclers of Wisconsin for curbside garbage and recycling services. In fall of 2002 the DNR recommended that townships contract for this service to eliminate illegal burning and dumping that is harmful to our environment. At the April 2003 Annual meeting community members were informed that the Town Board had requested quotes from Deluxe Disposal, Industrial Recyclers of Wisconsin and Superior Waste. Community members present at that meeting felt it would be an important program for the Town to pursue, since the curbside service would have a cost savings for the Town in eliminating the third Saturday recycling pickup. It also would be very convenient and reduce the cost of weekly garbage pickup to residents. Industrial Recyclers had the low quote with the best services and was awarded the contract at the August 11, 2003 Town Board meeting. IROW’s quote was for $8.25 per month for weekly garbage and bi-weekly recycling services, which equates to $99.00 per year per household. This amount will be billed to residents with their property tax bill. Every household will receive a 95 gallon container that will be delivered starting December 7th unless you are presently contracting with IROW for your garbage service. All recyclable items may be placed in a single large rubbermaid type container. IROW will be sending a calendar to each household that will include the schedule for the garbage - recycling dates and also a list of items that are recyclable. The Town has requested one garbage container for each house, however if the house is a rental property and a second dumpster is needed, please call the Town Hall office. The dumpster provided should be placed in your driveway not on the roadway. The Town is also working with IROW at the present time to get a quote for a spring clean-up service, which has been requested by many property owners.

Maine 4-H News - The Maine 4-H has asked if it was possible to have a trophy case built in the Town Hall for displaying trophies that the members have worked so hard to earn. Chairman Utecht received an estimate of $1,000.00 to build the trophy case. If you would care to donate to this project, please make your tax deductible check payable to: “Maine 4-H”. Mail to Theresa Stubbe, 10101 Balsam Dr. Wausau, WI 54401.

Snow season is approaching fast! John and Todd start snow plowing as early as midnight, so please park all vehicles in your driveway. Also, place your dumpster in your driveway and not on the road to prevent damage.

If you have any questions, please call 675-5607 afternoons.

Last modified: 03/22/07.