[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6221340,"mediaKeyId","3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c","parentId",3614440,"title","Ben Lee elected chair; Brett Butler elected vice chair of Marshfield parks committee","audioSeconds",140,"startMs",0,"endMs",140000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c&start=0&end=140","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6221340/Marshfield/Wood-County/Wisconsin/Ben-Lee-elected-chair-Brett-Butler-elected-vice-chair-of-Marshfield-parks-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221340-ae7d910f9b0530ee62feda8766e62c6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620340&Signature=lo-DzUMgAfCyci1BJUquYKylG5TMirEIdtT8VHccGHWxjCzP~6-4wQuyCPMzReyA3M4T~LcYiZa6-kz-q-U-4tmIxjZp2MJQcjQMG6zn-oCfNgl3bzH26tCwOp0UFlcNcwWJiBGnNFiAhWlNqMfD~VTJFfo397tAZQY9c8odaf9DasTKCDI8mb09pfgDI1JACAJmSkih7SD-GosJnG2E1pSTfHk86Z43gtSH-aDGC1Bnmrus2Arqb6CT31gYmZYKY6qrr-Ia74xSt8f4xvcyOEBqNrYsJO51WaOaXfF9MZ589jtCr3eCyAZIUXnNv5sWR9NMxluKQC8Tbyd6x5P3dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Marshfield, WI","date","2025-05-28T17:26:08Z","article","During the committee’s first meeting of the year, members completed their officer elections and approved meeting minutes and routine business.

Committee member Ben Lee was nominated and elected chair by voice vote after accepting the nomination. \"Ben, you accept? I do accept,\" Lee said after the nomination was seconded. The chair called for unanimous ballot after no other nominations were offered and declared the motion carried.

The committee then elected Brett Butler as vice chair by voice vote following a nomination and second. Both officer elections were standard organizational actions for the committee’s annual reorganization.

The committee also approved the April 9 minutes and addressed a declared potential conflict of interest from a member who said they may need to abstain from a subsequent park item depending on the discussion around rights and naming.

Ending: The newly elected chair presided over the remainder of the meeting and moved the agenda forward to reports and program items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Park and rec 5 14 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its first meeting of the year the Marshfield Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee elected Ben Lee as chair and Brett Butler as vice chair by voice vote.","taxTitle","Marshfield, Wood County, Wisconsin","taxId",69252,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221346,"AARP tax volunteers reported 714 returns and decline in homestead-credit filers",374,261000,635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c&start=261&end=635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c/thumbnail_261000.jpg","/articles/6221346/Marshfield/Wood-County/Wisconsin/AARP-tax-volunteers-reported-714-returns-and-decline-in-homestead-credit-filers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221346-82e1c5a775264f7652d38db2f7669c60/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620340&Signature=TINtnsEuhIiD9r0TCJUVdV0vGgwLqOqBc0ZPwI2pVBawG1lMBVa-kHPnQMC3cnvA2mDTx4k7K4jYBUcXC7zt~9PkBgTowXUiHYcmBTvHI~qSWj5GcL8WMyK3UBl4hnGN7UQytGG6kJkZhg9ZbaK6hKUjxgrWAN86OgI66jU--EakoW2La6koNqe55JqhtN9BFKCfsvmDAtg2Y3rbSRRIghyIOzSq~6DwpItF6e0A4gUKzVLY77~47J9fojblCy-pJ9ocf8hU3SI~q55gi89p3UhEn-W9RbCaG6zUAvrxuxifox2MdX3Vgg2OE-B4n67XR0U46LbYo2sYV45C9uePTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Volunteers with the AARP/IRS Tax-Aide program presented a report to the Marshfield Parks committee showing 714 tax returns prepared this season and a decline in the share of clients claiming the state homestead tax credit, which the volunteers said stems from an income-cap threshold that is not indexed for inflation.

\"This year, we did 714 taxes,\" the volunteer presenter, identified in the meeting as Ed, told the committee. He described the program’s volunteer makeup and training: 11 tax counselors who receive IRS-certified training and complete exams and practice submissions before they are qualified to prepare returns.

Ed said the AARP/IRS program has no income caps for assistance, but volunteers are limited in the complexity of tax returns they can handle: they do not prepare returns for businesses carrying inventory or depreciation, nor do they handle certain complex filings such as recent divorces or married-filing-separate cases. The group assists with retirement accounts, brokerage accounts and homestead-credit claims when applicable.

On homestead tax credits specifically, Ed said the program has seen a drop in the proportion of clients claiming the credit: \"In 2020... 68 percent of the people that we helped had homestead tax credit. And this past year, it was 23 and a half percent,\" he said, adding that the state income qualification cap remains at $24,000 and is not indexed to inflation. He described that increase in Social Security and other income sources has pushed some people above the cap.

The committee thanked volunteers and staff and noted the community benefit of the program, which schedules appointments via United Way's 2-1-1 and serves clients at multiple sites. The presentation was informational; no committee action was required.

Ending: Volunteers encouraged residents to use the appointment system and noted the program will continue to operate through multiple weekly sessions at community locations.","AARP/IRS-trained volunteers told the committee they prepared 714 tax returns this season and noted a drop in the share of clients claiming the state homestead tax credit, which volunteers attributed to an unchanged income cap.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221351,"Parks staff revise animal rules for buildings, shelters and dissolve unused scholarship policy",1010,2932000,3942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c&start=2932&end=3942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c/thumbnail_2932000.jpg","/articles/6221351/Marshfield/Wood-County/Wisconsin/Parks-staff-revise-animal-rules-for-buildings-shelters-and-dissolve-unused-scholarship-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221351-4280446277209e4f88cf55194f2d86cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620340&Signature=TMrpVeFBfXwf5tTHxrR~7xx4spsE0XV2i31UZIj-DW3hFrAkMGYU1gWQmoS~NjmltvvqgYGJkwm2956ocakPiWZKj5bV20qchX80PxBG3OpHYdMxo25qzwLD5iPSuAP1H0q-1UQ9DVTmA7LdIGxBHutTLy9iGBxiJw9dvx2KcczQFksqkbukahfXDSqO-9EV-04R4SYT9QVxR9aOBXT2LXi1iTDCnKlJKiXyIILyKcmvKpJ3upoR4y4HETC0Am-D6lYazVOK2o0YyUyvneeLV0W3xNSAU4ugappeROVHgl2TA3NmpmrcmqxcoCM8XIyEieG8WF4Dc5jgWnXxth8X8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marshfield Parks staff presented proposed revisions to facility rental rules to clarify where animals are allowed in parks and park buildings, and the committee approved the proposed changes and a related motion to dissolve an outdated scholarship policy that staff said was no longer in use.

The staff memo, reviewed by committee members, clarified that dogs and cats are allowed in general park areas and on designated trails but are not permitted inside park buildings, shelters or pavilions without prior written approval from the Parks and Recreation Department. It also added a broad prohibition on animals (\"including but not limited to birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, other domestic and non-domestic creatures\") inside buildings or at events without written approval, while explicitly permitting service animals defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act when accompanied by an individual with a disability.

Justin, a Parks staff member who reviewed the policy updates, summarized the proposed language for the committee: \"Dogs and cats... are permitted in general park areas on designated trails, but not allowed inside park buildings, shelters, pavilions without prior written approval from the park and recreation department.\" He told the committee the department would continue to allow service animals under ADA rules and would require event organizers to submit animal-event requests at least 30 days in advance, demonstrate required insurance and comply with applicable local, county or state regulations.

Committee members asked for small clarifications about open-air shelters and how enforcement would work for family events. Staff agreed to clarify the language distinguishing indoor buildings from open-air shelters and noted enforcement would rely on outreach, signage and complaints-based follow-up.

Separately, staff asked the committee to dissolve an older scholarship policy (policy 6102) that staff said had not been used and that the department replaces with existing arrangements through United Way and local foundations that provide swim passes and other assistance. The committee voted to dissolve the policy and directed staff to continue current practice of working with United Way and local partners for scholarship-like assistance.

On votes: the facilities policy changes and the motion to dissolve policy 6102 were approved by the committee during the meeting. Committee members also asked parks staff to ensure consistent internal procedures and external messaging (signs, website) to reduce confusion about pets at open-air shelters versus inside buildings.

Ending: Staff will update the written rental policy, website and signage to reflect the approved changes and will return if any additional clarifications are required.","Parks staff presented revisions to facility-rental rules that tighten indoor animal restrictions, clarify service-animal allowances, and remove a rarely used scholarship policy; the committee approved the changes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221355,"Marshfield zoo manager wins committee approval to accept non-native hoofstock",606,2290000,2896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c&start=2290&end=2896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c/thumbnail_2290000.jpg","/articles/6221355/Marshfield/Wood-County/Wisconsin/Marshfield-zoo-manager-wins-committee-approval-to-accept-non-native-hoofstock","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221355-80e24fa6d7ad17de2f4bf2591ef775cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620340&Signature=Bgmd4ajoA1vkv7sEUJhLmoAZP5k3~I4NLiTmG9CB0lT4Ao378juFiA6P7YN2GzwEbguLPMoqvGwlUt9zoMyUaOnMjknHCexBLNmKK1vLgzn5vdGQ4mxCxxFtUrZGgph2inttwUlgAmcrA1eTTYh422Vgu227dgam-H~mYK-ix1tGZ9JS4DRK3WRdmWTufjYrYgM2nXYkDMpn5aLPDDqGB52DHLxH2f-avpltO4bzP~5C3uyt7bBSjVhRXGh~yM4KoZ7rYNjjd1UV1Ym4tdFke5cNjYKBU-7WCRPZPS-1MWfa4abA4gyPlE~krzmx5-lCVCivRQ~wemzjxfzJqHgoMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marshfield Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee voted to change policy language to permit consideration of non-native hoofstock species for the zoo collection, after a presentation from new zoo manager Kyle Kirk. The change allows the zoo to expand beyond a prior emphasis on North American species to include certain non-native hoofstock that staff say are better suited to local conditions and staffing levels.

Kirk, who identified himself as Marshfield’s new zoo manager, recommended the change to better match the zoo’s resources with long-lived, hardy animals. \"It makes a whole lot more sense to go for something that's gonna be a lot more docile, that's not gonna try to rip our heads off, that I can look at you guys and say that I have a better chance of keeping them alive for longer,\" Kirk said during the meeting. He described non-native species such as mouflon and Aoudad as hardy and easier to maintain in the zoo’s facilities than native species like Dall or bighorn sheep at lower elevation.

The committee discussed animal health, biosecurity and staffing limits. Kirk noted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulatory oversight and said specific housing or winter shelter adjustments might be needed for some species. He also said he had been in contact with other regional facilities and that non-native species could be cost-effective to acquire and maintain.

On the motion that the zoo may consider non-native hoofstock and to update public-facing material (website language) accordingly, the committee voted in favor; the chair called the motion carried after voices were recorded. During discussion, one member said she opposed changing the emphasis on North American species; other members said they trusted the zoo manager’s expertise given repeated health and survivability problems with some previously kept native species.

The committee did not approve specific acquisitions at the meeting. Kirk said the likely next steps, if the policy change stands, would include USDA compliance steps, sourcing animals, coordinating with other regional facilities for temporary placements and planning for health and breeding oversight. Kirk estimated that with two females and a male he \"should maybe average 4 babies a year\" once a breeding population is established; he emphasized that breeding and transfers would be handled according to USDA rules and inter-zoo agreements.

Quotations are taken from the meeting transcript and come from named speakers.","The committee approved a change allowing consideration of non-native hoofstock species in the zoo collection after the zoo manager outlined animal care, survivability and staffing considerations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221360,"Marshfield panel approves Forward Bank name, location and lights for Greasy Park playground",1384,682000,2066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c&start=682&end=2066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614440-13524c44d787d30c3b2a6e5863652d6c/thumbnail_682000.jpg","/articles/6221360/Marshfield/Wood-County/Wisconsin/Marshfield-panel-approves-Forward-Bank-name-location-and-lights-for-Greasy-Park-playground","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221360-8f418165f3b7ec78ac2b311b9d71c013/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620340&Signature=o3HyGQ9n~tY7wbrYvizAY6PrdODK2t6dU4BxWiKvMrxl7opXT1Db9Xxxv50AXJefcMH8Rk~vskI04WOHAoJVp03mj33RpucBDBM55BBJki-fdrk1s2RMJ95nBbHCEX-Q4v22Jpd509QsN1gvLa4wYCbcpnAYalZ8dpYxJTVaIv1XwX6AQfCqYByU8QrGZNR8BJMADv~BpIiazDqXcB9zSzfaxbdDux~q8AEzqpAcQie7QbsT2P8a80WqdEZ-3vEi-D~mlSRVO9gg1w9-1Wy8-lffwP98vccdBkv6oJRRgfUJ1e8SeDA-kHb4XjRisE1eShFqPsDodi2RukkEzlGvQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marshfield Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee voted to accept a $100,000 pledge from Forward Bank for a new playground at Greasy Park and approved the donor-suggested name \"Forward Fun Zone,\" the park committee said during the meeting. The committee also approved the playground's placement on the north side of the park and a plan to install limited directional security lighting.

The naming and site approvals followed a presentation from the volunteer-led Greasy Park Playground committee. \"The first letter there is a pledge for Forward Bank to donate $100,000 towards Greasy Park Playground,\" said Lindsay Stafford, nonprofit banker at Forward Bank, during the presentation. She told the committee the bank’s gift included naming rights and that a media release was planned.

The nut graf: the committee’s approvals clear key steps toward construction but do not finalize a single design. Committee members approved the name, location and security lighting now so the fundraising and permitting work can continue. The playground group said the project will still require additional fundraising and vendor selection before construction.

Most important details: the fundraiser presented two final design renderings and a budget target of $750,000. The group reported it had raised about $560,000 so far. \"This is all dependent that we reach our goal of 750 or more. Right now, we're at, like, 5 60,\" the playground presenter said. The committee heard that the proposed playground footprint is roughly 19,900 square feet within a larger 25,000-square-foot site and that poured-in-place safety surfacing for the entire play area would cost far more than the current fundraising goal (a vendor estimate of roughly $28 per square foot was given for poured-in-place surfacing).

The presentation addressed site logistics and accessibility: committee members were told existing walking paths would be connected to the new play area so routes for wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles would be paved from pavement to pavement. The plans include a fenced 2–5-year-old area with poured-in-place surfacing in that fenced zone and a larger open area for 5–12-year-olds. Donors who give $1,000 or more were proposed to have name panels on a composite perimeter fence.

The committee also discussed low-level directional security lighting intended to deter late-night vandalism around the concession stand and restroom areas. The committee approved adding security lighting to the project budget; presenters emphasized the lights would not be field-level sports lighting but limited site lighting on shorter poles and with directional controls.

On motions and votes: the committee approved (1) the proposed name \"Forward Fun Zone\" (one abstention recorded from a committee member who said she works at Forward Bank), (2) the north-side site selection and (3) the security-lighting request. No final vendor contract was awarded at the meeting; presenters said the committee will return for an official final design blessing after vendor selection and final funding decisions.

Quotations in this story come from the meeting transcript and from the named presenters. The committee’s approvals set next steps: continuing fundraising to meet the $750,000 goal, final vendor selection, site preparation work with a local excavating contractor and a community outreach event planned for Aug. 12 to raise awareness and additional funds.

Ending: The playground committee said it will continue fundraising, refine renderings and coordinate required site work; the committee can bring back a final design for formal sign-off once fundraising reaches the level needed to secure the preferred amenities.","The Marshfield Parks committee approved naming rights for a new playground, selected its final location at the north side of Greasy Park, and authorized limited security lighting after a presentation from the playground fundraising committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ben Lee elected chair; Brett Butler elected vice chair of Marshfield parks committee

AARP tax volunteers reported 714 returns and decline in homestead-credit filers

Parks staff revise animal rules for buildings, shelters and dissolve unused scholarship policy

Marshfield zoo manager wins committee approval to accept non-native hoofstock

Marshfield panel approves Forward Bank name, location and lights for Greasy Park playground