Committee approves easement request for utility lines through Hammond Park, contingent on legal review

The City of Wausau Parks and Recreation Committee voted Aug. 4 to approve an easement request from Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) to place buried electric and gas lines through a peripheral section of Hammond Park, subject to city attorney review. The request, provided to staff late the previous week, asked that the city act within the utility’s 30-day review window, Jamie, Parks Department staff, told the committee. "I apologize for getting this on the agenda, late on Friday. I just got the letter from WPS, asking for this request," Jamie said, and noted the department had alerted engineering staff and was forwarding the agreement to legal counsel. The easement route shown in the packet runs along the park’s edge and does not cross the park’s central infrastructure, Jamie said. "It goes along the eastern or the northern edge, of the park there… So it doesn't affect any of our infrastructure that's there," Jamie said. Alder Rasmussen moved to approve the easement contingent on city attorney review; Alder Watson seconded the motion. The committee voted in favor by voice, and the chair noted the motion passed unanimously. Jamie said the lines are intended to serve a nearby development, and staff will route the formal easement instrument through the city attorney’s office for standard legal review before recording. The committee did not request additional study or alternative routing beyond the plan submitted by WPS.