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Marshfield council approves preliminary special-assessment resolution for 2025 asphalt paving program
Summary
The Marshfield Common Council on June 24 approved a preliminary resolution setting special assessments for 19 paving projects this summer, while council and staff said final property billing will be reviewed individually before next year’s billings.
The Marshfield Common Council on June 24 approved Resolution 2025-16, a preliminary measure authorizing the 2025 asphalt paving program and establishing the framework for special assessments to be charged to benefiting property owners for work on 19 streets.
The resolution, moved by Alderman Dallas and seconded by Alderman Tompkins, passed during the council’s regular meeting after a public hearing in which a resident raised concerns about receiving a preliminary bill for a duplex unit that will not receive paving work. City staff said the resolution is preliminary and that engineering will re-evaluate individual parcels before final bills are issued next year.
The resolution authorizes work that includes asphalt paving, asphalt driveway entrances, driveway culverts, sanitary and storm sewer laterals, water service laterals, curb boxes and underdrain. City staff explained the current vote establishes the projects and not final parcel-level billing. Tim Cassidy, city engineer, said the limits and preliminary notices are estimates meant to cover likely project extents and that final scope and billing will be determined after construction and additional parcel review.
Resident Janet Sipek of 1704 North Hume Avenue told the council she had received a preliminary bill although her duplex would not receive pavement work on her half. “Why would I be paying for work that's not gonna be done on my property?” she asked. Council members and staff replied that state open-meeting rules limit back-and-forth during public comment but encouraged Sipek to meet with engineering staff to identify and resolve parcel-specific concerns before the final assessment resolution is adopted.
Alderman Bridal asked whether approving the preliminary resolution would “lock” property owners into a charge; staff answered that the preliminary step is to allow projects to start and that there will be a later final resolution with individual billing and opportunities to correct errors. Cassidy added that on past projects mismeasurements or errors were corrected after property owners raised them with engineering, and that adjustments can still be made after the final resolution if mistakes are found.
Council members voted to approve the preliminary resolution; staff advised property owners to contact the engineering department for parcel-specific questions. The city also indicated it will hold a public information meeting about the projects and the street department’s plans before construction begins.
