Marathon County delays taking three contaminated parcels while it seeks DNR, village and funding clarity

Marathon County supervisors voted unanimously to pause acquiring three tax-delinquent parcels formerly used by the Weisenberger Tie and Lumber Company while the county and state agencies clarify contamination, tenant use and funding options.

The committee moved to remove the three parcels from the REM (tax-foreclosure) process so the county will not take title at the November hearing unless circumstances change. Chair Gibbs moved the action; Supervisor Lemmer seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

The parcels under discussion have a documented history of wood-treatment contamination. Chair Robinson said the site “used both pentachlorophenol … and they switched to a copper chromium arsenic process, both of which are residual on the soils at the property,” and cited a 2015 assessment by GEI that found recognized environmental conditions. Robinson also noted the taxes stopped being paid about the time the property owner died in 2012 and that third parties are currently using portions of the site, citing Red Line Trucking and MSHA Oil as users.

County staff recommended pausing acquisition to allow follow-up with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, to ask whether state assessment or Ready for Reuse funding might be available, and to check the Village of Marathon City’s interest in coordinating a cleanup. Administrator Leonard told supervisors that a DNR official noted the village had contacted the department in 2022 about loans and grants, and that if assessment or Ready for Reuse grant dollars were available, the county should align any acquisition and investigation timing with those funds. The Ready for Reuse program was described in the meeting as generally requiring a local match (noted in discussion as about 22 percent).

County staff and supervisors discussed practical and legal concerns tied to tenants on the site. Robinson warned that while the county “enjoys liability protection if we acquire [parcels] through tax delinquency,” that protection can change if the property is put back into active use by private users. The county also said two parcels must be pulled from the REM process because they are involved in ongoing probate and three parcels are involved in bankruptcy.

Staff estimated the current annual tax settlement across the three parcels is “just north of $2,400,” and said the county has been advancing property taxes for the underlying jurisdictions while the parcels remained delinquent. Supervisors directed staff to consult with DNR officials and the Village of Marathon City, confirm tenant arrangements, and return with recommendations rather than proceeding immediately to take title.

The committee set an adjourned hearing for Nov. 18 for the remaining REM parcels; staff said that date is the end of the 30-day legal answer period that follows the statutory redemption deadline. If owners do not redeem by that schedule, the county would seek judgment and could take title for other parcels at that hearing, staff said.

The action was limited to pausing the three named parcels; the committee kept the broader REM petition for other parcels on track for the Nov. 18 hearing.