Resident raises concerns about special assessments, lead-service grant communication and storm-related tree removal

Remington Taft, a first-time speaker at the May 27 Oshkosh Common Council meeting, told councilors he had been advised in February by a city staffer (identified in the meeting as Maria) to delay private lead-service replacement work because grant funding would cover the work; Taft said he later received an assessment notice and asked whether the promised grant had fallen through.

Taft also said crews removed multiple street trees on his block and that a neighboring tree — left standing while others were removed — fell onto his house two weeks earlier; he estimated $17,000 in damage and said his insurance would not cover the loss. Taft said he has received limited answers after trying to contact city offices.

Public works staff answered Taft’s questions during the meeting. James (staff) explained that the city’s…