Thorp council accepts preliminary $3.94 million water and sewer assessment plan after public hearing

The Thorp City Council on Feb. 9 accepted a preliminary special assessment report for the 2026 Street & Utility Reconstruction Project that estimates construction costs at $3,937,600 and would affect about 54 properties.

David Walter of Short Elliott Hendrickson reviewed the assessment report, telling the council that water main and sanitary sewer costs in the project would be divided equally by number of services and that the final assessments will be calculated from actual construction costs after the work is complete. Walter said the city may make some properties exempt from special assessments, but doing so would shift costs to remaining property owners.

At a public hearing residents raised concerns about payment terms, service interruptions and timing. Don Danielewicz asked how long property owners would have to pay; Mayor Richard Wnek said property owners would have up to 10 years to repay special assessments. Walter said service interruptions during work could be as short as one day. Dean Zank asked about the project start; Walter said the city is awaiting grant outcomes and hoped construction could start by the end of April.

The council was briefed on funding prospects: the city’s DNR Safe Drinking Water Fund loan application was preliminarily listed for roughly 40% principal forgiveness (about $457,482), and Thorp received 50% principal forgiveness (about $366,575) for the DNR Lead Service Line Loan. The city is eligible for a Clean Water Fund loan of $847,343 at an estimated interest rate of 1.551% with no principal forgiveness. The council noted that all lead service lines in the project will be required to be replaced into the home and that the DNR program covers 50% of those costs.

Some residents asked about privately owned vacant lots included in the services list. Marvin Mengel, representing St. Hedwig’s–St. Bernard’s Parish, said the La Crosse Diocese owns two vacant lots at 411 E. School Street and indicated the diocese would not sell them; the minutes show the diocese would be responsible for 15 lots listed for service installation.

By a 4–0 vote (Alderpersons Rosemeyer and Lawcewicz moving and seconding), the council accepted the preliminary special assessment report, advancing the project toward final design and construction pending grant awards and final cost calculations.

Next steps: staff will proceed with final project design and bidding; final special assessments will be set after bids and construction costs are known.