Athens to stop treating ash trees

By Casey Krautkramer

The Athens Village Board on Monday voted unanimously to discontinue Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatment of four ash trees in the village square because it’s become too costly. The village is now going to take its chances that EAB doesn’t kill the ash trees in the future.

Village clerk Lisa Czech said treatment of EAB is recommended every two years. She said the village spent $990 in 2000 and $990 in 2022 for treating the four ash trees in the village square. Czech said the price for treating the four ash trees has now increased to $1,100.

EAB is a green beetle native to northeastern Asia that feeds on ash trees. Females lay eggs in bark crevices on ash trees, and larvae feed underneath the bark of ash trees to emerge as adults in one to two years. It is an invasive species that kills ash trees in Europe and North America.

Other business

■ Andy Thurs became an Athens Village Board trustee when he earned the most write-in votes in the April 2 election.

■ The board approved a motion to transfer garbage and recycling charges from residents’ monthly water bills to a special charge on property tax bills, beginning in 2025.

■ Board members awarded a five-year garbage and recycling contract to Harter’s Fox Valley Disposal starting on Jan. 1, 2025. The village’s current garbage and recycling contract with Waste Management expires at the end of this year.

A representative from Harter’s Fox Valley Disposal attended Monday’s village board meeting and said residents will all receive the same standard 96-gallon garbage and 95-gallon recycling bins. He said village residents can contact Harter’s directly to obtain additional garbage bins.

Fox Valley Disposal will give the village a cardboard baler for businesses to use, but the village is responsible for buying the baler twine and providing the manpower to operate it.

■ The board approved a change to the ATV/UTV route to include STH 97 from Plisch to Kreutzer streets after Marathon County installs the proper signage.

■ Board members authorized Todd Thurs to cut down aged overgrown trees near the Erbach Park shelter in exchange for keeping the wood he harvests. He is expected to remove the trees in late fall.

■ The name “village ball diamond” was changed to “community diamonds.”

■ Board members accepted a bid from High Painting to paint the exterior of the bathrooms at Memorial Park and the village ball diamond for $2,350.

■ The board approved a $42,900 contract with Hoffman Appraisal to conduct a reassessment of homes and property in the village.

■ Board members awarded the lowest bid for this summer’s Elm and Schlegel streets project to Switlick & Sons of Athens for $161,051. Work should start in July. The other bids received were Steen Construction in Dorchester at $181,203, Haas Sons in Thorp at $225,422 and PGA in Wausau at $238,402.

■ The board approved a $13,500 task order for MSA Professionals to process the 2024 Clean Water Fund application so the village can obtain a loan for its future wastewater treatment plant upgrades project.

Mike Voss from MSA Professionals said the company will have the plan specifications ready before the state’s Sept. 30 deadline. The treatment plant upgrades are needed to reduce the amount of phosphorous discharged and remove sludge.

■ Board members approved a beer garden license for Landmark Bar from July 1 of this year until June 30, 2025.

■ The board allowed each village police officer to obtain Critical Illness Representation for $282 per year. Police chief Aaron Stencil said this insurance is needed in case a police officer would cause bodily harm to a person.

■ Board members approved a 2024-25 resolution declaring an intent to exercise special assessment power for curb and gutter and driveway approaches.

Andy Thurs