Judge Rules Against Wausau In Effort To Block New Village Of Maine

A Marathon County judge has ruled against the city of Wausau in its efforts to overturn a referendum that created a new village on its northern border.

The Village of Maine was created in 2015 as a solution to the problems caused when Wausau Paper, a paper mill, closed in 2012 in the Village of Brokaw, leaving it with millions of dollars of debt. Under the plan, the Town of Maine would become a village, and then absorb Brokaw and parts of the adjacent Town of Texas.

Wausau attorneys argued the incorporation was invalid because of open meeting violations by then-Town of Maine leaders. But Marathon County Judge Jill Falstad ruled Friday the city didn’t prove the violations occurred on the day the referendum was drafted.

Village of Maine President Betty Hoenisch said it’s time Wausau’s leaders accept the new village’s existence.

“In light of this decision,” Hoenisch said, “the Village hopes the city of Wausau will end this legal battle, which has cost the taxpayers of Wausau and Maine unnecessary money in legal fees. Maine’s incorporation is sound.”

Hoenisch said Maine, Brokaw and Texas will now move forward to create an economic development plan for the northern part of Marathon County.

Wausau leaders object to the new village because the city is now landlocked and unable to annex property to its north. Five property owners joined in the lawsuit.

Maine voters approved the incorporation late last year by a five to one margin.

Wausau Mayor Bob Mielke did not return calls for comment before deadline Monday.