Marshfield Board of Public Works Approves Key Contracts and Parking Changes

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!

MARSHFIELD – September 16, 2025 – The Marshfield Board of Public Works moved forward on several infrastructure and service agreements during its Tuesday evening meeting, addressing upgrades at the city’s wastewater treatment facility, approving design contracts for major street projects, and clarifying parking rules near the city’s ice arena.


Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
Facilities Manager Mark Kivela presented multiple proposals aimed at modernizing and maintaining critical systems at the wastewater treatment facility.

• Control System Replacement – The Board approved a $20,457 contract with Complete Control Inc. of Wisconsin Rapids to replace the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system at the wastewater administration building. The current system, more than 25 years old, has suffered failures, including a frozen water line and flooding last winter. The new system will integrate with the city’s existing “Desigo” software, already used at City Hall, the library, and other municipal buildings. Sharing costs across more departments is expected to save each department about $175 annually.
  
  
  
• Service Agreement – The Board also approved a one-year HVAC service contract with Complete Control at a cost of $6,749, choosing it over a higher $9,348 bid from Bassett Mechanical of Wausau. While Bassett offered an online customer portal, staff determined the additional cost was not justified.
  
  
  
• Pump Maintenance – A three-year preventative maintenance agreement was approved with Xylem Water Solutions, covering 11 pumps and eight mixers ranging from 5 to 150 horsepower. The $6,107 annual contract provides substantial discounts on replacement parts, with Wenzel noting that larger pumps can cost up to $100,000 each.
  
  
  

Vine Avenue Reconstruction Projects
Public Works Director Josh Mauritz sought approval for design contracts related to upcoming Vine Avenue reconstruction. Using federal funding from the STP-Urban program, two segments—4th to 14th Street, and 2nd to 4th Street—are scheduled for construction in 2027 and 2028.


Because grant funding does not cover utility work, the city hired MSA Professional Services to handle the sewer and water design engineering. Costs will be billed separately to Marshfield Utilities and the wastewater utility to ensure proper allocation. The Board unanimously approved the agreements.


Police Station Site Work
Progress also continues on the renovation of the former Wildwood Plaza for Marshfield’s new police station. The Board approved a $7,750 geotechnical engineering services contract with PSH, which will conduct soil borings at the site to ensure future building additions and stormwater facilities are structurally feasible.


Parking Regulations Near Ice Arena
Josh Mauritz introduced updates to parking restrictions on 17th Street near the Marshfield Area Ice Arena. When the street was reconstructed in 2022, some restrictions were incorrectly codified.


The Board approved new regulations that:

• Prohibit parking on the south side of 17th Street between Maple and Peach avenues.
• Prohibit parking on the north side from Maple to Cedar, and from Vine to Peach.
• Allow parking on the north side between Cedar and Vine, directly adjacent to the ice arena.

The adjustment ensures better access for arena users while preserving visibility for nearby residents’ driveways and mailboxes.
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Looking Ahead
The Board briefly discussed potential future cost savings through multi-year service agreements and identified agenda items for upcoming meetings before adjourning.

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