Neillsville City Council Hears Concerns Regarding Proposed Mine in the Town of Pine Valley

Thursday, July 10th, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

The Neillsville City Council approved an MSA Professional Services Agreement for a Wastewater Treatment Plan Facility Plan/Operation and Needs Study.

The cost of the study will be $45,000. This was the only action item on the agenda. Several people came to the meeting to voice their opinion on a quarry being expanded for mining of sand and gravel.

Joe Martinez stated that the Council should know the Goetz Quarry is being expanded to 140 acres for mining of sand and gravel. This pit is south of town on Maple Road leased to Haas Brothers.

He has created a Facebook page to let people know. He has never met Brad Goetz or the Haas Brothers. This process has been going on for three years and the Pine Valley Town Board only let people know last month.

Martinez addressed health impacts. It is not a scare tactic, his own health is a testament to that. He was an engineer in the business for over 50 years. Residents will do everything they can to stop this and the City of Neillsville should be concerned as Neillsville is in the heart of Pine Valley. The Town of Pine Valley will be holding a town hall meeting on July 21, 2025.

Jason Haas, Haas Sons, Inc., stated he and his brother have been in the business for over 25 years and he is sorry about Martinez’s health issues. Their company is not just opening a mine, they are expanding what’s there.

They are applying for 140 acres instead of having to repeat the process as it has taken three years to get started. The Town of Pine Valley Chair didn’t know how to do a Conditional Use Permit. The Town has struggled with this.

There are three different competitors in this area. The crusher would only be there for 2 or 3 weeks and dust is controlled by watering. Jacob Haas stated the mining business is a heavily regulated industry. They have been crushing for five years and the impact on the environment is minimal.

In business since 1984, they have never gotten a citation, have complied with all government regulations, and they have pride in their business and being part of the Clark County community. This is being blown way out of proportion.

Fred Schindler, Clark County Supervisor from Curtiss and Marawood Construction Service also spoke. Schindler has a sand pit on County Highway H. This subject is blown out of proportion.

They have a ten-acre body of water and 80 to 100 dump trucks a day there. They produce sand. MSHAW came in and tested all their individuals from 7 A.M. to 4 P.M. one day and there were no issues, concerns, or violations. He was there to support Haas.

Al Kvitek stated he has a home on the Cunningham and is concerned about the wildlife, water clarity, traffic with 80 to 100 trucks on State Highway 73, and home property values.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated the City has nothing to do with this, it is in the Town of Pine Valley.

Timothy Vue stated that you may not have anything to do in Pine Valley, but the mine is in your backyard. There are concerns: health, water pollution, land destroyed. What about 50 to 100 years from now?

As a leader of the City you should be concerned. Do an independent study. If someone has cancer, will they pay? Pine Valley has done nothing. We live there. They don’t live by the pit; they don’t care.

Jennifer Bender stated Marawood is awesome, they showed what THEY ( NOT Haas) do. The Haas pit by Loyal looks ugly. The Wisconsin DNR did an audit and found that close to 60% of reclamation projects for pits no longer useed are out of compliance (for restoration); you will leave a hole there.

Contacted a environmental attorney and The City has jurisdiction within three miles around city limits. Going to Marshfield, sand all over the road from the (Marwood) pit, in the air like fog on windy days. Statistics and studies dont prove the claim that sand and dust are contained to the pits.

Brenda Kvitek stated a new road .2 miles from their driveway, accidents happen, trucks don’t slow down, a bridge on the curve, it’s a joke, who wants to look at a sand pile.

Joseph Pagenkopf stated road weight limits impact moving farm machinery, if you are going South on State Highway 73 and turn onto Maple Road will there be alternative routes for heavy trucks and machinery.

Joe Neville reminded everyone this weekend is Neillsville’s Heritage Days with events Thursday through Sunday. He thanked the City crew and Police Department for helping with events. He is against the sand mine.

Edward DuBois, Clark County Press Editor, stated that there is an error on page 11 of this weeks’ Clark County Press. It stated that prizes from the mini-rod would be announced at the parade on July 12, 2025, the parade is on July 13, 2025. There is conflicting information in the story. A correction will be run.

City Clerk Rex Roehl presented the Second Quarter 2025 City Financial Statements and an information sheet on the City of Neillsville Murals Project - “Artwork for All to See and Enjoy”.

Chief of Police Mankowski:

• Introduced Retired U.S. Marshall Dallas Neville and reported on training,
• Patrol Officer Mertzig has resigned to take a full-time position with Marathon County,
• More help is needed, our part-time pay is way below others,
• The copy machine lease has been renewed and updated,
• Squad car maintenance,
• June parking enforcements, citations, warnings, office activities, officer activities, business patrols and contract policing.

Council Member Clarrissa Rochester asked about employees of businesses parking on the streets and issuing citations. Chief of Police Mankowski stated they do what they can being short staffed.

The Council also heard the various committee reports from the past couple weeks. Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the June 24, 2025 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding:

• Reviewing and updating the list of grants in progress,
• Discussion on TAP Grant-Safe Routes to School Grant with Hailee Bushman, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission on the grant process and possible recommendations,
• And discussion on items to possibly request funding for the Police Department.

Council Member Rochester reported on the July 7, 2025 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Final details on setup and in event of rain.

Council Member Dan Clough reported on the July 8, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Current activities,
• Discussion on and recommendation to approve the MSA Professional Services Agreement for a Wastewater Treatment Plan Facility Plan/Operation and Needs Study at a cost of $45,000,
• And reviewed the Second Quarter 2025 Water and Sewer Financial Statements.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.