A hearing is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Oconto County Courthouse on several lawsuits filed against the Oconto County Drainage Board concerning the operation of the Lena/Stiles Drainage District.
Lawsuits have been filed by Paul M. Murphy; the John J. Murphy Revocable Trust, by Rosalie A. Murphy, trustee; and the Jerome P. Murphy Revocable Trust, by Rosalie A. Murphy, trustee.
The focus of the lawsuits concerns the board’s denial of petitions to restore, repair and maintain the district drainage ditches.
According to a press release from the board, these petitions were denied for a number of reasons, including that the district specifications are invalid since they were not submitted to a proper public hearing.
The board also said in the press release that the repair and maintenance being sought by the Murphys is cost prohibitive.
The release also noted that a number of petitions have been filed with the board by district landowners to suspend operations and incur no further costs. The board held a public hearing on the suspension petitions on Oct. 5 and determined there were sufficient signatures to suspend district operations.
The board, however, could not suspend district operations without authorization from the Oconto County Circuit Court.
At the hearing Jan. 22, the court will hear oral arguments by the board and the Murphys. The court may also give guidance to the parties concerning whether the district can suspend operations.
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