Maple Plain OKs assessment for reconstruction project

The Maple Plain City Council approved a special assessment as part of the 2026 Downtown Reconstruction Project at its Oct. 26 meeting. It was another difficult vote for the councilmembers in attendance, but all four were in favor of the assessment, which will help pay for improvements to infrastructure originally built between 1930 and 1960. “This is my 12th year as an elected and my seventh assessment hearing, and I’d say they’re always the hardest for me,” said Maple Plain Mayor Julie Maas-Kusske. “Knowing that every single person sitting in this room will be assessed at one point or another; it is not easy, it is hard, and I know everyone works hard for every dollar they have.” The city can assess specials at a rate of between 20 and 50 percent but has traditionally tried to split the difference at around 35 percent. “In particular with this project, the city covered everything we possibly could,” the mayor said. Most of the pavement throughout the project area has deteriorated to the point that traditional maintenance is no longer effective. Additionally, water main pipes are fragile and subject to breaks, according to a staff report. Also, the sewer pipes are susceptible