MARATHON -- The city's code enforcement chief now has the OK to file code complaints.

Previously, such action was initiated only by the town's leaders, even though no written law spelled out how complaints could be filed.

City Council policy, however, said no complaint could be filed anonymously, which meant concerned citizens had to sign their name on a complaint or call a councilmember or the city manager to file one.

Mayor Pete Worthington in May said he wanted to change that process, and last week the council voted 3-2, with councilmen Dick Ramsay and Mike Cinque dissenting, to authorize Code Compliance Director Cynthia McPherson to file complaints.

Initially, Worthington said he wanted any city staff member who sees a violation to be able to file a complaint. Some of his colleagues, however, noted that aggressive county code enforcement was part of the impetus for incorporation.

The majority agreed that enforcement pursued by McPherson was sufficient.

Unit process discussed

City officials last week began laying the groundwork for disbursing 100 transient units given to Marathon by the state for progress on its sewer system.

The units will allow developers to build hotel rooms.

The City Council ended a ban on new transient units by amending its land-use plan to instead allow for their management. The town must next amend its land development regulations.

Some proposals on the table for awarding the new units include a requirement that applicants already have four units for every one sought, a ratio that would provide an advantage to owners of larger properties.

The city is also considering requiring that applicants' properties already be developed in order to quell any attempts to clear protected habitats.

Application fees and other requirements are also under consideration.