Minutes

Sanitary District No. 2 Meeting Minutes – APPROVED Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026 Time: 4:30 p.m. Location: 2800 Ward Ave, La Crosse, WI 54601 Present: Sanitary District Commissioners Tim Ehler, Geno Francis and John Sterling; Clerk Fortune Berg, Administrator Christina Peterson, Public Works Foreman Terry Wright and Water Operator Dan Odeen Absent/Excused: None. Attendance List: Bridget Cardinali and Rachel King (La Crosse County Health Dept.), Chris Hurias (N2175 Valley Road), Joan Waniger (N2089 Valley Road), Linda Speitz (N2025 Orchard Valley Road), Tom Schlesinger (N2176 Valley Road), Randy Starkey (N2341 Briarwood Ave), Mary Hovel (N2009 Joy Lane), Dillon Mader (N1074 Bloomer Mill Road – County Board Rep for District 30), and David Russell (W5783 Hypoint Drive). 1. Regular meeting called to order by Ehler at 4:32 p.m. 2. Minutes from 07/30/2026. Motion by Francis to approve minutes from 07/30/2026, second by Sterling. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Bills Payable & Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Sterling to approve closed invoices in the amount of $2,314.45, second by Francis. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Sterling to approve closed invoices in the amount of $8,238.86, second by Francis. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Public Comment. a. Wright reported N1527 Hagen Road asked about an issue in their lateral . It is plugged connecting to the Town main. Wright noted that there will be a plumber coming to fix that. b. Pammel Creek Mobile Home Court called and stated that sinkholes were forming along the sewer line, the line was looked at, it wasn’t a sewer line issue, it is likely animals or drainage causing issues. Ehler asked if it could damage our sewer line eventual ly, Odeen noted that there is an engineer looking at possibly relocating or upgrading the infrastructure which could help alleviate any drainage issues. 5. Old Business – None. 6. Fluoride Additive in Drinking Water. Ehler noted history of fluoride discussions. Dan Odeen presented information on fluoride discontinuation trends across the state of Wisconsin, water consumption, fluoride and equipment supply issues. Sterling noted some of the comments received from residents who could not be in attendance. Public Comment: a. Chris Hurias (N2175 Valley Road) asked for clarification on whether there is naturally occurring fluoride. Asked for the annual cost of fluoride monitoring and maintenance. Noted the benefits of dental health in relation to cardiac health and fluoride contributes to that health. b. Joan Waniger (N2089 Valley Road) asked about the reason for the discontinuation, is it due to cost or grass roots efforts. Stated the benefits that she has researched for fluoride addition. Asked where the trends are nationwide or in Wisconsin, Odeen answered. c. Linda Speitz (N2025 Orchard Valley Road) asked about needing new pumps for just fluoride or overall. Asked about monitoring costs and monitoring frequency for fluoride versus chlorine. Stated CDC is recommending .7 but we can only get .4, wants to have us notify residents when the levels are not kept at the level that it needs to be at. Asked if .4 -.7 is an acceptable level, Ehler confirmed. d. Tom Schlesinger (N2176 Valley Road) stated that fluoridation is one of the greatest additions to improving health in recent history. Added that residents can install a filtration pump that will take the fluoride out. Curious about why there is a fluoride shortage, Odeen notified that there were 2-3 plants processing and distributing, but now there is only 1. Odeen does not know where the plants are located geographically, but that is the cause being cited by our supplier. e. Randy Starkey (N2341 Briarwood Ave) doesn’t see a reason to add fluoride because the savings on dental work can be mitigated by brushing teeth, flossing and lifestyle choices. Stated that fluoride could lower IQ points. f. Mary Hovel (N2009 Joy Lane) asked what responses we’ve received related to this. Stated that she has never seen a study that shows negative impact due directly to fluoride. Stated the benefits of fluoride addition in her dental practice per different organizations and studies. Reiterated the fluoride benefits, systemic versus topical. Noted benefits for mothers with developing babies and the teeth that are formed. Noted insurance concerns for fluoride supplementation. g. Dillon Mader (N1074 Bloomer Mill Road) is here with County Health Department. Noted some studies that show positive effects of fluoride addition. Also noted the impact on low- income individuals when fluoride is not added. Noted the discussion on fluoride in West Salem in 2025. h. David Russell (W5783 Hypoint Drive) asked about the levels that are put in to reach the optimum levels. Stated that in most states anyone can introduce legislation, even related to fluoride, in response to the comment that many states have introduced legislation. i. Peterson noted the consumer confidence report (CCR) is sent out annually to detail all the levels in the town water supply. Odeen noted the testing done and what is submitted to the DNR and what thresholds are required to be met to comply. j. Kristi Wolf (W5720 Thistledown Drive) asked if this will be decided by the commission or by a public vote. Ehler answered it will be decided by the Sanitary District Board. k. John Patterson (W5749 Heatherwood Place) stated individuals with braces are strongly encouraged to have fluoride. Stated the results he saw in his practice as an orthodontist were more positive when fluoride was used. Stated the difference in drinks consumed by children these days because of the increase in bottled water, energy drink and cola consumption versus tap water consumption. Noted the benefit to developing teeth is especially important. State fluoride is incorporated in bones as well as teeth, fluoride makes the bones denser and stronger but more brittle. Noted other countries of where fluoride is banned. 7. Change or Current Municipal Charge to Direct Charge for Public Fire Protection Fee (Hydrants/Water Supply). Peterson noted the discussions at the Town Board related to the public fire protection fees. The proposal is to move the charge to the tax bill as a special charge instead of being included as part of the general levy. Noted the hydrant costs would be billed as a direct bill to property owners and would no longer be collected on the tax bill under the general tax levy. Noted resolution approved and signed by the Town Board. Motion by Sterling in support of a direct charge for public fire protection, second by Francis. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Administrator Report. a. Berg reported staff will be getting a letter drafted to the residents in Arbor Hills to address ongoing concerns with discolored water and steps the town is taking to resolve these issues. 9. Public Works. a. Odeen reported ORA work ongoing, hydrant was moved and replaced. The entry is being expanded for buses. Odeen helped guide the process to avoid costly additions to the project. b. Odeen noted upcoming testing tri-annual lead and copper test, must test 20 houses every 3 years and submit the samples to the state. c. Peterson, Kvamme, Wimberly and Odeen will go to rural water training soon in Plover, WI. d. Waupun by Municipal well free training on September 10 e. Skyline Reservoir cleaning is likely to occur in October. f. Wright noted Arbor Hills sewer line televising will happen as soon as contractor is available. g. New impellers on the pumps were installed on the Arbor Hills lift station amperage came down. 10. Commissioner Reports. None. 11. Adjournment. Motion by Sterling to adjourn at 5:56 p.m., second by Francis. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Fortune Berg, Clerk