Minutes

Town Board Meeting Town of Rock Elm Pierce County Wisconsin Tuesday February 25, 2025 Rock Elm Town Hall Tim Bates called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM Motion to approve the agenda was made by Matt Holcomb and seconded by Tim Bates, motion carried. The main objective of this meeting was to have the Town Board and the CAFO Operations Ordinance Committee go through the PROPOSED Operations Ordinance in detail. Public Input Non-resident—had witnessed 2 manure trucks go thru intersection of County CC and Hwy 72 without stopping Resident—their farm built a rock pad to take wheels off the road and would like to keep working well with the town Non-resident—stated that the Maiden Rock Township Committee were not anti ag. activists but concerned about public health Non-resident—wants some recourse if laws are broken/ baseline of action needed. Stated not against farming and wondered how building could be started without permits Non-resident—from a 5 generation dairy, understood the community had reason for concerns and in time could prove they are good neighbors, they have an open door policy for visits and tours Resident—stated that the Town of Rock Elm was not trying to stop farming and not against CAFOs but interested in protecting water and soil quality. DNR has been no help and Pierce County Board is not interested in governing CAFOs. The Town of Rock Elm has to protect itself. Board member—PROPOSED ordinance has been taken to Loberg Law and are reviewing Resident—Rock Elm does not currently have any CAFOs. The Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Rock Elm, dated 2011 was used as a reference on this Ordinance. Dr Cordua, retired from the UW River Falls, and well versed in the Rock Elm Disturbance has his opinion as part of the Ordinance Findings of Fact. The CVTC fire training has no CAFO training but is working on a program for such. Appendix B of the Ordinance shows how CAFOs affect property values at ¼ and ½ mile from them. The Safe Drinking Water Act does not apply to private wells thereby offering no protection on them. Resident—the Ordinance supports the Comp. Plan Resident—attention needs to be paid on local aquafers Resident—a dairy cow is 1.4 animal units so 700 cows equals 1000 animal units Resident—the verbage of “siting” in the ordinance refers to building site Resident—the fees in the Ordinance are not to make money for the Town but to hire a management firm or other professionals needed Board Member—these fees are different then road damage fees. Resident—Financial Assurance would be determined by an engineering firm. Who would be required to carry needs clarification After Public Input closed the Town Board and The CAFO Operations Ordinance Committee went through the ordinance for clarifications and explanations. The word siting was explained, application and fees were discussed, need for written contingency plans were outlined, as well as compliance testing. The need for Financial Surety in the event of an accident, disaster or contamination was reviewed. Penalties for non-compliance are part of the ordinance. There are Environmental Consultants in Eau Claire, La Crosse and Madison for assistance. Tim Bates, Chairman, noted the need to review the ordinance with the missing Board member at the next meeting and after discussing with Loberg Law. Matt Holcomb made a motion to table setting a public hearing date, Tim Bates seconded, motion carried. The next Monthly Board meeting will be March 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM. Matt Holcomb motioned to adjourn, Tim Bates seconded, motion carried and meeting adjourned at 9:25PM. PM Attendance; Tim Bates Matt Holcomb Monica Robey Adam Carson Diann Holcomb Mary Ann Wise Judy Krohn Gib Krohn Bernie Larson Jim Callow Teresa Davis Larry Brenner Mary Brand Brent Fetzer Joe Fetzer Steve Fetzer Ted Miner Natalia Lastiri Cheryl Mutchler Mike Davis Brad Gerrits-Breeze Ridge Roger Claflin Samantha Bowen Ty Fisher Ann Holstadt Kyle Claflin Several in attendance were from surrounding townships.