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The town of Onalaska’s burning ordinance might soon be coming under fire.The Holmen Area Fire Department — which provides service to much of the town — recently presented the Onalaska Town Board with a sample burn ordinance that it wants municipalities in its jurisdiction to review and possibly place on the books.

At its meeting Monday night, Onalaska Town Board members noted that some aspects of the sample ordinance contradict existing burning regulations and scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 22 to discuss the issue.

The Holmen ordinance was in some ways prompted by a town of Onalaska resident who complained at the town’s annual meeting in April that his neighbors were burning trash. When the town contacted Fire Chief Doug Schober, he said his department might not have the authority to enforce the town’s laws and sought a uniform code for every area the department serves.

“This would give them more authority and also define more of the rules and regulations that pertain to that,” explained Town Chairman Stan Hauser.

Board member Warren Booth took issue with several aspects of the sample ordinance, including a provision that bans the burning of brush. Also, while Onalaska currently allows outdoor fire rings up to 5 feet in diameter, the new law would limit them to 3 feet.

“Well, I have a 5-foot fire ring, and I’m not willing to give it up. I don’t have bonfires, but I like my little recreational campfire,” Booth said.

The board originally wanted to schedule a public hearing before its Aug. 25 meeting, but state law mandates a notice be posted at least 30 days before the hearing.

“I’ve got a feeling a lot of people are going to go nuts over it,” Booth said.

Town administrator

Also Monday, the board adopted an official resolution in memory of Tim Dienger, the 31-year-old town administrator who died July 13, noting among other attributes that he “discharged his duty with honesty, kindness and a civic heart.”

The board then scheduled a “closed door” hearing July 30 to discuss replacing Dienger.

“We may want to discuss other town employees at the same time,” Hauser said Monday.

The official meeting notice says the board would discuss the town administrator and town assessor.

Plan commission

Former board member Frank Fogel was appointed to the Plan Commission, filling a seat that had been held by Steve Hammes, a former town chairman who died June 1.

In recommending Fogel for the seat, Hauser noted that Fogel had previously served on the Plan Commission and lives on Brice Prairie, where Hammes lived, “so we would continue with that representation.”

The vote to approve Fogel was unanimous.