Advertisement The Holland Town Board unanimously passed a resolution Aug. 13 to form a joint committee dedicated to exploring cooperative efforts between the towns. Officials hope combined efforts will save taxpayer dollars.
The initiative stemmed from a recent meeting between the chairmen of the two boards.
To become active, and for the committee to be formed, the resolution must be passed by both towns. Onalaska Town Board members will consider an identical resolution at their Aug. 25 meeting.
One board member from each town, one citizen from each town and one at-large member will comprise the committee.
"It's just something we're exploring," said Onalaska Town Chairman Stan Hauser. "Under the comprehensive planning, it's one of the things they're asking municipalities to do by sharing resources and possibly cutting some cuts."
Hauser said the towns of Onalaska and Holland already jointly own a fire station with the village of Holmen, so the concept of cooperation isn't a new one.
Possible mission objectives stated in the resolution included researching a large article drop-off facility and discussion of fire regulation.
Board member Kathy Dummer suggested removing specific objectives from the resolution, but it was passed as presented.
Holland Town Clerk Marilyn Pedretti, who drafted the resolution, said the objectives would give the public a clearer understanding of the committee's purpose.
"They come up with an idea and it goes back to both boards and both boards would have to agree on it before anything could come about," said Holland Town Chairman George Hammes of the proposed committee.
Hammes offered another scenario where cooperation might be beneficial: the possible joint purchase of a street sweeper or other large equipment that neither town could afford to purchase individually. As a measure of fairness, Hammes said a meter could be installed on such equipment and whichever town used it the most, would pay a greater portion of its cost.
"I don't know if anything's totally off the table," said Hauser.
Tree planting and weed control
A resolution that would have required trees to be planted in front of newly constructed homes failed to garner a motion to approve it at the Aug. 13 Holland Town Board meeting.
The resolution called for one tree to be planted for every 50 feet of street frontage within 12 months of a home's completion.
"I don't see the need to try to do this with the tree ordinance," Hammes said. The ordinance listed a number of trees that would not have been acceptable to comply with the ordinance.
Rather, Hammes said he favored a more-carrot-and-less-stick approach, such as providing trees free to homeowners and offering recommendations — rather than requirements — as to which particular trees should be planted.
After some additional discussion outside the resolution on how the town might encourage planting of trees, the resolution fizzled after board members failed to motion to approve it.
A similar ordinance that requires town residents to keep grass or weeds under 8 inches and to destroy or remove any noxious weeds on their property was given a 30-day reprieve. The board tabled any decision on the motion until next month, allowing some additional time to clear up lingering questions.
"I think it's a waste of our time," said board member Scott Lien.
Board member Dave Carlson, who seemed to favor some type of weed control, said the planning committee's ordinance didn't seem complete.
Floodplain areas, wetlands and other areas would be exempt. As stated in the drafted ordinance, penalties for non-compliance ranged from $5 to $500 per offense.
Other business
In other action, the board:
Advertisement 
