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Holland Town Board membes listened and asked questions but made no commitment at their May 7 meeting as a local couple informed the board of plans to locate a small poultry processing operation in a rural area of the town.

Robert and Andrea Stupi, N7577 Hwy. XX, are considering buying a processing business now located in Winona County, Minn., and relocating it to the town of Holland. They were at the meeting to request board input on establishing the plant.

The operation, said Robert Stupi, has a capacity of processing 3,000 birds a day and now operates about 60 days a year.

Typically, he said, from 100 to 120 birds a day are handled at the plant which is inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Stupi said he would like to buy approximately one acre of land on which to operate the facility. The operation would be located in a pole shed approximately 30 by 100 feet.

Feathers can be plowed into fields and the offal will be hauled away by a rendering company, he told the board.

He said he is checking with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources about requirements for such a facility.

“We would like to locate here,” he said.

Town Board Chairman George Hammes advised Stupi to check with the DNR about water usage regulations and to keep the location of the proposed plant “as rural as possible.” Also, he suggested, “check with the neighbors” before proceeding.

If the Stupis go through with their idea, the facility will likely be located on land zoned agricultural or industrial.

“I’m open to listening,” Hammes said of the proposal.

Subdivision ordinance

In another matter, the board unanimously approved a town subdivision ordinance to regulate and control the division of land within the town “in order to promote the public health, safety, prosperity, aesthetics and general welfare of the community,” according to the written introduction to the ordinance, which covers more than 40 pages of solid type.

The regulations were hammered out over several months by a town committee.

The intent of the ordinance is to regulate the division of land so as to lessen traffic congestion, prevent overcrowding and further the orderly layout and appropriate use of land.

The stated goal of the ordinance is to promote and encourage environmentally responsible development in the town to assist in preserving the rural character, natural resource areas, farmland and other large acres of open land, while still permitting residential development.

The new rules will not repeal or interfere with existing easements or agreements. Plats that already have received preliminary approval but have not completed the installation of infrastructure within two years shall be subject to the ordinance.

The ordinance clarifies several items, including subdivision grading plans, maximum land disturbance, soil and water conservation, storm water management and utilities.

The board also decided to further review its outdoor burning regulations and forward any recommendations to fire district officials, “so we are all on the same page,” said Hammes. “The intent is good, but the ordinance needs some redrafting.”

The local fire board has two members each from the village of Holmen and the towns of Holland and Onalaska.

Other business

In other matters, the board:

Approved a request from Ray Hale Jr., W8061 Old Hwy. NA, to extend Ash Street and provide an easement for a building site. Hale wants to build a one-family residence and have the street improved and brought up to town specifications. The motion was approved on the stipulation that blacktop be put in place by July 1. At that point the town will start maintaining the street.

Sent back to committee for re-drafting an ordinance prohibiting the discharge of soft air guns (paintball guns, for example) in built-up areas of the town.

Agreed to keep the town’s old 1995 plow truck for use as a backup for the new truck and for use in pulling the town’s brush chipper. It was noted that the vehicle has an estimated value of $10,500. Any maintenance or repair bills of $1,000 or more for the old vehicle must be approved in advance by the town board.

Approved new siding for shelter house No. 2 in the village park, at an estimated cost of $2,470 for material.

Agreed to seek quotes from three companies to determine the cost of placing “Town of Holland” signage on some town-owned vehicles and a building.

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