Chairman Ken Anderson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Don Clements, Keith Larson, Karene Uhe, Doreen O’Donnell, Ron Uhe, Steve Highman, Tim St. Clair, and Jim Holmberg were present. John and Rosie McCullick joined the meeting shortly after it began. At 7:05 Don Townsend entered. Hugh Harper came in at 7:28.

Proof of proper notice was shown.

The minutes of March 15 were read. Clarification was made regarding the Fortney mobile home. Fortney does not own the mobile home on the property. Jim Holmberg stated that his concern is with the consistency clause that the board has to comply with.

Discussion re: the railing for E. River Road. The board will look at the railings that both the county and that Hoyum have before making a decision.

Steve Highman and Tim St. Clair brought a situation before the board which they had encountered several weeks ago. Manure was being spread on a frozen hillside which then  ran in two separate streams into Elk Creek, which feeds into the Kickapoo River. They estimated that it was running at approximately 100 gallons per minute per stream.  Paul Krahn from the Vernon County Land and Water Conservation office was already on the scene, as another resident had called to alert the office. Hahn did not want to take a sample at that time, but had the offending farmer disk the manure into his field. Later Krahn, who is not certified to do so, took a sample (in a rusty tin can). Highman and St. Clair had also taken a sterile sample, but found out later through talking with the DNR, that the sample taker had to be certified for the sample to be valid. The next farmer downstream had also called the DNR to complain, as he did not want to be held responsible for the offence.

Highman and St. Clair said that the farmer was clearly on offence, as the slope was too great. At this time Vernon County has no game warden- the person who would be responsible for monitoring such offences. The closest wardens are in Richland and LaCrosse Counties. Cooperation from the DNR was outstanding. Highman and St. Clair gave the board a  list of numbers to call if a concerned citizen comes in contact with a situation like this: Russ Wilson, La Crosse game warden- (608) 785-9984; After-hours DNR Hot Line- 1-800-943-0003. These and other numbers will be made available on the Kickapoo Township website, tn.kickapoo.wi.gov.

Dane County is currently the only county in Wisconsin which is pursuing an ordinance to prohibit spreading of liquid manure on frozen ground. The State of Wisconsin is seeking legislation in this regard. Highman and St. Clair requested that the board draft a letter to our state representatives to request they pass a law prohibiting the spreading of manure on frozen ground. Citizens are also encouraged to write their legislators. Their addresses will also be made available on the township website.