HOLMEN, Wis. — Holmen residents might vote on whether to fluoridate the village water supply — but not until November 2008.

Village officials want to find out how residents feel about fluoridation, and the consensus is the 2008 presidential election would be a good time.
Typically, voter turnout is about 66 percent in a presidential election but only about 20 percent in an April, off-year election, said village Administrator/Clerk Catherine Schmit.

Holding the referendum in a presidential year, she said, would better gauge sentiment on the fluoridation issue. “It’s the perfect time to get the greatest feedback,” she said.

At a village Finance and Personnel Committee meeting Tuesday, board member Rich Anderson said he thinks the issue is being rushed.

“I still don’t know what the majority of village residents think,” he said.

Schmit said delaying the issue for a year and a half also would give the village time to prepare for possible costs as well as get grants to help pay for fluoridation if voters choose that option.

The full village board Thursday supported waiting to the November 2008 election but did not decide which type of referendum — mandatory or advisory — should be done. They were advised that can be determined later.

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