We’re worried about the community as a whole and right now it doesn’t seem like it’s going in the right direction. That’s why we’re here.”

Jason Fitzl

Emotions ran high at the Edson Town Board meeting on December 30th as residents voiced concerns over a proposed chicken barn in contract with an unnamed company on Wayne Zimmermann’s property along County Road MM. The 50 x 500 foot barn, which would house up to 20,000 chickens, raised questions about air and water quality, disease risks, and potential impacts on property values.
Chairman Dan Pilgrim addressed concerns about the project, assuring attendees that Zimmermann met all required setbacks and ordinances. Regarding the risk of disease, Pilgrim explained that while the chickens are contained within the barn, the risk of transmission is minimal. He added, “As far as spreading a disease, I mean, the chickens are contained to the barn. Not that there’s zero risk but it’d be very minimal.” He mentioned that the diseased birds would have to come in direct contact with someone who would bring it to another bird to spread. “The virus won’t live very long once it’s shed from the body,” said Pilgrim.
Edson residents Jason Fitzl and Tina Liszewski voiced concerns about the proximity of the barn to their homes, with Fitzl stressing the impact on air quality and water safety.
“To me it’s very concerning,” Fitzl stated. “Especially when it’s less than a few hundred feet out my back door.” He felt misled after being told that the building being constructed would be a farmers’ market, only to later discover it was “built 40 feet in the air” with an industrial fan positioned near his home.
“Is Edson turning into industrial or is it a family orientated community where I live in? Because that’s why I moved there and now it’s beginning to be too much,” asked Fitzl. “It’s noise constantly, it’s traffic constantly. Is Zimmerman saying its 20 or is it going to be 50,000 (chickens) because I can’t trust him now because he doesn’t tell me the truth. Now I have to deal with air quality. The price of my home going down. Who wants to live next to a chicken farm?”
He added that constant noise, traffic, and the potential smell from the barn were significant issues. “What’s next? A gas station? What’s next? A manufacturing park?”
He continued, “I moved here with my family because it was a family community and now it’s not. Now I have to deal with chicken (waste), air quality, I want to test my water every other month. It’s scary.”
Liszewski shared Fitzl’s concerns expressing worry about the spread of bird flu, especially since many in the area have backyard birds. “When were we going to find out that it was going to be in our backyard?” she asked, noting that they only learned about it two weeks ago. “Where is the manure going to be spread? A football field from my house? I don’t think so. Not happening.”
She questioned, “If that barn gets the bird flu, what’s going to happen to our pets? Our livestock? If you listen to the news you hear about the bird flu on a regular basis these days and then you’re going to add more to this?”
“The bird flu does not stem from poultry farms,” Supervisor Jim Junker informed.
“Well, the poultry farm can get it and having 20 or 30,000 birds a mile from our house is ridiculous and like he (Fitzl) said we moved here for a reason not for industrial. Not to have all this stuff around our house,” said Liszewski.
“They can certainly get it, you’re correct,” Junker agreed that Liszewski had valid points. He added that he sympathizes, but Wisconsin as a whole has very strong right to farm laws and Edson is a rural, agricultural township.
Fitzl said that over 1,000 birds were just eradicated up north because of the bird flu.
Liszewski remarked that it is more likely to happen with the chicken farm in close proximity. Junker countered, “You have more of a chance of a goose flying over and (defecating).”
“Guess what! That did happen and almost hit my house,” Liszewski stated. “That’s funny that you bring that up.”
“I’m just saying, that’s where bird flu comes from, not poultry farms,” Junker continued.
Another Edson resident spoke up, “I know the Zimmermans personally. I have never met a more honest, straightforward people in my life. And if somebody’s a little bit worried about a chicken, well then stay out of the grocery stores because that’s where the worst of it is.”
Fitzl said “We’re worried about the community as a whole and right now it doesn’t seem like it’s going in the right direction. That’s why we’re here.”
“We appreciate you coming and expressing your concerns,” Pilgrim said and offered to have a veterinarian or industry professional to speak on the issue at the February board meeting.
Fitzl thanked him and said he appreciates the board’s time. “I just want to be here to get information. I don’t want to fight,” he said. But he added that he didn’t understand why the board didn’t give the community notice before approving the chicken farm because it was “a big deal.”
“It’s a big deal when it’s right next to you, for sure,” Junker agreed, adding that the poultry industry is highly regulated and subject to extensive testing.
Liszewski asked how often the manure from the chickens would be spread.
When Pilgrim offered to gather more information, Fitzl inquired whether they could also find out if the barn would be equipped with filters.
Pilgrim stated that if the birds are contained in the barn, even if they get a disease it’s “very unlikely” that it would be spread to the neighbors’ birds unless someone was in the barn and picked up the virus and went to their chickens.
Fitzl said, “It just seems to come a little bit more personal when it’s a few hundred feet from your house.”
“We understand that,” said Pilgrim. “Edson just like Chippewa County, you have the right to farm. It is a farming community.” He confirmed that they will get someone there to speak on the issue at the February meeting and “shed more light on it.”
In other business, the Edson Board unanimously voted to approve Ntera internet, with Pilgrim noting that the price difference was about half.
“Anything is better than Brightspeed,” a resident answered.

Upcoming meetings
The Caucus is scheduled for January 21st at 7 PM. The next board meeting is February 10th at 7 PM. April 10th from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM will be the Open Book meeting and Board of Review will be held on May 1st.