City of Horicon Discontinuing Fluoridation of Water Supply

At the City of Horicon Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Council sided with the Public Works Department and voted to discontinue fluordiation of the City’s water supply due to safety concerns.
Alderperson Marie Fenske, who presented to the Counil a summarization of the research she had done over the last month on the topic, was the only member to vote against the discontinuation.
During public comment, Buzz Vanderhei, a former public works employee, expressed his opinion and was in favor of removing fluoride. He mentioned the fluoride situation has come up multiple times in the past and does not believe the safety hazards are worth it.
Eugene Rossing and Patricia Bradley, an AmeriCorps member currently serving the Dodge County Public Health Department, expressed they were not in favor of the removal, citing much of the same scientific research that Fenske had shared and was published in this newspaper.
Public Works Director Cody Vanderhei spoke for the department and shared one last time why the issue of fluoride was on the agenda.

“You have chemical lines and pumps that are both operating within that room that have single-walled lines and pumps with drains... That could potentially have cross-contamination... I’m trying to do my best to make sure that our employees stay safe. This is a risk. That’s how it may potentially mitigate,” stated Cody. “You are adding hydrofluorsilicic acid, which is an extremely dangerous chemical product...Every two million gallons of water we pump, we put in 0.8 gallons approximately (as there is around 0.4 milligrams per liter naturally occuring).”
While all of the employees follow the safety protocols, he emphasized that it is still a risk. Also, Horicon’s well house is not conforming and would need to be upgraded. Last, fluoride is tested and sampled seven days a week, making it more time consuming than other chemicals that are tested less because it is the most dangerous one.
Cody ended his reponse with a thought-provoking question, “If it is so vitally important, why is this not a mandated thing from the State?”
Council Matters:
• The Council approved engineering services from MSA Professional Services, in the amount of $4,980, for this year’s mill and overlay project.
• The Council then approved to bid out the mill and overlay project for Ellison Street, Kilbourn Street, and the alley between the 400 block of S Finch Street and S Cedar Street.
• The City is accepting the donation of a completed score box for the baseball field in Discher Park.
• The City accepted the donation of a completed pier for Kiwanis Park.
• The City accepted a donation in the amount of $15,750 for the purchasing of playground equipment for Rotary and Whitty Parks.
• The Council approved the bid from Kopplin & Kinas Co., in the amount of $1,956,660.60, for the E Walnut Street and N Cedar Street reconstruction project.