Town allowing farmer, WPS to resolve reported problems with windmills

By Kevin Boneske
For The News-Chronicle

The town of Lincoln's planning and zoning committee agreed Monday to allow a dairy farmer in the township and Wisconsin Public Service to try to resolve reported problems with electricity-generating windmill turbines in the area, said town chairman Arlin Monfils.

With the windmills being in the town since 1999, Monfils said the conditional use permit allowing them there can be reviewed every five years. He noted a mutual agreement with WPS would have to be reached, while the township hopes to "try to improve it in some way."

The diary farmer, Scott Srnka, whose farm is near the windmills, has blamed stray voltage for reducing his milk production and damaging his herd. While previously claiming he contacted WPS about the problem, but the company did nothing about, Srnka tried to take the matter into his own hands last fall by cutting nearby ground wires.

He ended up being charged in Kewaunee County Circuit Court over the incident and pleaded no contest to a county ordinance violation of first offense disorderly conduct. Srnka was ordered to pay $243 in fines and court costs, plus $460 in restitution to WPS.

With Srnka and WPS given the opportunity to resolve any problems the windmills may be causing, Monfils said he expects it will be a number of months before the town's planning and zoning committee will be finalizing any changes to the conditional use permit.

Monfils said there presently are no plans in the works to allow the construction of additional windmill turbines in the township.

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