The New Richmond City Council agreed to put on the April election ballot a referendum concerning fluoride removal from water, posing the question to the community after Mayor James Zajkowski encouraged the council to do so instead of making a more definitive choice in a meeting Monday.
Zajkowski said in the council meeting this week the referendum allows “four months of pro and con discussion” and leaves the decision with the community. With that, fluoride will continue to be added to the water in the city, at least until voters make a decision April 7 and election results are confirmed.
“Let’s let the whole community decide. This is a big decision. It affects everybody. Everybody, in one form or another, drinks our water. I just feel that we should have a referendum,” Zajkowski said.
The council discussed the topic of fluoride in October of this year, after initial conversations in June 2024, by the New Richmond Utilities Commission and City Council. The Utility Commission, a city committee within the local government, voted unanimously Oct. 1 to remove fluoride and add a sequestering agent, sending the decision to the council for final approval, according to meeting minutes. The council voted in support of this recommendation with the understanding that it wouldn’t make a final decision before sharing information with the community and allowing for the public to ask questions and provide feedback.
Part of that public process: a Water Treatment Open House. City Administrator Noah Wiedenfeld presented to a room of roughly 30-35 people, most of whom supported keeping fluoride in the water, citing concerns like fluoride removal disproportionately impacting families with lower household incomes.
City staff provided notices to New Richmond Utilities customers as part of the November bill cycle, with information published on the New Richmond Utilities website.
New Richmond’s electorate will head to the ballot box to decide on fluoride in water as federal government agencies have shifted in sentiment surrounding the topic since President Donald Trump’s reelection.
In November 2024, President Donald Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. While he campaigned against Trump for president, Kennedy vowed to remove fluoride from water,according to the Washington Post. In April 2025, Kennedy, now the health secretary, said he planned to tell the CDC to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide.
Organizations like American Water Works Association and American Dental Association recommend fluoride in water due to its ability to reduce cavities. However, some municipalities have still removed it, citing potential health risks in light of the recent federal ruling requiring the EPA to re-examine its safety. Conversely, a Journal of the American Medical Association study suggests that ending fluoridation in the U.S. could lead to 25.4 million more decayed teeth in children within five years, costing an additional $9.8 billion in healthcare and disproportionately affecting uninsured children.
Hudson, River Falls, Ellsworth, Glenwood, Menomonie and Osceola currently add fluoride. Roberts, Amery, Star Prairie, Hammond, Baldwin, Somerset and Clear Lake do not.
New Richmond Utilities’ website states that water still has natural fluoride, with levels ranging “between 0.04 and 0.19 milligrams per liter, depending on the well source.”
But those estimates fall considerably below .7 milligrams per liter, the amount recommended by the CDC, EPA (as it currently stands, the EPA still recommends fluoride implementation) and U.S. Public Health Service.
“I think we’re ready to make that decision. I think we’ve had years and years of science that really proves that fluoride is a good thing,” said council member Craig Kittel, who voted against the motion for a referendum. “And I think it’s important that it’s in the water in New Richmond.”
Quick hits
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The council approved the preliminary and final plat applications for the Fox Run Eighth addition which will consist of 16 twin home lots. The proposed addition will be located off Coyote Way and Badger Way.
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The council approved the purchase of a pickup truck for the city’s Electric Department for a total of almost $45,000. The truck is intended to replace the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 identified in the 2025 CIP.
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The council approved to authorize staff to solicit bids for the 2026 ash tree removal project. Roughly 360 ash trees remain to be removed in the city. The Public Works staff have selected a priority group of about 70 trees as part of the 2026 removal phase.
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The council approved the purchase of two 2026 Ford Police Interceptor Hybrid Utility AWD vehicles from Johnson Ford for approximately $43,000, which included an extended warranty for $2,900. Additionally, the council approved trading in the 2022 Ford PIU to Johnson Ford for $12,500.
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The council approved the room reservation policy for the New Richmond Community Library. The nine meeting rooms within the library will be under the authority of the Library Board and the three rooms on the west side of the building can be reserved and used at times outside regular library hours for a fee. The policy addresses topics such as reservation fees, expectations, use of the space, food and beverage, behavior, smoking, music and advertising.
Original article online at: https://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/news/in-new-richmond-decision-to-remove-fluoride-from-water-goes-on-april-ballot/article_99c08c88-8aee-47e7-90f9-23602b728f85.html