DRESSER, WI -- A proposed trap rock quarry in this western Wisconsin village has divided neighbors.
Three local families, including the owners of the Trollhaugen Resort, want to open their land to mining and form a financial partnership, of sorts, with the town of Dresser.
"This could provide significant funding to Dresser, and jobs," Glyn Thorman, of the property owners proposing the quarry, told KARE.
"We're offering preferential hiring to any Dresser resident who would like to come work with us in the quarry."
Thorman and his partners have proposed that the town of Dresser annex the land. In exchange the town of 872 would get a share of the royalties from the proposed New Blue Rock Quarry operation. Thorman predicted the city's take would range $300,000 to $400,000 per year for the next 50 years.
"That is equal to the town's operating budget right now."
Thorman and the others quarry developers hosted a barbecue Friday night at Trollhaugen for residents of Dresser interested in hearing more about the plan for the quarry, which would be located just to the east of the ski slopes.
There's definitely a market for trap rock, which is used in landscaping, under bridge supports and as ballast rocks in railroad track beds.
But the town of 800 is already home to a century old Dresser Trap Rock quarry, which crushes the hard rock into a variety of sizes.
The Osceola Township Board previously opposed the new quarry, and the Polk County Board refused to authorize it.
"After a review from the county it was decided no, this wasn't a good fit for us, so we thought it was done," Joe Rysdam, a local teacher and resident of Osceola Township, told KARE.
"I understand the need for jobs, but this is at the cost of other people's quality of life."
Local farmer Melissa Ward stood at an intersection adjacent to Trollhaugen Friday night with her mother, grandmother and children holding signs that read, "No quarry" and "no mine."
"It's not personal," Ward said. "It's truly we'r caring about the environment, the air quality, our water table, you name it."
Ward said that, as a resident of Osceola Township, she'll no longer have a voice in the matter if Dresser annexes the land and regulates it.
"It's hard. I actually know all three families, and have known one of them my entire life."
The developers of the proposed New Blue Rock Quarry are also considering setting up a scholarship fund for local students, and a hardship fund for people with devastating life events such as fires and illnesses.
Thorman said some have complained that it amounts to a bribe, but he sees it differently.
"When Target gives you something in exchange for making a purchase, it's not a bribe. It's a reward for doing business," Thorman explained.
"I see this as a reward for Dresser for allowing us to partner with them to do a new business."
As of Friday night the Dresser village board hadn't scheduled a meeting to consider the annexation and proposed trap rock mine.
