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Dozens testify as Monroe opens hearing on continuing water fluoridation
Summary
More than two dozen residents, dentists and public‑health officials told the city council that community water fluoridation prevents cavities and is cost‑effective; opponents questioned safety and urged choice. After hearing public comment, council voted 5–4 to send a repeal proposal to the Judiciary & Ordinance committee for further review.
The City of Monroe held a public hearing on whether to continue adding fluoride to the municipal water supply, drawing a large turnout of residents, dentists and public‑health officials who largely urged the council to keep fluoridation in place.
Multiple speakers described clinical experience and cited public‑health findings. Dr. Janelle Actel, a local dentist, told the council she had seen advanced dental disease requiring costly hospital procedures and said, "When my 4 children were little, I would buy fluoride water from Walmart and refill the jugs in town to put in their sippy cups" and urged the council to "follow the science and the professionals" who support fluoridation. County and state health officials outlined regulatory testing and safety procedures; Carrie Spencer, Oral Health Prevention Program Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, described monitoring protocols and the target concentration used in practice.
Opponents disputed the evidence and raised safety and consent concerns. Don Collins addressed the council directly, saying, "Remove the stuff. It's poison," and urged members to consider research he said showed harms. Multiple comments asked whether residents could have a choice to opt out of municipal fluoridation and questioned the provenance and composition of the additive used.
After public comment, council members debated the timeline and scope of the issue, with some members saying they wanted more time for review and others saying they trusted public‑health professionals. Ald. (speaker 8) moved to send the ordinance repeal to the Judiciary & Ordinance committee for review; the motion passed 5–4. Mayor noted that any ordinance change would require committee review and a subsequent public hearing limited to city residents.
