State panel could soon study request to make Town of Campbell a village

The drive to incorporate the town of Campbell as a village takes another step forward.

Officials from French Island and the city of La Crosse met briefly in court on Tuesday, for a short hearing that sets the stage for the next move toward incorporation. Campbell town chair Dan Kapanke says a requirement to gather signatures of island residents was met easily.

“We were required to get 50 signatures from electors and homeowners both, and we got 900,” said Kapanke after the court hearing. “That sends a message from the people in Campbell that we want to remain, and we want to pursue this.”

Kapanke says the Wisconsin Incorporation Review Board could say yes, no, or maybe to the annexation request. That board has six months to make a recommendation on the incorporation of French Island.

Even though there have been attempts by La Crosse to annex property on the island, Campbell town chair Dan Kapanke says the town’s campaign is aimed at helping its own future. PFAS contamination in French Island wells also has led to new efforts to make Campbell a part of La Crosse. The town is preparing to drill a new community well, to provide a system to replace the tainted private wells.