Hammond trustees instruct attorney to seek injunction challenging data center permit

The Village of Hammond Board of Trustees voted on July 6, 2026, to instruct the village attorney to file an injunction with the St Croix County Circuit Court challenging a conditional use permit for a proposed data center, after multiple residents raised health, environmental and economic concerns.

Residents who spoke during public comment cited potential health risks, environmental harms and declines in property values. Michael Heil, a resident, said the proposed facility could pose health risks to nearby households. Allison Hagen, a resident, argued that the project’s environmental costs had not been fully accounted for and said the conditional use permit should be nullified; she also warned of harm to pollinator insects. Debra Winegar raised concerns about long-term health effects and falling house values. Amy Toske, speaking for Krista DeMuth, expressed worries about children’s mental and emotional health, and Jenny Jensen, speaking for Christina Naas, cited threats to livelihoods and the health of local lands and animals. Abigail Garrett urged that Trustee Lynn Pabst recuse herself, alleging a potential conflict because Pabst’s spouse is the St Croix County Register of Deeds.

Attorney Loberg reviewed legal options available to the village for challenging the permit and acknowledged audience calls for immediate legal action. Trustee Laurie Gruber moved to instruct the village attorney to file an injunction with the St Croix County Circuit Court to challenge the conditional use permit; Trustee Bob Trudell seconded. On the roll call vote, Trustee Shayne Birkeland voted aye; Trustee Lynn Pabst abstained, citing a perceived conflict of interest; President Tony Bibeau voted aye; Trustee Laurie Gruber voted aye; Trustee Kim Olson voted aye; and Trustee Bob Trudell voted aye. The board recorded the motion as carried.

The clerk’s unofficial minutes record that the meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:38 p.m. The next procedural step recorded in the meeting minutes is for the village attorney to file the injunction in St Croix County Circuit Court as instructed by the board.