(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
WHEATLAND, Wis. — The Town of Wheatland Board heard sustained and often furious opposition Monday night as residents lined up to condemn a proposed battery energy storage project, accusing town leadership of secret meetings, poor transparency, and pushing the project forward despite a unanimous “no” recommendation from the Town Plan Commission.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Much of the anger centered on Chairman Jeff Butler, who confirmed that he later participated in a closed-door meeting with Samantha Kerkman, the town’s attorney, and Fire Chief Louis Denko. Residents repeatedly emphasized that the meeting occurred after the Plan Commission had unanimously voted to recommend denial of the project — a sequence they said made the private discussions especially troubling.
While Samantha Kerkman was not present at Monday night’s board meeting, a representative from her office was in attendance. Residents said that fact, combined with Kerkman’s participation in the closed-door meeting following the Plan Commission’s rejection, reinforced their belief that county-level officials are continuing to push the project forward despite local opposition.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Residents also took issue with the posture of the full Town Board, which includes Supervisor No. 1 Kyle M. Madsen and Supervisor No. 2 Kelly A. Wilson. Throughout the meeting, none of the three board members publicly condemned the battery project or expressed opposition to it, even as speaker after speaker urged the board to take a clear stand against the proposal. Several residents said the lack of resistance from the board gave the appearance that town leadership continues to support the project.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Residents said the private meeting confirmed long-standing suspicions that decisions were being discussed behind the scenes after the public process had already spoken. Several criticized the town for not proactively disclosing the meeting and said learning about it only after the fact further eroded trust.
The backlash also drew heavily on what residents said occurred at the earlier Plan Commission meeting, when the project was voted down. Multiple speakers said the company behind the proposed battery site — which several residents described as a “shell company” — failed to answer many basic questions, including questions about safety systems, emergency response, fire suppression, groundwater protection, and long-term liability. Residents said that lack of answers was a major factor in the commission’s unanimous recommendation to deny the project.
No one spoke in favor of the battery project Monday night.
Instead, the public comment period became a sustained rebuke of both the proposal and the process. Residents raised concerns about fire risk, toxic gas releases, groundwater contamination, evacuation logistics, the proximity of Wheatland Center School, impacts to property values and insurance, and the lack of detailed emergency response planning for a large-scale lithium battery fire.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Among the strongest comments came from Jean, who delivered an emotional condemnation of both the project and the way it has been handled. “I pay a damn lot of taxes and this is bullshit,” she said. “Half of this is bullshit that’s on there, but I will not be railroaded.” Jean later returned to the microphone to warn about the real-world consequences of a battery fire for farmers and livestock, saying, “They’ve got a hundred head. How do we move them? This is total shit. I’m sorry.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Another resident, Mark, identified himself as a licensed professional engineer with decades of experience in safety testing and battery-related issues. He warned that lithium battery systems do burn and said the lack of publicly available information about the battery management system was deeply troubling. Mark also called out the closed-door meeting, telling the board that residents had previously been assured such discussions were rumors, only to learn they had in fact taken place.
Other residents echoed those concerns, warning that a battery fire could require large evacuation zones, strain local fire resources, and contaminate groundwater. Several questioned who would pay for displacement, livestock losses, hotel stays, or well replacement if something went wrong. Others said the town appeared unprepared for a worst-case scenario involving toxic smoke plumes and fires that could burn for days.
Multiple speakers accused the board — particularly Butler — of keeping the project alive because of money, pointing to a newly advancing state law that would provide annual utility aid payments to towns hosting battery energy storage facilities. Residents said they believe the potential subsidy is motivating continued discussions even after the Plan Commission’s rejection and the company’s failure to answer key questions.
Several residents also told Kenosha County Eye after the meeting that they strongly believe Chairman Butler is working behind the scenes to get the project pushed through, despite the clear opposition voiced by the community. Those beliefs were not stated by Butler on the record but were repeatedly expressed by residents in conversations following the meeting.
Residents further warned that the developer appears poised to pursue approval through the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, a move they fear could override local opposition and potentially involve eminent domain. Butler acknowledged that state-level approval is a possibility now that the developer has withdrawn from the local process.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Separately from the public comments, Kenosha County Eye has reported that the land proposed for the battery site is owned by the Catherine H. Kerkman Irrevocable Income Only Trust, which bears the Kerkman family name and is believed to be connected by blood to Chad Kerkman, the former husband of Samantha Kerkman. The nature of any relationship between the trust and public officials has not been disclosed on the record, and no such relationship was discussed during Monday’s meeting.
Residents closed the meeting by urging the board to do more than listen — calling on town leaders to actively oppose the project, clearly document the town’s position for the public and state regulators, improve transparency immediately, and stop holding discussions behind closed doors.
By the end of the meeting, residents made clear that while the board controls the agenda, the community remains firmly opposed to the project and is demanding accountability.
Requests for comment were sent more than a week ago to Randy Kerkman, Chad Kerkman, and Samantha Kerkman, but none responded.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
31 Responses
This is better than a Bear neighborhood or a useless solar farm.
It’s all fine until there’s a fire, then the downwind folks could be out of their homes or schools until proper cleanup is done. I can almost guarantee no homeowner’s policy will cover this kind of mess, leaving you at the mercy of a penny-pinching corporation favored by the state and politicians.
Well enjoy your Battery Storage Facility Wheatland.. With the County’s most untrustful Family involved you can bet if they want it your getting it wether you like it or not.
Anything with Kerkman name is slime
Kevin thank you for being there and telling the story !
Once I saw the name Kerkman, I knew corruption and lying was involved. I wasn’t disappointed!!!
It seems that all the Kerkmans in Kenosha County are extremely corrupt
Where’s Amanda Nedweski , Erin Decker and Samantha Kerkman?
We would like a public statement they will push back and help the town . But zero so far. Community is solidly linked on refusing this . This will be remembered when the voting begins . Poor leadership . Maybe now they can give us the support and say they’re against this .
Erin should have been there !
Amanda too, just as important to be there.
Unless of course if they already know the outcome and don’t want to have to deal with their constituents asking for their help in person.
Samantha Kerkman up to her old tricks. Back room deals, like the casino. Forget public input. Used to like her but she really has to go.
she is horrible and well outlived her usefulness
Wheatland residents might want to consider organizing a recall for the Board and avoiding electing anyone who supports this plan. Battery storage facilities might seem fine until they catch fire, but 50- Wheatland Fire Department couldn’t handle a blaze of that magnitude. These facilities should be far from homes because the toxic gases released during a fire are deadly, and the leftover lithium residue is hazardous.
Is everything for sale now? At what cost are our livelihoods being traded away for something the government insists it knows best about? Here’s a thought: build less, we don’t need more problems. Can we just live our lives without clueless politicians meddling? These battery storage sites clear and present danger. Once they ignite, they burn until the fuel runs out, you’re not putting these fires out. A single Tesla crash can take at least 10,000 gallons of water to extinguish; you’d need a lake to stop one of these massive thermal bombs.
Call your State representative before they pass a bill (already in the works) to hand control of these ticking time bombs to yet another stellar group, the PSC. People west and south of Wheatland should also wake up, your safety and property could be at risk. This isn’t a powerline; it’s a thermal bomb waiting to go off.
Excellent points! It is a VERY dangerous proposition
“Not In My Back Yard”
We all try not to be these people but in this case it truly is important that this battery farm isn’t in my back yard.
Paris got the Dump many many years ago.
They made a fortune off of it. Still do.
Is it a nuance ? You bet !
But it doesn’t catch fire. At least it’s designed not to. Water well issues ? Sure. But it was a choice and they went with it.
This battery farm is a choice ! And not a very good one. And little if any upside for the local community. A few million $$ over time but not nearly enough.
And you know one thing I haven’t heard a lot of ? The fact that Highway 50 would be closed for the complete duration of any fire event ! Weeks ?!?
And for probably days if not weeks after the fire was put out for the hazardous waste cleanup after.
Doesn’t anyone remember the impact that closing 50 at the Fox River had years ago due to flooding ??
The “millions” of dollars impact on the economies both east and west not to mention locally ?
The trucks that had to find alternate routes.
This battery farm needs another location far far away from any type of population area including the highways around it. And it needs to have its own fire suppression system building built nearby that whatever local departments can access. Paid for and built by the battery company.
Remember the Propane tank fire where a car ran into it years ago ? It wasn’t really that far from here but it was on fire for many days. Constantly having firefighters travel from all over including our local departments putting water on it until it ran out of fuel. But not a lot of cleanup there. And the smoke and fumes while toxic in their own way was nothing that compares to this !
It would be the same here ! Until it ran out of fuel !!
Let them pick another “rural” community to convince this is good for them. Just not near a highway. Bring the power poles and grid to that “other site” not the batteries to this existing power grid
‘Not in my back yard’ is a great thing to say here !
For all the reasons above
Your comment is spot on. Unfortunately, these corporations and developers have perfected the art of swooping in on boards that can’t or won’t, analyze what’s being put in front of them. So, when actual community members show up and say NO, that’s not rebellion; that’s a flashing neon sign saying, “Slow down and maybe try researching for once.” And with today’s technology, that research isn’t exactly a genius request. It’s a Google search. Yet somehow that’s still too much.
Instead of pouring money into one risky site because a politician or corporation said it’s “the future,” here’s a wild idea: you can do this at home, benefit directly, and face a fraction of the risk. The world is changing at light speed, and these boards are still acting like dial‑up is cutting-edge, wake up!
AI is coming for our jobs whether we like it or not. The people who learn it will adapt; the rest will be standing in the rubble asking, “What just happened?” If you knew even half of what AI can already do, you’d be paying attention, and maybe a little terrified.
Battery storage isn’t new but paired with AI it’s about to reshape how and when we produce power. More efficient, less waste, smarter distribution. But sure, let’s pretend none of that exists and keep stumbling forward like it’s 1999. Strap in, change is coming, hopefully you can get a ticket. Demand better of all of our representatives, let the dumb one’s step aside, they aren’t useful.
These boards aren’t intelligent enough to grasp what they’re doing.
Is Samantha Kerkman still collecting paychecks from Robin Vos’ various companies, or has he moved on to Amanda Nedweski now?
It’s amazing, you could convince a politician that Dog Shit smells good if there is money involved.
Kevin, any update on the Pleasant Prairie Garbage Privatization after the meeting last night?
Never trust one of the Kerkmans
Kerkman needs to step down
We all see through her now . Nobody and I mean nobody believes her now. The community see’s it and all the people she thought she has in the bag left her train !
Amanda and Erin should be very careful and do what’s right and distance yourself . We still believe maybe you guys will voice your opinion like now. And not returning phone calls tells it all . Wheatland finally has seen we have lemons in our best interest .
Decker is as bad as Kerkman. She’s so bad that the RPKC even gave her the boot.
No one wants her.
She’s a washed-up, piggy-looking has been.
It’s shocking that she beat Ray Arbet a couple of years ago, he was far better qualified. He’s more intelligent and has a better idea of how the government works and what Kenosha County needs.
Even more shocking is how she’s unopposed this time.
Really ?? It’s a Shock to you that ALL THESE so called REPUBLICANS run unopposed ??
It seems “our side” is just so FUCKING HAPPY to have an R in the seat that we don’t EVER TRY to run a BETTER R for those seats.
Sam ran unopposed in the primary.
A shoe in to win in April.
Yet EVERY FUCKING ONE OF US THAT IS GOING TO VOTE FOR HER, ME INCLUDED WONDER WHY WE CAN’T DO BETTER ?!?!?
The Republican Party of Kenosha County Needs to do better !!
Amanda ? Are you listening ?
How are you helping here ?!?
You need to make a statement on this battery issue. You are either for it on a state level or you are against on a constituent level.
Pick one ! And then tell us !
Or just tell the county to back off and let the Wheatland Voters decide in April.
Not too late to put this on the Spring Ballot !
Let the local residents decide. Then the Town Board can vote in representation of their constituents.
That’s how it supposed to work, isn’t it ?!?
Don’t vote for them, send a signal
Leave it blank or write someone in .
We don’t have a side anymore. Those of us who are living normal day-to-day lives, trying to earn an honest living and raise our kids to be good people, are unrepresented at every level, from the most local villages to the very tippity-top.
The parties have abandoned us.
The candidates don’t care.
We’re fked.
The “NEW” Republican Party needs to put their clothes back on and work on candidate recruitment.
They’re as bad as Kerkman when it comes to trashy pictures that don’t paint themselves in a good light.
Grandmas trying to look like MILFs, 30 years past their prime.
Do your job and recruit run-able, support-able candidates who will accurately and efficiently represent their constituents.
Residents who consider themselves (R) need to stop funding this mess of a party. Stop attending their events, liking their social media posts, and stop giving them your money.
Few people in this county seem satisfied with the job that S. Kerkman is doing as Executive, and they couldn’t find anyone to challenge her?!
Kenosha news no where to be found I wonder why? Kevin thanks for staying on this and helping us as a community to did deeper . We appreciate your journalism and insight on this . We know you don’t leave this story behind . Keep up the great job . Someday maybe we can have representatives with honesty and integrity . Admitting to secret meetings says it all now . What a chairman we have too … he’s not off the hook either .
I’ve heard plenty of people disagree with this author over the years, but at least he actually gets in the trenches and stands with the everyday folks. Imagine that- someone who shows up. We should all be grateful for KCE, especially since the Kenosha News feels like last week’s leftovers reheated and served as “breaking news.” What a stellar outlet that’s become.
Thank you, KCE, for covering the stories that actually matter to real people, no matter what the brain‑dead politicians think. Honestly, it’s like someone decided to build an Iraq‑style burn pit in my backyard and then acted shocked when people get sick from the plume when it burns. Brilliant planning, truly.
And what about our family members who are firefighters? They’re the ones who have to walk straight into this toxic mess; literally, just so someone else can make a buck. Exposing them to hazardous garbage for money. That’s the level of political geniuses we’re dealing with.
Well said! Unfortunately all we keep hearing from our officials is the Money. Not one of them have taken the communities side that our children, land, safety and health are the most important. Not even with the overwhelming voices are community and media have said and reported on , they don’t give a dam . It starts with our local leaders . Still silent.
It’s amazing now that 100’s of us now have seen our leaders in whom they really are . We’re not falling for the photo ops of all of them and the fake act of caring anymore ! It’s not to late , will they have a change of heart and support us ? Don’t count on it , but giving them the chance . For them to fight it this hard against our community is obvious there’s something in it for them .
It would be nice if Randy Kerkman pulled out of the deal . Community over money . Wouldn’t that be nice of him .