It’s official. They can plan. They can meet. They can tax.

Most of the first Shell Rock River Watershed District’s members were sworn in Thursday night at the first meeting of the Shell Rock River Watershed District board of managers. Two members &045; Don Sorenson and Paul Overgaard &045; couldn’t attend.

Jim Haertel, water management specialist for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), led the majority of the two-hour meeting, which got some of the board’s organizational business out of the way like scheduling meetings and explaining the guidelines. The board also elected officers and appointed a citizen advisory board.

Harley Miller was voted chairman, Tom Dahl vice chairman, Sorenson secretary, and Overgaard treasurer.

There was optimism from some of the 40 attendees over the group’s ability to clean water in the county. There was displeasure from others over what they consider to be unfair taxes.

Haertel explained that for the year 2004 the board won’t be able to tax more for than $310,000 for their operational and general funds. But when they’ve finished their plan, their construction fund will have no limit.

Several people who live downstream, south of the Albert Lea lakes, but are still in the new district voiced their displeasure during a break in the meeting.

&uot;I think we’re being railroaded. They’ve pulled us all together for tax purposes only, no benefit,&uot; said Roy Carlson of Glenville.

One man who wouldn’t give his name questioned Haertel during the break.

&uot;Why should someone who lives south pay for this?&uot; he asked.

&uot;How do I get out of this watershed?&uot;

Haertel said, &uot;Are you saying you don’t contribute to water quality? What about the water flowing to Iowa?&uot;

The man called the board taxation without representation, referring to the fact that the district is appointed but can tax.

Ray Bohn, a consultant with the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts, said he told many of the people there of the opportunities to influence the board. The citizen advisory board has representatives from a farming group, a sportsman’s group, the county board, and the Soil and Water Conservation Board. They make recommendations on all decisions.

Referring to the board members and citizen’s board, he said, &uot;They have to live in this community. They have to work in this community and they have to cooperate with the community.&uot;

In attendance was Freeborn County Commissioner Dave Mullenbach, who opposed the district’s formation in favor of a program formed by the county board that affected the whole county. &uot;I support (the district’s) goals,&uot; he said. &uot;Ours would have been to include the whole county, and not have an extra layer of government.&uot;

Paul Ehlers of Albert Lea said he supported the group. He said with the city and county strapped for cash, &uot;this is one mechanism that can do something with the water.&uot;

After the meeting, Miller said the group has a lot of work ahead.

&uot;We have to cooperate with the government and with the community and if we do, we’ll be a success,&uot; he said.

The group’s next meeting will be held at the Fairlane building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds July 15 at 4 p.m.