A proposal to allow the Holmen Area Fire and the La Crosse Fire departments to discuss ways to develop greater cooperation received cautionary support from village representatives on the Holmen Area Fire District Association Board. At fire board’s Dec. 20 meeting, HAFD Fire Chief Paul Menches asked the board to allow him to discuss a fire district concept with the department in La Crosse. He advised the fire board he has been talking with La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam about what the two departments could do together. Although Steve Johnston, Holmen Village Board trustee and member of the HAFDAB, moved to okay Menches’ request for the discussion between the two departments, he advised the chief he was wary about creating a regionalized service.