Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  The Village of Wind Point, WisconsinApril 2014
Polls Open Today for Spring Election
Voting for the Spring General Election takes place today, April 1, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Prairie School (Johnson Athletic Center). Contests on the ballot include Village Board Trustee, County Board Supervisor, Racine Unified School Board, Court of Appeals Judge and Circuit Court Judge. Please note if you will be registering or re-registering at the polling place you will be required to provide a valid proof of residency.
Spring Cleaning Notes
If you're planning to do some clean-up around the house or in the yard this Spring, please make note of following services that are available:

Yard waste collection - includes leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris and brush including clean woody vegetative material no greater than 4 inches in diameter; it does not include stumps, roots or shrubs with intact root balls. Begins Monday, April 7, running every Monday through November. Remember to pick up yard waste stickers ($1 each) at the administrative office for each bag.  

Branch pick-up - Branch piles should not exceed 4 feet in height and 4 feet in width. Pick-up takes place every second Tuesday, May through November, beginning May 13. Branches placed out more than four days before collection date will be tagged for removal and the owner may be cited for dumping in the right-of-way. 
Household Hazardous Waste - Wind Point contracts with Racine to offer household hazardous waste collection (about $3 of your tax bill goes toward this service). To view a list of items accepted, click the link above. The collection site is 6200 21st St in Racine (just west of Hwy 31 and north of the old Sam's Club). Every third Saturday from April to October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting April 19.   

Medicine Disposal - Unwanted medications are collected on April 19 and October 16 at the household hazardous waste collection site (listed above). These items may also be disposed at the drop boxes any time at Racine Police Dept., 730 Center St., or Lakeview Pharmacy. 
Bulk collection - As always, Johns Disposal collects bulk items on the first Monday of each month, including furniture, appliances, carpeting, tires, air conditioners, and extra garbage/recycling bags. Hazardous materials will not be collected by Johns.  

Electronics Recycling - Click this link for a listing of DNR registered e-cycling locations for more information on recycling electronics. These items are not accepted by Johns Disposal or at the household hazardous item collection.
Board of Zoning Appeals Vacancy

Interested in serving the Village as a member of a board or committee? The Village is seeking a Wind Point resident to serve a four-year term on its Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board meets on an as-needed basis and weighs in on appeals to the Village's zoning code. Interested residents may phone the administrator at 639.3524 or send an email to the [email protected].

Village Not Affiliated with "Homeserve" Water Line Insurance Mailing

We have been contacted by residents who received a letter from HomeServe of Madison, WI offering insurance for your water service line. Wind Point Water Utility is NOT affiliated with HomeServe and their product is NOT required by the Village. This mailing was the topic of a recent Journal Times article.

Wind Point Lighthouse Gardens - A Master Gardener Project
The gardens at the Wind Point Lighthouse have received approval from the UW/Extension as a new Master Gardener project for 2014.  Ruth Ann Smithers, Master Gardener Volunteer Intern and Marilyn Blood, Master Gardener Volunteer are co-coordinators of this project.  A group of 12 - 14 MGVs will be researching the plant type and cultivar needed for plants that are appropriate to the lighthouse history.  Additionally, they will be labeling existing perennials and new plants, removing invasive species and conducting routine weeding. 


If you see people working on the gardens, please say hello and thank them for their efforts.  MGVs can hardly walk through gardens without pulling weeds.  It is a beautiful place to spend some time and the Village will receive the benefit of their work at the Lighthouse.
Bring Your Cell Phone Carrier to Wind Point!

The Village is seeking two additional cellular carriers to lease space on its tower (located behind the administrative office). The additional carriers would help improve phone service in Wind Point and would bring in lease revenue to the Village. You can help by taking a couple minutes to submit a contact form online to one or more carriers. Please click here to get started.

Water Meter Replacement Program Continues
The Village is in year two of the water meter replacement program. The project involves replacing the manual-read meters with radio water meters. The new technology allows for a more efficient meter-reading process. 

This year Randy and Mike from the Public Works Department will be replacing meters at all residences on Parkfield, Morning Wood, Lamplighter, Burrline, Meriburr, Tera Lee and Lighthouse (south of Shoop Park).
 
Residents will receive a notice at the door and/or by mail asking to call our office to schedule the appointment. Installations typically take less than 30 minutes. Randy and Mike will also complete a necessary cross-control inspection at the time of installation. Our personnel will be in a Village-marked vehicle and will carry Village identification badges.
Village Board Highlights
The Village Board met for a regular meeting on March 13. The Board...
  • Heard an update on the timeline for the 2014 roads projects. Village Engineer Madsen announced a bid opening scheduled for April 3 for resurfacing Beacon Ln., Raven Turn East and portions of Wind Point Rd.
  • Heard an update on the recruitment process for the part-time accounting clerk position.
  • Approved Resolution 14-R01, establishing the 2014 wage schedule for appointed staff. A motion to approve Resolution 14-02 failed on a 3 to 3 vote - this resolution included a 5% wage increase for elected officials.
  • Approved a "handbill" ordinance, prohibiting door hangers and other unwanted materials from being left on private property.
  • Heard an update from Kevin Ausman on the emergency management plan.
  • Agreed to request the assistance of the Friends of the Wind Point Lighthouse with lighthouse preservation.
  • Heard an announcement that 2014 Open Book is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 4-6 p.m. and 2014 Board of Review is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The next regular meeting is April 10 at the Lighthouse/Village Hall meeting room.
Reminder to First Discuss Home Projects with Inspector
If you are considering any new remodeling work or improvements to your property, please first contact the Village's building inspector, Lee Greivell at 424.6957.

Lee will be happy to assist you with obtaining a building, roofing, electrical, plumbing or HVAC permit, if necessary.

Remember, the purpose of the permit is to protect the safety of you, the homeowner, and to maintain property values.

Please note the permit fee is doubled for permits pulled after the project started.

For more information about building permits, click here.