January 2018
Happy New Year! Johns Disposal will collect garbage, recycling and bulk items on Tuesday, January 2. The Village Office is closed on January 1 and will re-open on Tuesday, January 2.
A New Year's Message from Village President, Susan Sanabria
Happy 2018! I hope you and your family have had an enjoyable holiday season. Despite the frigid temperatures, it is a beautiful time of year to be in Wind Point with the snow-covered scenery and the views over Lake Michigan. If you are reading this from another part of the country, I hope you are enjoying the warmer climate!

2017 was my first year as village president, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our village board and staff and serving the residents of Wind Point. In this past year, we made many strides toward our four over-arching goals, which are to: 1) Provide efficient, quality services; 2) Preserve and Enhance Property Values; 3) Enhance a Sense of Community and 4) Protect and Enhance the Village's Natural Assets. Next year there will be new opportunities to further these goals:

  • Wind Point School Property - A developer is in the process of acquiring the former school property for a future residential development. There will be several review processes to ensure that the new development is well-suited for Wind Point.

  • Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Planning - Now that Village Green renovations are complete, we are turning our attention to what's next. We have initiated a planning process that will gather input from residents about our future outdoor/recreation needs. More about this process which will include a public workshop is below.

  • Lighthouse Improvements - Our Lighthouse Committee is working with the new lighthouse keepers, Mary Ann and Joseph Huser, as well as our dedicated volunteers, to improve the financial self-sufficiency and overall experience at our lighthouse grounds. Ideas include new tour offerings, educational displays, enhancements for facility rentals and an informational booklet.

These are just a few of the issues for 2018. Please let me know what is on your mind at s.sanabria@windpoint.org . Thank you for reading our monthly E-News, and have a Happy New Year's!
Christmas Tree and Wreath Disposal
During the month of January, the Village's Public Works staff will pick up wreaths and Christmas trees left at the edge of the road. Lights, ornaments and other decorations must be removed for wreaths and trees to be collected. Please note the Public Works staff is only picking up Christmas trees and wreaths; no other yard waste or branches can be collected. If you have any questions, please contact Wind Point Public Works at 262-639-3560.
The Village's new Ford F-750 truck (pictured above) arrived just in time for the winter season. It replaced the previous truck that was purchased in 1999. Although we have not had any large snow events yet this season, there have been just enough ice and snowflakes to keep our Public Works Supervisor Jack Feiner busy! Jack is currently without his assistant, Joe Thoennes, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn achilles. If there is any considerable snow accumulation before Joe returns, the Village will be assisted by Reliable Property Services to clear roads in the Village.
Wind Point School Property Update
As mentioned in the December E-News, developer Ray Leffler of Newport Development Corporation is in the process of acquiring the former Wind Point School property. Mr. Leffler appeared at the Village Board meeting on December 14 to discuss the status of the acquisition and to describe his initial ideas for redeveloping the property. He indicated that demolition of the existing structure would begin in early 2018. He said he is preparing plans to build high-quality, single-story "twindiminium" units. He said the exact layout and number of units to be proposed will depend on how much of the site is buildable, which is currently unknown. Mr. Leffler indicated that he will hold a neighborhood meeting to discuss his plans and to solicit feedback before applying for building and zoning approvals.
Outdoor Recreation Planning
On November 9, the Village Board approved working with Jeffrey Sanders of Community Planning & Consulting to develop a Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) for the Village. The purpose of the plan will be to take an inventory of existing outdoor recreation amenities in the Village and to identify future improvements. The resulting plan will follow a format prescribed by the Wisconsin DNR for CORPs. By having a CORP, the Village will become eligible for certain grant programs to help fund projects. A major component of the planning process will be public participation. Look for an announcement coming soon about a survey and public workshop that will take place in early 2018.

Village Receives Donation for Future Project
The Village of Wind Point is honored to accept a donation in the amount of $10,000 from David and Jill Heller for a future Village project that enhances park and recreational areas. David and Jill recently re-located away from Wind Point and wanted to give back to the Village while also hoping to encourage others to give toward future projects. The Hellers' donation may be used toward a project identified in the upcoming Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan - look for updates in future newsletters!
Property Tax Payments Due January 31
The first installment of property taxes are due by January 31. Payments may be made by mail, dropbox, online or in person at the Village Office. Additionally, payments may also be made at Johnson Bank. After January 31, tax payments must be made to the Racine County Treasurer’s Office.  If you need a copy of your bill, you can find it online from the Racine County Treasurer's MyTaxBill web app .

Dog License Reminder
Residents are encouraged to renew dog licenses this time of year when you are coming to the Village Office to pay your tax bill. A dog license application can be found on the bottom of the insert mailed with the property tax bill. Additional applications can be downloaded from the Village website or picked up at the Village Office. The fee for a dog license is $15 per altered (neutered or spayed) dog and $35 per unaltered dog. A $10 late fee is added on for dog licenses obtained after April 1. Submit the application and fee along with a copy of an unexpired rabies certificate obtained from your veterinarian to the Village Office. If submitting by mail, be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the receipt and tag to be returned to you. 
Nomination Papers for Spring Election Due Tomorrow, January 2
Three Village Trustee positions will be up for election in the on April 3, 2018. To date, nomination papers have been filed by Karen Van Lone and Emily Lawrence to seek re-election. The third incumbent, Robert Quam, Jr., filed a notice of non-candidacy signifying that he did not wish to be on the spring ballot. Any resident wishing to run for Village Trustee would need to file the necessary paperwork with the Village Office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. A minimum of 20 signatures are required from Wind Point electors. Forms can be obtained from the Village Office or on the Village website . If you have any questions, please contact Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Michael Hawes at 639-3524 or by e-mail at m.hawes@windpoint.org .
Best Wishes to Michelle Tucker!
The Village Office has been fortunate to have Michelle Tucker as our Management Intern and Deputy Clerk for the past two years. Michelle has assisted with a wide variety of special projects and day-to-day transactions, from absentee voting to property tax payments. She has brought great ideas and enthusiasm, attending nearly every Village Board and Committee meeting. Michelle earned her Master of Public Administration degree in 2017 and in December, she accepted a full-time position with the Village of Germantown to be their new Deputy Clerk/Management Analyst; her last day with Wind Point was December 29. We are very excited for Michelle as she starts her new position, and we thank her for all great work in the Point!

Michelle joins the list of recent management interns who made contributions in Wind Point before transitioning to a full-time position in public administration - Ken Camilleri is currently the Administrator of Pine City, Minnesota. Kevin Ausman works as the Management Assistant for the Village of Menomonee Falls and Brandon Bledsoe is the Town Administrator for Bristol (Dane County). Wind Point has been fortunate to receive grant funding from the Wisconsin City Management Association for its internship program for the past three years. The program has been a win-win for the Village and these individuals starting their careers in public administration!
Village Hires New Consultant Engineer and Plumbing Inspector
  • Douglas Snyder and his team at Baxter & Woodman in Burlington will begin serving as the Village's consultant engineer as of January 1. Mr. Snyder was selected after a Request for Qualifications and interview process was recently completed by the Public Works & Utilities Committee. The Committee recommended Mr. Snyder and Baxter & Woodman due to their fit with the Village's needs and their expertise in municipal engineering. They will replace Nielsen, Madsen & Barber which provided engineering services to the Village for many years.

  • Rick Herman will begin serving as Wind Point's plumbing inspector, effective January 9, 2018. Mr. Herman is a certified master plumber with over 20 years of plumbing experience. To schedule an inspection or request permitting information, Mr. Herman can be reached at 262-498-3191.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting on December 14, 2017. The following actions took place at the meeting:

  • Heard a report from Ray Leffler, Newport Development Corporation, on the status of acquiring the Wind Point School property and his ideas for redeveloping the property.
  • Had an initial meeting with Jeffrey Sanders, Community Planning & Consulting, to discuss the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan process.
  • Met with Douglas Snyder of Baxter & Woodman regarding village engineering services.
  • Approved the replacement of the utility van with a Ford Transit Connection in the total amount of $25,123.70.
  • Approved Ordinance 17-07 which provides exceptions to building, electrical and plumbing permits for certain projects.
  • Approved contracting with Rick Herman for plumbing inspections services beginning on January 9, 2018, and entering into separate agreements for the building/HVAC, electrical and plumbing inspectors.
  • Approved 2018 insurance policy renewals.
  • Approved an amendment to the 2018 wage schedule (Resolution 17-R12).
  • Approved standing committee appointments.
  • Approved the issuance of a “Class B”/Class “B” license to Benchmark Hospitality for the premises at 33 E. Four Mile Rd. (Wingspread).
  • Approved lighting and painting work at the Village Office.
  • Heard an update on a water utility billing issue.
  • Instructed the village administrator to proceed with the agreement for village engineering services as discussed in closed session.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Hall (lighthouse).
Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524