Published by the Village of Union Grove - July 2019
Have a Happy 4th of July!
Union Grove Municipal Center will be closed on Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day and will re-open on July 5. Garbage and recycling collections will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, July 2. The 4th of July Parade will start at 9:15 a.m., after the Kiddie Parade which starts at 8:30 a.m. Thank you to all of the police, fire/EMS and public works men and women who work or are on-call during holidays like 4th of July to keep the community safe!

Fireworks Reminders
Please note that fireworks that propel into the air are prohibited in the Village. Fireworks and related toy items that stay on the ground are allowed, but loud noises (especially at night) may be considered a nuisance under Village ordinances. Please be respectful of your neighbors, especially to combat veterans and others with sensitivity to loud noises. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Dunham Grove Receives Approvals
On June 10, the Village Board approved recommendations from the Plan Commission to grant the land use requests submitted by Pre/3 for The Residences at Dunham Grove, a 45-acre residential development on 69th Dr., east of Shumann Dr. Lengthy discussions at both the Village Board and Plan Commission public hearings involved market demands, sidewalks and safety, building designs, housing density and drainage. Some of the reasons expressed by Village Board and Plan Commission members for supporting the project included that it would extend (and loop) water and sewer service in the southeast area of the Village, it would extend 18th Ave. and help traffic to and from Union Grove Elementary School, and that it would add impact fee revenue and eventual tax base revenue to the Village.

Tax Incremental Financing District (TID) #6
On June 24, the Village Board approved the creation of Tax Incremental Financing District (TID) #6, which allows the property taxes generated by the Dunham Grove development to pay off public infrastructure costs. This includes the costs of extending and looping water and sewer services from Hwy. 11 to 18th Ave. The Village Board also approved an amendment to TID #5 to reflect a revised anticipated value of The Granary project of $10 million, compared to the value of $4.5 million in the original TID plan for the site. Both the creation of TID #6 and amendment of TID #5 will require final approval from the Joint Review Board, which is scheduled to meet on August 5.

For more information, visit the Current Development Projects webpage.
Say hello to Jesiah Campton (left) and Sam Hannon (right) who are assisting the public works department as seasonal laborers this summer! Jesiah and Sam will work with us through August when Jesiah will be entering his senior year at Union Grove High School and Sam starts an electrician apprenticeship. Thanks for all your help this summer, Jesiah and Sam!
Reminder to Disconnect Sump Pumps and Downspouts from Sanitary Sewer
The discharge of clear water from sump pumps and downspouts, especially during periods of rain and heavy snowmelt, into our sanitary sewer system creates excessive flows that may exceed the design capacity of the entire sanitary sewer system. For example: a typical home contributes approximately 200 gallons of wastewater flow per day. One sump pump can pump up to 5000 gallons per day or 25 times the average wastewater flow per home. Add downspouts to that and we have some serious volumes of water flowing into our sewer system!

What Can You Do?
Make sure your residence or business is in compliance with the Village Code Sec. 18-6 . It is a violation of the Sec. 18-6 to have clear water connections directly or indirectly connected to the Village's sanitary sewer. Property owners could be subject to daily fines if found to be in violation of Village Code Sec. 18-6. Enforcement efforts of this code section will be increasing to reduce excessive flows in the sanitary system.

The first step to being compliant is to check your property for improper clear water connections. Next, disconnect any clear water connections to the sanitary sewer that you find, making sure you have positive drainage away from your home. If you have questions regarding clear water, improper connections and how to correct the connections, please contact the Union Grove Public Works Department, at 878-1511.
Village Accepting Facade Grant Applications
The Union Grove Community Development Authority (CDA) is now accepting applications from local businesses for facade grants matching up to $5,000. It is a great opportunity to put a fresh look on your storefront while adding value to our downtown!

Owners and tenants of existing commercial buildings within Tax Incremental District (TID) #4 are eligible to apply (roughly Main St., between 7th Ave. and Hwy. 11). Applications can be found online and at the Union Grove Municipal Center. The CDA has recently updated the application requirements, so please review the new packet carefully. For questions, contact administrator Michael Hawes at mhawes@uniongrove.net or 262-878-1818. 
Graham Library Seeks Library Director Applicants
The Graham Public Library Board seeks an energetic and creative person with a strong technology background, and a firm dedication to community and customer service, to fill the position of their retiring Library Director! The Library Director reports to a seven member Board of Trustees and is responsible for the overall management of our midsize library, including staff, budget, and materials collection. The director will work actively with the Library Board of Trustees, the library staff, community groups, the Lakeshores Regional Library System, and the SHARE Consortium, to promote library/community programs.

The qualified candidate will be a strong leader, able to work both independently and with others to foster friendly and informed service to its library patrons and government officials. The ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. A Bachelor’s degree as well as eligibility for a Grade 2 Wisconsin Public Librarian Certification within four years is the minimum requirement. For more information about the position and application process, vie w the library's Job Opportunities page .
Village Board Hears 2018 Audit Presentation
On June 24, auditors from Baker Tilly presented the annual audit of the Village and Utility funds for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. To view the auditors' presentation materials,  click here . The auditors reported that the Village continues to maintain a solid financial position, meeting its fund balance policy of 25% unassigned general fund reserves. At the end of 2018, the Village had $7.6 million in general obligation debt, which is 46% of its debt capacity. Auditors also reported that while the stormwater utility had an operating loss of $11,406 in 2018, the water and sanitary sewer utilities had a positive net position in 2018.
Health Dept. Receives Level III Certification
On May 29, the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services recognized the Central Racine County Health Department (CRCHD) for advancing to a Level III Health Department. To qualify for Level III status, the department needed to demonstrate at least 14 programs and services that address at least 7 health priorities in the current state health plan ( Healthiest Wisconsin 2020 ), in addition to providing six basic public health services to the community. Congratulations to CRCHD!

Get to Know Your Health Department
The Central Racine County Health Department provides public health services to most municipalities in Racine County, including Union Grove. The department's mission is to improve the health of the community through health promotion, disease prevention, and protection from health and environmental hazards - they do everything from inspecting restaurants to monitoring communicable diseases. About 3 cents of every property tax dollar in Union Grove funds public health services. To learn more, visit the CRCHD website at crchd.com.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held regular meetings on June 10 and June 24. Following is a recap of Village Board actions taken at these meetings:

June 10 Regular Meeting:
  • Held a public hearing for the Planned Unit Development application submitted by Pre/3 for the Residences at Dunham Grove development. The Planned Unit Development application was approved, along with the request for a comprehensive plan amendment and re-zoning. The approvals are subject to ordinance adoption and a final plat.
  • Approved a Compensation and Evaluation policy.
  • Approved updates to the Personnel Handbook.
  • Approved Pay Request #1 submitted by Willkomm for the infrastructure improvements project around The Granary.
  • Approved the replacement of iPads for Village Board and Plan Commission members.
  • Appointed Karen Beard and Tony Povkovich to the Entertainment Stage Rules & Governance Committee.
  • Approved a Right-of-Way, Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement with Mammoth Springs Granary, allowing the installation of a gas firepit within the sidewalk area (along the north side of the retail building).
  • Accepted the donation of a playground set from United Methodist Church and for it to be installed in Bufton Park to replace old playground equipment.
  • Approved a request from Skydive Midwest for a parachute jump on 4th of July.

June 24 Regular Meeting:
  • Heard a presentation on the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.
  • Approved annual alcohol and dance hall licenses.
  • Approved a pay request to Wanasek Corporation for sanitary sewer improvements near The Granary development.
  • Approved a pay request to Asphalt Contractors for resurfacing and water main replacement on New St. (between 15th and 16th Ave.)
  • Approved Resolution 2019-08 to submit the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) to the Wisconsin DNR for the sanitary sewer system.
  • Approved Resolution 2019-09 for the creation of TID #6.
  • Approved Resolution 2019-10 for the amendment of TID #5.
  • Approved emergency expenditures relating to the water main break on Hwy. 11 and replacement of the screener gearbox at the wastewater treatment plant.
  • Approved a request from the Union Grove High School to finish constructing a trash enclosure over a sanitary sewer main subject to an agreement prepared by the village attorney.
  • Approved Resolution 2019-11 renaming S. 10th St. (between Main St. and State St.) to Granary Way.
  • Approved a revised easement for WE Energies work at the Union Grove Municipal Center property.
Upcoming Meetings Schedule
Meetings will be held at Union Grove Municipal Center, 925 15th Ave., unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.

  • July 1 - Plan Commission (Cancelled)
  • July 8 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • July 10 - Library Board (at library) (5 p.m.)
  • July 10 - Fire Commission (at fire station (6 p.m.)
  • July 11 - Administration Committee (6 p.m.)
  • July 11 - Recreation & Parks Committee (after Admin.)
  • July 15 - Water, Wastewater, Stormwater & Streets Committee (6 p.m.)
  • July 16 - Community Development Authority (6 p.m.)
  • July 22 - Village Board (6 p.m.)

Visit the Village Meetings webpage for meeting agendas, which are posted at least 24 hours before the meeting time.