Published by the Village of Union Grove - June 2020
Message from Mike Aimone, Village President
We are all experiencing what will likely prove to be a pivotal moment in history. The world as we’ve known it has certainly changed. And the magnitude of this change has been so great that this will likely become a new point-in-time reference. Think about the number of times you find yourself referring to things as “before or pre-COVID-19." This has been an event so powerful, so altering, that there will always be a before and after. There are so many unknowns and so many unanswered questions. No matter what we do, we can’t be completely safe from a faceless virus. It feels like we have little control over so many aspects of our lives.
 
Our top priority is providing for both our employees and your health and safety while reopening the Municipal Center. That has been the priority since we started responding to COVID-19 and every decision we’ve made has been with that in mind. So at this time we would like to share our return to “Normal"...

  • The Municipal Center is now re-open to visitors during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). We are regularly disinfecting the building and we have hand sanitizer dispensers in several locations in the building. If in-person assistance is not necessary, please consider using the 24/7 dropbox to submit payments or paperwork to the Village or call for assistance, at (262) 878-1818.

  • Beginning today, June 1, in-person meetings are resuming for the Village Board and Committees. For the time being, meetings will be held in the first-floor Community Room instead of the normal Board Room on the second floor. A call-in option will be available to accommodate anyone who wishes to join remotely; call-in information is provided on the top of meeting agendas. Village Board will be temporarily taking place on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month (instead of 2nd and 4th).

And on behalf of the community of Union Grove I'd like to thank the staff and administration of UGHS and UGES for all their efforts and creativity in recognizing our graduating students. Your dedication is inspiring to all. Wishing nothing but the best for all graduates in your future.

“As a Community we will find our way, through Respect for Each Other…
Union Grove Let’s Lead the Way.”

Respectfully,
Mike Aimone, Union Grove Village President
Rec. Department Baseball and Softball Update
On May 28, the Recreation & Parks Committee made a recommendation to proceed with the youth baseball and softball seasons this summer. The recommendation is conditioned upon rule changes and precautions to comply with health department guidelines. Parents would be required to sign a waiver and parents would have a two-week period before the season starts to withdraw their registration for a full refund if they choose.

The recommendation will go to the Village Board for a final decision this evening (Monday, June 1). Look for updates and more information on the Village website this week or contact Katie Svendsen, our recreation director from the YMCA, at 262-898-4558.
Village Park Updates
Not only do we have a new entertainment stage being constructed at School Yard Park, but also a multi-year upgrade effort is underway to fix up our parks. Here is some of the latest work going on:

  • Construction of The Pavilion at School Yard Park is concluding this week! New picnic tables will soon be set up around the concession stand and expanded patio area. The ribbon-cutting and grand opening event is currently on hold, but look for updates later this summer.
  • Old playground equipment at Leider Park has been removed, and the site is being prepped and re-graded for the new playground to be installed later this month. A new sidewalk was poured between the parking lot and picnic shelter. The park will be closed until the playground installation is complete.
  • Concrete around the gazebo at Village Square has been replaced, and the gazebo is getting a good clean-up and fresh coat of paint.
  • Playground timbers will be installed at School Yard Park to make maintenance easier.
  • A plan to open the restrooms daily at School Yard Park on a trial basis has been put on hold due to COVID-19. The restrooms will be closed this summer except for shelter reservations and youth sport events.
Library Offering In-Person Services
Graham Public Library is continuing to offer curbside holds pickup and has introduced limited in-person hours:

  • Tech Tuesdays & Thursdays (3-6 p.m.) - Do you: Need to use our computers? Need to make copies or to fax something? Want to register for a library card? The library is offering 30-minute appointments to use our computers, and 15-minute appointments to make copies/faxes/get a new card. Call us at 262-878-2910 to set up a time. Only those with confirmed appointments, for the purposes described, will be able to enter the building.

  • Stop-in Saturdays (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) - This is your time to browse for books, check out materials, and return all items inside the library. We ask that you please refrain from any other activity. Please try to limit your visit to 15 minutes or fewer since we can only have a limited number of people in the building. To keep our library clean, please wash or sanitize your hands before heading to the library. Also, please practice social distancing while you are here.
2020 Assessment Update
As announced in the May E-News, the the Village-wide interim market re-assessment planned for 2020 will not take place this year due to challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similar to a normal maintenance year, assessment adjustments will be concentrated on new construction for residential and commercial, as well as certain properties that need to be adjusted. Property assessment notices are now scheduled to be sent out on June 5 with the proper instructions to call or e-mail to discuss with the Village Assessor. If you do not receive a Notice of Assessment, your 2020 property assessment remained unchanged. Note your 2020 assessment is based on the value as of January 1, 2020 (prior to the pandemic).

If you have questions about your property's assessment, schedule an appointment with the Village Assessor during Open Book, which will take place the week of June 15-19. To schedule an appointment, call Village Assessor, Jim Henke, at 262-498-7473 or   jhenke4737@gmail.com.
Check your mailbox for the June edition of the Village Voice quarterly newsletter for more in-depth information about Village news, public works services, fire department information and updates from local organizations!
Electronics Recycling Events
An electronics recycling event was held at the Wastewater Treatment Plant on May 9. Union Grove residents recycled 6,820 pounds of electronics, which included 62 TVs, 10 CRT monitors, 21 computers and 7 treadmills! Great job keeping all these items out of the landfills! Thank you to Tim Mallach for helping coordinate the collection. Mark your calendar for the next electronics recycling event on Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Lawn Maintenance Reminder
Property owners are reminded that Village ordinance requires lawns to be kept below 9 inches in height. If grass gets above this height, the Village may have the lawn mowed and billed to the property owner. Residents are also responsible for maintaining lawns in public right-of-way areas adjacent to their property (to the edge of the road). For any questions, please contact the Village Office at (262) 878-1818 .
Staff Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following Village staff members with a recent or upcoming service anniversary:

  • 24 years - Casey Stratton, Utility Operator, August 19
  • 13 years - Craig Kreuschner, Utility Operator, July 9
  • 8 years - Roberta Campbell, Court Clerk/Utility Clerk, July 16
  • 5 years - Alexandra English, Library, May 15
  • 3 years - Lenny Friesema, DPW Laborer, May 24
  • 2 years - Rick Piette, DPW Director, August 6
  • 1 year - Kerry Bennett, Village Treasurer, May 6
  • 1 year - Dan Milostan, Utility Operator, April 22

Thank you for your continued service to the community!
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held a regular meeting on May 11. Following is a recap of Village Board actions that took place:

May 11 Regular Meeting:
  • Required that mold remediation at 1450 11th Ave. (#69) is complete by the next Village Board meeting to avoid a raze order.
  • Approved temporary meeting schedule changes effective June 1, which includes Village Board meetings will take place the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month.
Upcoming Meetings Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are now being held in-person in the first floor Community Room with an option to join via public teleconference. Teleconference call-in numbers and access codes will be posted on meeting agendas. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.

  • June 1 - Plan Commission (5 p.m.)
  • June 1 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • June 4 - Entertainment Stage Fundraising & Events (5:15 p.m.)
  • June 10 - Fire Commission at fire station (6 p.m.)
  • June 11 - Library Board (5 p.m.)
  • June 15 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • June 15 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (after VB)
  • June 16 - Community Development Authority (6 p.m.)
  • June 29 - Special Village Board (6 p.m.)

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