Message from the
Village President, Julie Siegel
The intent of the ordinance is to help keep our residents healthy and maintain Silver Spring Drive as safe place to shop locally. While everyone might not agree, an overwhelming amount of correspondence received at Village Hall was supportive of this measure. Please remember to be kind to each other. The stress from dealing with COVID-19 is real. I appreciate your cooperation.
Also, please remember that portions of Lake Drive will be temporarily closed during three time periods over three days (July 28 to July 30) to allow for the application of a High Friction Surface Treatment. See below for more information. To subscribe to our newsletter,
click here.
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Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing?
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When is in-person absentee voting available at Village Hall? In-person absentee voting will be held at Village Hall beginning Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31 and Monday, August 3 through Friday August 7 during regular business hours (until 5:00 pm August 7). A face mask or covering is required to enter Village Hall.
Why wasn't my chipping and yard waste collected last week? We are currently experiencing a severe Public Works Department staff shortage due to COVID-19 protocol. Service delivery provided by the Public Works Department is presently focused on only critical services such as refuse and recycling collection. Other services such as yard waste and brush collection will be delayed until further notice. We appreciate your patience during this time.
Was the Whitefish Bay Art Fest Cancelled? The 2020 Whitefish Bay Art Fest has been cancelled. We look forward to the event returning in 2021.
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This Week's Meetings:
No meetings this week. The Village is using GoToMeeting for upcoming meetings.
For other meeting agendas and minutes, please visit the
Agenda Center page on the Village Website.
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Last Week's Meetings:
- Thursday, July 23, 8:00 am, Virtual GoToMeeting.
- Thursday, July 23, 5:30 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting.
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Update from the North Shore Health Department:
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Please Limit Social Gatherings and Events
As of July 20th, 2020, there were 137 active cases of COVID-19 in the North Shore. The number of active cases of COVID-19 is continuing to rise within the North Shore everyday which could pose significant impacts on reopening plans throughout the rest of the year. Currently, the
North Shore is in Phase C of reopening in which the recommended limit for the number of people in mass gatherings is 50 or less. As the community continues to reopen, we ask that people limit social gatherings and events to minimize the spread of COVID-19. These risk levels of spreading COVID-19 adapted from the CDC website could be helpful when considering attending social events and gatherings:
- Lowest risk: Virtual activities, events, and gatherings
- Medium risk: Small outdoor in-person gatherings of individuals from the same local area (community, city, county). Attendees remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear cloth face coverings, and do not share objects.
- High Risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings of individuals from outside of the local area. Spacing allows for attendees to be 6 ft apart. Some wear face cloth coverings.
- Higher Risk: Large in-person gatherings of individuals from outside of the local area. Spacing does not allow for attendees to remain 6ft apart. Attendees do not wear face cloth coverings.
In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Limiting close face-to-face contact with others as much as possible is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you do plan on attending social events/gatherings, we encourage everyone to wash hands frequently, use face cloth coverings, and to practice social distancing.
If you are planning to host an event or gathering, the CDC released an
Events Gathering: Readiness and Planning Tool that you can refer to to help protect staff, volunteers, and attendees. Organizers should continue to assess, based on current conditions, whether to postpone, cancel, or significantly reduce the number of attendees for gatherings. If possible, also consider hosting virtual events as an alternative or offering options for online attendees in conjunction with in-person attendees.
For more information about social gatherings and events, please visit the
CDC website.
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The August Bay Leaves monthly magazine is available on the
Village website. Stories include:
- Resident Feature: A visit with the DiMilo’s for a closer look at some of their many hobbies – filmmaking, gardening, and cooking to name a few.
- A reminder from Village Hall to do your part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and vote absentee this upcoming election cycle!
- An update from the Merchants of Whitefish Bay on the farmers market, art festival, and more.
- Information from the Whitefish Bay Library on how to take advantage of enjoyable digital content while the library remains closed.
- A piece from the Historical Commission on Wisconsin’s race to ratify the 19th Amendment.
- Community: Camp/Whitcomb Mason and what it means to the children involved.
- An update on the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation’s modified Ice Cream Social, safe and delicious!
- Fall recreation guides from Whitefish Bay Recreation are out now, along with updated information on their “55 and Better” program.
- Myth or Fact? North Shore Fire and Rescue debunks some common falsities about cell phones and gas pumps, while providing insight on how to remain safe at the pump.
- Pet microchipping, lawn care tips, and much more in this month’s issue!
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Updates from Village Hall:
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August Election Information:
45% of Whitefish Bay voters have requested absentee ballots for the August 11 Election. The Village of Whitefish Bay is urging ALL voters to request an absentee ballot for the August 11, 2020 Partisan Primary Election by mail. Voting through the mail reduces public contact with our poll workers.
Offices to be elected for the August 11, 2020 Partisan Primary Election election include: Representative in Congress, State Senator, Representative to Assembly, District Attorney, and Milwaukee County Clerk, Treasurer, and Register of Deeds.
How to Request an Absentee Ballot by Mail: You may request a ballot online at
myvote.wi.gov or download an absentee ballot application under election information via our quick links section on our homepage:
www.wfbvillage.org. You also may request a ballot be mailed to you by
emailing the Village. Your request must include a copy of your WI photo ID and be received no later than 5:00 pm on August 6, 2020.
Deadline for Returning your Absentee Ballot: Your completed absentee ballot must be received by 8:00 pm on Election Day. If you would like further information about elections or registering to vote, please contact Deputy Clerk Caren Brustmann at (414) 962-6690 ext.122
- View a sample ballot
- Register to vote
- Request an absentee ballot
- Check the status of your absentee ballot
- Avoid long lines in August or November
In-person absentee voting: In-person absentee voting will be held at Village Hall beginning Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31 and Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7 during regular business hours (and until 5:00 pm August 7).
A face mask or face covering is required to enter Village Hall.
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Poll Workers Needed:
In response to COVID-19, the Village of Whitefish Bay is urging ALL voters to request an absentee ballot for the August and November elections. Voting through the mail reduces public contact with our poll workers, many of whom are senior citizens. Because of this increase in absentee voting by mail, the Village is looking for temporary help from Milwaukee County residents to assist on Election Day (Tuesday, August 11th). There are full or partial shifts available, and the pay is $10.00/hr.
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Return Your Absentee Ballot:
Your options to return your ballot:
- Place your ballot in the mail. The U.S. Postal Service sorts and delivers official election mail in an expedited fashion.
- Use the dropbox just inside the Village Hall vestibule door. The box is checked regularly during the day.
- Drop your ballot off at the Village Hall front desk during regular business hours.
Please remember that your ballot must be received at Village Hall (not postmarked) by 8:00 pm on August 11, 2020.
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Whitefish Bay Facemask Requirements:
At a Special Meeting on Thursday, July 23, 2020, the Village Board adopted Ordinance No. 1869 which requires face masks or face coverings to be worn inside buildings open to the public in Whitefish Bay. This ordinance is effective immediately.
Please click here to view the signed ordinance.
Ordinance No. 1869 Requirements:
- Everyone in Whitefish Bay must wear a face mask or face covering in any building open to the public, unless they fall under one of the exceptions noted in the ordinance.
- The requirement to wear a face mask or face covering in any building open to the public begins immediately.
- This ordinance is in effect until the end of the COVID-19 Health Emergency Declaration in Whitefish Bay (currently October 1, 2020).
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Updates from Public Works:
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Historic Flooding of 2010 - A Look Back After a Decade of Improvements
Last week the Village released a report looking back at the floods of 2010. Over the past 10 years, the Village has implemented a number of improvement projects to reduce basement sewer backups and flooding.
Please click to view the report.
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Lake Drive Closures:
Portions of Lake Drive will be temporarily closed during three time periods over three days (July 28 to July 30) to allow for the application of a High Friction Surface Treatment on the Palisades Curve, Pandl's Curve, and Silver Spring Curve. This road treatment will increase vehicle traction and improve overall street safety. Please see the dates and times below along with project locations and a detour map.
Please click here for more information. All work is weather permitting.
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Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation
(Drive-Through) Ice Cream Social:
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Date: August 5, 2020, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm or while supplies last.
Locale: The parking lot (in front of the warming house) at Cahill Park, 1001 E. Fairmount Ave. Please go north on N. Woodruff Ave, and then east on E. Fairmount Ave to enter the Cahill Park parking lot.
Details: Our 2020 event will be a socially distant, drive-through event with one type of ice cream treat available. All Civic Foundation volunteers working the event will undergo a pre-shift health check, including having their temperature taken, wear masks, wear gloves, and maintain social distance when possible.
Please be prepared to roll down your passenger side window to let us know how many treats you are requesting for your family, and we’ll deliver them to your car. We encourage our neighbors to help support community health by staying home if they are ill. We also encourage those picking up ice cream to wear a mask. Thank you, Whitefish Bay. You are the best!
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Updates from the School District:
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- NEW DATE - Special Board Meeting: July 27, 2020 at 7:00 pm - School Board Update and Opening of Schools Recommendation Review
- Special Board Meeting August 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm - School Board Update and possible approval of Opening of Schools Plan
- Regular School Board Meeting August 12, 2020 - School Board Update of Opening of Schools progress
School District Registration Open for New WFB Resident Families: Have you recently moved into the Village of Whitefish Bay? The School District is currently taking enrollment for K4-12th grades for new Whitefish Bay residents. Reminder for age guidelines:
- Junior Kindergarten: 4 years old on or before September 1, 2020.
- Senior Kindergarten: 5 years old on or before September 1, 2020.
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Pollinator Pockets Project:
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The Whitefish Bay Garden Club, with the approval by the Whitefish Bay Public Works Committee, is creating pollinator pockets in areas of the Village that are underutilized. Ninety percent of the world’s flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce, but there have been significant declines in native pollinator populations. Yet, these insects and birds can be supported with even a small plot of nectar-rich native plants.
This project will connect small patches of pollinator friendly native plants from Cahill Park north along Marlborough Drive to Silver Spring Park, and North Lake Drive to Klode Park creating a Pollinator Pathway. Small areas on Village green spaces will be converted to nectar rich plantings to support these important insects. Come see the newest patch of prairie in the retaining wall at Cahill Park. We hope you will find ideas for plants that you can put in your own garden. Together we can raise awareness of the role native pollinators play in our community and provide healthy habitat for them.
For information or to learn how you can help, contact us at
wfbgardenclub@gmail.com. Submitted by Jill Griffee Ross, Photo by Morgan Vilar
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From the Whitefish Bay Public Library:
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Library Hours - Open for browsing, checkouts and computers (no appointments needed):
- Monday & Wednesday: 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
- Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
Come into the library building to browse books, renew library cards, apply for a new card, or use the copier/scanner. No need to make an appointment; just stop by during our open hours. Please keep your library visits to 30 minutes or less. And thanks for protecting staff and other patrons by wearing your mask. (Masks are required and we can provide you with one if you don’t already have one.) Library computers are available for up to 1 hour per day, no appointment necessary.
Curbside Pickup (by appointment):
- Monday, Wednesday, & Saturday: 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
- Tuesday & Thursday: 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Summer Reading Program: There are just a few weeks left to enter our summer reading program! Sign up online through Beanstack and experience the great programs for all ages, full of opportunities for fun and learning. You can register online here or you can also use the Beanstack app! Download the Beanstack app and search for Whitefish Bay Public Library. The program runs through August 15.
Library Returns: Please keep in mind returned items are being quarantined for three days so they will remain on you card until then. But don't worry, items are being back-dated and checked in with their original return date.
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Water Safety from the Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin:
COVID-19 has drastically shifted our priorities and our way of living, and with these changes comes a set of unique challenges we must work to address in order to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.
With public pools remaining closed throughout the state, this summer children and their families will likely turn to private pools, lakes, and Lake Michigan beaches to swim. Be sure to visit the
Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin website for water safety informational resources.
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Update From Bay Bridge:
Zoom Webinar - Raising Children to be Brave, Thoughtful and Knowledgeable About Race on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Learn how to discuss race with children & explore tools available to help children develop diverse friendships. For parents, teachers, or anyone who interacts with children aged 6-12. Electronic resources will be provided. Hosted by Bay Bridge, Milwaukee With Kids, and From the Same Dust.
Click here to register.
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Whitefish Bay Farmers Market Continues Each Saturday:
The Whitefish Bay Farmers Market continues each Saturday through October 19, 2020 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Farmers Market is located in the Aurora Parking Lot (325 E Silver Spring Dr.).
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Camp-in-a-Bag on sale now at the Lydell Community Center!
Missing camp this summer?! We are too!!! That's why we teamed up with Mr. Joey from Cumberland and Mrs. Joan from Richards to bring all of the fun and exciting ACTIVITIES right to you this summer! Each bag will contain the supplies for 2 STEM, art, science, and cooking along with a bi-weekly app game to be played virtually with Mr. Joey!
- Week 1/2 nature and exploring
- Week 3/4 magical fantasy
- Week 5/6 travel the world!
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