Published by the Village of Union Grove - February 2022
No Primary Election in February
A primary election will not be necessary in Union Grove this month for the upcoming Spring Election. The ballot for the Spring Election on April 5 will include races for Village Board, School Boards, County Supervisor, Circuit Court Judge and Court of Appeals Judge. The ballot will also include an advisory referendum on the use of ATVs, UTVs and golf carts on Village roads. For more information on the Spring Election, click here.

Village Board Candidate Filings
This year’s Spring Election will include races for three Village Trustee offices. Incumbent Gordon Svendsen filed a Notice of Noncandidacy, signaling he will not run for re-election of Trustee #2; Sandy Born will be the only candidate on the ballot running for Trustee #2. Incumbent Adam Graf will be running unopposed for Trustee #4. Incumbent Amy Sasse and Amy Sweet will be on the ballot for Trustee #6.

For election or voting related questions, contact Village Clerk Rebecca Wallendal at (262) 878-1818 or rwallendal@uniongrove.net.
Small Business Grants Available
Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) is offering grants to small businesses that have experienced a negative impact as a direct result of the pandemic. The Racine County Community Development Block Grant -Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Microenterprise Grant Program provides economic relief to small businesses with five employees or less and that meet certain income requirements. The grant offers up to $12,000 of cash to aid in operational costs, training needs, professional fees, costs related to changing the business model to adapt to current economic conditions and costs to improve safety during the pandemic. For more information and to apply, click here.

Main Street Bounceback Grants Still Available
Grants in the amount of $10,000 are still available to new or existing businesses opening a new location or expanding operations in a vacant commercial where the lease commences, or sales contract closes, on or after January 1, 2021 and on or before June 30, 2022. Several new businesses in Union Grove have taken advantage of this program, and individuals considering opening a new business are encouraged to act before this program ends! For more information, click here.
A ribbon-cutting was held on January 22 for the grand opening of Two Creek Farms at 1360 15th Ave. We are excited to welcome Two Creek Farms to Union Grove!
Village Seeks Part-Time DPW Laborer
The Village of Union Grove is now seeking a skilled and public service-minded individual to assist our Public Works Department as a part-time laborer! The responsibilities of the position include assisting with lawn care, park maintenance, cleaning of equipment, brush pickup, street maintenance, snow/ice removal, painting, or other work with the streets department, wastewater utility or water utility as assigned. The individual works about 32 hours per week from April through October, and works as-needed November through March. The starting wage is $15.00-$20.00 per hour, depending on qualifications. For more information, and to fill out an application, visit uniongrove.net/employment.
ATV, UTV and Golf Cart Referendum FAQ
Union Grove electors will have the opportunity to vote on three advisory referendums this April relating to whether ATVs, UTVs and/or golf carts should be allowed on Village roads. A frequently asked questions webpage has been prepared by Village staff to address some of the common questions people have about this topic.

Wisconsin statutes provide certain regulations that would need to be followed if ATVs, UTVs and/or golf carts we allowed on Village roads. Other issues like insurance are not addressed in the statutes but could be addressed by a local ordinance. As an advisory referendum, the results of the vote are non-binding and the Village Board could decide whether to enact an ordinance on this matter. The FAQ webpage is available at uniongrove.net/atvfaq.
Milldrum St. Construction Planning Updates
As reported in the January E-News, a road and utility construction project on Milldrum St. between 17th and 18th Ave. is being planned for this summer. On January 17, the Water, Wastewater, Storm Water and Streets Committee was presented with options for sidewalk along Milldrum St. between the school and 18th Ave. After hearing about the options from the village engineer, and considering input from neighboring property owners, the Committee asked the village engineer to proceed with designing sidewalk on both sides of the road in a location that would be three feet back from the curb. The Committee acknowledged that the final decision to proceed with constructing sidewalks will depend on bid prices the Village receives in March. The village engineer is expected to present a full design draft at the Committee’s next meeting, which is scheduled on Monday, February 21 at 6 p.m. (in the Municipal Center, 2nd floor board room). Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Committee Researching Backyard Chickens
Public comments were made at the Administration Committee meeting on January 10 regarding the desire for the Village to allow backyard chickens on residential properties. Current Village ordinances state "no person shall keep or maintain in any zoning district any poultry, pigeons or fowl, or any animal raised for fur bearing purposes, or any livestock, including, but not limited to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, or swine, whether or not such animal is domesticated, tamed, or a pet."

Several nearby municipalities such as Waterford, Sturtevant, Mount Pleasant and Racine have ordinances allowing people to obtain a permit to keep chickens in their backyard. The ordinances set certain restrictions relating to things like the maximum number of chickens allowed, enclosure requirements and setbacks from property lines. Administration Committee members agreed to research this topic further and to review ordinance examples for discussion at its next meeting on February 8 at 6 p.m.
Bulk Collections Reminders
Did you know that every Union Grove residence gets one free bulk pickup per month?

Excess garbage or recycling that does not fit in the regular carts is acceptable for a bulk collection. Garbage must be in bags or personal cans. Recycling must be in clear plastic bags. Other acceptable bulk items include furniture, carpeting (no wider than 4 feet and rolled), large metal items, cardboard (flattened and empty), appliances, tires (2 per home/8 per year), drain oil & antifreeze (sealed in 1-5 gallon containers), humidifiers, dehumidifiers, water softeners and air conditioners.

Bulk collections are scheduled by appointment only. Call Johns Disposal at (262) 473-4700 or email office@johnsdisposal.com. Be sure to schedule an appointment before setting out bulk items.
On January 24, Village staff celebrated Brian Dexter's 30th Anniversary of working in our DPW Department. Below is a list of recent and upcoming staff anniversaries:

  • 30 years - Brian Dexter, DPW Laborer, January 6
  • 24 years - Brad Maier, Wastewater Operator, March 16
  • 10 years - Kathleen Heineck, Librarian, March 13
  • 3 years - Mike Hawes, Village Administrator, February 6
  • 1 year - Martha Sheahan, Circulation Clerk, March 22
  • 1 year - Alyssa Fell, Circulation Clerk, March 24

Thank you for your continued service to the Village of Union Grove!
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held regular meetings on January 10 and January 24. Following is a recap of actions that took place:

January 10 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved work orders submitted by Baxter & Woodman for engineering design and construction services relating to Milldrum Street Infrastructure Improvements in the amount of $155,700 and 18th Avenue Lift Station Improvements in the total amount of $95,000.
  • Approved an application for a "Class A" license for the sale of intoxicating liquors submitted for Sette Mari Inc. (d/b/a Seven Seas Creative Space), 1029 Main St.
  • Approved Resolution 2022-01, appointing 2022-2023 election inspectors.
  • Approved reductions in letters of credit relating to Phase I and Phase II of the Dunham Grove subdivisions.
  • Approved the appointment of Jennifer Schmidt to the Plan Commission to fill a vacancy with a term ending in April 2023.

January 24 Regular Meeting:
  • Reviewed a draft frequently asked questions document pertaining to the ATV, UTV and golf cart advisory referendum, and instructed staff to proceed with publishing the document, subject to review by Police Commission.
  • Approved Pay Request #2 (Final) submitted by DK Contractors in the amount of $9,789 for 11th Ave. Storm Sewer Improvements.
  • Approved Pay Request #5 submitted by DK Contractors in the amount of $994,716.12 for the Industrial Park Infrastructure Improvements project, subject to installation of traffic signs and fence enclosure.
  • Approved request to waive park reservation and deposit fees for Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt on April 9, 2022 at School Yard Park.
  • Presented proclamation expressing congratulations to Casey Shevokas for earning rank of Eagle Scout after completing gazebo improvements project at Village Square Park.

Want to receive weekly recaps from all Village Board and Committee meetings? Sign up to receive the Village Administrator's Weekly Updates.
Upcoming Meetings Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are currently being held in-person at the Union Grove Municipal Center in the second floor Village Board Room. Teleconference call-in numbers and access codes will be posted on meeting agendas when a call-in option is available. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.

  • February 2 - Fire Commission (6 p.m. at the fire station)
  • February 7 - Plan Commission (6 p.m.)
  • February 8 - Administration Committee (6 p.m.)
  • February 9 - Library Board (5 p.m. at the library)
  • February 14 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • February 14 - Recreation & Parks Committee (after Village Board)
  • February 15 - Community Development Authority (6 p.m.)
  • February 21 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (6 p.m.)
  • February 28 - Village Board (6 p.m.)

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