Reminder to Shovel Around Fire Hydrants |
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We haven’t had much snow so far this winter, but it’s always good to be prepared when it comes to Mother Nature! All residents are asked to make sure that fire hydrants that are adjacent to their property are clear of snow after each snowfall.
If a fire hydrant is lost or buried in the snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate and dig out the hydrant when they arrive.
Clear the snow three feet all around the hydrant so firefighters have enough room to connect a hose. We would also like to remind you to look out for your neighbors who are elderly or have disabilities by taking a few extra minutes to shovel out their hydrants.
Finally, whether you are shoveling around hydrants or clearing your driveway, please refrain from pushing, shoveling, or blowing snow into the roadway.
Thank you for your help!
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Meet Your Wind Point Police Officers -
Interim Chief Tommy Sharrett
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Interim Chief Tommy Sharrett began his law enforcement career right out of high school by joining the U.S. Army Military Police Corps.
After serving in the military he attended Cardinal Strich University in the Religious Studies Department. After gaining employment with the Racine County Sheriff's Office in 2015 he studied Criminal Justice at Gateway Technical College in the Criminal Justice Department.
During his career at the Sheriff’s Office, he has worked in the Jail, Patrol, and is currently assigned as an Investigator in the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
While serving with the Sheriff’s Office he has also served as a public safety diver, crowd control team assistant commander, with major crash investigations, and on honor guard teams, to name a few.
Tommy was born and raised in Racine. Interim Chief Sharrett has been employed by the Wind Point Police Department since July of 2017. Thank you, Interim Chief Sharrett!
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Meet Your Wind Point Police Officers -
Officer Brendan Calvert
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Officer Brendan Calvert attended Gateway Technical College and received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice in 2008. Officer Calvert began his law enforcement career in 2009 after attending the Law Enforcement Academy at Gateway Technical College.
Officer Calvert is currently employed by the Village of Caledonia Police Department (Full-Time), Village of Twin Lakes Police Department (Part-Time), Village of Wind Point Police Department (Part-Time), and Gateway Technical College Law Enforcement Academy (Part-Time).
Officer Calvert is currently assigned as a Third Shift Patrol Officer for the Village of Caledonia Police Department. During his career at the Caledonia Police Department, Officer Calvert has served as a Field Training Officer, Instructor, Honor Guard Member, Entry Team Member, and Evidence Technician to name a few.
Officer Calvert was born in Illinois and raised in Kenosha County. When not working, Officer Calvert enjoys spending time with his family (Wife and 2 Children) and attending sporting events. Officer Calvert also coaches his son’s baseball team.
One of Officer Calvert’s goals is to attend a baseball game in each of 30 Major League Baseball Stadiums. Officer Calvert has been employed by the Village of Wind Point Police Department since April of 2017. Thank you, Officer Calvert!
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2024 Lighthouse Tour Dates |
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Lighthouse Keepers Many Ann and Joe Huser are preparing for another season of tours at the Wind Point Lighthouse! There will be a total of five regular tour dates on the first Sunday of each month. Lighthouse Open Tower Climb dates for 2024 will be June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, and October 6.
Reservations for public tour times can be made online at windpointlighthouse.org (click on “Book a Tour” or “Visit Us”). Tours for private groups are also available by making arrangements with the lighthouse keepers - more information about private group tours is available at http://windpointlighthouse.org/visit-us/ .
Call for Volunteers!
If you are interested in getting involved at the lighthouse as a volunteer, please contact Mary Ann and Joseph. Extra help is needed to coordinate tours – if going up the tower isn’t your thing, we also have a need for people at the ground level to greet and register guests. Light lunch and refreshments are provided on tour dates. Contact Mary Ann at 262-639-3777 or lhkeeper@windpoint.org .
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Tips To Preventing Burglaries While On Vacation |
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If you are thinking of escaping the cold and traveling somewhere for vacation, please keep in mind some things you can do to help safeguard your home:
- Set lights on timers in and around your home. Have the times the lights turn on and off different for each respective room so as to not have all the lights turn on or off at the same time.
- Have the points of entry for your home be well lit.
- Have a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member check on your home while you’re away. The more times they can check during a 24-hour period, the better. You can also arrange vacation checks with the Wind Point Police Department (call 262-639-3022 to make arrangements).
- Don't advertise on social media that you are away from your home. Keep in mind that even things you set as private on social media may not stay private depending on what information friends or family comment on or share with others on their social media pages.
- Set and activate your home security alarm. If you don't have one, consider installing smart doorbells or motion activated cameras at your home. These devices can alert you to motion inside or outside your home and can send the alert right to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer anywhere you can connect to the internet.
- Prepare before you leave for vacation. Stop delivery of the newspaper and mail. Have packages held for the respective package delivery services (i.e. UPS, FedEx, etc.).
- Stay vigilant and call the police if you see or hear anything that you feel is out of the ordinary.
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The Village Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting on January 11, 2024. The following actions took place at the meeting:
- Approved a Resolution to be forwarded to Congressman Steil Supporting the Credentialing of Shepherds College to Allow Access to Pell Grants and Federal Work Study Opportunities for students.
- Approved a letter to be sent to Racine County requesting the Village join the Wisconsin Cyber Alliance Cybersecurity Consortium
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the Village Hall (lighthouse).
The Plan Commission met January 4 and January 18, 2024, to review the Zoning Ordinances updates. The Village contracted with Jeffrey Sanders of Community Planning and Consulting to bring our Zoning Ordinances up to date and into compliance with state and federal laws.
The Plan Commission has reviewed most of the ordinances with Mr. Sanders and has one more review scheduled for a future meeting. No action has been taken on any ordinance updates/changes.
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Wind Point Community Club Seeks Members |
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The Wind Point Community Club was an integral part of Wind Point for many years and sponsored many community events. Ever since the pandemic it has been restricted in its ability to support community events due to lack of volunteers.
We are looking for help from other community-minded Wind Point residents to assist with organizing and working well-loved community events, such as the Holiday Party and Wreath Lighting, the Wind Point Community Picnic and the Dolly Buggy Parade, in addition to adding some other fun family events.
Participating in the Wind Point Community Club and the events it puts on is a wonderful way to meet your neighbors and serve our wonderful community!
We will be having a Wind Point Community Club Open House on Wednesday March 13, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Wind Point Lighthouse (Village Hall). Please stop by and learn about the wonderful things that the Wind Point Community Club has done in the past and would like to do in the future! Wine and appetizers will be served. All are welcome.
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The 2024 Spring General election is April 9. Voting will take place in the Department of Public Works Bulding behind the village offices at 215 E. Four Mile Rd. The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
In Wind Point three individuals are running for three Trustee seats - incumbents Rob Loppnow and Herb Beighley and newcomer Carmen Gaspero.
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Garbage/Recycling Pickup and
Hazardous Waste Collection
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John’s Disposal will continue to be the Village’s Garbage and Recycling Vendor in 2024. Garbage will continue to be picked up on Mondays and recycling will be picked up every other Monday.
Exceptions are when a holiday falls on a Monday; the pickup will be pushed to the next day. For example, January 1, 2024, falls on a Monday, pickup will be Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
As a reminder, please place all materials out the night before or by 6:00 a.m. on the day of service. Please click here for the complete collection schedule for 2024.
Wind Point will again be part of the Racine Wastewater Utility Household Hazardous Waste Colleciton in 2024. The collection will be held every third Saturday from June through October. Collection begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m., and takes place at 6200 21st Street in Racine.
A flier with more information, including a list of the items to be collected, is shown above and is available here. Copies of the flier are also available at the vilage offices
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Reminder: Boats and Trailers Cannot Be Stored Outside During Winter |
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Sec.36-75 of the Wind Point Municipal Code provides that boats, campers, trailers, or recreational vehicles cannot be stored outdoors on private property during the months of November through March. (Except for snowmobiles which may be kept behind the house between December 15 and March 15.)
Up to one boat, camper, trailer, or recreational vehicle may be stored outdoors on private property between the months of April through October only, in a location behind the house and between the side building lines.
If you need to have a boat, trailer, or recreational vehicle in your driveway for a temporary period, temporary storage permission may be requested from Wind Point Police for a period of up to five days (limited to four times per year, per property). Please contact Wind Point Police (non-emergency) at (262) 639-3022 to request temporary storage permission (please leave a voice message if an officer is not in the office at the time of your call).
Thank you for your cooperation!
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Wind Point Residents Eligible for Discounted Rentals at the Lighthouse |
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Planning a special event in the coming year? The Wind Point Lighthouse offers a beautiful setting for private events, from intimate gatherings in the hall to larger groups on the south lawn. You could even plan a private tour of the tower while you are at it!
Wind Point residents can take advantage of rental discounts of $100.00 off for hall reservations and up to $200.00 (based on group size) off for large group rentals on the south lawn.
For more information visit the lighthouse rentals webpage or contact the lighthouse keepers, Mary Ann and Joseph Huser at 262-639-3777 or lhkeeper@windpoint.org. Income from rentals helps support the maintenance of the lighthouse!
Keep up with local events by visiting https://www.visitracinecounty.com/events/local/
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Birthdays & Anniversaries |
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Happy February Birthday to Police Officers Sawyer Schmitt and Aaron Henry!
Happy February Work Anniversary to Police Officer Tom Pie (eight years) and Lighthouse Keeper and Department of Public Works employee Joe Huser (two years).
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Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer
position open
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Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Chris Bennett resigned from the Village of Wind Point effective February 24, 2024.
Please join us in wishing him well in his future endeavors. In the meantime, we will manage with existing staff and volunteer support from board members.
Look for updates on the recruitment process in future editions of this newsletter. This position will be posted in February for recruitment of new applicants.
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Did you know that you can get weekly email updates from the Racine County's Executive's Office? The weekly newsletter provides information on all the things happening in Racine County. You can sign up for the newsletter by clicking here.
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PRAIRIE SCHOOL
Mean Girls: High School Version Mar. 14-15th at 6:30PM, Mar. 16th at 2:00 & 6:30PM at John Mitchell Theater
RACINE THEATER GUILD
Broadway Blockbusters - Celebrate the soaring ballads, show stopping numbers, and unforgettable melodies that have made generations fall in love with theatre and electrified New York City for over a century! Feb 10th 2:00 & 7:00 PM
Now and Then - When Jamie and Abby swap stories with a stranger at the bar, the unbelievable truth he shares unfolds into a heartfelt romantic comedy. Feb. 23 – Mar 10 see website for show times
THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TRAIL IN WISCONSIN
America's most famous architect reveled in the natural beauty of his home state of Wisconsin.
This 200-mile trail through southern Wisconsin features nine sites chosen to provide architectural enthusiasts and casual visitors with a rich exposure to Wright’s genius.
Wright’s built designs on the trail include the SC Johnson Administration Building, Research Tower, Wingspread, Burnham Block, Monona Terrace, Unitarian Meeting House, Wyoming Valley School, A.D. German Warehouse, and the many buildings that comprise the 800-acre Taliesin property, including the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center at Riverview Terrace.
Along the trail, visitors can enjoy the many dining, hiking, arts, and cultural offerings in Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Richland Center, and Spring Green. Learn how to visit and tour these nine Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Wisconsin. For more information go to https://franklloydwrighttrail.org/
WIND POINT COMMUNITY CLUB
We will have an Open House on Wednesday March 13, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Wind Point Lighthouse (Village Hall). Please stop by and learn about the wonderful things that the Wind Point Community Club has done in the past and would like to do in the future! Wine and appetizers will be served. All are welcome.
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Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524
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