Village Office Holiday Hours |
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We would like to wish all residents a Happy New Year!
As a reminder, the Village office will be closed on Monday, January 1, 2024, in observance of New Year’s Day. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
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Message From The President |
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Happy New Year!
This has been my first year as your Village President and I want to thank everyone: Village Trustees (current and former), Village employees, our residents, and former Village President Susan Sanabria, for all your support, advice, and hard work in getting through what has proven to be a challenging year.
When I entered office, we started off with a vacant Trustee position, then our Village Administrator left followed by our DPW Supervisor (thank goodness there was no snow!), and finally our Police Chief recently left the Village. This was compounded by water main breaks at a rate that we have not seen in the past in addition to a box culvert that needs repaired. We have had rogue turkeys roaming the Village harassing residents, some drivers ignoring our speed limits, and a burglar that didn’t burgle.
The Village Trustees got right to work and interviewed candidates for Trustee and appointed Herb Beighley. With a full Board and the assistance from our consultants, PAA, and Village employees to hire a new Village Administrator Clerk/Treasurer in August. Our new DPW supervisor came on board in October and the Board recently appointed an Interim Police Chief in December.
In between our emergencies we were able to prepare a budget without any significant tax increase, (much due to additional revenue sharing funds from the state), purchase a new front end loader without borrowing, received a generous donation from SC Johnson for a second police vehicle, work with the Village of Caledonia and our contractors to repair the water main breaks, work with the DNR to trap and relocate six turkeys, continue to work with our engineering firm to get our culvert repair out to bid, receive and review two RFP’s for Outlot 1 on Deepwood Drive, and although there will always be those who speed, through speed enforcement and education it seems to have somewhat subsided. Thank goodness we have not had any more issues with our unburglar.
Thanks to the hard work of our Trustees and several of our residents we are now able to enjoy a newly designed and planted Memorial Brick Garden at the Lighthouse grounds. Our residents were also able to enjoy Jazz in the Park (thank you Gary Smith), a fun night Trick or Treating, and an evening with Santa at the Wreath Lighting at the Wind Point Lighthouse (thank you Sherry Heck).
First on the list for 2024 is hiring a new Police Chief. The Board is also working on a long-term solution for water main repair and replacement, funding for said repair and replacement in addition to funding for repair of the box culvert. We will be updating our IT hardware and software as required by Racine County, replacing our phone system since the software will no longer be supported, and finalizing a solution to Deepwood RFP. We also support getting our Wind Point Community Club up and running again so we can enjoy more community events!
Without everyone coming together and pitching in, the transitions and challenges could have had a detrimental effect on the Village. I thank you again and look forward to continuing to serve you in 2024!
Thank you and Happy New Year!
President Alison McCulloch
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Wind Point Community Club Seeks Volunteers |
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The Wind Point Community Club is looking for help from other community-minded Wind Point residents to assist with organizing and working events, such as the Holiday Party and Wreath Lighting.
We would also like to bring back the Annual Village Picnic, Children's 4th of July Bike Parade, and add some other events. It is a wonderful way to meet neighbors and serve our community! Our community makeup is changing and some of our members who have volunteered in the past are no longer able. We would love to have new members!
We will be having a Community Club Invite Open House and Wine Tasting in the near future to learn more about the WPCC. Information will be posted in the next E-News!
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Wind Point PD Leadership Change |
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The Wind Point Police Department recently went through a leadership change. Sergeant Tommy Sharrett has been appointed interim Police Chief since the recent departure of Chief Rick Von Drasek. Sergeant Sharrett has been in civilian law enforcement for almost 10 years, in addition to the time he spent in military law enforcement. He has been with the Wind Point PD for over six years and works full-time as an Investigator with the Racine County Sheriff’s Department. We are fortunate to have Sergeant Sharrett working in our community. The PFIC will be working with the Village Administrator in posting and hiring for a new Wind Point Police Chief. |
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Nomination Forms Due January 2, 2024 |
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Village residents who are interested in running for Village Trustee must have all nomination paperwork turned into the Village Office no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
The spring election will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and the primary election will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2024, if necessary.
If you have any questions, please contact Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Chris Bennett at 262-639-3524 or by e-mail at c.bennett@windpoint.org.
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The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread invited Village of Wind Point neighbors to visit and tour Wingspread on Sunday, December 17 from 1:00pm-3:00pm.
This special opportunity was exclusively for Wind Point residents and Village staff. The home of The Johnson Foundation, Wingspread, is the 1939 Frank Lloyd Wright home built for the HF Johnson, Jr family.
Over 160 residents signed up to attend this event. Wingspread was decorated for the holidays, cookies from O & H Bakery and hot cider was served, and several tour guides were available to answer questions.
It was a fabulous event and the Village thanks Wingspread President Marcus White and our good neighbors at Wingspread for this special opportunity to tour this beautiful and historic building that we are so fortunate to have in our community.
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Garbage and Recycling Pickup |
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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.
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It seems like every other week the Village experiences a water main break.
As you are aware we have had several over the past year, not only inconveniencing our residents, but costing our taxpayers thousands of dollars to fix. The Village board has been looking at how to replace our water pipes in a reasonable time and at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.
This is all in the beginning planning stages because we are trying to be diligent in planning and paying for this large endeavor. Again, we appreciate your patience and understanding.
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The Village understands that the future of Outlot 1 on Deepwood Drive is of importance to members of the community. As we move forward in determining the disposition of the property, it is the intention of the Village Board to decide in the best interests of our entire community, now and for the future. |
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Christmas Tree & Wreath Disposal |
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During the month of January, Public Works personnel will pick up wreaths and Christmas trees left at the edge of the road. Lights, ornaments, and other decorations must be removed for wreaths and trees to be collected.
Please note the Public Works staff is only picking up Christmas trees and wreaths; no other yard waste or branches can be collected.
Staff will start collecting trees on Tuesday, Jan. 2 and continue each Monday in January. Staff will collect trees midweek as time permits. Please ensure your tree is accessible from the street and not buried by snow.
It is not necessary to call in your tree or wreath collection, but if you have left it out a week or more and it has not been collected, please call the Public Works Office at (262) 639-3560.
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Property Taxes Due January 31 |
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The first installment of property taxes is due by January 31, 2024. Tax payments may be made by mail, drop-box, or in-person at the Village Office. As a reminder, payments will no longer be accepted at Johnson Bank.
After January 31, payment of taxes must be made to the Racine County Treasurer’s Office. If you need a copy of your bill, you can find it online using Racine County's website or contact the Village office at (262) 639-3524 or info@windpoint.org.
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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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Turkey trapping will be ending on December 31, 2023. According to Josh Holden with the USDA we have had a total of six turkeys trapped and relocated.
Unfortunately, we still have people feeding the turkeys. This has made it difficult for the turkeys to be drawn to the trap. It is possible that we would have trapped more turkeys had residents not been feeding them. Residents feeding wild animals are subject to ticketing and fines from the DNR. If you are feeding the turkeys, please stop. Turkeys do not need our help to find food.
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Landlord Registration Reminder |
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If you currently rent your property (or a portion of it) or are considering renting it, please keep in mind that Village ordinance requires all landlords to maintain registration with the Village. Landlord registration must be renewed every two years and within 10 days of a change to the property owner's contact information.
Under the ordinance, a premises is considered rented if any funds are paid by a resident to another party for the right to reside at the property. To download the landlord registration form, click here . There is a $10.00 filing fee for the initial submission and there is no fee to renew the registration.
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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 January Birthday to Police Officer Doug Cecchini!
Happy January Work Anniversary to Police Officer Luke Johnson (four years), Court Clerk April Cruz (six years) and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Monica Hernandez (six years)!
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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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Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524
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