Spring Election Local Results

Former Village Maintenance Manager Randy Miller passes away

Wind Point Lighthouse Diorama

A diorama built over the winter of 2014-15 that had been on display at the Real Racine Visitor Center has found it's way home to Wind Point. The next time you are in the Village Offices take a few minutes to view and enjoy this wonderful display of Wind Point history.

Follow this link for a story from Racine County Eye on the diorama. Lighthouse Model

Investigator Aaron Henry started with the Village of Wind Point Police Department in the summer of 2016 after having worked almost nine years for the City of Racine Police Department.

Investigator Henry has a rather unique story for how he became a police officer. His background is not in criminal justice as one might imagine. He has a degree in Finance and spent about 12 years in the financial industry. At the time, he was volunteering as a Reserve Police Officer for the Wauwatosa Police Department. After spending so much time building rapport and developing relationships in the community, he decided to leave finance and transition to the public service sector. Inv Henry felt the need to “help out” and wanted to make a difference (on whatever scale – if possible) in the urban community. At the same time, his thought process was that he could always “come back” to finance but could not always “go in to” law enforcement. So, he took a huge leap of faith and transitioned over to law enforcement.  

However, Investigator Henry just couldn't stay away from finance, so he went back to banking while working as a police officer. He now has the best of both worlds. In addition to working as an Investigator for the Wind Point Police Department he is also a private banker, completes background checks part-time for the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, and is our Municipal Court Bailiff! Investigator Henry is a very busy, very dedicated man! 

Investigator Henry truly loves working in Wind Point. He says the landscape of the community is extremely beautiful, welcoming, and most importantly, the people here are amazing. He says it is so nice to have people wave and say hello. He loves making his rounds. Investigator Henry feels Wind Point is an outstanding community and he appreciates the opportunity to serve. 

Although he won't shout it from the rooftops, Investigator Henry was instrumental in acquiring the new (to the Village and free!) furniture for the Village offices!

Thank you Investigator Henry!

No Mow May

What is No Mow May? With the current bee population falling at a concerning rate some communities and homeowners have decided to let their lawns grow during the month of May rather than mow. The goal is to help native pollinators and bee populations. See the UWM Extension article on it here.

Here in Wind Point we have ordinances concerning overgrown lawns. Remember a lawn is considered a Nuisance when it is 12’’ long. See Sec. 20-94 through Sec. 20-98 for more details click here

Village Board Updates

Notes from the April 11, 2024 Meeting of the Village Board:

• Passed a Resolution to designate Scott Rewolinski, DPW Supervisor, as an official representative to act on the Village’s behalf
• The Village is moving forward on hiring a new Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer and searching for new Lighthouse Keepers. Response has been very good
• Set the dates for Open Book and Board of Review (see article)
• Agreed to move forward and list Deepwood Drive Outlot 1 for sale with restrictions
• The Village Plan Commission is still reviewing ordinances. Nothing has been changed or voted on. The next Plan Commission Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the Village Hall.
• Relayed the information that Governor Evers vetoed the standalone bill that would have placed wayfinding signs on Interstate 94 directing travelers to the Wind Point Lighthouse and the Prairie School

USPS Informed Delivery



If you want to see what mail you are receiving on any given day, stop your mail while you are out of town, track a package, or even change your address, you can sign up for Informed Delivery. This free service is from the United States Postal Service.

Informed Delivery is a free service from USPS that shows you preview images of incoming mail, as well as status updates about your incoming and outbound packages. You can see those notifications in a morning Daily Digest email, or at any time via the dashboard from your phone, computer, or the USPS Mobile^® app. Informed Delivery also has other features that make tracking and receiving your packages easier and more convenient. To learn more about and sign up for this free service from the US Postal Service click the link below:

https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm



Pickleball and Tennis Courts Open

The pickleball and tennis courts at the Village Green were opened in mid-April. Reservations for the tennis and pickleball courts must be made and used by a Wind Point resident. A resident of Wind Point is defined as follows:

• any individual who resides in the Village of Wind Point and pays taxes to the Village of Wind Point. The resident must reside at the property and residency does not include owning a business within the Village of Wind Point. For rental properties, those individuals residing at the property are the residents of the property and therefore are the individuals who qualify as Wind Point residents.
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Reservations (April 1^st to October 31^st)

• Reservations for the tennis and pickleball courts can be reserved in 2-hour increments at a cost of $5.00 per hour per court.
• Reservations can be made either in person (215 E. Four Mile Rd) or email (info@windpoint.org)
• Reservations can be made up to 2 months in advance of the desired reservation date.
• We DO NOT have an online reservation and payment system yet; however, we continue to investigate economical options and hope to have one installed and operational soon.
• For more information follow this link https://windpoint.org/parks-recreation/

The courts will be undergoing some minor repairs in early summer that will close the courts for two or three days. Repair dates will depend on the weather. We will notify residents when dates are set for court closures.



Reminder to Clean Up After Your Dog and Keep Your Dog Leashed

Unfortunately, NOT cleaning up after pets continues to be a problem in our community. Another issue being observed more and more are dogs roaming unleashed in our neighborhoods and especially at the Village Green. Section 4-38 of the Village Code requires that all dogs must be leashed and under the control of the owner at all times.

All dog owners are reminded to do their part and clean up after their dog when walking in the Village. Section 4-41 of the Village Code requires dog owners to pick up and properly dispose of pet waste. The ordinance is in effect no matter the weather or the amount of snow on the ground. Violations may be reported to the Village Police Department.

Dog waste is a nuisance to neighbors as well as public works staff who work to keep public areas well-maintained. Dog waste is also one of the top contributors to contamination of stormwater runoff, which has a significant negative impact on area streams and Lake Michigan. For many reasons it is important to clean up after your dog and properly dispose of pet waste!

We thank you for your cooperation!

2024 Property Assessments

The Village's contracted assessor, Associated Appraisal, has mailed out notices to property owners where assessed valuations have changed.

If you have questions regarding your valuation, please contact the assessor at 920-749-1995, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can speak to the assessor, Tyler Tannock, over the phone, or you can schedule an appointment to call during Open Book. Open Book will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. over the phone with the Assessor. You do not need to have received a revaluation notice in order to speak to the assessor about your property’s valuation. If you are not able to speak to the assessor during the Open Book time, you can contact Associated Appraisal.

If after Open Book, you wish to contest your assessed value, please contact the Village office at 262-639-3524 to obtain an Objection Form and make an appointment for Board of Review. You must contact the Village Clerk 48 hours prior to Board of Review. Board of Review is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Village Hall, 4725 Lighthouse Drive.

More information regarding the assessment process can be found by clicking here.

Lighthouse Keeper Position Closes May 15, 2024

We have had a wonderful response to this rare opening. If you, or someone you know, is interested in being our next Lighthouse Keeper, please apply!

Applications are being accepted through May 15, 2024. Please go to the Village website at www.windpoint.org and follow the links or click on the link below

Lighthouse Keeper Application



Thank you, Volunteers!

Many of the gardens at the Wind Point Lighthouse, including the Memorial Brick Garden, the garden beds that lead to the lighthouse entrance, the island in front of the bathrooms, and the herb garden are planted and maintained by the Wind Point Garden Club and the Master Gardeners. These friends and neighbors in Wind Point who take the time to keep our community's lighthouse grounds beautiful are all volunteers. In addition, if you ever take a tour of the Wind Point Lighthouse, all the people checking you in and those leading you up all 144 stairs to the top of the lighthouse are also volunteers. There are countless community volunteers who turn out to clean up the beaches at Schoop Park and others who devote many hours to coordinating community events and activities that can be enjoyed by everyone. 

The Village of Wind Point would like to extend its deepest gratitude and sincerest thank you to all the volunteers who contribute their time and effort to making the Wind Point Lighthouse the jewel of Racine County and the pride and joy of Wind Point. We appreciate the love and care that so many volunteers show in coordinating and providing lighthouse climbs as well as keeping our beaches clean and fun destinations for all to enjoy. The volunteers who take the time to coordinate events and activities to bring neighbors together and extend a welcome to all cannot be thanked enough for encouraging and growing a sense of community.

The love you all show to the Village through your efforts is heartwarming and does not go unnoticed. With our appreciation and gratitude, thank you, we could not do it without you!

Please Don't Feed the Wildlife!!

We are fortunate in Wind Point to have a variety of wildlife roaming our woods and our neighborhoods. Wild animals can bring a sense of wonder and thrill to our lives, but sometimes when they get a little too "up close and personal", they can become a nuisance or outright dangerous.

We receive calls in the Village office about animal encounters that, so far, have not resulted in injury. The animals we get the most calls about are turkeys, coyotes, deer, and most recently, Canada geese. Here are some tips on how to help yourself and your neighbors from having any unwanted animal interactions.

If you would like more information on this topic please follow this link to Wisconsin DNR



Happy May Work Anniversary

To

Police Officer Aaron Henry - 8 years