Published by the Village of Union Grove - September 2021
Labor Day Notice: Garbage and Recycling Collections will be delayed one day next week due to Labor Day (collections will take place on Wednesday). Yard Waste Collections will not be delayed and will take place on Friday, September 10. Village Offices will be closed on Monday, September 6 and will re-open on Tuesday. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend!
Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road
Happy first day of school! School days bring congestion - school buses are picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It's never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.

Yielding to pedestrians is a serious public safety matter; drivers who fail to yield to a pedestrian can be issued a citation with a minimum fine of $98.80, including four points on their driving record and mandatory attendance of a right-of-way traffic safety course.

Important reminders for drivers:

  • Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
  • Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
  • Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
  • Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
  • Stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too. Remain stopped until all pedestrians have exited the crosswalk.
  • Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.
  • Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
  • Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
  • Drivers must stop 20 feet or more from any school bus that has stopped and is flashing red warning lights. All lanes of traffic must stop for the school bus, except in opposing lanes if the highway is divided with a center median.

For more information on Wisconsin pedestrian safety laws, click here.
Electronics Recycling Event This Saturday
An electronics recycling event will be held at the Union Grove Wastewater Treatment Plant (3710 67th Dr.) this Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is the second and final electronics recycling event of the year. The following items will be accepted for collection: computers, monitors, circuit boards, cables, printers, mice, keyboards, TV’s, stereos, VCRs, DVD players, power tools, telephones, small appliances and electrical equipment. There is a disposal fee of $20 per TV, $10 per tube monitor, $5 per microwave and $5 per large exercise equipment. For questions, contact Midwest Recycling at (847) 582-1730.
Park & Recreation Planning Updates
A Park Planning Workshop was held on August 19 as part of the Village's Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan project. The workshop included a presentation of the results from the park and recreation survey earlier this summer. Attendees were asked to participate in a Visual Preference Survey to rate their favorability toward a series of amenities and activities.

Community members who were not able to make the workshop can still complete the Visual Preference Survey to provide input for the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The survey can be taken online or in-person at the Village Offices. The deadline to complete the survey is this Friday, September 3. If you completed the survey during the workshop, please turn your worksheet into the Village Offices by September 3. Click here to take the Visual Preference Survey online now. To learn more about the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, visit uniongrove.net/corp.
Upcoming Public Hearings on Signs and ATVs, UTVs and Golf Carts
Two public hearings are scheduled this month to gain feedback from community members:

  • On Monday, September 13 at 5 p.m. the Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would revise the Village’s sign codes with the intent of helping attract and retain businesses. To learn more about the proposed ordinance, click here.

  • The Village Board will have a public hearing on Monday, September 27 at 6 p.m. to gain more feedback from the community about a proposal to allow ATV's, UTV's and/or golf carts on public roads. To learn more about this topic, click here.
Check your mailbox or click here for the September edition of the Village Voice quarterly newsletter for more in-depth information about Village news, public works services, fire department information and updates from local organizations!
Canopy Hill Breaks Ground
After over 15 years of planning and approvals, the Canopy Hill subdivision has finally broken ground on August 26. The developer's contractor, Reesman's Excavating & Grading, is starting earthwork near Trinity Lutheran Church. Utilities and infrastructure construction is expected to begin in October. The initial phase of the project will include 62 single-family lots, three multi-family buildings (60 units), four ranch condominium buildings (8 units) and duplex condominiums. Occupancy of the first buildings is anticipated in late 2022.

Phase Two of Dunham Grove Commences
Crews are moving dirt for the second phase of the Dunham Grove subdivision, located just north of 18th Ave. and east of Shumann Dr. The second phase will consist of 39 single-family lots, with a first round of homes being built by next summer. Construction of the first phase of Dunham Grove will be complete by early 2022; 13 homes in the first phase have been sold, with another five currently under contract and six that will soon be available. Occupancy permits have been issued for two of the 10 multi-family buildings.
Vandalism at Village Parks
Unfortunately, several citations had to be issued in just the past year for minors who have caused damage and vandalism in our parks. Individuals were identified on park surveillance systems and citations were issued to their parents. We are asking parents of young children and teenagers to keep an eye on their kids at the parks and to talk to them about respecting parks and public property. It takes the efforts of many individuals and organizations over the years to build up our parks so that they can be a place of pride and enjoyment for the community. It takes public tax dollars to address vandalism when it takes place, and takes time and resources away from other needs in the community.

If you see vandalism happening, please call 911. If you see vandalism after it has happened – for example, you’re with your kids in the morning at your local park and you see obscenities sprawled on playground equipment – call the Village Offices at (262) 878-1818 so we can photograph and report the damage to police and work to clean up the vandalism.
Last Chances to Visit the Public Market!
Believe it or not there are only a four more opportunities to visit Union Grove Public Market this season! The market is open on Tuesdays through September 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. Come check out the wide variety of local goods and services on display at the market. Union Grove Public Market is located at 4400 67th Dr. (northeast parking lot near Piggly Wiggly), with ample parking and space for customers. The market committee is always looking for new vendors. For information, contact Cindy Ryan at (262) 617-9922. Follow the Union Grove Public Market on Facebook at facebook.com/UGpublicmarket.
A ribbon-cutting and open house for Doctors of Physical Therapy was held on August 25 in celebration of the business moving to its new location at 951 Main St. (Suite 110). The location was previously occupied by Snap Fitness. Congratulations to Doctors of Physical Therapy and Dr. Andrew Connolly on your new location!
Focus on Energy Offers Free Energy-Saving Products
Did you know Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program offers free energy-saving products to homeowners? All customers of WE Energies, including homeowners and renters, are eligible to participate. Just visit focusonenergy.com/free, and select from one of five different packs (valued around $40). The energy saving packs include items such as light-emitting diode light bulbs, high-efficiency showerheads, water-saving bathroom faucet aerators and showerheads and pipe insulation. Not only are these packs free, but they can help save money on your energy bills. Limit one pack per eligible household every three years. You must be a customer of a participating Wisconsin utility company and have not participated in the Simple Energy Efficiency Program within the last three years.
Village Sets 2022 Budget Timeline
The 2022 Village Budget process kicked off with a Finance Committee meeting on August 3. The Committee reviewed 2021 year-to-date figures and projections for the current year. The Committee established the following budget timeline:

  • August 1 – September 30: Staff prepare budget materials and Standing Committees discuss corresponding budget areas.
  • Early October - Finance Committee reviews initial budget draft. 
  • October 25 - Village Board reviews draft budget.
  • November 5 - Village Clerk publishes budget summary and public hearing notice (State statutes require posting at least 15 days before public hearing).
  • November 22 - Public hearing on 2022 Budget / Proposed Village Board adoption of budget.

All meetings are open to the public and agendas are published at least 24 hours in advance on the Village meetings web portal. For any questions on the budget process, please contact Village Administrator Mike Hawes at (262) 878-1818.
Village Staff Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following Village and Library staff members with a recent or upcoming service anniversary:

  • 13 years - Jeff Swantz, DPW Laborer/Mechanic, October 1
  • 7 years - Chad Hansen, DPW Laborer, November 19
  • 2 years - Sara Swanson, Library Director, September 11
  • 1 year - Rebecca Wallendal, Village Clerk, September 15

Thank you for your continued service and dedication to the community!
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held regular meetings on August 9 and August 23. Following is a recap of actions that took place:

August 9 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved the path design for Canopy Hill and discussed options for additional connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Set a public hearing on September 27 to gain more input on the topic of ATV’s, UTV’s and golf carts on Village roads.
  • Approved Resolution 2021-03, authorizing the Village of Union Grove to enter into an intergovernmental agreement regarding creation of a Racine County Public Health Division within Racine County.
  • Approved Resolution 2021-14, establishing an American Rescue Plan Act Fund.
  • Approved a Whistleblower Policy.

August 23 Regular Meeting:
  • Heard a mid-year report from Racine County Economic Development Corporation.
  • Approved a proposal from Asphalt Contractors, Inc. for municipal center parking lot paving in the amount of $27,998.
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.

  • September 8 - Library Board (5 p.m. at the library)
  • September 8 - Fire Commission (6 p.m. at the fire station)
  • September 13 - Plan Commission (5 p.m.)
  • September 13 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • September 13 - Recreation & Parks Committee (after Village Board)
  • September 14 - Administration Committee (6 p.m.)
  • September 20 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (6 p.m.)
  • September 21 - Community Development Authority (6 p.m.)
  • September 27 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • September 28 - Police Commission (5:30 p.m.)

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