New Public Works Supervisor |
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The Village recently hired a new Public Works Supervisor. Scott Rewolinski started on Oct. 24.
Scott comes to Wind Point by way of Hales Corners, where he worked as the Director of Public Works for almost two years. Scott brings three decades of experience to his new position.
Scott previously worked as the Superintendent of Public Works in Cudahy and as a Foreman in the Whitefish Bay Public Works Department.
Scott, his wife Jill, and their six children live in Caledonia.
If you see Scott out in the Village, please welcome him and say hello!
The Village extends its gratitude to Tom Beard, who ran the Public Works Department by himself in the absence of a Supervisor.
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Village Offices Closed for Thanksgiving |
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The Village Administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23 and 24, 2023 in observance of Thanksgiving.
The offices will reopen on Monday, November 27, 2023.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
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Proposed 2024 Village Budget |
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At the Village Board meeting on October 12 the Board reviewed a draft of the 2024 Village budget.The budget was prepared by staff with direction from the Personnel, Finance and Insurance Committee. The budget reflects the Village’s ongoing mission to provide high-quality municipal services at the most cost-effective and efficient manner.
Following are highlights from the proposed 2024 budget:
- The proposed budget is $2,041,284. The proposed property tax levy is $1,123,525, an increase of $3,483 from 2023.
- The Village will receive $58,203 in state transportation aid in 2024, an increase of $9,958 from 2023.
- The Village received an additional $57,612 from the state in supplemental shared revenue.
- The Village is budgeting $284,000 for repairing the culvert on Lighthouse Drive south of Shoop Park.
- Roughly $60,000 is being budgeted for IT upgrades required by Racine County. The county is the Village's IT provider, and the upgrades are the result of an audit.
- The Village is also purchasing Badger Books election software in 2024 and allowing more in funds for holding elections and paying poll workers.
- A wage increase of four percent is being allocated for staff. Police officer wages are going up by $1.50/hour.
A public hearing for the budget will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Village Hall. The budget will be considered for adoption that evening.
To view the proposed budget, click here. The narrative is yet to be completed, and will be provided at the budget hearing.
PLEASE NOTE: All property tax payments MUST be mailed or paid in-person at the Village Green offices at 215 E. 4 Mile Rd. Wind Point, WI 53402. Those who previously paid their property tax bill at a Johnson Bank branch must now pay their property tax bill directly with the Village. No payments at a Johnson Bank branch will be accepted. Please call the village office at (262) 639-3524 with any questions.
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Halloween 2023 - Trick-or-Treating |
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Village of Wind Point Police Chief Rick Von Drasek, center, poses with local children during the Village's annual celebration of trick-or-treating. Village children trolled the streets looking for treats while hoping to avoid a trick from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29 |
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Holiday Party and Wreath Lighting Ceremony |
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Wind Point's 2023 Wreath Lighting and Holiday Party will take place Sunday, Nov. 26 at the Wind Point Lighthouse.
The festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. and the wreath lighting is at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to all ages. The Village will light the wreath that adorns the lighthouse and the children can enjoy a visit from Santa Claus.
Complimentary food and refreshments will be available, and those in attendance will be able to decorate Christmas cookies. Members of the Wind Point Police Department and Caledonia Fire Department will also be on-hand.
The event is sponsored and put on by the Wind Point Community Club, in conjunction with the Wind Point Lighthouse.
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Final Yard Waste and Collection Dates |
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Yard waste collection continues every Monday through November 13. Set yard waste out in brown yard waste bags or in reusable containers that are 32 gal/60 lbs or less.
Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris and brush including clean, woody/vegetative material no greater than four inches in diameter; it does not include stumps, roots or shrubs with intact root balls.
This will also be your final opportunity to cut branches from your trees that overhang the street lower than 14 feet. Trimming back these branches will help protect our snowplowing equipment and allow our DPW drivers to see without obstruction when plowing our roads.
The final branch collection date of the year is Tuesday, November 14. Branches do not need to be cut into shorter pieces but they should be no greater than 4 inches in diameter. Please pile branches in reasonably uniform piles with the cut end facing the road.
Branch and yard waste piles should be set in the right-of-way no earlier than three days before collection date. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping to keep Wind Point nice!
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Per the Village's Public Works Department the public restrooms at the lighthouse closed on Nov. 1. The public restrooms at the Village Green will be closed by Thanksgiving. |
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The Village has experienced several water main breaks over the course of the past year, inconveniencing our residents and costing taxpayers thousands of dollars to fix.
The Village Board is looking at how to replace our water pipes in a reasonable time frame at a reasonable cost to taxpayers. We can’t keep putting on band-aids to fix these breaks.
Our water system will need to be upgraded and replaced. While doing so, we will also repair our main roads. This is all in the beginning planning stages because this does not happen overnight. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
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Message From Chief Von Drasek |
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We are still actively enforcing speed on Lake Meadow Drive. Our oficers have also noticed numerous open garage doors in the late evening, and we are actively patrolling the subdivisions.
Lock your doors, change your passwords, keep your keys on you, and most importantly, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. We would rather get a call and investigate something to find out it was nothing. We don't want a resident to second guess themselves and not call us just to learn later that it was something. We are here for you.
If you are going to be gone for any length of time please lock up, notify your neighbors and let the Village Police know so we can do a Vacation Check for you.
How to Contact Us
· Emergency: Dial 9-1-1
· Use these non-emergency numbers to report safety concerns
· Immediate response: Racine County Dispatch: (262) 886-2300. Examples: Non-life-threatening incidents.
· Non immediate response: Wind Point Police Office: (262) 639-3022. Examples: Found property, ordinance violations, needing to speak to a specific officer, or vacation checks. If an officer is not in the office, please leave a message.
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Home Safety Tips While Away |
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The Wind Point Police Department provides the following tips on home safety while you are out of town for the holidays:
1. Valuable items, such as televisions, stereos and computers should be inscribed with an identifying number unique to its owner (do not use your entire social security number).
2. Create an up-to-date home inventory including make, model, serial numbers, other detailed descriptions, and photographs of items of value (including jewelry). This inventory should be kept somewhere safe, out of the house.
3. At least two light timers should be set to turn the lights and television on and off in a logical sequence when away for an extended time period to give the appearance that someone is home.
4. The motion detector or other alarm system (if you have one) should be activated when you leave home.
5. Mail and newspaper deliveries should be stopped or arrangements for a neighbor or friend to pick them up should be made when you are away from home for a period of time.
6. Ask a trusted neighbor to tend the yard, shovel the snow, and watch your home when you are away or have a trusted friend or relative house sit in your absence.
7. Make sure all doors and windows are locked when you leave, even if you have an alarm system.
8. Contact the Police Department (262-639-3022) to request extra patrols of your residence while you are out of town.
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Pedestrian Safety: Been Seen, Be Safe! |
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With the shorter days this time of year, it is especially important to wear reflective gear or carry a flashlight when you go out for a walk or bicycle ride. As a matter of safety, pedestrians need to be visible to vehicles and to other pedestrians. A variety of clothing items are available with lights or reflective fabric, such as jackets, vests, wristbands, dog collars, shoes, and belts. Many stores also carry reflective tape - and pick something up for your dog while you are at it!
We don’t have sidewalks in Wind Point so it is recommended to walk facing oncoming traffic on the same side of the road as the oncoming traffic. Also, you should get as far to the side of the road as possible to provide additional space between you and oncoming cars. When bicycling, you will want to ride on the right (going in the same direction as automobile traffic). Another safe way to get your exercise this winter is to take advantage of the paved walking path surrounding Village Green.
Please do your part to protect yourself, drivers, and other pedestrians!
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Beach Clean-Up - Walden III Students |
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On Oct. 20 students from Walden III Middle and High School in Racine happened to be wandering around the Wind Point lakeshore.
Police Chief Rick Von Drasek noticed the youngsters and snapped a picture of them in front of the lighthouse.
The students were performing community service and retrieving trash from the beach and shoreline.
The Village of Wind Point thanks the students, teachers and staff at Walden III for helping keep our community beautiful.
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Wind Point Snow Removal Responsibilities |
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Here’s a reminder about snow removal responsibilities and priorities on roadways in the Village of Wind Point.
The following roads are *private* roads and are the responsibility of Wind Meadows Corporation’s snow removal contractor: East Parkfield, West Parkfield, Woodfield, Campus, East Campus, Stonewood, Parkwood and Lakefield Court and Bayfield and Lakewood Drive.
If you have questions or concerns about snow removal or ice treatment on these roads, please contact Washington Properties or your PSA Director.
All roads in the Village of Wind Point that are *not* listed above are plowed and treated by the Village of Wind Point Department of Public Works.
The Village's priorities for plowing operations are:
1. Main streets and collector streets, including Three Mile Rd, Four Mile Rd, Lighthouse Dr, and Lake Meadow Dr.
2. Through residential streets.
3. Streets with cul-de-sacs.
The single family cul-de-sacs off of Lake Meadow Dr in Wind Meadows are public streets, and they are plowed by village staff. However, because they are neither collector streets nor through residential streets, they are typically the last streets to be plowed by the Village in a snow event.
Main Street (aka County Hwy 32), from Three Mile Rd to Four Mile Rd, is a County Highway, so it is maintained by Racine County.
If you have any questions or concerns about snow removal or ice treatment on the roads that the Village is responsible for, please contact the Village Office at (262) 639-3524 or info@windpoint.org, or the Wind Point Police non-emergency number at (262) 639-3022.
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Turkey trapping is underway by the Wisconsin DNR and USDA. According to Josh Holden with the USDA two turkeys were recently trapped and relocated, and the USDA hopes to catch more before removing the trap.
The trap was in place for a long time before it was finally set in early October. Once the birds started moving freely in and out of the trap the USDA set the trap and started collecting birds.The USDA wants to trap as many birds as it can. There are bait sites within the Village that the birds are frequenting.
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Nomination Forms Available for Village Offices |
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Village residents who are interested in running for Village Trustee can obtain nomination paperwork at the Village Office, Village website, or follow this link.
Prospective candidates can begin collecting signatures on December 1. At least 20 signatures from Wind Point electors are required. All nomination forms must be submitted to the Village Office no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
The incumbent Village Trustees are Herb Beighley, Brian Biernat, and Rob Loppnow.
The spring election will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and the primary election, if necessary, will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
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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Outdoor Storage of Boats, Trailers and RVs |
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Sec.36-75 of the Wind Point Municipal Code prohibits the outdoor storage of boats, campers, trailers, or recreational vehicles from November through March. Snowmobiles can be stored between December 5 and March 15 if they are kept 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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The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is going to make its annual ramble through southeast Wisconsin.
The trip supports food banks and food shelves through the CP service area by raising money, food, and awareness for food insecurity issues.
Locally, the U.S. Holiday Train will make two stops.
At 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 the train will stop at the Amtrak Depot at 9900 E. Exploration Court in Sturtevant. Performers Tenille Townes and Breland will give a brief concert from 7-7:30 p.m.
At 8:05 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 the train will stop at the Depot Tavern at the railroad crossing at 11402 County Hwy G in Caledonia. Tenille Townes and Breland will give a brief concert from 8:15-8:45 p.m.
Downtown Racine’s First Friday
Mark your calendars for Friday, Nov. 3 from 4:00-9:00 pm for Downtown Racine’s First Friday. It will have a “Flannel” theme and will have something for everyone with live music at multiple locations throughout downtown and merchants will be rolling out the red carpet with specials and promos.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite flannel shirt to receive specials and discounts throughout Downton. In addition, they encourage everyone to give back, and bring a food item for the Racine County Food Bank. Food donations can be dropped off at Dewey’s Sports Bar, Marci’s on Main, and Evelyn’s Club Main. Top food items needed include: Nuts, canned proteins, canned fruit, vegetables and soup, and boxed pasta and cereal.
Live music will be playing at Marci’s on Main, Reefpoint Brew House, Chartroom, Taste of Soul 262, and Uncorkt. Karaoke will be at Divine Melanin Beauty Supply.
“We are excited to offer yet another free, family-friendly event in Downtown which will showcase our outstanding shops and restaurants. said Kelly Kruse, Executive Director of the DRC.
Parking is available at the McMynn Ramp, 3rd & Lake Ramp, Shoop (Main & State), and Festival Hall ramp, which includes 8 EV charging stations. All ramps are $2 all day.
Downtown Racine Holiday Parade
Saturday, November 11, 2023 5:30 pm
The parade begins on the west side of State Street and continues down Main Street, turning on 6th Street and finishing at City Hall. The Tree lighting will follow, and for the third year, a fireworks display will be held.
Prairie School Theater
Disney's Newsies Jr.
Middle School Musical
November 16 – 18 at 6:30 pm
When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys’ expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday, an all-day event set for Nov. 25 encourages people from all over the city and beyond to come to downtown Racine and support local small businesses. Many of the businesses will host in-store promotions and specials exclusive to the event.
BACK THIS YEAR! The Grinch will be walking around from 11am-2pm and handing out $1,000 in Downtown gift cards!!! If he stops you, pick an envelope and it will contain a gift card from $10-$25!!!!
Graciously sponsored by Downtown BID #1 and Downtown Racine Corporation.
Downtown Racine is home to over 100 small businesses, managed and owned by Racine (and Wind Point) entrepreneurs. It has a plethora of authentic restaurants that can excite any taste buds. There is no doubt gifts can be found for even the pickiest of people at the numerous unique downtown stores.
There will be free meter parking all day during Small Business Saturday. Please note, parking time limits will be enforced via tire marking to ensure the turnover of spaces. Most meters in downtown are currently four hours. The free parking excludes all ramps with gates and the Lakefront Lot.
Having successful small businesses in Downtown is crucial to our community. In fact, $0.67 of every dollar stays in the community as compared to shopping at national chains.
Small Business Saturday is proudly backed by American Express, who provides marketing materials and swag for the event.
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Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524
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