A Huge Thanks to S.C. Johnson for a Gift to Help Keep Us Safe |
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On behalf of all Wind Point residents, the Village Board thanks H. Fisk Johnson and the S. C. Johnson Company for the recent gift of $23,300. As the transmittal letter directs, the gift will be used by the police department for evidence kits, a mass casualty kit, and a tactical shield. It also will allow the police department to keep the existing police car as a backup when we purchase another one. Having a second police vehicle available is a policy decision that has been discussed for a few years, but due to budget constraints, we have been getting by with just one, and borrowing a vehicle from Caledonia in an emergency or when the Village's vehicle is being serviced.
All of us have witnessed the increase in criminal activity in the Racine area since 2020. Even in Wind Point and the immediate vicinity, there has been a clear increase in these incidents. The Village Board's response has been to add more officer patrol hours; 960 more hours per year since 2020. Having a second police vehicle available will improve the ability to keep our community safe. As Chief Von Drasek says, "Visibility is deterrence."
The other equipment was specifically requested by the Chief to improve the department's ability to respond to a wide array of events.
S. C. Johnson’s generosity in this instance is sincerely appreciated, but beyond this gift, everyone in the area appreciates what the company and the family have done over many years to improve the quality of life here.
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Salt Brine - Snow Removal |
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By now you've all probably seen a Village DPW truck driving around the village spreading a liquid on the roads in preparation for inclement weather. This is a salt brine that is put on the road to help combat the accumulation of ice. What is it?
Salt brine is water saturated with sodium chloride (rock salt dissolved in water to put it simply). Salt brine is used by many communities and counties in the area as an anti-ice tool. It slows the formation of ice and snow on streets and also helps prevent the bond of snow and ice to the pavement, making snow removal easier while using less salt. During winter you may notice a small tank on the sides of our plow trucks filled with brine and in addition to the trucks dispensing salt, you will notice that they are mixing the brine with the salt. This is called pre-wetting the salt, which will activate the salt as soon as it hits the road.
The Village will also be applying brine to the roads up to 72 hours in advance of a winter storm, called anti-icing. When salt brine is used to pre-treat the roads it begins working as soon as the first snowflake falls and helps delay the accumulation of snow and ice on the pavement. The Village will pre-treat intersections, main roads and hills before driving conditions deteriorate during a snow event. As a result, the roads will return to bare pavement much quicker once the storm has ended. This will reduce the amount of time it takes the Department of Public Works to plow the Village after a snow event.
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2022 Village Board Elections |
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Nomination forms for positions on the Wind Point Village Board were due Tuesday, January 4. The candidates listed below will appear on the ballot for the Spring Election, held on Tuesday, April 4:
- Elizabeth Waterfall - Trustee - 5350 Wind Point Rd.
- Linda Johnson - Trustee - 10 Pinewood Ct
- Alison McCulloch - President - 11 Sandalwood Ct.
Absentee Voting By Mail
Absentee Ballot requests are only good for one year, (unless you qualify as an indefinitely confined voter). If you requested an absentee ballot in 2022 and are interested in obtaining one for elections being held in 2023 you must make a new request. Requests can be made on the My Vote Wisconsin website. You can also drop off or mail an absentee ballot application to the Village Office, 215 E. Four Mile Road, Racine, WI 53402. Absentee ballot applications are available on the Village's website.
Voter Registration
Residents wishing to register to vote may do so online at http://myvote.wi.gov, by mail, at the Village Office or at the polls on Election Day.
If you have any questions about voting or elections, please contact the Village Office at 262-639-3524 or info@windpoint.org.
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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; artificial trees and wreaths along with yard waste and branches will not be collected.
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. Payment may be made by mail, drop-box, or in-person at the Village Office. Payment may also be made at any branch of Johnson Bank.
After January 31, payment of taxes must be sent or delivered 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 to Shovel Around Fire Hydrants |
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All residents are asked to clear snow around fire hydrants that are adjacent to their property 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 snow into the roadway. Thank you for your help!
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The Village Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on December 8, 2022. The following actions took place at the meeting:
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Discussed a financing proposal from Newport Development LLC for stormwater management infrastructure for the Wind Point School Project.
- Referred to the Village Administrator the task of informing Newport Development LLC of the Village Board’s concerns and recommendations with respect to the above-mentioned proposal.
- Village Administrator reported on the engineer's report on the soil boring project on the Deepwood Dr. Outlot. The Board discussed the report and the next steps in the process.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 12 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in person at the Village Hall (Lighthouse) and virtually via Zoom. Information on how to access the Zoom meeting is below:
Meeting Link:
Phone Number: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 826 1527 9638
Passcode: 555419
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Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524
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