Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  windpointwi.usJanuary 2015
President's Message

At our November Village Board meeting the Board adopted three priorities which were built into the village's 2015 budget document and initiatives plan for the New Year:

  • Provide efficient, quality services;
  • Preserve and enhance property values;
  • Foster a sense of community.

Your input is sought. We continue to rely on your comments on these priorities and your ideas for achieving them and making Wind Point a great place to live. They can be emailed to Michael Hawes who will pass them along to me and your trustees. 

 

Happy New Year!

 

- Pete Christensen, Village President

Dog License Renewals
Dog owners are reminded that it is state law to license your dog each year before April 1. A dog license application, along with license fee and copy of rabies certificate, should be submitted to the Village Office by mail, dropbox or in-person. If submitting by mail, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the tag and receipt to be returned to you. The fine for an unlicensed dog is $187.00.
2015 Collections Calendar
Click here to download the 2015 collections calendar. The schedule remains unchanged: 
  • Garbage collected every Monday.
  • Recycling collected every other Monday (beginning with Monday, January 5).
  • Bulk collections on the first Monday of the month.
  • Yard waste collected every Monday, April-November.
  • Branches collected by the Village on the second Tuesday, May-November.
  • Household hazardous wastes drop-off the third Saturday of the month, May-October.
  • Prescriptions drop-off the third Saturday of April and October.
Hard copies of the calendar are available at the Village Office and will also be printed in the next issue of Wind Point Living magazine (produced by N2 Publishing).
New Village Assessor
Beginning in 2015, Wind Point assessments will be maintained by Associated Appraisal of Appleton. Associated has provided assessment services to municipalities throughout Wisconsin since 1959. Property assessment information can be obtained by contacting Associated at 1-800-721-4157. Property assessment records will soon be available online at www.apraz.com.

Municipal assessor Keith Munson of National Appraisal Corporation served as the Village assessor since 1981. Thank you Keith for 33 years of service to Wind Point!
Pedestrians Reminded to Wear Reflective Clothing
With the shorter days, residents are reminded to wear reflective gear when heading out for an evening or morning walk. As a matter of safety, pedestrians need to be visible to vehicles and 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.
Running for Village Office
Residents interested in running for Village President, Municipal Judge or Village Board Trustee must submit nomination papers by the deadline of 5 p.m. on January 6. 

The incumbents for the Village Trustee positions that are up for election are Dave Durment, Marty Meissner and Susan Sanabria. The Village President is Pete Christensen and the Wind Point/North Bay Municipal Judge is John Knuteson. Trustee Durment filed notice that he will not run for re-election. 

The spring election will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2015 and the primary election will be held February 17, 2015, if necessary. For more information, click here.
Keep Your Landscape Safe from Winter Salt 

Winter weather, particularly snow and ice, requires some action on our part to keep our families safe from icy sidewalks and driveways. Pouring a bag of salt on the front walk might melt the ice, but it can damage both turf and landscape plants. 

 

While a de-icer might be necessary in harsh winters, using no more than the recommended amount, along with a few other strategies, can help minimize yellow lawns and injured plants. For more information, click here.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens 

Taxes Due January 31
The first installment or full payment of property taxes is due by January 31. Payments may be made by mail, dropbox or in-person at the Village Office. Payments may also be made at the Johnson Bank on Three Mile Rd. After January 31, tax payments must go to the Racine County Treasurer's Office. If you need to retrieve a copy of your tax bill, you can do so online from the Racine County Land Records System. Locate your property and, using the "Select Detail" drop-down menu, select "Taxes." Locate "Print Tax Bills" and click on the 2014 link.
James E. Johnson
Aug. 11, 1947 - Dec. 15, 2014
Wind Point Police Officer James ("Jimmy") E. Johnson passed away on December 15, 2014 aft
er a short illness. Officer Johnson was a 1965 graduate of William Horlick High School. After graduation, he joined the Racine Police Department, where he served honorably for over 35 years. He was also serving with the Wind Point Police Department for the past 28 years. We extend our condolences to Officer Johnson's family and friends.
Happy Retirement, Barb!

Court Clerk/Administrative Assistant Barb Miceli will be retiring on January 2. Barb started working with the Village in October 1996. She has served in various administrative roles for the Village, assisting with utility billing, payroll, elections and the municipal court. She took over as Court Clerk when John Schmit retired in 2009. Barb says she looks forward to spending more time with family and more time at the family cabin up north. Barb will be missed at the office and we wish her well on her retirement!

Welcome, Brandon!
We are pleased to welcome Brandon Bledsoe to the Village team. Brandon will work in the Village Office as management intern, where he will help assist the public and work on special projects. Brandon is a graduate student in the public administration program at UW-Milwaukee. He served eight years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and has worked as a paralegal for four years.
Christmas Tree Disposal
Village maintenance staff will pick up Christmas trees and wreaths left at the edge of the road during the month of January. Please remove lights, ornaments and other items before placing them out. You do not need to call for pick up.
Water Meter Replacement Program Updates
The Village is entering year three of the water meter replacement program. The project involves replacing the manual-read meters with radio water meters. The new technology allows the Village to read meters in a matter of hours, instead of days.

Randy and Mike from the maintenance department  are currently replacing meters on Lighthouse Dr., Windridge Dr. and Tower Cir. Residents near Hollow Creek Dr., James Ave., Joan Ave., Fairway Dr. and Beacon Ln. will soon receive letters to schedule a meter appointment.
 
Installations typically take less than 30 minutes. Randy and Mike will also complete a necessary cross-connection inspection at the time of installation. A cross-connection is an actual or potential connection between the safe drinking water supply and a source of contamination or pollution. State law requires the Village to complete an inspection of all properties every 10 years or at the time of changing the meter.
Village Board Highlights

The Village Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, December 11. The Board...

  • Approved Pay Request #2 to Payne & Dolan for the 2014 Road Program in the amount of $7,800.
  • Approved the 2015 Utilities Budget.
  • Approved renewal of the Village liability, auto and worker's comp. insurance policies.
  • Instructed staff to prepare resident park survey to send out in the Spring.
  • Instructed staff to solicit quotes, review options and determine appropriate timing for tree project along Village Green tennis courts.
  • Approved 2015 Animal Control agreement with Wisconsin Humane Society.
  • Instructed the administrator to move reserve funds to American Money Account and utilize Johnson Bank where possible when rates are competitive and insured.

The Village Board will meet for a regular meeting on Thursday, January 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Hall (Lighthouse).