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For information on upcoming Board, Committee and Commission meetings as well as other government-related meetings and events, please follow the link above to the Village Government Calendar.
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March 7 Village Board Highlights
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The Village Board met on Monday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Court Room. These are the agenda items that the Board discussed or took action on during the meeting:
- Approved Presentation of Accounts March 7, 2016
- Presented Proclamation for Shorewood Woman's Club 80th Anniversary on March 15, 2016
- Presented Department of Public Works Annual Report
- Approved Contract for 2016 Street Reconstruction Program Project #1 (NE Area Combined Sewer Improvements)
- Approved Contract for 2016 Street Reconstruction Project #2 (Beverly Road Reconstruction)
- Approved Professional Services Agreement for 2016 Infrastructure Improvement Programs Construction Inspection
- Approved Public Works Collections Requests for Proposals
- Presented and Discussed Public Art Committee new Public Art Proposal
- Presented and Discussed Possible Relocation of Police Department
- Presented Update on Wilson Drive Community Task Force
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Public Art Shorewood Committee Plans Innovative Ghost Train Installation
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Shorewood's Public Art Committee is planning a new installation called 'The Ghost Train', an artistic sensory experience which will enable visitors to travel back in history, imagining the round-trip journey of the 'Twin Cities 400' which was operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway from 1935-1963 and crossed Capitol Drive at the Oak Leaf Trail Bridge.
The Ghost Train designer is Marty Peck, principal of Creative Lighting Design & Engineering, a Germantown-based firm specializing in the expressive use of light in architecture. Through innovative lighting and sound technology, Peck will create the allusion of a Ghost Train crossing the bridge twice each evening to recall the schedule, speed and drama of the passing of this historic 400 train. At other times the bridge will have a subtler artistic illumination. A comprehensive traffic study for this project will be conducted prior to the installation to ensure that any potential traffic safety issues are addressed.
The Ghost Train Committee is currently in the process of fundraising for the project and securing Village approval before the project design phase begins. A community meeting to introduce The Ghost Train to Shorewood is planned for Thursday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the Village Center. The tentative Ghost Train launch time frame is October 2016, providing an exciting lead into Shorewood's 100th anniversary celebration in 2017.
"This will be a first-of-its-kind experience that blends art, history and technology and we believe it will draw interest not only in Shorewood but throughout Wisconsin and beyond," said Guy Johnson, Village President.
The Ghost Train is the next phase of an exciting long-term public art vision f or Shorewood, according to Pat Algiers, The Ghost Train Committee Chair and a member of Shorewood's Public Art Committee. "We envision The Ghost Train as a creative artistic experience that will both entertain and educate viewers of all ages and provide a memorable way to celebrate Shorewood's railroad history," Algiers said. Touted as the fastest passenger train in the world, the Chicago and North Western Railway's '400' routinely covered the 400 miles between Chicago and St. Paul, MN in just 400 minutes - including its travel over Shorewood's Oak Leaf Trail.
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Public Tour of Current Police Department Building this Saturday
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This past Monday, Police Chief Peter Nimmer gave a presentation to the Village Board about the current challenges of the Police Building and the potential of relocating the Police Headquarters to the AB Data Building on Wilson Drive. To view the presentation Chief Nimmer presented, feel free to click here. Upcoming sessions and public meetings will provide the public more information and initiate more discussion. These sessions include:
- Saturday, March 12 - 10 a.m. - Town hall meeting to be held at Police Department headquarters located at 3936 N Murray Ave. Tours of the current facility will be provided.
- Monday, March 21 - 7:30 p.m. - Village Board Meeting, Discussion with updates on community input to date, further community input will be taken.
- Monday, April 4 - 7:30 p.m. - Village Board Meeting, Discussion with updates on community input to date, further community input will be taken.
- Monday, April 18 - 7:30 p.m. - Village Board Meeting, Discussion and possible consideration of option to purchase AB Data building.
The Shorewood Police Department is currently housed in a joint use facility with North Shore Fire Department. The police department staff of 33 employees occupies 5,000 sq. feet of the lower level while the fire station occupies the upper level of the building. Constructed in 1927, the building no longer adequately serves the needs of a modern law enforcement agency. A facility feasibility study conducted in 2007 by the Zimmerman Design Group, a leader in police architecture, led to the exploration of possible remodeling or a rebuild of the current facility as well as a move to one of several possible locations. After a thorough vetting process, Village and Police officials believe that the A.B. Data building at 4057 N. Wilson Drive meets all the needs of a modern police department today and for the foreseeable future. The Village board has built this project into its long-term financial plan and final consideration for approval for the purchase is anticipated at the April 18 meeting. The goal is for the new facility to be in place by summer 2017. In the meantime, the Village, Police Department and Public Safety Committee encourage residents to attend the informational sessions and provide feedback or questions to Chief Nimmer at 414.847.2616 or Chris Swartz at 414.847.2701. If you'd like to read the White Paper for the Police Department Facility, feel free to click here.
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Yard Waste & Brush Collection Begins in April
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Curbside yard waste and brush collection begins in April.
Bagged yard waste is collected on the same day and schedule as household refuse. Please note that bags have a 30 pound weight limit. As a reminder, loose leaves must be bagged. Brush chipping routes service each home once per month. For information regarding branch minimum and maximum sizes and schedules, please see the Village website.
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Change in Police Department Building Hours
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Effective Saturday, March 12, the Shorewood Police Department front desk hours will be changing to the following:
- Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday from 3 to 11 p.m.
If you have questions about Shorewood Police Department front desk hours, feel free to contact them at 414.847.2610.
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Online Parking Permission Module Now Active
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The Village of Shorewood's overnight parking permission online module is now active. Residents and visitors who need to park on the street will be required to use the online parking permission module on the Village website to request overnight parking. Residents or visitors will be allowed 20 free permissions each calendar year per license plate. Once a resident or visitor uses their 20 permissions they will no longer be able to request overnight parking permissions. If you exceed the 20 permissions you must contact the Customer Service Department and apply for one of the other parking permit options.
Please visit the online overnight parking permission site by clicking here. If you have questions about acquiring long-term parking permits, contact the Customer Service Department at 414.847.2700.
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Last Call for Volunteers to Participate in Village Marketing Study Forums
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The Village of Shorewood will be hosting three group forums on March 14 and 21 to allow residents, business owners and neighboring residents a chance to provide their perspective about Shorewood.
The comments in the group forums will be valuable data for future marketing decisions for the Village and putting together the final marketing survey, which will be available for all the public in April.
The three group forums will occur at the following days and times:
Monday, March 14 (both forums are full)
- Business & Realtors Forum from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
- Residents Forum from 7:15 - 8:45 p.m.
Monday, March 21 (spots still available)
- Neighbors Forum (Individuals who live in Bayside, Fox Point, Glendale, Mequon, Wauwatosa, Whitefish Bay and the east side of Milwaukee) from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
The Village hired Sue Northey who works for the company Branding Breakthroughs. Ms. Northey specializes in working with organizations to conduct marketing studies and improve an organization's or community's ability to attract and retain people of multi-generations. Ms. Northey will be facilitating the group forums on March 14 and 21.
Those individuals that would like to participate or have additional questions about the forums should contact Ms. Northey at ShorewoodResearch@gmail.com. Participants will be selected based on demographic information in order to establish a diverse and representative pool. Selected participants will also receive a $25 gift card to thank them for their efforts and time commitment. The l ocation for the group forums will be sent to participants.
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Volunteers Needed to Help Create Residential Design Guidelines
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In 2006, Shorewood adopted comprehensive design guidelines used by landowners, businesses, developers, planners, architects and more, as a design palette or "guiding" principles for developments proposed in Shorewood's Central Business Districts along Capitol Drive and Oakland Avenue. The guidelines are based on the Central District Master Plan and are intended to assist the Village in maintaining and enhancing its physical character by encouraging development proposals that strive for high-quality design. They provide design direction that respects the Village's history and retains its eclectic architectural character while ensuring that new development "fits" the character of Shorewood.
Shorewood's Design Review Board has nine members that review residential and commercial projects that include changes to building façades, building additions, and new buildings. The board is required to have a minimum of two architects and two additional architects or other design professionals who ensure exterior building improvements fit with the character of the Village. Design criteria used by the Design Review Board is described in Village Code Section 225-12E, limited to broad statements on scale, quality of materials, compatibility and consistency. Most of Shorewood homes were built in the late teens and early '20s by prominent architects of the day and are rich in architectural diversity. Creating residential design guidelines will help ensure that maintenance of Shorewood homes is consistent to original architectural style and that the overall historic character of Shorewood's neighborhoods are retained.
The Village hopes the committee will begin by the end of March and complete by June. If you're interested and have experience in design or construction, contact Shorewood Planning Director Ericka Lang at elang@villageofshorewood.org or at 414.847.2647.
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Keeping Bees in Shorewood
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Earlier this year the Village of Shorewood approved an ordinance allowing residents to keep up to four colonies of honeybees. The Village Board's Community & Business Relations Committee spent much time and effort reviewing this practice, consulting with experts and hearing from the public. Part of the conversation was about the benefits of honeybees. Besides the benefits of pollination, the honey, beeswax, pollen and other hive products are high in nutritional value and are a local, renewable and sustainable resource.
Under the new code, beekeepers submit an application by April 1 of each year to the Planning & Development Department. The initial application fee is $25 and renewals are $10. Several residents have contacted the village already and are excited to become urban beekeepers! For more information about keeping honeybees in Shorewood, go the Village's website or call the Planning & Development Department at 414.847.2640.
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Solar Shorewood Group Buys Set to Kick Off
First Information Session on April 24
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Solar Shorewood is a grassroots residential and commercial group purchasing program for solar. Offered through a partnership between the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and the Village of Shorewood, home and business owners throughout Shorewood may participate in this program to help pool their buying power to secure significant discounts that make installing solar more affordable than ever. The program will launch in April and will feature free information sessions through July. The first free information session (called a Solar Power Hour) will be April 24 at 6 p.m. at Three Lions Pub at 4515 N Oakland Ave. If you have initial questions, please feel free to email Peter Murphy, who works for MREA, at peterm@midwestrenew.org.
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Adult Winter Reading Entries Due March 13
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Booked All Winter, the Shorewood Public Library's second annual adult winter reading program, is coming to an end! Be sure to get your final entries in by this Sunday, March 13.
The prize drawings will be held the following week. Thanks to everyone who participated!
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Celebrate Women's History Month
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 March is Women's History Month and we're celebrating with a discussion of one of feminism's first proponents: Mary Wollstonecraft.
This Women's History Month discussion with Dr. Gregory Sadler will focus on several of Wollstonecraft's key themes including her vision for full civilization, her critique of gender inequalities in education, culture, and personal life, and her conception of virtue and rationality as essential to all genders.
Join us Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Village Center Meeting Room.
More information can be found on the Shorewood Public Library website.
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Dickey Chapelle's Story Part of Women's History Programming
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In 1965, Shorewood grad Georgette "Dickey" Chapelle (SHS class of 1935) became the first female American war correspondent to be killed in action. For years, she fought to be taken seriously as a war correspondent, breaking down gender barriers for future generations of female journalists; embedding herself with military units on front lines around the globe and sometimes risking her life to tell the story.
"Behind the Pearl Earrings," a documentary produced by Milwaukee Public Television to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Chapelle's death in Vietnam, debuted in November 2015. It will be re-broadcast Monday, March 21 at 9 p.m. on MPTV 10 and Friday, March 25 at 8 p.m. on MPTV 36 as part of MPTV's Women's History Month programming. It will also be broadcasted statewide on Wisconsin Public Television on Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m.
DVD copies of "Behind the Pearl Earrings" are available from the Shorewood Historical Society for $15. To obtain a copy, call 414.847.2726 or email shorewoodhistory@yahoo.com.
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Sustainable Shorewood Tip of the Week
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Birds on the Wing
Birds may be the most welcome harbingers of spring. Colorful to see, a delight to hear, birds lend grace and beauty to our surroundings and provide natural insect control. To make your residence or neighborhood an inviting sanctuary for birds, create places for them to nest, feed, drink, and wash. Here's some advice on birdhouses, feeders, and birdbaths:
- Birdhouses. If suitable natural nesting habitats such as old trees are in short supply, build or buy a birdhouse and install it out of reach of cats, squirrels, and other predators.
- Feeders. Commercial bird feeders are available in most hardware stores, but you can also make feeders out of plastic bottles or milk cartons that can be hung from safe places such as a clothesline. If you prefer to grow bird food, consider planting native wildflowers, shrubs, and sunflowers.
- Cultivated flowers also are especially attractive to some birds, particularly goldfinches, house finches, juncos, white-throated sparrows, and hummingbirds.
- Bird Baths. Birds are most comfortable with a rough-surfaced source of water about 2 feet wide, no more than 2 inches deep. A shallow dish or gently-sloping bowl placed right on the ground will do, as will a plastic or terra cotta plant dish or inverted metal trash lid. Put the bath out in the open, not close to shrubs or places where cats can hide. A thorny bush or protective brush pile may make the birds feel more secure.
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Health Department Highlights
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Did You Know?
March is National Nutrition Month. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines provide recommendations based on current scientific and medical knowledge. The key recommendations of a healthy eating pattern include:
- A variety of vegetables from all subgroups (dark green, red and orange, legumes, starchy, and other)
- Fruits, especially whole fruits
- Grains, at least half of which are whole grains
- Fat-free or low-fat dairy, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and/or fortified soy
- A variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products
- Limiting saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium
For tips, recipes, or more information please visit:
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Upcoming Immunization Clinics (appointment required) - Please call the North Shore Health Department for an appointment at 414.371.2980.
- Tuesday, March 15 from 7:30 - 9 a.m. - Shorewood
- Wednesday, March 16 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Brown Deer
Note - We will not be holding an immunization clinic at the North Shore Library on March 29. The next immunization clinic at the North Shore Library will be April 26.
Upcoming Adult Health Clinics (appointment required) - Please call the North Shore Health Department for an appointment at 414.371.2980.
- Wednesday, March 16 from 8 - 10 a.m. - Brown Deer
- Tuesday, March 22 from 8 - 10 a.m. - Shorewood
Upcoming Blood Pressure Screenings (walk-ins welcome - no appointment necessary)
- Wednesday, March 23 from 3:30 - 5 p.m. - Shorewood
Note - We will not be holding a blood pressure screening at the North Shore Library on March 29. The next blood pressure screening at the North Shore Library will be April 26.
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Upcoming Community Events
Town Hall Meeting for Police Department Headquarters
Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 10 a.m.
Police Department Facility
Monday, March 14, 2016 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Location TBD once you register and are selected
Monday, March 14, 2016 from 7:15 - 8:45 p.m.
Location TBD once you register and are selected
Shorewood Woman's Club 80th Anniversary Celebration
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 1 p.m.
Village Center
Monday, March 21, 2016 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Location TBD once you register and are selected
Broadcasting of Dickey Chapelle Documentary "Behind the Pearl Earrings"
Monday, March 21, 2016 at 9 p.m. (airing on MPTV 10)
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 7 p.m. (airing statewide on Wisconsin Public Television)
Friday, March 25, 2016 at 8 p.m. (airing on MPTV 36)
Shorewood Library Celebration of Women's History Month: Mary Wollstonecraft
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
Shorewood Public Library
Public Meeting on the Ghost Train
Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
Village Center Lower Level Meeting Room
Solar Shorewood Group Buy Information Session
Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 6 p.m.
Three Lions Pub
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