- Franklin D. Roosevelt
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.

April 4 Village Board Agenda

The Village Board will meet on Monday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Court Room. These are the agenda items that the Board will discuss or take action on during the meeting:
  1. Consider Presentation of Accounts April 4, 2016
  2. Consider Special Privilege Application for Outdoor Seating in the Public Way at:
    • 4330 N. Oakland Ave., business The Chocolate Factory
    • 4044 N. Oakland Ave., business Camp Bar
    • 4515 N. Oakland Ave., business Three Lions Pub
    • 4417 N. Oakland Ave., business Draft & Vessel
    • 4022 N. Oakland Ave., business Oakcrest Tavern
    • 4500 N. Oakland Ave., business Colectivo Coffee Roasters
    • 4511 N. Oakland Ave., business Nana Asian Fusion restaurant
    • 4106 N. Oakland Ave., business Stone Creek Coffee
  3. Present Proclamation for Feerick Funeral Home's 120th Anniversary
  4. Discuss and Public Comment on Possible Relocation of Police Department
  5. Consider Resolution Accepting the Donation of Funds for the Ghost Train
  6. Consider Special Privilege Application for Outdoor Seating in the Public Way at 4075 N. Oakland Ave., business Metro Market
  7. Present and Consider Human Resources Manual Update
April 5 Spring Election Occurs Next Week
The Spring Election will be held on April 5.  The ballot will contain the Presidential Preference, Justice of the Supreme Court, a number of Circuit Court Judges, County Executive, County Comptroller, County Supervisor, Village Trustee, Municipal Judge, and School Board Members.  Sample ballots are available on the Village's website.
 
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. of Election Day.  The Village has three polling locations: Village Center, 3920 N Murray Ave., Shorewood High School, 1701 E Capitol Drive, and Lake Bluff School, 1600 E Lake Bluff Blvd. Find your polling place at My Vote Wisconsin.
 
Photo ID
Photo ID will be now required at the polling place for all Elections.  For more information, please visit Bring it to the Ballot.
 
Absentee Voting
In-person absentee voting at Village Hall will be held Monday, March 21 through Friday, April 1 during normal office hours, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  
 
New Voting Equipment
The Village has obtained new voting equipment and voters will now fill in ovals with black ball point pens, instead of connecting arrows with special pens as was done previously.  For more information, view the video prepared by the Milwaukee County Election Commission.

Village Board to Consider Ghost Train Donations at Public Meeting

The Ghost Train Committee is currently in the process of fundraising for the Ghost Train project and securing Village Board approval before the project design phase begins. A community meeting was held on March 24 to introduce the Ghost Train to Shorewood residents. The tentative Ghost Train launch time frame is October 2016, providing an exciting lead into Shorewood's 100th anniversary celebration in 2017. The Village Board will consider the future of this project during their April 4 meeting.

In the meantime, the Ghost Train Committee has coordinated an all-day fundraiser with Culver's on Saturday, April 2.  The Culver's on E. Capitol Dr. in Shorewood is dedicating 20% of their total sales on April 2 to go towards the funding of the Ghost Train.

The Ghost Train is a proposed artistic sensory experience which would enable visitors to travel back in history, imagining the round-trip journey of the 'Twin Cities 400', operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway from 1935-1963 that 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. 

Next Discussion for the Possible Police Department Relocation Scheduled for April 4

There is still time to attend one of the upcoming sessions and public meetings on the possible relocation of the Police Department building. 
 
Upcoming sessions and public meetings will provide the public more information and initiate more discussion.  These sessions include:
  • 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.
To view the presentation Chief Nimmer presented at a previous Village Board meeting click here.

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.
Atwater Beach Boardwalk Extension Construction Begins Soon
The Atwater Park Master Plan (adopted back in 2010) included a boardwalk at the base of the bluff for beach user access.  A portion of the boardwalk was constructed in 2011 to the north of the stairway.  

To help complete the construction of the boardwalk to the south, Village staff applied and received a grant to help pay for a part of the construction.  The Village Board approved a 2016 budget allocating funds for the remaining costs needed to complete construction.  During the Village Board's February 16 meeting, the Board approved a bid from Solutions 101 of Hortonville to complete the project.  The Village is anticipating construction to begin shortly as the boardwalk will stretch from one end of the beach to the other at Atwater.  If you have questions about the project, feel free to contact Village Manager Chris Swartz at 414.847.2701.

Public Meetings Scheduled for Beverly Road Reconstruction, NE Combined Sewer Project

This year's major construction projects, the Street Reconstruction Program and the North East Combined Area Sewer Improvements, are scheduled to begin in mid-April.  Please click the links for maps and additional project information. 

To join the email distribution list for weekly construction status reports, please click here. Public informational meetings will be held on April 7 in the Village Center for each of the projects as follows:
  • 6 p.m. - Road Reconstruction Project
  • 6:30 p.m. - Lead Service Replacement Information
  • 7:30 p.m. - NE Area Combined Sewer Improvements
If you have questions, please feel free to call the Department of Public Works at 414.847.2650 or email dpw@villageofshorewood.org.
Saturday Compactor & Recycling Seasonal Hours Begin
Public Works
The DPW Compactor and Recycling Center will be open the first and third Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the months of April through November.

Please see our website for information regarding acceptable materials and fees.  

Electronics are also accepted for recycling during Saturday hours. 

Please note a fee will apply for television sets; click here  for recycling information.
Shorewood Historical Society Presents Shorewood in Pictures
In the early 1920s, the Presbyterian Church erected a tent on the property where they would build their first church on the corner of Oakland and Kenmore. The building they erected ("the little white church") is currently the home of the Shorewood Press and Robert Laurence Hair Studio.
Life in early 20th century Shorewood was captured by amateur photographer, Charles Sheldon. His pictures of church groups, store owners, double-deck buses, National Guard troops on parade, street scenes with open lots and even a few farm animals help us to imagine what life was like in early Shorewood.
 
Forty-one of Sheldon's pictures are now online for public viewing.   More pictures will be added to the online collection on a regular basis.   Digitizing pictures addresses two Shorewood Historical Society goals:  to bring Shorewood's story to the public in an easily accessible format, and to preserve the original photos.  To view the Sheldon pictures, log on to shorewoodhistory.org and click on Shorewood  Photos.
Village's Forestry Practices to Enhance Tree Culture and Population in Shorewood
Did you know that according to the Village's most recent forestry inventory, 99.5% of the planting sites which are suitable for a tree are currently planted?  Each year the DPW's forestry team replaces approximately 100 trees that have succumbed to pests, diseases or were on the losing end of a battle with a car or truck.  

Efforts are made each year to diversify the species in our street tree population; this year's planting stock includes London Planetree, Swamp Burr Oak, Pioneer Elm and Tulip Trees, among others.  Chances are that if you see a vacant parkway area it is because underground utilities make the area unsuitable for trees.  If you have any questions about forestry issues in Shorewood, feel free to reach out to Village staff at DPW by calling 414.847.2650.

"Highlight on Health" Activities Scheduled 
for April 6

"Highlight on Health " takes place on Wednesday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Village Center.  The morning-long event will feature a wide variety of free stay well and feel good resources and information from professionals and experts.  

The program is free and open to the community at the Shorewood Senior Resource Center, lower level of the Shorewood Library, 3920 N. Murray Avenue. No reservations necessary.  Door prizes drawn every hour!  
  • 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.:  Healthy Snacks, Coffee and Tea, Private Memory & Depression Screenings, Balance Screenings, Hand Grip Strength Evaluations, Blood Pressure Checks, Medication Review and information on helpful resources
  • 9:15 - 9:40 a.m.:  Zumba Gold Class with Mimi Oxman
  • 9:50 - 10 a.m.:  Yoga demonstration - How to get off the floor with DeWitt Clinton
  • 10 - 11 a.m.:  Mindfulness Practices for Living in the Now with Elizabeth Lewis
  • 10:30 - 10:50 a.m.:  Heart and Stroke Prevention with Julie O'Neill RN,MSN
  • 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.:  Sample a fresh Vegetarian Indian Dish prepared bySivakumari Pattormadom Parvati
For more information, contact Elizabeth Price, Shorewood Senior Resource Center at 414.847.2727 or email eprice@vilageofshorewood.org.  

Celebrate National Library Week April 10-16

Join the Shorewood Library as we celebrate the transformative power of libraries during National Library Week 2016.  We are kicking the week off with a one-of-a-kind evening of live theater. 

On Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m., actress Kristin Hammargren performs her one-woman show, Discovering Jane Austen, in which she portrays an actress exploring the life and works of Jane Austen as she prepares to go on stage. Arrive early for fun and fandom with tea and all-things-Austen trivia from 6-7 p.m. For more information, please visit the Shorewood Library website .

Other National Library Week events include:
  • Little Free Libraries informational display - All week.
  • Selfie Station to show your Library Love - All week. More information.
  • Book Speed Dating - Wednesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. More information.
  • Color me Happy! - Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. More information.
  • Stories Around the World - Saturday, April 16, 10:30 a.m. More information.
  • Maker's Day - Saturday, April 16, 1 p.m. More information.
  • We're also taking it to the streets all week with pop-up libraries on Monday at Metro Market, Wednesday at Colectivo and Thursday at Culver's.

Sustainable Shorewood Tip of the Week        

Fun Activities to Teach Kids Sustainable Activities
Children of all ages are like sponges - they soak up information and memories at an incredible rate. Our kids look to us to learn everything, from tying their shoes to learning to drive. They are watching our every move, whether we realize it or not. This makes modeling positive behavior a must. However, this may not always be easy. Adults aren't perfect.  For the most part though, we try our best and encourage our kids to do the same.

Modeling appropriate and compassionate behavior includes teaching kids about earth-friendly and sustainable practices. Involve the entire family in volunteer park cleanups; make toys and crafts out of recyclable materials or maybe even plant a tree. By showing children the importance of keeping the Earth healthy, it will teach them many important core values, including empathy and the benefit of doing good for others. In this case, all human and animal creatures of Earth - and Earth itself - can benefit from these fun crafts and activities.
 

Health Department Highlights        

Did You Know?
Elizabethkingia refers to bacteria from the Elizabethkingia genus.  It has recently been in the news because Southern and Southeastern Wisconsin have seen a spike in cases of one genus-- Elizabethkingia anopheles--and many of these initial patients died.  The bacteria is widely present in nature, but is not commonly found in humans.  

Since November, there have been 52 confirmed cases in Wisconsin, and additional patients are currently under investigation.  The majority of cases are over the age of 65, and all patients have a history of at least one underlying serious illness. When Elizabethkingia bacteria enter the body, they can cause bloodstream infections.  A healthy person's immune system can fight the bacteria, while a person who is immunocompromised may not be able to.  Healthcare providers know to look for Elizabethkingia infection, especially in patients who have underlying illnesses.  When treated promptly with proper antibiotics, patients have a great chance of survival.  

At this time, the cause of the outbreak is unknown, but epidemiologists from the State Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are working to investigate any and all potential causes, and so far the water supply has been ruled out.  The most current information can be found at Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) website.  Additional questions can be directed to the Bureau of Communicable Diseases at 608.267.9003 or DHSDPHBCD@wi.gov.     
 
******************************************************
Upcoming Immunization Clinics (appointment required) - Please call the North Shore Health Department for an appointment at 414.371.2980.
  • Tuesday, April 12 from 10 - 11 a.m. - Brown Deer
  • Thursday, April 14 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. - Shorewood
  • Tuesday, April 26 from 4 - 5 p.m. - North Shore Library
Upcoming Adult Health Clinics (appointment required) - Please call the North Shore Health Department for an appointment at 414.371.2980.
  • Wednesday, April 20 from 8 - 10 a.m. - Brown Deer
  • Tuesday, April 26 from 8 - 10 a.m. - Shorewood
Upcoming Blood Pressure Screenings (walk-ins welcome - no appointment necessary)
  • Tuesday, April 26 from 3:30 - 4 p.m. - North Shore Library
  • Wednesday, April 27 from 3:30 - 5 p.m. - Shorewood
Upcoming Community Events

Ghost Train Fundraiser at Culver's
Saturday, April 2, 2016 (All Day)
Culver's on E. Capitol Drive

Spring Election
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Polling locations include Village Center, Shorewood High School, and Lake Bluff Elementary School

"Highlight on Health" Activities
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Shorewood Senior Resource Center

Welcome New Neighbor Reception
Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 9-11 a.m.
Metro Market in Shorewood (at the large table along the right side)

National Library Week
Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16, 2016
Shorewood Public Library (Events listed in Above Article)

Solar Shorewood Group Buy Information Session
Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 6 p.m.
Three Lions Pub

Share Shorewood:  Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Week
Sunday, May 1 through Saturday, May 7, 2016
Village of Shorewood
Quick Links