1.) Whitefish Bay Is A 2021 National Safety Award Winner: The Village of Whitefish Bay was named a 2021 Safety Award Winner in the Infrastructure and Operational Improvements Category by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and National Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF). According to the RSF website, the purpose of this biennial competition is “to recognize roadway safety achievements that move the United States towards zero deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. The competition acknowledges successful engineering solutions that agencies have integrated into their roadway safety programs.” Thanks to various improvements made to streets, signage, traffic signals, and pedestrian crosswalks over the past five to six years, the number of crashes in Whitefish Bay has decreased by 39%—that equates to about 257 fewer law enforcement responses, 480 vehicles not damaged, and eight pedestrians or bicyclists spared from being struck by vehicles.

Specific improvements include dynamic speed feedback signs, additional yield signage, a “Danish Offset” pedestrian crossing, high-friction surface treatment on busy roadway curves, and flashing lights at crosswalks. Many of these safety improvements were financed by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and designed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

3.) 2021 Community Spirit: 2021 brought about the return of many beloved community events that were cancelled in 2020. This year featured the second annual Whitefish Bay Art Festival hosted by the Merchants of Whitefish Bay and the festivities and fireworks of the 4th of July celebration hosted by the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation. Both of these events showcased the dedication of our civic-minded volunteers and brought thousands of residents and visitors into the community. Additionally, annual events such as the Community Band Concerts, Sounds of Summer, the Great Pumpkin Festival, and the Holiday Stroll returned and were more popular than ever. From December to March, the Community Ice Rink was a unique addition that brought many families together outdoors. The Village continues to encourage residents to host local block parties as a way of promoting friendly neighborhoods and to maintain the extraordinary level of community spirit. Last year, Village residents hosted 150 block parties (and counting)!

4.) Infrastructure: The Department of Public Works (DPW) is an integral and visible part of Village operations. DPW focused on a wide variety of projects throughout the Village. In 2021, a permeable paver alley and parking lot project was one of the department’s highlights. The project provided a cost effective and sustainable solution to repair several deteriorating alleys and expand the municipal parking lot south of Winkies. In addition, after extensive community input, the Village Board authorized switching its approximately 1,500 High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamp streetlights to LED lamp streetlights. LED lighting is much more cost efficient and will have both economic and environmental benefits for our community. DPW also worked with a high school student to install an Accessible Traffic Signal, which can detect motion and allows pedestrians to actuate the crosswalk button on their phone via Bluetooth, at Santa Monica Boulevard and Silver Spring Drive. 2021 also included mill and overlay of Oakland Avenue from Hampton Road to Glendale Avenue and Henry Clay from Santa Monica Boulevard to Marlborough Drive, the Village Hall/Library Bioswale Project, Tennis Court Resurfacing, and the Blackthorn Place Watermain Replacement Project.

Mortgage companies may send escrow checks to the homeowner or directly to the Village. If the check is sent to the homeowner, the homeowner should make sure the check is payable to the Village of Whitefish Bay, signed on the back by all individuals listed as payees and submit the check to the Village for payment of the taxes. Checks that are not signed will be returned to the homeowner, which will cause a delay in processing the payment.

*Some mortgage companies send escrow checks to a third party tax service before mailing payments to the Village. In this case, your mortgage company may tell you the check was issued early in December but we may not receive the payment until the end of December or later. To see when your escrow check was received and obtain a receipt of payment, please visit the Village’s tax portal.

The Whitefish Bay Recreation and Community Education Department has immediate needs for Crossing Guards for the Village of Whitefish Bay. If hired, the position would start immediately.

Interested applicants can apply online at WECAN or call the Recreation Department at (414) 963-3947. Crossing Guards may work various shifts from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Starting Wage is $15.45 an hour. Training is provided.

The 2022 refuse and recycling schedule is available below and on the Village website. Click here to view the schedule. Refuse collection occurs weekly. Recycling occurs every other week, according to A/B schedule. A-Week Recycling is in Grey. B-Week Recycling is in Blue. Please remember to have all refuse and recycling to the curb by 7:00 a.m. on pickup day.

To determine your collection day and recycling route, please see the online route map at: https://www.wfbvillage.org/370/. Carts must be placed a minimum of three feet apart from each other, three feet from any obstruction, and three feet or less from the curb or alley edge.

The Community Service Officer (CSO) is a uniformed, non-sworn position that has authority to enforce certain municipal ordinances relating to animals, parking, and code enforcement. CSO’s assist with traffic control and perform other functions to assist department personnel. CSO’s are also trained as clerks and will fill that position when necessary. Hourly wage is $14.39.

Qualifications: U.S. Citizen, 18 years of age or older, valid driver’s license with a good driving record, good verbal and written communication skills, able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Click here to apply or for more job information:

Holiday COVID-19 Testing for District Students & Staff: As the holidays are approaching, the District and Accelerated Labs will be offering free COVID-19 testing for students/staff during the upcoming holiday break at the Lydell parking lot. Click here for more information.

Book Bundles: The library is still offering book bundles for kids and teens! We know that browsing is an important way to find books, especially for our youngest library patrons, so we're hoping this can recreate that feeling of discovery and delight.

How does it work? Click on the form, tell us a few favorite topics or genres, include any extra information that might be helpful, and we'll get to work. Within 24 hours these items will be placed on hold for you, and you can stop by at your convenience to pick them up. Click here for more information.

Sign up for our virtual winter reading program through Beanstack and experience this great program for all ages (including adults), full of opportunities for fun and learning. Challenge your family to read more in 2022! You can register online (https://wfblibrary.beanstack.com/) or you can also use the Beanstack app! Download the Beanstack app and search for Whitefish Bay Public Library. The program runs through February 28.

Take and Tinker Collection: Excite your mind, try out a hobby, learn a new skill, or just have fun with our new Take and Tinker collection! A collection of tools, games, and other items that you wouldn't expect to find in a library. Take and Tinker is generously funded by Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library. Help Friends out by becoming a Friend.

Items included in our collection include a sewing machine, Cricut Air Express, projector and portable screen, ukulele, weaving loom, tool and socket set, cordless drill, board games and more. Click here to browse the collection and place a hold.

The most wonderful time of the year is here. As people start to travel and gather this year, the CDC reminds us that COVID-19 vaccination, along with other important prevention strategies, continues to be our best defense against severe disease. Holiday traditions are important for many people. Using proven prevention strategies, we can enjoy safer holidays, travel, and protect our own health as well as the health of our family and friends.