February 2018
Construction Notice: Crews are expected to make repairs today to the sanitary sewer main on Lake Meadow Dr. near Ironwood Ct. Traffic on Lake Meadow Dr. may be delayed or interrupted. A temporary road patch will be installed where the repairs take place; a permanent asphalt patch will be installed in the spring.
Reminder to Take the Outdoor Recreation Survey
There are just a few days left to take the outdoor recreation survey! Wind Point residents are asked to take the survey to help guide the completion of a Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The deadline to complete the survey is Saturday, February 3. Just one response per household, please. Click here to take the survey now!

The Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan will follow a format prescribed by the Wisconsin DNR. By having this plan, the Village will become eligible for certain grant programs to help fund projects. Public input is important component for preparing the plan.

Public Workshop and Visioning Meeting on Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m.
In addition to the survey, all Village residents are invited to attend a Kick-Off & Visioning Meeting on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Wingspread, 33 E. Four Mile Rd. The project facilitator, Jeffrey Sanders, will ask attendees for additional feedback about outdoor recreation planning in Wind Point. Refreshments will be served. Please don't miss this unique opportunity to help guide future plans for our community!
Spring Primary Election on February 20
A statewide spring primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at The Prairie School Johnson Athletic Center. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The only race on the ballot in Wind Point will be the primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. To view a copy of a sample ballot, click here .

Absentee Voting – By Mail
Absentee ballots for this election were mailed out on January 26 to electors on the permanent absentee ballot list and others who already had requests on file for this election. Other electors wishing to receive an absentee ballot by mail may do so by submitting a request online at http://myvote.wi.gov or at the Village Office. Absentee ballots must be received by election day, February 20, in order to be counted for this election.

Absentee Voting – In Person
In-person absentee voting will be available at the Village Office from February 5 through February 16 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A valid photo ID is required to obtain a ballot.

Voter Registration
Residents wishing to register or re-register to vote may do so online at http://myvote.wi.gov , by mail or at the Village Office.

After the spring primary election on February 20, there will be the spring election on April 3, the partisan primary on August 14 and the fall general election on November 6. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Hawes, Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer at 262.639.3524 or m.hawes@windpoint.org .
Village Welcomes New Staff Members
We are very pleased to welcome two new members to the Village Office team! Monica Hernandez (pictured right) started on January 22 as the new Deputy Treasurer/Utility Clerk. She will serve as a main point of contact at the Village Office while carrying out the bookkeeping functions of the Village and Water Utility. Monica brings over 16 years of experience with Reliable Property Services serving in a similar administrative capacity.

April Cruz started on January 17 as part-time Court Clerk for the Wind Point/North Bay Municipal Court. April also works as a 911 dispatcher and has over 25 years of experience with the Racine County Communications Center and City of Racine. April has past experience as a warrants clerk for the City of Racine.

Please join us in welcoming Monica and April to the Village Office! To view an updated directory of Village contact information, click here .
Reminder to Shovel Around Fire Hydrants
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 elderly or handicap neighbors as well, 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!
Tips for Preventing Burglaries
While You are on Vacation
If you are thinking of escaping the cold and traveling somewhere for vacation, please keep in mind some things you can do to help safeguard your home:

  • Set lights on timers in and around your home. Have the times the lights turn on and off be different for each respective room so as to not have all the lights turn on or off at the same time. 
  • Have the points of entry for your home be well lit. 
  • Have a trusted neighbor, friend or family member check on your home while your away. The more times they can check during a 24-hour period, the better. You can also arrange vacation checks by the Wind Point Police Department (call 262-639-3022 to make arrangements).
  • Don't advertise on social media that you are away from your home. Keep in mind that even things you set as private on social media may not stay private depending on what information friends or family comment on or share with others on their social media pages. 
  • Set and activate your home security alarm. If you don't have one, consider installing smart doorbells or motion activated cameras at your home. These devices can alert you to motion inside or outside your home and can send the alert right to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer anywhere you can connect to the internet.  
  • Prepare before you leave for vacation. Stop delivery of the newspaper and mail. Have packages held for the respective package delivery services (i.e. UPS, FedEx, etc.).  
  • Stay vigilant and to call the police if you see or hear anything that you feel is out of the ordinary.
Architectural Review Required for Certain Exterior Improvements
If you are considering some improvements to the exterior of your home this year, remember to consider the Village's architectural review process. Architectural Review Board (ARB) approval is required for new structures or modifications to at least 20% of the face of an existing structure before a building or zoning permit is issued. (This approval process is separate from the Wind Meadows Architectural Review Committee, which may also need to review your project if your home is in Wind Meadows.)

The ARB exists to review and approve exterior aesthetics and architectural suitability for proposed construction and remodeling within the Village. The purpose of this review and approval is to help maintain high quality standards, enhance property values, present a positive and inviting community image, and to foster good relations among neighbors and residents. The ARB is concerned with both the view of construction that may be seen from Village streets and the rear view of construction that is seen by neighbors.

The ARB consists of six Village residents who primarily have backgrounds in architecture, building trades, facility maintenance, appraisals and real estate. Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, but are typically held on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. For more information, click here to view the ARB guidelines and application document.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting on January 11, 2018. The following actions took place at the meeting:

  • Heard an update on office staffing and approved an amended 2018 Wage Schedule (Resolution 18-R01).
  • Reviewed a draft survey for the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and confirmed a public meeting date of February 15, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Wingspread.
  • Discussed lighthouse volunteer communications.
  • Appointed election inspectors for the 2018-2019 term.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Hall (lighthouse).
Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524