Welcome to fall with the beautiful changing leaf colors on the many trees within the village. I hope everyone can explore village park and enjoy the remaining days of warmer weather.

Congratulations!

A huge shout-out to the Elm Grove Community Foundation for a successful Octoberfest celebration. The attendance was fantastic and it was great to see all the activities and children enjoying the event. Well Done!

Recognition!

Fazio’s Sweet Moments located in the Park and Shop Plaza was recognized with the first place and Best in Show for its Decade of Decadence creation at the State Fair. It is the first time Fazio’s entered the competition and what an accomplishment to come home with this honor. Stop in and enjoy the many offerings available in their store!

Welcome!

Mark Becker has joined the Village as its Department of Public Works Superintendent / Forester. Mark previously served as an employee of the City of Brookfield for over 13 years. I can say with certainty that based on Mark’s education and background, the Village is very lucky to have him joining our team in this crucial position.

Community Event.

The Elm Grove Business Association will host the Walk the Plank trick or treat event from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on October 19th. Previously about 30 businesses participated, allowing children to enjoy treats while Watertown Plank Road is closed. Food and beverages will be available from O’Donoghue’s and the Silver Spur.  

Public Works Update.

Thank you to the entire Public Works team for their efforts getting our 2024 paving work completed. Restoration of grass and other clean-up, including road striping is next on the agenda.

The Highland Pathway is still hung up at the state railroad commission. The team is aggressively seeking State Administrative approval of the Village’s plan to cross the railroad tracks and complete the work before the snow flies.

Let’s enjoy the beauty of fall and crisp clear weather! 

President Koleski

Underwood Creek Daylighting Project

Jim Koleski, Village President - jkoleski@elmgrovewi.org

Referendum on the November 5th Ballot – Underwood Creek Daylighting Project 

As required by Village ordinance for public works projects greater than $1 million, a referendum to approve the Underwood Creek Daylighting is on the November Ballot.

Underwood Creek currently flows in a buried box culvert under the Park and Shop parking lot and under the east side of the Sendik’s store, before daylighting east of the 890 building. The installation of the box culvert and its parking lot covering occurred without prior approval from the Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) many years ago. The DNR will not approve any significant repairs or changes. If the box culvert fails, the parking lot above could collapse, rendering a main commercial node of the Village paralyzed. 

Daylighting was part of the original Storm Water Management Plan (“Plan”) formulated in 2003 in response to the history of severe flooding in our community and it also included the formation of Tax Increment District #2 (TID #2). Many who experienced it will remember life before the first phase of the Storm Water Plan was completed along with the damage and the personal tragedies that occurred. The Plan significantly reduced recurrent flooding in the Village. The initial scope of the Project was modified at that time resulting in a delay of the completion of the Creek Daylighting, however daylighting remained the ultimate goal. Over time, costs have increased, and the handling of contaminated soil regulations have become more restricted and have driven increased costs (approximately $2 million). One thing that has not changed is the need to complete the Plan to further lessen the risk of damaging and dangerous storm events and flooding, while creating a pleasing community amenity.

For the past two years, the Public Works Committee and Village Board have been actively reviewing plans, updating engineering renderings and drawings, and working to define an estimated cost to daylight Underwood Creek. Specific actions taken include:

• Purchasing the One Hour Martinizing Property and its demolition.
• Negotiating with the Railroad to acquire only the land necessary for the Project.
• Negotiating easements with property owners.
• Contracting with an Engineering Firm to design the project and review options.
• Applying for and receiving nearly $700,000 of grants to support this Project from 2018 forward.
• Defined pathway location and a pedestrian bridge crossing for safe access and recreational use. (Current drawings and renderings are available on the Village’s website)
• Performing environmental and other soil testing and analysis.
• Completing the extension of the TID #2 expiration date to help fund the project within State guidelines. This will provide at least $4.2 million of available funding for the Project.
• Engineer’s current cost estimate is $8.5 million, inclusive of a 10% ($650,000) contingency of project cost. Every effort is being pursued to lower costs as the design work is finalized.
• Earmarking funding of approximately $6.3 million of stormwater funds from current storm water fees each resident currently pays over the next 20 years. This amount includes the interest on debt issued to fund the construction costs.
• Residents will not incur additional taxes or special assessments to fund and complete the project.
• As the Project is further defined and certified drawings and a contract is executed, additional grants will be applied for with the goal of lowering the overall net cost of the Project.
• The Board will host two informational meetings on October 24th at the Village Hall at 3:30 P.M. and again at 6:30 P.M. to answer all questions and discuss resident concerns.

This Project has been in the planning stages for nearly 20 years. Your Board has identified a Plan to complete this project without any additional taxes on our community. To leverage the $4.2 million of TID #2 funding available, the Village needs to be under contract by April, 2026 and construction commenced soon after. I am passionate about completing this Project to improve safety and reduce storm water risk while enhancing the downtown. I will be voting YES on November 5th. As always, I am available via email at jkoleski@elmgrovewi.org to answer any questions or provide additional information. Thank you for listening and your continued support of the Village Board.

Jim Koleski, Village President

Additional information regarding Underwood Creek Daylighting project can be found here on the Village website.

Caroline Heights Project

Village staff continues to work to minimize the impact and disruption of construction work. Roads are cleaned three times a week by outside parties and any complaints should be forwarded to Village staff for follow-up.

Single-family home development in the Caroline Heights area is in progress. The Building Board is actively reviewing construction plans for these residents. In total, 21 new single-family residences will be constructed. There will be a first review of 1 new home and a second review of 3 homes on Tuesday, October 15th at the regular Building Board meeting. Keep up-to-date on plans that are reviewed by reviewing Building Board meeting packet materials in the Agenda Center here.

For regular updates, please continue to refer to the Village website for updated information on the project here.

Kickoff of the Village of Elm Grove Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Process

The Village of Elm Grove is kicking off the process of updating its Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Building off the 2015 Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan, this planning process will evaluate existing conditions in the Village’s Park and recreation system, inventory its amenities, analyze its level of service, and make recommendations for future improvements to the Village parks, natural areas, recreational programming, and trails and pathways. The planning process will take place over the next 7 months with a goal of adoption in March 2025. To learn more visit: 2024 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Stakeholder Groups

Are you an avid dogwalker or do you visit the park often with your family? Are you a passionate individual with strong interest in the park, pathways and other items related to the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan? Are you interested in participating in a stakeholder group meeting and discussing your ideas with other individuals? Email or call the Recreation Manager to learn more!

Reminders When Posting Political Signs This Election Season

Please take the time to review the Village's ordinance on residential signage as we move into election season. Please remember the following when posting political signs six (6) square feet or less in area:

• Political signs should remain erected only during the pertinent election campaign as defined by Wisconsin State Statutes
• Political signs should be removed within 10 days following the election
• No sign should be placed less than seven (7) feet from the edge of street pavement, nor so close to a pedestrian way as to hinder or impede passage
• No sign may be placed in any area between any Village pedestrian pathway and the edge of any street pavement
• No sign shall be placed on any public right-of-way

Draining Your Swimming Pool

Discharging of swimming pool water must be performed in a manner consistent with best practices as outlined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The Village does not allow for direct discharge into the storm sewer system or the sanitary sewer system.

The best option is pumping it from your pool onto your lawn at a slow rate to allow for infiltration and aeration to avoid encumbering or overwhelming the storm sewer system or sanitary line.

Read additional information from the WDNR on residential pool water best practices here.

If it is suspected that any contaminants or non-storm water/non-permitted discharges are entering surface waters or the MS4, the WDNR reporting line is: 1-800-943-0003.

Do you own a restaurant or a food truck? Remember that you can mitigate stormwater pollution at your business. It is important to store cooking oil, chemicals, and trash properly so these pollutants do not wash into nearby storm drains and pollute our waterways.  Used cooking oil should be stored inside if possible, or outside far away from storm drains. Containers must be sealed tightly except when adding or removing oil. Monitor the storage container for leaks and clean up any spills immediately.  Dumpsters should be covered except when adding trash. Avoid placing liquid in dumpsters as the liquid can leak out and wash into storm drains. Monitor the dumpster for leaks and clean up any seepage immediately.  

Spills happen, but must be cleaned up immediately to prevent these pollutants from contaminating storm drains. Dispose of cleanup materials properly or if you are uncertain of how to dispose of hazardous waste, contact your local government for information. Lastly, the wastewater from mopping floors, washing dishes, and rinsing mats can pollute stormwater. Make sure to only dispose of wastewater in indoor sinks and drains that drain to sanitary sewer systems. For more information, please visit respectourwaters.org.

A Message from the Beautification Committee

Winter Lecture Series

Unsure of how to properly recycle? Wondering how you can be the next Waste Warrior and get your address published in the newspaper for a job well done? Come get all of your questions answered by Waukesha County Recycling Specialist Abbie Luedtke at the Winter Lecture Series event in the O'Neill Room of the library! The event will be held on Wednesday, October 16th at 6:30 p.m.

Elm Grove Mayor's Monarch Pledge

Now until Friday, October 18th, drop off your milkweed pods at Village Hall in support of the Elm Grove Mayor's Monarch Pledge and the Wauwatosa Friends of the Monarch Trail Pod Palooza on October 19th. Please place each species collected in a paper bag with the zip code of where the species were collected along with the species name.

Invasive Species Task Force

Your award winning Invasive Species Task Force NEEDS YOU! We are trying to make our village park buckthorn-free which is going to be a village wide commitment over the long term. Don't know what buckthorn looks like--we will teach you! Help the Invasive Species Task Force remove buckthorn from the western edge of Village Park. Join us Sunday's at 11:00 a.m. for just one hour! Reach out to get the weekly notice.

A Message from the Sustainability Committee: Sustainability Committee's Guide to Halloween

October is the spookiest month of the year, but let's keep Mother Earth in mind when you're celebrating with ghosts and goblins.

1. Costumes - Consider doing a costume exchange with friends rather than buying new "fast fashion" plastic single-use costumes. Avoid glitter in the costumes. Glitter is made with microplastics, and those are major problems for our soil and water.
2. Decorations - Ensure your Halloween decorations are not traps for critters outside. Birds can get caught in webbing, for example.
3. Lights - In keeping with the Dark Skies Initiative, make sure your Halloween lights are directed toward the ground. Turn them off so that they're not on all night.
4. Pumpkins - Compost your pumpkins so they don't end up in the landfill.  
5. Candy wrappers - Look out for local collections of candy wrappers. The wrappers are too small to put in your normal recycle bin in the Village, but don't put them in the landfill, either.  

A Message from the Friends of Elm Grove Library

The leaves may be falling, but your holiday shopping list is calling! Get a head start for those book lovers on your list at the Friends of the Elm Grove Library’s Holiday Book Sale! You will find fun items for the children you love, interesting items for friends you enjoy, and maybe even a special something for yourself. We have a wonderful selection of books for adults and children, DVDs, CDs, journals, and gently used puzzles and games. They are priced reasonably and are gift worthy. Only cash or checks are accepted.

The sale will be held on Saturday, November 9th, 2024 from 10am until 4 pm in conjunction with the “Holiday in the Grove Celebration”. It is located in the library foyer and also in the hallway of the village building. It is a convenient location, easy parking, friendly helpers, and low prices.  

We are also one of the stops on the horse-drawn wagon ride! You can combine fun with shopping! All proceeds will go to supporting our local library and all its services. See you on the 9th!

Music in the Grove presents The Whiskey Belles

The Elm Grove Woman's Club proudly presents The Whiskey Belles as part of Music in the Grove - a series of casual evenings featuring live music by local artists, food, and beverages available for purchase throughout the evening at our charming clubhouse at 13885 Watertown Plank Road.

Take the evening off and walk or drive to the club for great fun with live music on Friday, October 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Food and beverages are available a la carte at the Noble Cafe and Clubhouse Bar.

6:00 p.m. – Social Hour, food and drinks available for purchase

7:00 p.m. – Performance

Tickets are available on our website – www.egwc.org. Tickets for adults 18 years and older are $22.00, tickets for students 6-17 are $12, and tickets for children 5 and younger are FREE.

Leading the Way: Elmbrook Schools' Annual Report

Highlights, Education, Excellence

See highlights from the 2023-24 school year in Elmbrook's digital annual report at annualreport.elmbrookschools.org, where there's something for everyone to be proud of! 

The print version is also available to view here.

Studies have shown that if you are aggressive with your dog, your dog will be aggressive with you. A study conducted by Meghan E. Herron showed that using confrontational training methods, force, and even staring at your dog increased aggression up to 41%! There is a plethora of overwhelming scientific studies, real world experience and countless conversations with industry professionals and vet behaviorists that led Elmbrook Humane Society to do away with the old school “Alpha Theory” of training and handling and embrace a Force Free training approach nearly 20 years ago. 

Force Free is a type of training and handling that takes into account the emotions and feelings of animals along with the science of how animals learn. Force Free training does not employ pain, startling techniques, fear, or anything the animal perceives as negative tools for care and training. In using positive reinforcement training and handling methods with our shelter pets, we build or re-establish trust and respect with the animals in our care, making our bonds stronger, their adoptability more attractive, and their length of stay shorter. Force free handling looks like rewards, positive attention, treats and praise when the animal does something you want. Not fear induced obedience, punishment, the use of prong or electric collars, spraying water, yelling or collar grabbing when the animal does something you don’t want. See the difference? You can reinforce good behaviors with good things to make those bonds stronger while protecting your relationship with your beloved pet! 

Not sure how or where to get started? Reach out to us for more resources and information! 

www.ebhs.org | 262-782-9261 | 20950 Enterprise Ave. Brookfield, WI 53045