I hope everyone has had a great start to the New Year. Our Public Works crew was put to the test early this season with the recent storm and have been working tirelessly to perform clean-up since. We appreciate everyone's patience as this winter storm presented many challenges. Read the Special Newsletter Bulletin which was published as a re-cap to the storm to hear about what challenges were faced and what the crews typical Plan of Action is in weather events like this. The Village is in regular contact with We Energies related to the causes and corrective actions We Energies is looking to take over the next several years to improve the overall power distribution network. This storm was a real challenge and crews from many states came to Wisconsin to restore power as timely as possible.

Please join me in welcoming a new member to the Elm Grove Police staff. Nathan Anhalt was welcomed to the Department on Monday, January 15 in a swearing in ceremony at Village Hall. Nathan joins the team with experience as an officer at the Wisconsin State Fair PD since 2014. Welcome Nathan!

As you read on in this issue of the Village Newsletter you will see information on this month's Board of Trustee meeting, information regarding the change in timeline for the Underwood Creek Daylighting project, Winterfest scheduled for February 24, the 2024 Citizen Police Academy sign-up, and more!

Have a great February!

President Koleski

Underwood Creek Daylighting Timeline Change

The Village has recently contracted with Stantec engineering to assist in the Underwood Creek Daylighting project. Extensive work has been put into the project; however, there are a number of factors that have delayed the process. As a result, the Village has not been able to reach a final cost of construction and will not be putting this referendum question on the ballot in April. Instead, the referendum will be moved to either the August or November election. It is anticipated this will NOT postpone the project but will provide time to fully develop and complete the scope of work and cost estimate.  Updates will continue to be given regularly as we work through finalizing these costs and other aspects of the project. To see recent updates and the importance of the project, visit the project website here.

Click here to watch a short YouTube video to learn even more about the project.

Caroline Heights

If you've driven past the Caroline Heights site you may have noticed a large crane. When the crane is not in use, it is required to be left and win vane (weathervaning) and may drift over the road at times. We have been assured by Catalyst Construction this does not present any safety hazards. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Village Hall.

To stay updated about the current progress of the development, visit our Caroline Heights Construction Update webpage.

2024 Elections Update

The next Election for the Village of Elm Grove will be April 2, 2024. The Spring Primary Election on February 20, 2024 is NOT needed in Elm Grove. To learn more please visit the Village's Elections' Page. To request an absentee ballot and to register to vote visit www.myvote.wi.gov.

Position Opening - Administrative Assistant

The Village of Elm Grove is currently hiring for an Administrative Assistant position. View the full job description and apply here. The purpose of the Administrative Assistant is to provide primary clerical and office support for all General Government departments including Clerk, Treasury, Public Works, Recreation, and Zoning/Planning. This position is responsible for assisting in accounts payable, customer service, and general office tasks.

Village Website Notification Sign-up

Did you know that you can sign up to receive a notification when Board and Committee agendas and packets are posted? You can also receive notifications when the website calendar is updated to reflect meeting date/time changes or cancellations. Use the below link to follow a step-by-step guide on how to sign-up for these notifications!

Step-by-step guide to sign up for Village website notifications.

Protect Our Pond and Streams in Elm Grove - Help Stop Polluted Runoff

WHAT IS POLLUTED RUNOFF?

When rain falls or snow melts, water flows across pavement, washing soil particles, pesticides, pet wastes, oil, and other pollutants into local lakes and streams. In the city, these pollutants often wash into storm drains, which run directly into these same waters. This process is called stormwater or runoff pollution. Working together, individuals and communities can take steps to clean up our lakes and streams and restore their natural beauty and recreation potential. When each individual does a little to prevent runoff into streams and lakes, everyone benefits a lot.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please visit Respect Our Waters , Wisconsin’s DNR Website , and the Village's Stormwater Management Page for a detailed view into keeping our ponds and streams protected in the Village!

Winter Storm Response

The recent snow emergency and extreme drop in temperature created significant challenges for the Department of Public Works. Department of Public Works Director, Richard Paul Jr., has provided a summery of events that transpired during the snow emergency and the days that followed. Read the full review here.

2024: Revaluation Year for Elm Grove

Every year, the Assessor's office prepares a preliminary assessment roll. This reflects property values as of January 1 each year. The Open Book Review period occurs every year and specific dates are determined annually. Open Book Review takes place by appointment or through the process of the “Request to Review My Property Sheets” that are mailed out with the notices. The Open Book Review period is set aside to answer property owners' questions and to correct obvious clerical errors that were made in compiling the assessment roll. If an error was made, or if there is evidence that the assessment is different than the actual fair market value of the property, the Assessor's Office will review the facts and may make appropriate adjustments. 

To learn more information please view the full 2024 Revaluation Report here.

A Message from the Beautification Committee

The Beautification Committee will have their regular meeting on Wednesday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Park View Room.

The Beautification Committee will be hosting their Winter Lecture Series on Monday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room located in the basement of the library. Professor Todd Levine, Department of Biology at Carroll University, will be presenting "Phenology 101: Is Spring Really Getting Earlier?"

The spring ephemeral woodland sale is now open! Order now! Populate our coveted village woodlands with native plants that will help build a healthy ecosystem and beautify your property! There are 30 choices with prices you will not find elsewhere! Order by the flat unless you want to choose one of the two packages that include a variety of woodland plants. Pick-up and payment will take place on April 19, 2024. See the order form here.

Order now from the annual native tree, shrub, and plant sale! Have you been busy removing invasives and now need something to bring birds, butterflies, and privacy back to your home landscaping? Or do you need to replace losses form the recent storm? An order from Johnson's Nursery will go live soon with delivery to the Village for easy pick-up!

A Message from the Sustainability Committee

Great news, Elm Grove - our annual trash collection was 25.77 Tons LESS in 2023 than 2022! Thank you to everyone who has been working to decrease what we send to the landfill, while also saving the Village and residents money. Want to put less in your trash, but not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:

• Food scraps can be composted! For convenience, you can use a service that will pick up at your home, or you can do it yourself in your backyard. If you have questions about this awesome way to decrease waste, check out the summary of three services in Elm Grove, or reach out to Deb Baesemann at [email protected]. 
• Textiles can be recycled! There are collection bins located at Village Hall by the Police Station and at the Recycle Center (which will re-open in March) 
• Reuse things that you might otherwise throw away! Or if you aren't sure what to do with it, try offering it to free and up-cycle groups - many can be found online. Often your trash is someone else's treasure!
• Refuse things you don't need. Perhaps you can do without a plastic bag at the store? 

A few other exciting announcements: in Elm Grove Park, you will soon see that dog waste bags are now made of recycled plastic. Great job Village!

Please also save the date for Saturday, April 27 for the Earth & Arbor Day event, with a recycling component this year! Stay tuned for more details and hope to see you there!

2024 Elm Grove Junior Guild Scholarship Essay Contest 

The 2024 Elm Grove Junior Guild Scholarship Essay Contest is open to all high school seniors who meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Graduate high school in June 2024
2. Reside in the Elmbrook School District -or- attend Brookfield Central or Brookfield East High School

Essay topic: Discuss how you have been a leader in your community. What have you learned and how will you use that knowledge in your future communities? There will be two awards presented in the amount of $2,000 and $500.

Applications are currently being accepted through April 8, 2024. View the essay application available here for further instructions.

Daylighting Underwood Creek:

Information Session presented by Village Trustee John Schindler

Thursday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Elm Grove Woman's Club

13885 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove, WI 53122

By Janet Day

Many Elm Grove residents shop downtown in our quaint Village center without realizing that there is a creek under the parking lot! Water can do amazing things, but it does not like to be contained. Nature allows water to flow smoothly and always to the lowest spot. The lowest spot in Elm Grove is our Village center.

Those living in Elm Grove in 1997 and 1998 may remember the extraordinary damage caused by 100-year and 300-year floods. After those catastrophic events, the Village pursued a major multi-year flood mitigation project. In 2005, the Wisconsin DNR advised that the existing box culvert that Underwood Creek flows through in the downtown area would not be permitted for repair if structural failure were to occur (see photo).

Join us on Thursday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Elm Grove Woman’s Club, 13885 Watertown Plank Road, to hear Village Trustee John Schindler explain the project. You will hear about the benefits of daylighting, design considerations, and engineering plans. Learn how the ecological makeup of a healthy, thriving waterway and the food chain provided by the various strata in open creeks allow microorganisms and fish to thrive. We may even see northern pike and salmon from Lake Michigan inhabit the creek!

This informational evening is presented FREE to all residents as a community service by the Elm Grove Woman’s Club.

Please RSVP at egwc.org to reserve your spot so we can plan our space for the evening.

Upcoming Events Hosted by the Elm Grove Woman's Club

Music in the Grove is a series of casual evenings featuring live entertainment by local artists, food, and beverages at our charming clubhouse at 13885 Watertown Plank Road. Food and beverages are available a la carte at the NEW Noble Cafe and our Clubhouse Bar.

March 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

An Irish Celebration with Paddygrass and Elm Grove's Trinity Irish Dancers. Paddygrass plays Celtic, Bluegrass, and Gospel music. Over the last 15 years they have assembled a collective of Wisconsin's best folk musicians. This live show features a quartest of musicians and an Irish dancer.

6:00 p.m. - Social Hour

7:00 p .m. - Performances by Paddygrass and the Trinity Irish Dancers

Adults - $22.00, Students (6-18) - $12.00, Children under 6 - FREE

Tickets are available at EGWC Events.

April 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

The Elm Grove Woman's Club proudly presents Nora Collins, a Brookfield-native and award-winning country music singer and songwriter. Attendees can anticipate a night filled with fun, flirty, relatable, and honest country tunes from a talented artist.

6:00 p.m. - Social Hour with food and beverages

7:00 p .m. - Performances, cash bar available throughout the evening

Tickets are available at EGWC Events.

April 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Shake the Chandelier SPRING FLING

Get ready to fling into spring under the magnificent ballroom chandelier with WAMI-award-winning Milwaukee legends, The 5 Card Studs. Advanced tickets can be purchased until April 13, 2024 while tickets are available. 

Sponsorships available, contact Kim Irwin [email protected] or Jill Machi, [email protected], Co-chairs. 

For more information and to purchase tickets go to EGWC Events.