Monday, January 18, 2021

Village of Whitefish Bay Official Weekly Newsletter
Message from the
Village President, Julie Siegel

Congratulations to Whitefish Bay High School for being rated the second best Public School in Wisconsin in the 2021 Niche.com ratings! To subscribe to our newsletter, click here.
Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing?
What is the property tax deadline? The first installment or full payment of taxes are due Sunday, January 31, 2021. Click here for more information.

What are the rules for dog walking? With the mild, winter many resident are walking outside. Remember that dogs are required to be be on a leash and you are required to pick up after your dog. We have received a number of calls regarding off-leash dogs and dog waste.

What is this week's ice rink schedule? The rink will operate during standard hours this week. Click here for details and weather updates.

Have a question? Send us an email or give us a call at (414) 962-6690.
Village Meeting Agendas:
This Week's Meetings:

  • Monday, January 18, 6:00 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting

  • Thursday, January 21, 5:30 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting.
Last Week's Meetings:

  • Tuesday, January 12, 6:15 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting.

For other meeting agendas and minutes, please visit the Agenda Center page.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update Email List:
The North Shore Health Department is beginning to vaccinate Phase 1A this week. The Phase 1A vaccine clinics are by appointment only and are being made available to Phase 1A providers on a weekly basis. There is a limited number of doses at this time. If you are a Phase 1A provider on our list, you will be contacted individually.

The North Shore Health Department has created a COVID-19 Vaccine Updates Email List. This email list is intended to provide vaccine updates to the public and is not a signup form to receive the vaccine. If you are not in Phase 1A, please click here to signup for the email list.

Thank you for your patience as we work to vaccinate all of our North Shore Phase 1A health care providers.
Spring 2021 Primary Election Information:
The Spring 2021 Primary Election is February 16, 2021. Polling places we be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Offices up for primary election: State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Absentee Ballot: In the interest of public safety and welfare, the Village of Whitefish Bay is urging ALL voters to vote by mail for the spring 2021 primary election. Voting by mail is easy and secure. Now is a great time to request an absentee ballot for the entire year. Absentee ballots can be requested in one of the following ways:

Voters who have not previously submitted a copy of their photo ID to vote by mail will need to include a copy of their ID with their request. If you are not sure whether you need to do so, please include a copy to avoid any delay in processing.

The deadline to request a ballot by mail is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2021. However, please request ASAP to ensure timely delivery.

In-Person Absentee Voting: In-person absentee voting will occur on weekdays from Tuesday, February 2, 2021, to Friday, February 12, 2021, during regular business hours (until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021).

Voter Registration: Last day for voters to register by mail or online is Wednesday, January 27, 2021. All voter registrations must be submitted with proof of residency. After that date, registration must be completed in person at Village Hall through February 12, 2021 or at the polls on Election Day.
News from the School District:
District Communications and COVID-19 Information: The Whitefish Bay community is invited to view District updates and safety information on the District’s Safety and Communication page.

January Community E- Newsletter: Our Community E- Newsletters are one of several ways the District works toward comprehensive communications with the community. Click here to read the January Newsletter and sign up to receive these monthly during the school year.
Friends of the Whitefish Bay Library Updates:
Friends of the Whitefish Bay Library Writing Contest: The Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library are once again offering Friends of the Whitefish Bay Library Writing Contest. This will be the 8th straight year for the contest, which includes submission categories for short story, memoirs, and poetry. Deadline is February 8, 2021. Click here to read all about the contest.

2021 Friends of the Whitefish Bay Library Scholarship:

The Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library are pleased to announce two $500 educational scholarships for students who have been positively influenced by libraries. High school seniors who are residents of or attend school in Whitefish Bay and will be attending college during the 2021/2022 school year are eligible. Deadline is March 15, 2021. Click here to read all the details.
Updates from PD and Village Hall:
Police Department Job Opening:

The Whitefish Bay Police Department is accepting applications to fill a vacancy for the position of Police Officer. Please visit https://www.wilenet.org/ and click on the Law Enforcement Employment Opportunities link for a full job posting and details about how to apply.

A DJ-LE-330 form is required. Do not complete the standard Village of Whitefish Bay online job application. You must complete the DJ-LE-330 form found by following the link above. Email completed applications to Lieutenant Patrick Whitaker.
Christmas Tree Pick Up:

What is the last date Christmas Trees will be collected at the curb? Village crews will collect Christmas trees once a week curbside ending the week of Monday, January 25. Please place trees on your parkway, the area between the public sidewalk and curb.

What do I do with Christmas wreaths, garland, and pine boughs? These items should be placed in refuse cart for collection. Wreaths that are too large to fit in the refuse cart can be placed on the ground near the cart.
Updates from the Whitefish Bay Public Library:
Curbside Pickup Hours:
  • Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Take and Make for Kids, Hand Print Polar Bear,
Wednesday, January 20, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: We'll have Hand Print Polar Bear Take and Make kits to pick up this Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. outside the front doors of the library. We ask that you take one per child and practice good social distancing and mask wearing when picking up your kit.

Take and Make for Adults, Dictionary Flowers, Thursday, January 21, 9:30 a.m.
Stop by the library and we'll provide you with all the items you'll need to create Dictionary Flowers. Take and Makes will be available outside near the entrance at 9:30 a.m., While supplies last!

Virtual Storytime: Due to COVID-19, all of our storytimes are virtual storytimes! We invite you to join one of our youth services librarians for books, rhymes, songs, and more. Our events will premiere on our Facebook page, and they will also be saved on our Facebook page for a brief amount of time. January 12 to February 19:
  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.: Toddler Time
  • Fridays at 10:00 a.m.: All Ages
Community Spotlight:
Bay Bridge Update:

The North Shore Coalition connects organizations that advocate for racial justice on Milwaukee's North Shore and throughout the region. It was founded specifically to plan service projects, educational opportunities, and special events for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2021, which include virtual racial justice story times and youth service projects, food pantry and housewares collections, an electronics refurbishment/redistribution drive, and online faith-based service, music, speakers, book, and film discussions. For a calendar of events and to find out how you can get involved, visit http://www.mlknsmke.com/ 
NSHD Highlights 1/12/21: Snowmobilers - Think Smart Before You Start
Snowmobile & Ice Safety Tips from The Wisconsin DNR

With winter officially in full swing in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds snowmobilers that safety is key for the best ride. Snowmobiling got off to a deadly start last year. There were 19 snowmobile fatalities between January and March 2020, three of those involving someone under the age of 18. "Most snowmobile crashes are preventable. Alcohol, excess speed, driver inexperience, and operator error are the leading causes of snowmobile fatalities," said DNR Conservation Warden Lt. Martin Stone. "Safety is an important part of the ride. Make sure to brush up on safety rules and regulations before you head out this winter."

There is no such thing as 100% safe ice. Snowmobilers cannot judge ice's strength by factors like appearance, age, thickness, or temperature, especially when the ice is snow-covered. Before heading out, snowmobilers are encouraged to contact local fishing clubs, snowmobile clubs, or outfitters to inquire about ice conditions, as the DNR does not monitor these conditions.

Any person who is at least 12 years old and born on or after January 1, 1985, is required to have a valid Snowmobile Safety Certificate to operate a snowmobile in most areas. Operators must carry the certificate while riding and display it to a law enforcement officer when requested. More snowmobile regulations are available here: https://widnr.widen.net/s/gmes43nhcy

Think smart before you start this season by following these tips:
  • Don't drink and ride.
  • Stay on marked trails and routes. Do not travel in unfamiliar areas.
  • Always stay to the right side of the trail, especially in corners. The trails are public; never ride like there is no one else coming.
  • Always come to a complete stop at all stop signs and road crossings and yield to motor vehicle traffic. When stopped, look both ways and cross only when it is safe.
  • Always wear your helmet and safety gear.
  • Use extra caution at night. Operate at reasonable speeds as to not overdrive what headlights can illuminate, such as trail markers or hazards. Remember that there is a 55 mph speed limit at night.
  • Travel with a friend, carry a cell phone, and let people know where you are going and when you'll return home.
  • Dress appropriately and carry a first-aid kit and navigation tools.
  • Take a snowmobile safety course. Visit the DNR Safety Education webpage for details and to locate a class or take an online course.

For the most recent updates on COVID-19 in the North Shore, visit our website. We also encourage you to frequently monitor the DHS website and CDC website.

Other Community Links:
Village of Whitefish Bay | Phone: (414) 962-6690 | Fax: (414) 962-5651