Message from the Village President, Kevin Buckley
Please support the Merchants of Whitefish Bay this Saturday, December 18, from 10am-noon for the Ice Sculpture Crawl!
Complete your holiday shopping and check out 20+ ice sculptures in front of different businesses on Silver Spring along with live ice carving demonstrations. Have a great week. -kb
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Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing? |
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What are the upcoming refuse and recycling collection schedule changes?
- Refuse/Recycling normally picked up on Thursday, December 23, 2021, will be collected on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.
- Refuse/Recycling normally collected on Friday, December 24, 2021, will be picked up on Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
- Refuse/Recycling normally collected on Monday, January 3, 2022, will be picked up on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
How do I renew my dog/cat license(s)? To renew your 2022 dog/cat license(s) online rather than in person at the Village Hall, please click here. For more information, please contact MADACC at 414-649-8640.
Have a question? Send us an email or give us a call at (414) 962-6690.
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This Week's Meetings:
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Monday, December 13, 5:30 p.m., Village Board Room
- Thursday, December 16, 5:30 p.m., Village Board Room
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Last Week's Meetings:
- Monday, December 6, 6:00 p.m., Village Board Room
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Property Tax Information: |
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Message from the Finance Director,
Jaimie Krueger
Please find important information below about how to pay your property taxes, where your property taxes go, and what services they pay for. This year, we strongly encourage you to use the 24-Hour Drop Box or to pay online via e-check ($1.50 flat fee). Please note that Associated Bank will not be collecting taxes this year.
- Jaimie Krueger, Whitefish Bay Finance Director
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When Is My Tax Bill Due?
Due date is January 31, 2022. Residents have the option to pay property taxes and other charges as indicated on your tax bill in installments. Installment due dates are as follows:
- 1st Installment due by January 31
- 2nd Installment due by March 31
- Final Installment due by May 31 (May 30 is Memorial Day - please plan accordingly.)
Please note – if any installment payment is missed, the installment option is no longer available and the entire balance becomes due in full.
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How Do I Make A Payment?
Please note Associated Bank will not be collecting taxes this year. Please do not combine tax payments with other types of payments. Verify checks for accuracy and include a phone number in case of problems. Payment options:
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By Mail:
Make check payable to the Village of Whitefish Bay.
Send check to Village of Whitefish Bay, 5300 N. Marlborough Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
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From the website, click “Online Payments” and then select “Pay Property Tax Bill”. Enter Payment Type (real estate or personal property), Name and Address, and payment information
User Fees Do Apply:
- Electronic Check - $1.50 (PREFERRED OPTION)
- Credit Cards – 2.39% per transaction, $1.50 minimum
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24-Hour Drop Box:
The 24-Hour Drop Box is located in entrance of Village Hall. It is the same box used for absentee ballots.
Deposits made prior to midnight will be processed using that day’s date.
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How Do I Obtain A Receipt?
Receipts can be obtained in one of three ways:
- Use the Village website, www.wfbvillage.org, receipts may be printed anytime at your convenience. Click here for a YouTube walkthrough.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment sent via mail or night deposit box. Receipts will not be sent if self-addressed stamped envelope is not included.
- Receive receipt at time of payment in person.
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What Happens if I Do Not Pay On Time?
For any property tax bill where payment is not made timely, the bill is considered delinquent and the remaining balance is subject to interest and penalty.
When paying in installments, if a payment is missed, the installment plan is no longer available and the balance is due in full.
Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes and Village of Whitefish Bay Municipal Code, delinquent property tax bills are charged 1.5% interest and penalty per month (in the calculation of interest and penalty, a partial month is considered a full month). Interest and penalties are charged retroactive to February 1, 2022.
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Where Do My Property Taxes Go?
In addition to collecting taxes to fund its own operations, the Village also collects taxes for four other taxing jurisdictions that establish their own budgets and levies. Below is an example of how your property taxes are allocated to each taxing jurisdiction:
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What Do I Pay For Village Services?
Though the Village collects all the taxes, 78% of the funds are allocated to other jurisdictions. The portion of property taxes the Village retains are used to provide police and fire protection, refuse and recycling collection, snow and ice control, leaf and yard waste collection, street maintenance, sidewalk and alley maintenance, street and traffic lighting, library services, park facilities and maintenance, health services, building inspection, election administration, and other miscellaneous Village services. The Village tax rate is $5.01, which means the owner of a home assessed at $467,320 would pay approximately $2,341 in property taxes for Village provided services. The total monthly cost for these Village services is approximately $195.00, allocated as follows:
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December Coffee With a Cop: |
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The Whitefish Bay Police Department is pleased to invite the community to have Coffee with a Cop on Thursday, December 16, at City Market (527 E. Silver Spring). The Police Department will be there from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The purpose of Coffee with a Cop is to bring police officers and community members together to discuss issues and learn more about each other. Stop by and say hello to Officers Stuczynski and Zurfluh (and others depending on call volume). |
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December Merchants Events: |
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December 18 - Ice Sculpture Crawl and Demonstration: On Saturday, December 18, stop by and check out the Ice Sculpture Demonstration near Consaul Commons (by the clock, 402 E. Silver Spring Dr.) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed by an Ice Sculpture Crawl on Silver Spring Drive. Enjoy a number of different ice sculptures along Silver Spring Drive starting from High Brow Boutique and finishing at Keller Williams.
December 18 - Visit with Santa: The Merchants of Whitefish Bay invite you to visit with Santa on Saturday, December 18, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. near Consaul Commons (by the clock, 402 E. Silver Spring Dr.).
Now to December 23 - Visit Santa's Mailbox: Make your list, check it twice, then pop it into Santa's Mailbox. The Merchants of Whitefish Bay have a direct connection to the North Pole, so we know Santa will get each letter! Find it until December 23 at 316 E. Silver Spring Drive.
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Update from North Shore Fire/Rescue: |
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Intern Firefighter Job Opening: Do you know anyone looking for a career in fire and emergency medical services? Applications for Intern Firefighter with the Department are currently open. Click here for more information.
The Intern Firefighter position is unpaid. It provides the Intern Firefighter with individual mentoring to assist in their pursuit in attaining Wisconsin Firefighter and EMS Certifications/Licenses. Intern Firefighters are eligible for promotion to Career Firefighter positions. Qualifications:
- High School Diploma.
- 18 years of age.
- Valid Driver's License.
- Individual mentoring will be offered to candidates who are in pursuit of their Firefighter I certification and EMT-Basic or Paramedic Licensure.
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Updates from Village Hall |
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Interstate Construction 43 Update: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), as part of the I-43 URT (Union Refrigerator Transit Company) project, is reconstructing, re-aligning and lowering the freeway profile of 1.5 miles of I-43, between Capitol Drive and north of Hampton Avenue. This project includes reconstructing several bridges, adding retaining walls, improving traffic signals, and replacing noise walls within the project limits. Highlights of the construction schedule are provided below.
What to expect in 2022:
- Fiebrantz Avenue entrance ramp to I-43 North is scheduled to close in early spring through late 2022.
- I-43 between Silver Spring Drive and Capitol Drive is scheduled to be reduced to two lanes, in each direction, early spring through late fall.
- I-43 South exit to Green Bay Avenue is scheduled to close in early spring through late 2023.
Please note that all work is weather dependent and subject to change.
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Update from the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust: With winter just around the corner, residents of Whitefish Bay need to prepare for the long and cold months ahead. Part of that preparation includes readying your property for winter stormwater management.
- Clear the gutters along your roof. Leaves or other debris can contribute to nutrient pollution as well as cause overflow, which could lead to dangerous icicles.
- Disconnect rain barrels from your downspouts, empty them, and cover and store them for the winter.
- Direct your downspout to an area where water won’t flood and freeze. Downspouts directed to a rain garden can stay like this through the winter.
- Add mulch to planted areas to insulate and protect their roots.
- Remove excess leaves from rain gardens, storm drains, and ditches so they can drain.
- Some trees and shrubs should be pruned in the winter to avoid fungal infections. Grasses, on the other hand, should be left standing.
- While rain gardens will function to an extent in the winter, don’t pile snow in the beds, especially snow from a driveway or walkway that was salted.
- Providing winter maintenance on residential landscaping ensures it can manage another rainy spring. Visit www.respectourwaters.org/preparing- for-winter to learn more.
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Bay Gives Back Blood Drive: |
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Bay Gives Back, a Whitefish Bay High School community focused service organization for students in grades 9-12, has organized a Blood Drive at the Whitefish Bay High School Field House on Wednesday, December 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Click here to sign up.
Community members should enter through the Marlborough entrance. Community members will need to provide a state ID.
The mission of the club is to help students serve and support the greater Milwaukee community. Some of our staple events include a food drive and a gift drive for an elementary school in Milwaukee. Two seniors and two juniors are the club leaders and they help co-plan all the events. To learn more about this club, please visit our website.
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Updates from the School District: |
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December Community E-Newsletter: Click here to view our December newsletter. Our Community Newsletters are one of several ways the district works toward comprehensive communications with the community. If you would like to receive these monthly during the school year, please visit www.wfbschools.com to sign up.
Important Dates:
- Winter Break: December 23, 2021 – January 2, 2022
- School Board Election candidate filing deadline: 5:00 p.m., January 4, 2022
Health Aide Job Opening: Applications are being accepted for the Health Aide position at Whitefish Bay High School. Candidates must have the following qualifications:
- Enjoy working with children
- First Aid and CPR Certification
- Clerical, computer, and organizational skills
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Updates From The Whitefish Bay Library: |
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Holiday Hours
- Closed Friday, December 24- Sunday, December 26
- Closed Friday, December 31- Sunday, January 2
Mondays Through December 13:
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Friluftsliv Storytime at School House Park, Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Friluftsliv is the Nordic concept of getting outdoors translated to 'free air life', and we'll be embracing this concept as part of our outdoor story time in School House Park this winter! We'll be bundled up to brave the weather, and we encourage you to do the same. Registration Required.
- Please note that the event is weather permitting. Storytime will be canceled if there is rain, snow, or if the temperatures drop significantly below freezing. Follow us on Facebook for up to date information.
Fridays Through December 17:
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Virtual All Ages Storytime, Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Join one of our youth services librarians for an All Ages Storytime on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. on our Facebook page for books, songs, and more! We'll be sure to save the story time so you can watch it later. Click here to visit our Facebook page.
Stuffed Animal Zoom Party, Thursday, December 16, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Grab your favorite stuffed animal and join us for a stuffed animal celebration! We’ll read a story, have sharing time, and finish with a stuffed animal dance party. We’ll also have supplies for a special craft you can make before the program to get your stuffed animal ready to celebrate. Pick up craft kit starting Monday, December 13, at the YS Desk. All ages. Registration required.
Take and Make for Adults, Beaded Mask Chain, Thursday, December 16, 9:30 a.m. -
Take and Makes for adults are back this winter! Pick up a Take and Make kit for making your own beaded mask chain. We'll include all the materials you need, as well as instructions. Pickup begins at open near the adult services desk. While supplies last
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Bay Bridge Event:
Bay Bridge, 5 Points Neighborhood Association, & Grace Church are hosting a weekly food drive at the Cahill Warming House (1001 E Fairmount Ave)
Drop off nonperishable food items to be donated to local food pantries. You can place donations in the blue bins near the Cahill Park Warming House, and they will be collected every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering or want to learn more, visit www.baybridgewisconsin.org. |
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NSHD Healthy Highlight - Cold Weather-Related Health and Safety Tips – Hypothermia:
Hypothermia is a condition of abnormally low body temperature. Exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy, resulting in hypothermia.
Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, causing unclear thinking and inhibiting body movement. This could cause a person to not know what is happening and he or she won't be able to respond normally. In Wisconsin, many of us participate in outdoor activities throughout the fall, winter, and early spring. We should all be aware of the potential symptoms of and treatment for hypothermia.
Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but can occur at temperatures above 40 degrees if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
Preventing Hypothermia:
- Have furnaces checked annually for efficient and safe operation before the heating season arrives.
- Check on elderly relatives, friends, and neighbors.
- Monitor the rooms where infants sleep or spend periods of time.
- When spending time outdoors, adults and children should dress warmly and stay dry. If doing strenuous outdoor activities, the National Weather Service recommends avoiding wearing cotton since cotton takes a long time to dry and will sap your heat. Instead, use synthetic fabrics that wick moisture from your skin and dry quickly.
- Layer clothing, preferably wind resistant, to reduce loss of body heat caused by the wind.
- Tell relatives and friends where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Do not ignore shivering. It's an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.
Recognize the Warning Signs of Hypothermia:
- Adults and Children: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness.
- Infants: bright red or cold skin, very low energy.
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