- Inclusive Park Opens -
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held for Joint Project
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On October 9, the Village of McFarland and the McFarland School District celebrated the official completion of a new inclusive park at Waubesa Intermediate School.
Approximately 200 people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of this joint project. Representatives from the Village, the School District, and the architecture firm spoke during the ceremony about the park’s conception and development.
“The school and the Village were able to really come together to bring forward the best of both worlds of what was needed to support the school, as well as what the Village was looking to accomplish through the inclusive park while sharing the resources we had to make it happen,” Village Administrator Matt Schuenke said.
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ICYMI: If you missed the McFarland School District's School Referendum Information Session today at the Municipal Center, there will be one more opportunity to join a session live on October 27. See the last section of this newsletter for more details. | |
- Make a plan. Make it count. -
Preparing for In-Person Absentee Voting
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With the November 5, 2024 Presidential Election right around the corner, the Village continues to encourage all residents to make a plan and make it count. You can check the status of your voter registration by visiting the MyVote Wisconsin website.
Voters may register to vote online through Wednesday, October 16. Beginning October 17, voter registration may only be done in-person in the Village Administration Office or at the polls on Election Day.
Make a Plan – If voting via absentee ballot, plan to take the necessary steps in a timely manner. For detailed information on absentee voting or to request a ballot by mail, check out MyVote Wisconsin's absentee voting guide. Absentee ballots by mail can be requested until 5 p.m. on November 1.
Make it Count – In-person absentee voting will begin on Tuesday, October 22 at the McFarland Municipal Center. All voters planning to vote during in-person absentee voting or on Election Day will need to show a valid photo ID to be provided a ballot. Visit our Elections Calendar to see specific dates and times for in-person absentee voting.
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Village News & Announcements | | |
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Village Offices Closed for Indigenous Peoples Day
Village offices will be closed on Monday, October 14 in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day. No Village meetings will be held Monday evening. Emergency services will continue to operate as usual, and regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, October 15.
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Early Absentee Voting Upcoming at Care Facilities
Special Voting Deputies, appointed by the Village of McFarland, will be administering early absentee voting for residents of Marianne's Elder House and McFarland Villa for the November 5 election. Dates and times can be found on the page linked below. Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may request to vote an absentee ballot.
Learn More
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In the News: Village & School Lumber Partnership
Since McFarland High School launched its lumber milling program in 2019, the Village has been working with the technology education department to repurpose trees removed due to construction, tree illness, or other safety concerns. By conservative estimates, this has saved the school approximately $30,000 since the relationship began. The McFarland Thistle highlighted this partnership and the school’s most recent lumber milling event in last week's paper and online.
Read the Thistle Article
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Lawn Sign Placement Reminder
Please be reminded that yard signs (regardless of their message) are not allowed in the public right-of-way, roadway medians, or public terraces. Signs should only be placed on private property. All illegally placed signs, including but not limited to signs for political campaigns or causes, businesses, and non-profits, are subject to removal by the Village.
Learn More About Sign Regulations
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Annual Police Department Supply Drive for DAIS
Throughout the month of October, the Village is 'going purple' for Domestic Violence Awareness Month to support the McFarland Police Department's annual supply drive for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS). Purple donation bins are located in the lobbies of the McFarland Municipal Center, McFarland Public Safety Center, and the E. D. Locke Public Library. All donated items must be new and unused and will be distributed to those in need at the DAIS-operated shelter in Madison.
View the Shelter's Wish List | Learn More About DAIS
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Getting Your Garden Ready for Winter
Learn about a variety of tasks that will help you put the garden and lawn to bed so they are in good shape for the spring. A checklist of things to do for the lawn, vegetable garden, woody plants, perennial and annual flower beds, as well as fall tool care will be presented. The program will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.
Thursday, October 10, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
E.D. Locke Public Library
Free. No registration required.
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Graphic Novel Book Club
New this fall! The graphic novel book club will meet every third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. starting Oct. 15. This book club is designed for students in grades 3-5 that love graphic novels. The club will be discussing a different graphic novel each month that is picked by the group and doing different activities designed around the books they read.
Tuesday, October 15, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
E.D. Locke Public Library
Free. No registration required.
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Halloween PJ Story Time
Join the E. D. Locke Public Library for their first PJ story time of the fall featuring Halloween stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
Thursday, October 17, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
E.D. Locke Public Library
Free. No registration required.
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Squishmallows Painting Party
Create a piece of fan art celebrating Squishmallows at this painting party! Paint, canvases, and templates will be provided. Registration is required and will open Oct. 11.
Friday, October 25, 2–3 p.m.
E.D. Locke Public Library
Free. Register here.
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Upcoming Village Meetings | |
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Thursday, October 10, 6 p.m. - Special Village Board
Municipal Center Community Room | Zoom Link
Tuesday, October15, 7 p.m. - Plan Commission
Municipal Center Community Room | Zoom Link
Monday, October 21, 6 p.m. - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Municipal Center Community Room | Zoom Link
Tuesday, October 22, 7 p.m. - Village Board
Municipal Center Community Room | Zoom Link
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Agendas and packets can be found on our website at mcfarland.wi.us/agendas.
All agendas and packets are published the Friday before the designated meeting.
Meetings are subject to change. Check the website above for up-to-date information.
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The McFarland School District is holding one more School Referendum Information Sessions in October to provide community members with the opportunity to learn more about the new operational referendum question that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. | |
Following an overview of the purpose of the referendum and the tax impact, time will be provided for questions and answers, both virtually and in person.
The final session will be held at 6 p.m. on October 27 at the McFarland High School Performing Arts Center. This session will be live-streamed and recorded for later viewing on the district's website and the WMCF website.
The October 2 session was also recorded and is available for viewing. Additional resources and details can also be found on the district's website.
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Still looking for more things to do?
Our friends over at McFarland Recreation Aquatics & Play (MRAP) and the McFarland Performing Arts Center (MPAC) offer a wide variety of recreation and aquatics programs for community members of all ages. To learn more, check out the current program guide.
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Questions about specific MRAP or MPAC programs?
Reach out to the staff contacts listed below:
Stu Schaefer, Director of Community Services
schaefs@mcfsd.org | 608-838-3168
Kayla Eliasson, Aquatics Supervisor
eliassk@mcfsd.org | 608-838-3168
Alisha Fix, Recreation Supervisor
fixa@mcfsd.org | 608-838-4666
Zachary Franczak, Performing Arts Supervisor
franczz@mcfsd.org | 608-838-4461
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