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What a winter! It started with a
snow and ice mix on December 1st
and has continued all the way into March with lots of snow and frigid
temperatures. Our Public Works Department has plowed over 13,000 miles
(a record) of snow and spread over 1,000 tons of salt. This year has
been a record year for snow removal and I thank everyone for their
support and understanding. Some of our residents had a great opportunity
to have fun in the snow sledding, skiing, & snowmobiling. I would like
to thank the local snowmobile clubs for giving our residents an
opportunity to enjoy a winter adventure.
This time of year is a busy time
for your Village Board. All the department heads and committee chairs,
along with the Finance Committee, have been planning and budgeting for
the next fiscal year which starts May 1st.
At this time a lot of major projects are reviewed and prioritized. The
Thelen Family Park, located at the corner of Main Street and Winn Road,
has been a topic at the Parks and Finance Committee meetings. Both
committees are working on plans to start the project this spring. The
park will start out with two ball fields and one soccer/football field.
Other discussions have included a possible skate park, pavilion, and
walking paths. The committees have also discussed a future community
center as a long-term goal. Public input is always welcome. The Finance
and Parks Committees meet the last Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m.
The Roads Committee is planning some
major improvements to Winn Road between Martin Drive and English Prairie
Road. These improvements will lower the current hill and widen the
road. During the road improvement Winn road will be closed to thru
traffic. We will try to expedite the project and apologize for any
inconvenience. The start date is still to be determined.
The Ad Hoc Fish Hatchery Committee has
been planning and making recommendations to the Village Board. The
Public Works Department has been clearing a walking path around the
ponds and along the Nippersink Creek. A lot of work has to be performed
at the hatchery and some safety issues surrounding the ponds have to be
addressed before uncontrolled public access can be allowed. Some of the
issues include the mud bottoms of the ponds and the lack of exits if one
should enter the ponds as they are surrounded by cement walls. The
Committee and Village Board will have to address these safety issues
before access can be allowed without supervision.
The hatchery building will have some
exterior renovation performed this summer, compliments of the American
Express Historic Preservation Grant. I would like to remind our
residents the fish hatchery property will take many years to develop and
fund. I believe with the proper planning and volunteers we can make this
property a landmark to be enjoyed for years to come. The Hatchery
Committee, along with the Village Board, would like to host another open
house this year at the hatchery. As the project moves along, I will keep
you all informed.
With spring in the air, many of us will
be out enjoying our parks and bike paths. The Village has been actively
pursuing grants to create more safe routes for our residents to enjoy.
One primary route includes connecting the current Winn Road bike path to
the new Thousand Oaks subdivision. This connection will allow some
northern subdivisions to navigate to the downtown area while staying off
Winn Road. The Parks Committee has been exploring other safe routes and
will be implementing them when funds and easements are obtained.
I hope all is well and hope to see
everyone soon.
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