What a winter! It started with a snow and ice mix on December 1^st 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 1^st. 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.