Published by the Village of Union Grove - July 2020
The Village of Union Grove offices will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day. The 4th of July Parade is still being planned to take place this Saturday, July 4. The parade is organized by the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. For any questions regarding the parade, please contact the Chamber office at (2626) 878-4606. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
Take the Recreation Survey!
The Union Grove Recreation Department would like feedback from households in Union Grove and the surrounding area about recreational programs and amenities in the community. What types of programs would members of your household be interested in participating in if they were offered ? How likely are you to join a gym or athletic facility in Union Grove? Would you support the use of property tax dollars for new facilities like a swimming pool or community center? Your input on questions like these will be helpful for guiding the future direction of recreational offerings in our community. Please take the survey by July 31 and only one survey response per household please. Hard copies of the survey are available at the municipal center upon request. Click the button below to complete the survey online.
Partisan Primary Election on August 11
A Partisan Primary Election is coming up on Tuesday, August 11. The ballot will contain primaries for U.S. Congress, State Assembly and County offices. Remember that in a partisan primary you can only vote in one party's primary. To view a sample ballot for this election, click here.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, electors are encouraged to vote absentee to help avoid crowds on election day. Absentee ballots were mailed out on June 24 to electors who already had a request on file for this election. Requests for an absentee ballot by mail may be submitted online at http://myvote.wi.gov or at the Municipal Center. In-person absentee voting will be available from July 27 to August 7. For questions on the election and voting, contact the Village Office at info@uniongrove.net or (262) 878-1818.
Union Grove Public Market
The Union Grove Public Market is now open for the season! The market is held every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. through September 29. I ts new location is in the northeast corner of the Piggly Wiggly parking lot right next to Postal Xpress. There are a variety of vendors selling items including: farm fresh eggs, soaps, candles, fresh mini doughnuts, honey, vegetables, berries, jewelry, kettle corn, baked goods and more. Visit the Union Grove Public Market Facebook page for more information.
Park Project Updates
  • New playground equipment has been installed at Leider Park! The park will be re-opened as soon as grass grows in the re-graded areas of the park. An announcement will be made on the Village website and Village Facebook page when the park re-opens.

  • Construction of The Pavilion at School Yard Park is complete! The new sign will be installed soon along with landscaping around the stage area.
Library Now Open for Regular Hours
The Graham Public Library is now open for regular hours! Beginning on June 15, the summer hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Due to space limitations and social distancing, patrons are asked to limit their visit to 15 minutes. The library has also started its Youth Summer Reading Program. For more information, visit the library website.
Expanded Financial Resources to Businesses
The Village of Union Grove recently announced new loan and grant resources to support its local business community, as well as attract new development to targeted areas of the Village:

  • Revolving Loan Fund Program - For larger expansion projects ($100,000 or more), the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program can partner with the business’ bank to provide 90% financing for the company’s capital investment in expansion and development projects. For business loans of $100,000 or less, the Union Grove RLF loan can be the sole lender on the project.

  • Small Business Relief Loans ($5,000 or less) - Union Grove’s Small Business Relief loans of up to $5,000 at 0% with a three-month deferral provide flexibility to businesses as they re-open and stabilize their businesses.

  • Matching Grants - Up to $2,500 grants are available to existing businesses to complete interior improvements and do pop-up stores.

For more information on these programs, please contact Carolyn Engel, Finance Director for Business Lending Partners, at 262-898-7420 or carolyn@blp504.org. Funding for the new programs is from an existing Union Grove Revolving Loan Fund, originally sourced through federal community development block grant dollars.
2050 Land Use Plan Updates
The 2050 Land Use Plan project is nearing the final stages of the process. After the public workshop on January 29, the Plan Commission has worked on the land use map at its meetings on March 2, May 4 and June 1. A total of 227 parcels are being recommended for a change in their land use category. Many of the proposed changes involve the creation of a "mixed use" category for properties along Main St. and Hwy. 11. The mixed use category allows a blending of commercial and residential uses within the same development. The proposed map also re-establishes the borders of the Village's future planning area based on the incorporation of Yorkville in 2018.

A public hearing on the proposed 2050 Land Use Map is scheduled for the Plan Commission meeting on Monday, August 3 at 5 p.m. After the public hearing, the Plan Commission will have an opportunity to consider recommending the map for approval. The recommendation will go to the Village Board for final adoption.

Village Clerk Opening
Village Clerk Brad Calder has accepted a new position as the Administrator in the Village of Johnson Creek. His last day in Union Grove will be today, July 1. We wish Brad well in his new position and thank him for his contributions in Union Grove! Applications are now being accepted for the next Village Clerk - read more at http://www.uniongrove.net/employment.
Annual Water Quality Report
In compliance with the EPA and DNR, the Union Grove Water Utility published its annual Consumer Confidence Report in June. The report provides water quality information about regular testing for contaminants. The utility follows required testing schedules for coliform bacteria on a monthly basis, radioactive contaminants on a quarterly basis and inorganic contaminants every three years. We are pleased to report that the water utility continues to be within limits of all regulated contaminants. The view the Consumer Confidence Report, visit uniongrove.net/ccr.
CDA to Review Workforce Housing
On June 16, the Community Development Authority (CDA) initiated a project to examine workforce housing affordability in Union Grove. The CDA reviewed recent articles regarding workforce housing shortages in Wisconsin and strategies for addressing this issue in local communities. In its upcoming meetings, the CDA plans to meet with local experts to discuss housing related trends and concerns in Union Grove. The CDA meetings are held on the third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. and all meetings are open to the public.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held regular meetings on June 1 and June 15, along with special meetings held on June 29 and June 30. Following is a recap of Village Board actions that took place:

June 1 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved proceeding with the youth baseball and softball seasons this summer with rule changes and safety precautions.
  • Approved creating new economic development loan programs and small grants administered by Racine County Economic Development Corporation through Business Lending Partners.
  • Discussed a Mobile Food Vendor permit program and referred it back to the Administration Committee for revisions.
  • Approved Ordinance 20-06, revising Chapter 118 of the zoning code relating to the number of principle structures on a parcel and setback requirements within the I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial Districts.
  • Discussed options for supplement yard waste disposal service and referred this matter to the Administration Committee.

June 15 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved a request to use Village streets for the Union Grove Car Show on August 8, 2020 with the recommendation to provide information about health department guidelines.
  • Approved Resolution 2020-11, transferring funds from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund.
  • Authorized the Village Administrator to issue a Jurisdictional Offer relating to a small portion of 709 15th Ave. as discussed in closed session.

June 29 Special Meeting:
  • Approved the renewal of 11 alcohol licenses for the July 1-June 30 license year.
  • Approved two operator (bartender) licenses.
  • Approved a work order for design and construction administration services performed by Baxter & Woodman in the amount of $15,800 for 11th Ave. Storm Sewer Improvements (Phase II and III).
  • Approved the purchase of pick-up truck for Water and Wastewater Utilities from Martin Ford in the amount not to exceed $35,000.
  • Appointed Michael Hawes as Interim Village Clerk effective July 2, 2020.

June 30 Special Meeting:
  • Approved the renewal of three alcohol licenses for the July 1-June 30 license year.
Upcoming Meetings Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are now being held in-person in the first floor Community Room with an option to join via public teleconference. Teleconference call-in numbers and access codes will be posted on meeting agendas. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.

  • July 6 - Plan Commission (5 p.m.)
  • July 6 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • July 8 - Library Board (5 p.m.)
  • July 8 - Fire Commission (6 p.m.)
  • July 14 - Board of Review (5 p.m.)
  • July 20 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • July 20 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (after VB)
  • July 21 - Community Development Authority (6 p.m.)
  • July 22 - Finance Committee (6 p.m.)
  • July 23 - Recreation & Parks Committee (6 p.m.)
  • July 28 - Police Commission (5:30 p.m.)

Visit the Village Meetings webpage for meeting agendas, which are posted at least 24 hours before the meeting time.