September has arrived – however with the recent heat wave – who would know it. School is back in session and children are back walking and biking to school. The expanded use of electric scooters is a relatively new mode of travel.  The scooters are quiet and very fast and present a new challenge. Please use extra care driving in the Village with road and building construction expanding in September. 

I would like to welcome Peter Holmes as a new Police Officer. Peter is joining

the team after over 3 years working with the Waukesha Police department.

A huge thank you to Ron Hill for his over 28 years of service to the Village. Ron retired in August as the Village’s Forester. Enjoy Retirement Ron!

The Public Works and Utilities Committee as well as the Board of Trustees has been heavily engaged in reviewing the project activities of Underwood Creek Daylighting. Please see the "Village Project Updates" section below for more detailed information.

In other Public Works news, paving will commence in earnest in September as evidenced by the many orange barrels throughout the Village. 

A Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on September 5th. Current topics include a review of presentation and communications materials related to the Underwood Creek Daylighting and an update on all the Village Projects underway.

Let’s enjoy the longer days of summer and remember to hydrate often!

President Koleski

Underwood Creek Daylighting Project

At their recent meetings, the Public Works/Utilities Committee and the Committee of the Whole reviewed various site designs and proposed to pursue an option with the pedestrian pathway east of the water channel and to include a pedestrian bridge to promote access to the Village. These plans are available on the Village's website here.

Updated cost estimates have been received from the Project Engineer and have increased substantially, driven by concerns of soil contamination and costs to handle these soils properly. The increase from prior estimates was nearly $2M. The total cost of the project, including a 10% construction contingency of $650,000, now sits at $8.5M. The Village Board of Trustees authorized our Engineering Firm to perform soil testing to further identify and analyze any soil contamination issues and define actions needed during construction.

The Village Board reviewed the funding of this project and determined that the full cost of the project can be supported by existing TIF #2 revenue and storm water assessments. The Board continues to identify and pursue grant funding that would reduce the overall cost of the project. These efforts will continue through project construction.

Finally, the Board approved a resolution to bring this project to a referendum vote at the November 5th election. Stay tuned for further communication related to this exciting project over the next 60 days. Read the approved referendum question here.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an online article on Thursday, August 29 detailing the project and associated referendum questions. Read that article here.

Information regarding meeting and notifications can be found here on the Village website.

Caroline Heights Project

The completion of the water and sewer mains and resident laterals continues. Notice letters were sent out to all residents who have previously chosen to "opt in" as the installation of the water laterals from the main to the individual curb stops nears. Village staff also continues to work to minimize the impact and disruption of construction work. Roads are cleaned three times a week by outside parties and any complaints should be forwarded to Village staff for follow-up.

Single-family construction in the Caroline Heights area will commence soon. The Building Board is actively reviewing construction plans for these residents. In total, 21 new single-family residences will be constructed. There will be the first review of 3 new homes on Tuesday, September 3rd at the regular Building Board meeting. Keep up-to-date on plans that are reviewed by reviewing Building Board meeting packet materials in the Agenda Center here.

For regular updates, please continue to refer to the Village website for updated information on the project here.

2024 is a Re-Evaluation Year for Elm Grove

Assessment Notices have been sent to all property owners. Appointments may be scheduled for an individual open book review, between August 5th, 2024 and September 4th, 2024. Please see the light green "Request to Review My Property" sheets included in your assessment notice. A preliminary 2024 Assessment Roll is available for review in Village Hall at the Village Clerk’s office, the front hallway, and the Library during regular business hours.

Appointments can be made to answer property owners' questions and correct obvious clerical errors in compiling the assessment roll. If a mistake was made, or if there is evidence that the assessment is different than the actual fair market value of the property, the Assessor's Office will review the facts and may make appropriate adjustments. The best evidence of value is a recent arm’s length sale of the property or sales of comparable properties. An appointment will last approximately 10-20 minutes and you will meet with assessment staff to review data about your property. This review will include the size, age, condition, number of bathrooms, and other physical characteristics of your property. You can ask any questions that will help you understand the assessment process. This is also an opportunity to present factual data regarding different opinions about the value of your property. Examples could be sales of similar properties in your neighborhood.

The assessment staff you meet with will gather data during this meeting and review your property's value. The review will be completed by assessment staff after the Open Book meetings have been completed. Once the Open Book period is closed, you will be notified by mail or email of the results of the property review. Once you receive the results, if you still believe the value is not an accurate estimate of your property value, you may proceed to the Board of Review.

After reviewing your assessment with the Assessor's Office, owners who still feel that their property's value is overstated may file formal written objections to the Board of Review (BOR). Objections must be submitted to the Village Clerk on forms available in the Village Clerk's Office. Formal objections may proceed to a formal hearing before the Board of Review. Like a court, the Board of Review is responsible for resolving differences of opinion of valuation based on factual data. The Board hears oral testimony and evidence from the property owner and the Assessor's staff. After hearing the evidence, the Board may lower, raise, or sustain the assessment.

The Board of Review will be convening on September 11th, 2024 to review and examine all sworn statements and valuations of real property therein and correct all errors in said roll, whether in the description of the property or otherwise, to perform such other duties imposed by law, and to schedule appointments and conduct hearings. Please contact the Village Clerk’s office to obtain appropriate paperwork. Once the paperwork is completed in its entirety, you may contact the Village Clerk’s office to schedule a Board of Review appointment.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Village Assessor:

Jeff Thornton, Assessor

assessor@elmgrovewi.org

262 780-6647 

Fall Brush Pick-Up to Begin in September!

The Village Public Works Department picks up brush on a scheduled basis three times a year. Check when we will be in your neighborhood here.

Please remember to place any brush to be picked-up no later than the Sunday night preceding your pick-up week.

Read the full list of brush pick-up guidelines here.

November 5th, 2024 General Election Information

The General Election will take place on November 5th, 2024. Regular Polling Hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Village Hall.

In-Person Absentee Voting will take place at Village Hall beginning Tuesday, October 22nd. The following are In-Person Absentee Voting dates and hours:

• Tuesday, October 22nd - Friday, October 25th from 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 28th - Thursday, October 31st from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, November 1st from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Wisconsin voters can receive their absentee ballot by mail. If you are a regular voter who would like to vote in the 2024 General Election, make sure to submit your request for an absentee ballot by Thursday, October 31st. You can do so at myvote.wi.gov.

Proper leaf management is important in reducing stormwater pollution and preventing flooding. Leaves that accumulate in storm drains can create blockages which cause localized flooding during heavy rainfall. This can cause property damage and poses safety concerns for pedestrians and drivers.

Proper leaf management ensures that stormwater systems function effectively, reducing the risk of such incidents and keeping neighborhoods safe. In addition to flood prevention, proper leaf management plays an important role in protecting water quality. Leaves release nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can wash into rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. These excess nutrients promote the growth of algae blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water and harm aquatic life.

By keeping leaves out of storm drains, we help preserve the health of our waterways, ensuring they remain vibrant ecosystems for fish, plants, and other wildlife. Reducing leaves in stormwater systems contributes to a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing environment. Piles of decaying leaves can create unpleasant odors and attract pests, diminishing the beauty of our communities. Proper leaf management not only enhances the appearance of public spaces but also promotes a sense of community pride and responsibility. Through collective efforts to manage leaves, we can create a healthier and more enjoyable living environment for all residents. 

For more information, please visit RespectOurWaters.org/leaf-management.

A Message from the Beautification Committee

Monarch Milkweed Map

We have 295 dots on the Elm Grove monarch milkweed map. If you know someone who is missing a dot or would like to be included please have them reach out! It is not too late in the year to make your property a part of the solution!

Invasive Species Task Force

Your award winning Invasive Species Task Force NEEDS YOU! We are trying to make our village park buckthorn-free which is going to be a village wide commitment over the long term. Don't know what buckthorn looks like--we will teach you! Join us Sunday's at 11:00 a.m. for just one hour! Reach out to get the weekly notice.

Birders of the Grove

Are you getting excited for fall bird migration? Our village pond happens to be the ideal stopover! Your Birders of the Grove group bought and donated a birding backpack that you can check out from the library! 

Complete with an adult set of binoculars, two children's binoculars, and a guide book all inside a handy backpack. This group meets the 3rd Monday at 9am every other month if you'd like to join in efforts to maintain Elm Grove's High Flyer status! Don't forget to sign up for Lights Out Elm Grove!

Winter Lecture Series

Mark your calendars now for the start of our Winter Lecture Series which starts this month - check out this amazing line up!

A Message from the Sustainability Committee

Curious about the plastic bag collection that wrapped up at most locations in Elm Grove earlier this summer? The grand total is IN, and we collected 1,026 lbs. A plastic bag weighs between 5 and 10 grams, so that means our total collection translates to 46,000 to 93,000 plastic bags, or 7 to 15 bags per person in Elm Grove! While we are truly thankful for all that Elm Grove residents did to collect this plastic and bring it to the collection sites, we have so much more to do. 

• The United States uses more than 100 BILLION plastic bags each year.
• Plastic does not biodegrade.
• Worldwide, only 1-3% of plastic bags are recycled.



In addition to plastic bag pollution, single-use plastics (including food and beverage containers) are a significant source of plastic pollution.



Reducing the use of plastic bags and single-use plastics are low-hanging fruits in our efforts to reduce plastic pollution.

1. Bring your own bags while shopping and refuse plastic bags.
2. If you’re planning on getting a large meal at a restaurant, bring your own take-away containers and refuse those single-use plastics. (some restaurants are using compostable packaging – yay!)

Let’s make Elm Grove as plastic-free as possible! 

Barbie: The History of America’s Most Famous Doll

Court Room of Village Hall

Tuesday, September 3rd at 7:00 p.m.

She might be the most famous doll in the world. For more than sixty years, Barbie has been played with, analyzed, collected, criticized and loved. In this illustrated lecture, historian Leslie Goddard delves into the history of Barbie. Learn what inspired Mattel to develop Barbie in 1959, how Barbie helped make Mattel one of the world’s most successful toy companies, and what Barbie’s impact has been on American culture. Free to attend. No registration required.

8th Annual Elm Grove Community Foundation Oktoberfest Celebration

Village of Elm Grove Village Park

Friday, September 20th and Saturday, September 21st

The 8th Annual Elm Grove Community Foundation Oktoberfest celebration, presented by Honest Teeth, kicks off on Friday, September 20th at 5:30 p.m. featuring German and American beers, food trucks, live music, a kids climbing wall, and games. The fun continues Saturday, September 21st at 3:30 p.m. with the annual 0.5K Fun Run, followed by the traditional Oktoberfest celebration with more German and American beers, food trucks, live German music, Raise Your Pint contests, a kids climbing wall, and games. 

Learn more at www.elmgrovefoundation.org/oktoberfest. 

Elm Grove Woman’s Club Open House

Stop by the Elm Grove Woman’s Club Open House on September 11th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Open to women from all communities. Mark your calendar, bring a friend, colleague, or neighbor and join us for an evening of fun, food, and a glass of wine!

• Monthly member meetings at our beautiful clubhouse, including interesting programs, five mid-day lunch meetings, two evening meetings.
• Small Group Activities within the Club such as, Read Between the Wines Book Club, Bunco Babes, Club Chorus, Garden Club, Bus Trips, and more!
• Large Club Events for the public include Trivia Nights, Christmas in the Grove, Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast, and more!
• Community Outreach plans to expand this year with our 501(c)(3) provisional tax-exempt charitable organization status. We will continue our sponsorship of the Student Art Scholarship Competition, Women focused charities and the Elm Grove Village Directory. We expect to widen our reach to support more organizations in need.
• Opportunity to gather with a purpose and spend time with old friends and make new friends

Mark your calendar, bring a friend, colleague, or neighbor and join us for an evening of fun, food, and a glass of wine!

If you are ready to join, please complete the membership form here and submit your online payment.

On September 14th don't miss out on Peek Inside from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Peek Inside provides a unique opportunity to tour fabulous homes in Elm Grove. The homes have been carefully selected to showcase a variety of amazing trends in design and home remodeling. More details to come and tickets to be on sale soon, visit https://www.egwc.org.

Board Approves Fairview South Renovation

At the Elmbrook Board of Education meeting on August 13th, the Board approved the Administration’s recommendation to renovate a portion of Fairview South School in support of the Waukesha County Special Education Cooperative program. This renovation will begin in June 2025, and will be completed before September 1st, 2025, in time to begin the 2025-26 school year.

The renovation has a budget of $3,468,046, which is a significant investment in both the WCSEC and our Fairview South Facility and utilizes funds from the District’s 10-year capital plan. The renovation includes remodeling of the public entry space including the public restrooms, a new gym floor, the current classrooms and learning spaces in the East wing of the building, and exterior repairs to the facility’s support beams, among other needs. The scope of work does not include renovation of the West wing or North section of the facility.



Elmbrook looks forward to creating an amazing space for our current and future students of the Cooperative program!

Free Lecture

Brookfield Public Library

1900 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, WI

Monday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m.

Max Loker, President, and Dan Gaynor, Historian, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will talk about the cultural impact of the Irish Catholic community in Wisconsin, as well as the history of the AOH itself, America’s oldest Irish Catholic secret society. 

1860's Tea in the Afternoon

Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum

1075 Pilgrim Pkwy, Brookfield, WI

Join us for an 1860's Tea in the Afternoon at the Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum located at 1075 Pilgrim Pkwy, Brookfield. There will be a Teas on Sunday, October 6th with seating's at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 6th with seating's at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Enjoy seasonal fruit, muffins or fruit breads, a selection of tea sandwiches, veggies, dessert, and beverages, all served in the historic dining room of the Inn. The cost is $24.00 per person. We require advance reservations and prepayment. For reservations send us an email.

We also offer private Teas for small groups of 5 - 15, you choose the date.

To make a reservation, send an email to elmbrookhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

www.elmbrookhistoricalsociety.org

Dog adoptions across the country have been down this year, quite drastically actually. There are several educated assumptions industry professionals have made as to why this is happening including: the rising costs of goods and services, the aftereffects of the surge of dog adoptions during the COVID pandemic, resulting in less families looking for dog companions now. And many working adults heading back into the office in a post pandemic world, leaving less time to care for one, or several pets.

Elmbrook Humane Society has seen this trend transfer to our community, too, with dog adoptions down 36% from January to June 2024 compared to this same time frame in 2023. Adoption revenue makes up a large part of our non-profit income and we are feeling its effects. The number of animals we are taking in continues to remain steady and our cost of care for dogs, in particular, is increasing due to their longer length of stay. At the time this article was written, Remus, a lovely terrier mix, has been at our shelter for 264 days.

Our staff team has been thinking outside the box about ways to supplement this great income deficit and know we need the support of our community. One very easy thing you can do is set your aluminum cans in a separate bag rather than the recycling bin. Once full, you can drop them off in the designated bin in the parking lot at our building located at 20950 Enterprise Ave, Brookfield. From there a shelter volunteer rounds them up and takes them to the recycling center for cash. Last year, recycled can collection generated $800 of income to help offset declining adoptions. This simple task makes a difference in the lives of animals who depend on us every day.

Thank you, Elm Grove, for your support! - Becky Tezlaff, Direcot of Special Projects