Will the DPW be picking up debris from tree damage due to the snow storm last week?

Yes, the DPW crews will be collecting broken tree limbs that are placed out on the parkway. If you notice a broken or fallen tree branch from a parkway tree, please call Village Hall to report the issue, 414-962-6690.

When does yard waste pick up begin? 

Yard waste collection starts April 3, 2023, weather permitting. Yard waste must be placed between the curb and sidewalk in sturdy paper bags or in containers that can be emptied. Yard waste bags or containers must weigh less than 50 pounds. Please remember that grass clippings are prohibited. Yard waste collection will occur on the same day as your refuse/recycling collection.

When will absentee ballots be mailed for the April 4, 2023 election? 

The Clerk's office will begin mailing absentee ballots by Friday, March 17, 2023. To request an absentee ballot, please visit myvote.wi.gov to file the request.

Have a question? Send us an email or give us a call at (414) 962-6690.

Board of Trustees

March 6, 2023

1) Contract Awarded for the 2023 Sidewalk Improvement Project

The Village is separated into 7 geographic areas with one area being the Area of Responsibility (AOR) for sidewalk improvements each year. Sidewalk improvements include replacement of sidewalks that pose a hazard, terrace grading in areas to improve drainage and reduce icing, and ADA compliant ramp additions. Additional work includes concrete repair related to deteriorated catchbasins and manholes, and street repair for watermain breaks. The Board approved a contract award with Forward Contractors of Grafton, WI.

2) Discussion on Local Government's Role in Community and Economic Development

The Board heard presentations from a panel of three Economic Development Professionals. Stephanie Hacker - GRAEF, Samuel Schultz - Community Development Director at the Village of Mount Pleasant, and Tieg Whaley-Smith - Chief Alliance Executive for the Community Development Alliance (CDA).

Updates from Village Hall:

Register to Vote Online

By Wednesday, March 15, 2023

The deadline for online voter registration is Wednesday, March 15, 2023. 

Register to vote at www.myvote.wi.gov

If you have moved (even within Whitefish Bay) or your name has changed, you are required to re-register.

Snow Plow Accidently Clipped the Parkway in Front of Your Home?

If you answered yes to this question, please contact Village Hall at 414-962-6690 in order for the "trouble spot" to be placed on the sod damage list.

The DPW will return to the site in spring for parkway restoration.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as the crews work to keep our streets clear!

Message from the Department of Public Works:

Private Sanitary Sewer Lateral 101:

How to Maintain Your Home’s Most Forgettable Fixture

When most people think of the care and upkeep involved with owning a home, they consider tasks like yard maintenance, replacing a roof, and servicing the water heater. These examples all involve components of the home that we can see and experience on a daily basis. But what about the parts of the home that are out-of-sight and often out-of-mind?

Every day when we brush our teeth, take a shower, and do dishes, we generate wastewater that is discreetly carried away from the home through a series of pipes never to be seen again. The main pipe that carries this wastewater away from your home and to the public sanitary sewer main that is typically located below the street is called a sanitary sewer lateral. Though the Village of Whitefish Bay is responsible for maintaining 38 miles of public sanitary sewer mains, the homeowner is responsible for the care and maintenance of their private sanitary sewer lateral from inside the home all the way to where it connects to the public sanitary sewer main. As your home’s sewer lateral ages, defects can develop, such as cracks, sags in the pipe joints, and root intrusions, that allow groundwater (clearwater) to enter your sewer lateral. This excess clearwater can overwhelm your sewer lateral during storms or periods of high groundwater, increasing your risk of a basement sewer back-up. In addition to defects in the sewer lateral, connected downspouts and foundation drains can also contribute excess clearwater to your sewer lateral. In this article, we will discuss what the care and maintenance of a private sanitary sewer lateral looks like and what you should do when experiencing a basement back-up.

Sanitary Sewer Lateral Maintenance Tips:

• DON’T pour grease, fats, or oils down the drain. Instead dispose of in the garbage.
• Only flush the Three P’s: Pee, Poo, & Toilet Paper. Other products such as wipes, paper towels, and feminine products are not designed to break down in water and can cause serious clogs.
• If you experience the following issues or have never had your sewer lateral inspected, you should hire a plumber to perform a video inspection of your sewer lateral:

~Slow running drains or toilets, especially during times of high use (laundry) or wet weather

~Sewer water backing up through the floor drain or other plumbing fixtures

~Evidence of debris around the floor drain from water backing up

~Frequently requiring removal of roots from your sewer lateral

• Choose a plumber who uses a sewer camera that can record the video inspection and includes a running footage counter.

If you live in the Village of Whitefish Bay and experience a basement sewer back-up, please stop all water use and call 414-962-6690 as soon as possible so the Village can determine if there is a blockage in the public sanitary sewer main or your private sanitary sewer lateral and advise you on next steps. If calling outside of 8:00am-4:30pm (Monday-Friday) dial 414-962-3830.

If the cause of the sewer back-up is your private sanitarysewer lateral, residents of Whitefish Bay can take advantage of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD) Pipe Check Program that provides flat-rate financial incentives to homeowners to cover a portion of the cost to complete repairs such as sewer lateral replacements, foundation drain disconnections, and sewer lateral lining. Financial incentives as high as $7,000 are available to participating homeowners. Funding availability is limited and varies by municipality. For more information on how to participate in MMSD’s Pipe Check program, please visit www.mmsd.com/pipecheck or call 414-225-2250. 

Making these improvements to your home’s sanitary sewer lateral not only reduces the risk of basement back-ups for you and your neighbors, but also improves the function of your local public sanitary sewer system and helps ensure that sewer back-ups stay out-of-sight and out-of-mind! 

Whitefish Bay Public Library:

Whitefish Bay Neighbors:

Ellie Gettinger and Mitch Nelles

Thursday, March 16, 6:00 p.m.

Please Register- https://www.wfblibrary.org/our_events/?eid=1442

Join us for our Neighbors series which will highlight the people and cultures in Whitefish Bay. Our inaugural event will feature Ellie Gettinger and Mitch Nelles who live in Bay with their daughters and are active members of the community.

Ellie is Director of Digital Learning for The Jewish Theological Seminary in NY. Previously, she was Education Director for the Jewish Museum in Milwaukee for 14 years. We are very proud to have her as a Whitefish Bay Public Library Board member. Mitch Nelles is a content creator, fundraiser, auctioneer, and podcaster based out of Milwaukee, with a long history in media.

Come join the conversation and learn about your Neighbors.

All Ages Storytime

Mondays, 10:00 a.m., Beginning March 20

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m., Beginning March 22

Thursdays, 10:00 a.m., Beginning March 23

Please register- https://www.wfblibrary.org/our_events/?m=3&y=2023

Join us for a fun, educational storytime perfect for all ages. We'll share stories, songs, flannels and more! Storytime will be held in the Tower of the children's area. Please register for any updates.

Art Explorers: Color and Line

Tuesday, March 21, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Grades K4-1

Please Register- https://www.wfblibrary.org/our_events/?eid=1433

Explore patterns, lines, and abstract art in this process-focused art program! What's process-focused art?  It's open ended, self motivated and the emphasis is on the process of making the art, rather than the product produced. 

Tea Time Book Club

Friday, March 24, 12:00 p.m.

Our Tea Time Book Club meets once a month is led by Library Director Nyama Reed. This month we're reading Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found by Frank Bruni. Tea Time Book Club offers hybrid meetings. You can attend in-person at the Library in the 2nd floor Program Room or online via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81777252388?pwd=TFlEQnE5bHl1dnVHdTFqVnZZeDBkQT09

Meeting ID: 817 7725 2388

Passcode: 33887462

Whitefish Bay TALKS: Olivia in Five, Seven, Five: Autism In Haiku

Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.

Please Register- https://www.wfblibrary.org/our_events/?eid=1365

When author Kathie Giorgio’s fourth child was born 21 years ago, she thought it would be an easy journey. After all, she was already the mother of three. She thought she had experienced it all. But she hadn't experienced autism. After trying more traditional methods of dealing with autism, Kathie and her husband set it all aside to focus on their daughter, her needs, her requests, and her way of reaching out. Now an adult, Olivia is a Dean’s List student in her senior year of college. She embraces her autism as a unique part of herself. Join author and poet Kathie Giorgio and her daughter Olivia for an open discussion about autism, it’s impact on their relationship, and what it was like working together on this book.

School District of Whitefish Bay:

Save the Date:

Spring Break - March 23-31

March Community E- Newsletter

Our Community E- Newsletters are one of several ways the District works toward comprehensive communications with the community. Read the March Newsletter and sign up to receive these monthly during the school year.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Wednesday, March 15, 7:00 p.m. – Committee Meetings

Wednesday, April 5, 7:00 p.m. – Regular Business Meeting

School Board meetings are held at 7:00 pm in the High School Media Center, unless posted otherwise. Meeting agendas, minutes and more information can be found online.

Bay Bridge:

TAKE OUR BRIEF SURVEY 

Bay Bridge is fortunate to be working with students from Cardinal Stritch on their capstone project. The students have created this survey to capture your thoughts on Bay Bridge and how we can better communicate with you. Please take a few minutes to let us know what you'd like more of from Bay Bridge. Help the Stritch students complete their senior project by answering the questions on this brief survey by March 22. Thanks in advance! 

North Shore Health Department:

Click here to view the March 8, 2023 Weekly Summary from the North Shore Health Department

NSHD Healthy Highlight March 8, 2023: National Groundwater Awareness Week

Approximately 70% of Wisconsinites depend on groundwater for their primary source of drinking water (Source). Groundwater is also used for irrigating crops, watering cattle, processing foods, and feeding the trout streams and spring-fed lakes. It is critical to be responsible with groundwater management and use for the health of families, agricultural production and industries in Wisconsin.

Ways everyone can protect and conserve groundwater:

• Yearly water well testing and well maintenance: Private well owners should test their well water at least once a year, tend to any maintenance needs, and treat their water if necessary.
• Reduce chemical use: Use fewer chemicals around the house and outside and dispose of them properly.
• Manage waste: Properly dispose of potentially toxic substances like unused chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paint, motor oil, and other substances.
• Recycle properly: Properly recycling paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, aluminum and other materials can help prevent potential groundwater contamination.
• Plant native plants: When landscaping, prioritize native plants. They look great and don’t need much water or fertilizer. When choosing grass, varieties adapted to Wisconsin’s climate can reduce the need for extensive watering or chemical applications.
• Use water wisely: Don’t let the water run unnecessarily, fix any leaks, take shorter showers, only run full loads of dishes or clothes, water the lawn and plants during the coolest part of the day and only when they need it, and obey any watering restrictions during dry periods.

   Learn more about groundwater: DNR website

   What is groundwater? Click Here

Kiwanis International:

Pancake Breakfast with the Bunny

Come celebrate Spring at the North Shore Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast with the Bunny on Saturday, April 1, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. 

The event will take place at Dominican High School, 120 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay.

Enjoy taking photos with the Bunny, raffles, and a delicious breakfast featuring pancakes, sausage, juice, milk & coffee. Tickets are available at the door, from Kiwanis members, or at Winkie’s Variety Store - just $9 per adult (10 & up) and $6 per child (over 2 years of age).

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. All proceeds will benefit Kiwanis youth charities. Event Sponsors include Bayshore Dental, Orley Shabahang, David Hobbs and Associated Bank.

Merchants of Whitefish Bay

Whitefish Bay Public Library

Whitefish Bay School District

Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission

Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation

North Shore Fire Department

Whitefish Bay Little League

Bay Bridge

North Shore Junior Women's Club

WFB Blue Duke Nation

Whitefish Bay Historical Society

Kiwanis Club of North Shore Milwaukee

Whitefish Bay Garden Club

Whitefish Bay Recreation and Community Education

Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation

Village of Whitefish Bay | Phone: (414) 962-6690 | Fax: (414) 962-5651

STAY CONNECTED