Hwy 83 Update
The Hwy 83 project that was scheduled for 2005 has been rescheduled for late spring 2006. Village of Chenequa Officials have been working with Department of Transportation Officials to rectify some drainage problems as well as redesign three intersections. The Intersections of Hwy 83 and Pine Meadows will be re-constructed, as will Hwy 83 and Hwy K east and Hwy 83 and Hwy K west. These three intersections will be upgraded to meet the required Federal Standards for funding and will improve sight lines and traffic flow. The remainder of the Village’s portion of Hwy 83 will simply be a grinding of the current pavement with a fresh overlay of asphalt.
High Speed Internet Service
The Village Board of Trustees has decided to move forward with finding a high-speed Internet solution for the Village. SBC has been slow in upgrading the area for DSL service and according to sources there is no plan to implement DSL in the area for another year or two and possibly more. The Village Board of Trustees has authorized the hiring of a Consultant to assist in the direction in which to move forward. One direction that will most likely be considered is the wireless web access where a vendor would be placed on our Village Hall cell tower. It is the Village’s desire to find a solution to this issue as timely as possible yet provide a quality product that is useful to all residents looking for such service. A grant from the Chenequa Foundation will fund the Consultant. Thank you again to the Chenequa Foundation and all those who support it for your contributions and support. The Village Board also created an Ad Hoc Committee to work with the Consultant to find a solution for this issue. If you are interested in serving on this Committee, please contact Administrator Douglas at 367-2239.
Goose Barrier Fencing
The Village Board approved revisions in the Building and Zoning Code in 2002 to allow temporary goose barrier fencing within the setback area from the lake. An application must be completed and approved prior to the installation of such a goose barrier fence. Details of the fence/barrier composition is required as part of the application. It is suggested that materials proposed to be used not be visible from the lake. An application form is enclosed in this newsletter and will also be available online at www.chenequa.org.
April Election
The Spring Election is set for April 6, 2004. The polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Chenequa Village Hall. If you need to vote by absentee ballot, you may do so in person at the Village Hall during regular office hours. If you will be unable to vote at the Village Hall, please contact the Clerk’s office to obtain an absentee ballot application.
As elections near for local and national offices, a reminder that per Village Code 3.05, political signs are prohibited in the Village of Chenequa. Any signs observed by Chenequa Police and Hwy/Forestry personnel will be removed and discarded.
Recycling Program
According to the Waukesha County Annual Recycling Tonnage report, the Village delivered just over 84 ton of material to the Materials Recycling Facility in 2003. This includes newspapers, magazines, cardboard, office paper, glass, aluminum, tin and plastic. For more information regarding recycling or hazardous waste, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/recycling.
Computer Recycling Collection
Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Inc., in collaboration with the Southeastern WI Waste Reduction Coalition, announced a Dell-sponsored Computer Recycling Collection at State Fair Park on Saturday, May 8, 2004 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Computers and all computer accessories will be processed for reuse or recycling in an environmentally responsible manner by Cascade Asset Management, a company based in Madison. Any personal information left on computer hard drives will be destroyed by Cascade. More information on this event is available at www.besmart.org.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Identity Theft
Find enclosed a brochure regarding identity theft. This is a follow up to the note in the last newsletter. Please take a few minutes and review the information. There are some good reference numbers and websites that may be of interest in helping you protect your personal information.
Key Holder Information
If you have provided the Police Department with names and numbers of persons holding keys or emergency contact numbers, please call if there are have been recent changes.
Our officers use this information often when handling a call for service. Information may be passed on to our Clerk or any member of the Police Department. There is also a drop box outside the front entrance if you wish to write a note.
Truck Enforcement Effort
Officers will continue with their truck enforcement effort this year. Two officers with additional training have been assigned to monitor large truck traffic. If you see an officer stopped with a large commercial truck it may be for a safety inspection or a violation of a traffic law. Officers last year identified oversized semi trucks with trailers using STH 83 outside of their designated route. The drivers and companies involved are now aware officers are monitoring their operation.
Boating Safety Class
The Chenequa Police Department’s Water Safety Patrol will again be conducting the Department of Natural Resource’s certified boating safety classes. We have two sets of classes scheduled, with the first class beginning the end of March. The dates for the first set of classes are March 29, 31, April 5, and 7. The dates for the second set of classes are April 20, 22, 27, and 29. The sessions will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be held at the Chenequa Village Hall. The class is open to anyone 11 years of age or older. The cost of the class is $15 per student. Class size is limited to 20 students and fills up quickly. For reservations and/or additional information, please contact the Chenequa Police Department at 367-2145.
Dog at Large Complaints and Licensing
The Police Department has been called to several dogs at large complaints recently. In two of these cases, dogs were attacked while being walked by their owners and bitten by unleashed dogs off the owner’s premises and control. In addition, we are finding that many dogs within the Village are not licensed. Please make efforts to keep your pets on your property and under your control. In addition, it is required that all dogs be licensed with the Village of Chenequa and provide proof that rabies vaccination has been completed. Licenses are available at the Village Hall from the Village Clerk during normal business hours. For the safety and respect of your neighbors and those out walking, please secure your pets and keep them under your control.
Police Explorer Post Fundraising Event
The Lake Area Police Explorer Post is hosting a spaghetti dinner on Tuesday, March 30th, 2004 at the Divine Redeemer Church at 5:00 PM. Proceeds from the spaghetti dinner will be used to attend the National Conference of Police Explorer Posts which will be held this year in Atlanta, Georgia. The dinner will cost $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under age 12. There will also be raffle tickets available for sale for $1.00 each for prizes such as hotel stays, dinners and other gifts. The Explorer Post is made up of students who have a desire to become law enforcement officers in the future. They also do volunteer work for the communities involved in this organization assisting in such activities as parade traffic control, open house events as well as ride along programs.
TIPS FROM THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
New Insect Pest
Another insect from Asia has infested our trees. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first found in dying ash trees in southeast Michigan. It has since been found in Ontario, Ohio, Maryland and in Virginia. The EAB most likely arrived to the US inside wooden pallets shipped from Asia. Although this insect is very mobile, human activity such as collecting firewood and shipping nursery stock has spread the insect to the other areas. Officials feel this insect is a very serious threat to our area.
Wisconsin’s forests have a large number of White, Green and Black ash trees. These same species do well as an urban street tree and as a landscape plant. The tree is killed as the larva bore into the tree severing the conducting tissue for water and nutrients. The tree will begin to die from the top down. Adult beetles will exit the tree through a characteristic “D” shape hole approximately the size of a pencil.
Although there are several problems with our village ash trees, which can cause the tree to die, we would like to be notified if the “D” shape exit holes are found. For now, the Emerald Ash Borer has not been found in Wisconsin. Currently the best defense is detection and removal of infected trees. No pesticides have yet to be recommended.
Finally, if you are going to plant a tree this spring, it may be best to consider choosing a non-ash species.