Village of Weston Newsletter 2015-0506

THEWIRE

5500 Schofield Avenue • P.O BOX 446 • Weston, WI 54476 • (715) 359-6114 • www.westonwi.gov

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2

Aquatic Center Opening Day Saturday, June 6th!

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May / June 2015

IN THIS ISSUE 2

Administrator’s Update

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WestonDirect

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Yard Waste & Brush Pickup Swimming Lessons

Village-Wide Rummage Sale Bulk-Item Drop-off Farmers Market

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Your Elected Officials

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Park Projects Home Composting Workshop Comprehensive Plan Update Building Permits

YOUR AD HERE!

Would you like to see your Business’s ad here AND on page 3? Turn to page 3 for more details!

THE WESTON WIRE

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 • May / June 2015

Administrator’s Update Dear Weston Residents, On April 7th, 1,322 of our citizens took advantage of our hard-fought and well-defended privilege as Americans by exercising their right to vote for our officials throughout the state, and right here in the Village of Weston.

Barb Ermeling continues her long-standing career and passion for public service, moving forward into her next role as Village President. Barb’s service to this community has extended over 5 different decades, with multiple election victories, which have resulted in her serving in many different capacities, including elected treasurer, elected clerk/ treasurer, county board supervisor, Village trustee, and now President. She is an experienced community leader and familiar advocate for Weston taxpayers. I certainly expect that she will have a lot of success in her new role and that both I and the community will benefit from her leadership.

Of course, these elections also mean changes, which are bittersweet as we thank former President Loren White, and Village Trustee Mark Porlier, who ended their service on the Board after the Monday, April 20th Board meeting. I want to publically thank both of these men for their many years of dedicated service. Their leadership and counsel have been invaluable to me, as I have transitioned into my role as the Weston Administrator, and we have worked together to address many frenetic changes to our service portfolio following multiple years of substantial reductions in state aids and shared revenues. I know from firsthand experience that both of these men care lot about the Village and have sacrificed much time away from their friends, families, hobbies, and interests to selflessly serve all of us. I am hopeful that we will find ways to continue to engage them, and continue to seek their advice and counsel with our plans and activities moving forward.

Later in this newsletter, I will be writing more about the men and women that you have selected to lead and serve this community. Their knowledge, talent, and skills are the beating heart of this local government agency. Not a day goes by that the Village does not benefit from their familiarity and experience with our operations.

New leadership will have the opportunity to build on and contribute to the work that the previous Board of Trustees were engaged in. We are working on updating and refining the Village’s comprehensive plan. Required by state law, the chapters within this plan should plot the community’s plans for growth and development over the next 20 years. In the past several weeks, the Board of Trustees have adopted new chapters on land use, broadband technology, and an overview chapter addressing current ‘conditions and issues’ here in the Village. More information can be found about this effort on our website at www.westonwi.gov/CompPlanUpdate.

This newsletter is our inaugural pairing of the printed ‘Weston Wire’ newsletter together with, and inside of, the new ‘Weston Direct’ community packet. I wrote about this in our previous issue. The Weston Direct effort has two objectives. The first is to expand the value our “It’s Right Here” branding campaign has for our local businesses and community institutions. The second is using the advertising partnership to help cover the costs of publishing and printing this newsletter. In an era of diminishing local government resources, we need to be creative and innovate! It is my opinion that this will be a win for the businesses advertising with us. They will be getting into a mailing, which reaches everyone in the Village.

Furthermore, those civically-minded businesses and institutions will help our taxpayers defray the cost of publishing and printing important community news. I want to recognize and thank CoVantage Credit Union for being our first packet participant. I hope that they are the first of many more to come. More information can be found about this opportunity on our website at www.westonwi.gov/WestonDirect.

Thank you for your attention to my letter, and this newsletter. Please remember that I am always interested and eager to talk with everyone more about these and other initiatives happening within our agency and throughout our community.

Sincerely,

Daniel Guild Village Administrator/Director of Economic Development.

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5500 Schofield Avenue • P.O BOX 446 • Weston, WI 54476 • (715) 359-6114 • www.westonwi.gov

This page is available for your ad!

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THE WESTON WIRE

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 • May / June 2015

The

Bulle tin Boar d Spring Curbside Yard Waste

Swim Lessons

and Brush Pickup

begin the kup is scheduled to Waste and Brush Pic rd , grass, Ya tch ide tha rbs s, ve Cu g lea rin d Sp un-bagge th Residents are to place ), on me .

4 (6) inches in dia ter week of May d brush (less than six an ce pla les e ed as ne e ple r pin tte s, clipping ve curb and gu wer at the curb. If you ha se or r rm lde sto ou m sh fro d ay roa the piles aw rb line. Please keep o keep yard waste in the cu inage problems. Als dra ing us ca of s ce an ch nts, or the dra ize hy nim fire inlets to mi landscaping, r poles, mailboxes, we po m fro ay aw piles process. y impede the pickup anything else that ma roadside terial and placed at PARATE from yard ma SE d. Brush pt ke roa to be lel to is ral h pa us n, Br in same directio d ce pla bs lim e as leaf of tim ds r at the same with stump en tion and will not occu era op e rat pa se a is Pickup pickup. rt on Village. Crews will sta one pass through the with ke ict ma nfl l co wil t e no th lag to Vil The May 4 in order ay, nd Mo ff on sta te e, rou te is complet the Friday refuse Once the Friday rou . ss ce at pro wh on ing cti lle ard the refuse co te. Information reg Monday refuse rou bsite and will move onto the ily on the Village’s we da ted da up be l wil on d to take 3-4 weeks route the crew is the Village is estimate gh ou thr ss pa e On .

Facebook page per refuse route.) (approximately 3 days

Aquatic Center Season Passes

ton Aquatic Now is the time to purchase Wes 5 season.

Center Season Passes for the 201 now sale on are Family Season Passes nd ced redu a at 22 May through Friday, hased purc be can ses pas son Sea price. ter through at the Weston Municipal Cen a.m. and 7:30 th of rs hou the June 5 between th can be ses pas 6 e Jun ting Star .

5:00 p.m 5 Alta 581 ter, purchased at the Aquatic Cen Verde Street.

Water Safety for 2015 The Weston Aquatic Center is currently working on details for a new event this year. The Aquatic Center will be promoting water safety the entire first week of the Aquatic Center season. Details for the week are currently being worked out.

Please check out the Aquatic Center Facebook page to keep up to date on events taking place this season at the Aquatic Center.

Bike and Walk to Work Week The Village of Weston would like to encourage residents to bike or walk to work the week of May 11th to the 15th. The purpose of observing this week is to raise awareness of the benefits to biking and walking. Biking and walking can provide health benefits, recreation oppo rtunities, transportation, and is better for the environme nt.

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The Weston Aquatic Center will be offering swim lessons during the 2015 swim season. Swim lessons will be offered dur ing three sessions.

Each session runs two we eks with an additional third week available for ma ke-up classes. Classes will run from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Sessions are as follows (Session 1: June 15th to June 26th), (Session 2: July 6th to July th 17 ) and (Session 3: July 27 th to August 7 th). Lev el 1 through Level 5 is available. Cost for cla sses are $15.00 for Weston residents and $20 .00 for non-residents.

All skill levels taught are equal to Red Cross requirements. Resident registration started Monday, April 20 th and non -resident registration begins Monday, May th 4 . Pre-registration is required. Registrations will be accepted at the Weston Municipal Center through June 5th and then at the Aquatic Center starting June 6th.

Arbor Day erve The Village of Westonth will obs ting plan by Arbor Day on May 15 ts plan l nnia pere and trees, shrubs the out ugh thro s tion loca tiple at mul ng Village. The purpose of observi the of ss rene awa e this day is to rais ning benefits of planting and maintai te icipa part to like ld wou you If s. tree of nce erva obs in the planting and ge Villa the out k chec se Arbor Day plea ates of Weston Facebook page for upd date the as on the time and location gets closer.

Pre-Season dates still available

The Weston Aquatic Ce nter still has a few dates available for pre -season rentals.

Please contact Shawn Osterbrink at (715) 359-9988 or sosterbr ink@westonwi.gov with questions, to check current availability or to request a date.

5500 Schofield Avenue • P.O BOX 446 • Weston, WI 54476 • (715) 359-6114 • www.westonwi.gov

2015 Skate and BMX Events

Farmer’s Market Opens May 2

nd

The Village of Weston is once again working with the Fellowship of Christian Ath letes to provide a couple day s of events that include com petition, instruction and sho ws for the community and sur rounding areas. Tentative day s for these events are July 18t h (Skate event) and July 19th (BMX event). The schedule and various other details for these events are currently being confirmed. Please che ck out the Village of Weston Facebook page to keep up to date on these events and others.

Market will be celebrating The Village of Weston Farmer’s ning Day on Saturday, their 10th SEASON with their Ope their NEW LOCATION ing May 2nd. They will also be celebrat corner of Schofield the on uts Don for 2015, next to Dunkin’ The Market will be open Avenue and Camp Phillips Road.

6:00 p.m. and Saturday’s on Tuesday’s from 10:00 a.m. to to stop down and see sure Be . from 8:00 a.m. to Sold Out what the new season offers.

2014 Tree City USA

The Village of Weston has once agai n been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. This honor is due to the Village’s commitment to effective urba n forest management. This is the fourth time in the past five years that the Village has received this designation. Weston is one of more than 3,400 communities that are Tree Cities.

Bulk-Item Drop-Off

al

set Advanced Dispos Drop-Off is m Ite kul B Hours th and to The annual th – May 16 , Bulk Item Drop-Off 14 ay l M r sa 00 p.m.

Dispo to occu th : 8:00 a.m. – 4: at Advanced 14 n ai ay ag t.

M , ee ld ay tr 00 p.m. be he Thursd Fuller S th : 8:00 a.m. – 4: ted at 5509 15 ca lo ay e: m M s, , ud ce cl ay vi in id er Fr S pted th a.m. – 2:00 p. at will be acce May 16 : 8:00 g, y, tin da pe ur ar at The items th C S , re ems, Furnitu ss Non-Metal It ses, and Gla es tr at M r, be m nd, Lu ap Scr , open year-rou If cycling center . re rs -in te ed ps nc m Windows. fe du l offers a signated sa de po is in D s g d le in cl ce ab ss recycl their recy that Advan cept that at off their exce Please know ac op ey dr th to , ts of t rid esiden for Weston R p metal to ge mulated scra cu ac ve ha you ound as well. center, year-r

Teen Swim/ Dance Nights will The Weston Aquatic Center ce Dan and m be offering Teen Swi th ust Aug and 26 e Nights on Jun 7th. Teen nights will run fromth 7 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. All th are ents stud de through 12 gra on welcome to attend. Admissi re will be $2.00 per person. The and s cial spe d will be music, foo the prize giveaways. Check out e pag ok ebo Fac ter Cen atic Aqu nts eve on e to keep up to dat ter taking place at the Aquatic Cen . son sea this

Village-Wide Ru

Splash into fun at the Weston Aquatic Center

mmage Sale

Come out and be a part of th Annual Vill e Village age-Wide of Weston Rummage Saturday, M ’s Sale Friday ay 2nd. Ove , May 1st r 120 hom throughout an d es will be Weston. Th participatin e maps, wh Graphic Des g ich are spo ign are avai nsored by M lable at the or online at S Weston Mu www.westo nicipal Cen nwi.gov/20 ter 15Rummag eSaleMap.

OPENING DAY th Saturday, June 6 open The Weston Aquatic Center will e 6th Jun , rday Satu on on for the seas g in bein at 11:00 a.m. Due to schthool th atic Aqu the 9 and session on June 8 mal Nor . p.m 3:00 till n ope Center will not Wedon me resu will rs hou g ratin ope th open nesday, June 10 and we will be . p.m 7:45 to . a.m 0 11:0 every day from

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THE WESTON WIRE

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 • May / June 2015

Your Elected Officials Barbara Ermeling Few people have served longer, or in as many diverse and varied positions as our newly elected President Barb Ermeling. After 15 years as a member of the Board of Trustees, Barb will take the President’s gavel and continue her service as the fourth President for the Village of Weston.

As a Trustee, Barb has chaired the Building and Grounds and the Finance Committees. Passionate about public sector finances, she has also served on the Everest Metro Joint Finance Committee and was selected by her peers to represent the Village on the South Area Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) District’s Board of Directors.

Barb started her career in public service in 1973. She ran for and was first elected as the Town of Weston Treasurer. In 1984, while treasurer, Barb was then elected Clerk and shortly thereafter the positions were combined into an elected Clerk/Treasurer position.

Prior to her election as Clerk, she worked part time as the Clerk/ Secretary for the Rib Mountain Metropolitan Sewerage District. She was the District’s first employee and worked to get the District recognized by the State and Federal treasuries, set up the District’s affiliation with the Wisconsin Retirement System, and also managed grant funds. She continued in her role and was re-elected, again, as the first Clerk/Treasurer for the newly incorporated Village of Weston in 1996. She retired from her position in 1999 after serving 26 years as an officer for the Town/Village of Weston.

Quickly after retiring, Barb chose to continue her pursuit and interest in public service, and within a year, was elected to her first term to the Village Board of Trustees. Aside from being a familiar face at Weston local government meetings, by the time she was elected as a Village Trustee, she was already through her first term as a Marathon County Supervisor. First elected in 1998, she has served 17 years on the County Board. As a County Board Supervisor she has served on several County committees and sub-committees. She has chaired the Human Resource Committee and was Vice Chair of the Airport Committee. She has also served as Vice Chairperson of the Organization and Personnel Steering Committee for the Wisconsin County’s Association, a state-wide association representing Wisconsin County government. Through the National Association of Counties (NACO) she has served on three committees – Labor and Employment, Justice and Safety, and the Community and Economic Affairs.

Barb was born and raised in Brokaw. In 1966 Barb and her husband, Michael, built their home in Weston where they raised their three children, and continue to live to this day. She worships locally through the Peace United Church of Christ. A proud grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of one, when she is not involved in her many local government and public service activities, Barb likes to travel, garden, read, bake, work on various art projects, as well as going out to their hunting land in the Town of Ringle. When you see Barb next in the community, be sure to congratulate her and thank her for her many years of service to the Village of Weston and Marathon County.

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Judge Kristine Weirauch Judge Weirauch continues her 10 years of service to the Village and the Everest Metro Municipal Court, after being re-elected to the post she first won in 2005 and has held since.

Kris has a long career in both the legal profession and civic service. She graduated from law school in 1985, then spent the next 2 years doing judicial clerkships for 2 different judges, Judge Thomas Cane of the Wisconsin Appellate Court and Justice Howard Ryan of the Illinois Supreme Court. After that she worked in the corporate legal department at Wausau Insurance Companies for almost 10 years, and then worked at Daubert Law Firm in Wausau for about 13 years. She, most recently, was hired by Wausau Financial Systems to her current position of in-house legal counsel in 2011.

Aside from being our local municipal judge, she has held a number of other local elective offices throughout the years that she has lived in the metro area, including Marathon County Board (1992-95), Wausau City Council (1992-95), Schofield City Council (1997-2000) and DC Everest School Board (2003-2006).

A 15-year resident of the Village, when she is not serving as a local government official or municipal judge, Kris has volunteered continuously since first moving to the central Wisconsin area thirty years ago. She has volunteered for and served on the boards of numerous local nonprofit agencies, including United Way, YWCA, St. Clare’s Hospital Foundation, Central Wisconsin Children’s Theatre, The Performing Arts Foundation, The Women’s Community, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club. She is currently the vice president of the Board for the Monk Gardens, the president of the Board for the Everest Academy for the Arts, a member of the Boards of the DC Everest’s Idea Charter School and the Friends of Minnesota Men’s Crew Club.

When she is not giving her time, talent and energy to all these various causes and organizations, she enjoys being outdoors, volunteering for North Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners, as well as spending time in her flower garden, all the while relishing her three children.

When asked why she chose to run again for Judge, she responded that she enjoys being involved and active in her community. Clearly this is the case, given her many and varied contributions. When you see Kris next in the community, be sure to thank her for her continued and many years of service.

Fred Schuster

Born and raised in the Antigo area, former Village President and current Trustee, Fred Schuster has lived with his wife, Elaine, in Weston for the past 40 years. A 32-year employee of Wausau Insurance, he retired as a senior liability claims supervisor in 2000. He stays active in his retirement, and enjoys volunteering at Saint Clare’s Hospital during the winter, and working for Greenwood Hills Country Club as a groundskeeper during the summer. (cont. on pg. 7)

5500 Schofield Avenue • P.O BOX 446 • Weston, WI 54476 • (715) 359-6114 • www.westonwi.gov

Fred started his public service to Weston after he was nominated to the then Town (of Weston) Board of Supervisors in 1991 to fill a vacancy. Following his appointment, he won his first seat to the Weston Board in 1992, and then served 7 non-consecutive terms, spanning 14 years till 2008. When asked to talk about those years, Fred will tell you about his enthusiasm for the Town’s incorporation into a Village in 1996, which prevented further annexations and removal of tax base out of the community (areas which included Wausau Homes, the Cedar Creek Mall, and the Weston Power Plant).

After a brief hiatus from the Board of Trustees, Fred returned in 2005 excited about new development and growth in the Weston TIF districts, including the St. Clare’s Hospital complex.

Fred was, once again, nominated by his peers to become the Village’s second President, following the unexpected death of former Village President Vilas Machmueller. In 2008, he was elected to the position outright, and served as President from 2008 – 2013. While Village President, Fred represented Weston at the Wausau Metropolitan Planning Organization and Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitors Bureau. He chaired the Public Works, Public Safety and the EMPD Joint Finance Committees, as well as the Village’s Plan Commission. He has served on the personnel committee, and the Economic Development committee.

Despite choosing to step down from the Presidency position in 2013, Fred has been re-elected to the Board twice, since then and remains an elected Trustee. When asked why he continues to serve, Fred says it is because he enjoys being able to give back to the community and help mold its future. Fred has definitely been a big part of Weston’s success having served almost 25 years as a local elected official.

Fred is an active congregant of Mount Olive Lutheran Church. He has served on their Board of Directors and their Board of Elders for over 14 years. A family man, Fred enjoys his 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He loves going to the grandkids’ various sporting activities.

He enjoys spending summer weekends at his summer home on Post Lake, doing water skiing, fishing, as well as hunting in the fall months, and ice fishing in the winter. When you next see Fred in the community, be sure to thank him for his continued and many years of service.

Jon Ziegler Village Trustee Jon Ziegler moved to Weston with his family in 1998 from Minnesota.

Beginning his career as a corporate retail manager, Jon was transferred to Weston to work as the store manager of our local Target store. As the local store manager, Jon quickly got involved in the community, and was promptly asked to join the Village’s Parks Committee in 1999. Shortly after this committee appointment, Jon was appointed to a vacant Trustee post by his previous colleagues on the Board of Trustees. He won his first election in 2000, and with the exception of a brief break of a single year, Jon has served on the Village’s Board continuously since then, having won election to local office on eight separate occasions.

As a Trustee, Jon has chaired the Village’s Parks and Recreation Committee, Property and Infrastructure Committee, the Buildings and Grounds Committee and most recently the Village’s Community Development Authority / Economic Development Committee.

Jon’s involvement in local government and his passion for the Village of Weston motivated him to make a career change away from corporate retail management. Jon is the current marketing director for Central Wisconsin Engineers here in the Village. In his role, Jon works with banks, construction companies, and many elected officials in other local government agencies selling CWE’s services to them.

As a proud father of two recent DC Everest grads, Jon’s and his wife, Ann’s, passion is for their family. When asked why he is involved in local government, Jon talks about his philosophy of making Weston a great place for families like his. He continues to remain on the Board to be a steward for both the community and taxpayers, and believes that by collectively working together, our Village can do a lot with a little.

When not serving the Village, or visiting his daughters in Milwaukee, Jon enjoys snow skiing, golfing, spending time on the water, and walking his dog. When you next see Jon in the community, be sure to congratulate him and thank him for his continued and many years of service.

Kevin Ostrowski Kevin is the newest addition to the Weston Board of Trustees, and will take the position being vacated by Trustee Mark Porlier. Kevin moved to Weston in 2010, and has lived here since.

As the Captain of the Rothschild Police Department, Kevin has worked in law enforcement for over 20 years in various communities throughout Wisconsin. He started his career back in 1994 working as a part-time Officer for the Everest Metro Police Department. He had spent several years away working in the Village of Mount Horeb and the Village of Blue Mounds, but he returned to the metro area in 2000. Since coming home, he has worked for the Rothschild Police Department where he has continued his career, and has advanced in rank. He is a Board member with the Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators and is also a member of the Marathon County Crime Stoppers.

When asked why he chose to run for local office, Kevin responded that he chose to run to be more involved with the Village of Weston.

He has stated that he also wants take a look at the financial struggles all municipalities have to focus on with the State funding being cut.

When not working for the citizens in Rothschild, or being busy with his new responsibilities with the Weston Board of Trustees, Kevin enjoys spending his time up north hunting, fishing, running, biking and spending time with his family – fiancé Stephanie, and their 5 children.

If you see Kevin around the community, be sure to congratulate him on his election.

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THE WESTON WIRE

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 • May / June 2015

Thank You for your Service

Loren White Born and raised in the Wausau area, PastPresident Loren White has lived in the metro area for over 60 years, and in the Village of Weston for 40 years.

Loren has had a long, and distinguished career serving Weston. He started his public service and professional career in law enforcement after graduating from North Central Technical Institute (as Northcentral Technical College was called at the time) and was a part of the first, inaugural graduating class receiving their Associate Degrees in Police Science. He was hired with the Town of Weston Police Department, and spent the entirety of his law enforcement career serving our community. Throughout a span of 30 years of professional service, he saw many changes in both the Police Department and the Village of Weston. During his tenure, the Town’s police department merged with Schofield to form the Everest Metro Police Department in October of 1993. Shortly after the merger, Loren was promoted to Deputy Chief after Gary Marten was elected Marathon County Sheriff, and held that position for the next 10 years until his retirement from law enforcement in 2005.

While still working full-time with Everest Metro Police, he joined our first fire department in 1985. Starting as a charter member of the Town of Weston Fire Department, and after 10 years of service as a Firefighter/EMT, he was appointed Fire Chief in 1995 and managed the department for the next 9 years until his retirement in 2004.

Retiring from EMPD and the Village of Weston, Loren pursued other professional interests working for Aspirus and Pathology Associates.

Not being able to stay away from local government service for long, Loren ran for Trustee in 2007 and has spent the past 8 years on the Board of Trustees. As an elected Trustee, he was the chair of the Public Safety Committee, Personnel Committee, Plan Commission, and the Everest Metro Police Department Joint Finance Committee.

In 2013, Loren was elected Weston’s third President since the 1996 incorporation of the community into a Village. During his tenure, and with the Village benefiting from his many years of experience in public safety, Loren oversaw the Village’s fire department merger with the Town of Rib Mountain and the creation of the new South Area Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) District. Loren has served as President of the SAFER Board of Directors for the past year.

When not involved in local government or enjoying the companionship of his wife, Esther, his two children and his grandchildren, Loren enjoys many diverse hobbies and personal interests which include motorcycle riding, jet skiing, carpentry, target shooting, video games,

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and reading current events and science magazines. He is an accomplished cook and likes to assemble recipe books. When you see Loren next in the community, be sure to thank him for his many years of service.

Mark Porlier After four years of dedicated service, and being elected twice by the community to the Weston Board of Trustees, Trustee Mark Porlier will be leaving the Board this April. Mark’s service to the Village began following his appointment to the Property and Infrastructure Committee, which is a post that he has held for the past 13 years, including chairing the committee for the past two years, while serving as a Village Trustee. He has also served on the Village’s Personnel and Finance committees.

His service on the Property and Infrastructure Committee was a great fit given his technical expertise and career experience. An electrical engineer by trade, Mark worked locally for Clark Dietz for the past twenty years, but recently has started working for MSA Professional Services, both locally represented engineering firms here in the metro area.

Born on the southern shores of Lake Michigan in Gary Indiana, Mark grew up and lived in the adjacent city of East Gary until 1983, then lived in Valparaiso, Indiana from 1983 until 1990. Mark moved to Weston thereafter and has lived and raised his children, here in the community for the past 25 years. After watching his hometown region suffer under the economic recessions of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, he remains very passionate to do all that he can to help Weston avoid those kinds of devastating impacts.

A passionate family-man, Mark raised 6 children. When asked about what sparked his interest in local government service, Mark talks enthusiastically about giving back to community through service, and helping improve the quality of life in the Village for residents and businesses. An engaged parent, Mark was involved with his kids’ activities in athletics and scouts. Mark enjoys being outdoors, taking walks and hiking in Weston parks and trails, fishing with his mother, and spending time with his wife, Kimberly, his children and grandchildren.

Mark considers his service to the community an honor and a privilege. He hopes to find new avenues to continue this service, and may consider running for the Board of Trustees, again, in the future.

When you next see Mark in the community, be sure to thank him for his many years of service to the Village.

5500 Schofield Avenue • P.O BOX 446 • Weston, WI 54476 • (715) 359-6114 • www.westonwi.gov

Community News 2015 Park Projects The Village has contracted with local engineering firm Central Wisconsin Engineers to develop master plans for two of its largest parks Yellow Banks and Kellyland. These parks have been underutilized as the uses have changed over the last several years due to the needs of the community. The Village hopes to identify the needs and the best way to develop these parks in the next 5 to 20 years.

In addition the Village is also working on the development of a Canoe/Kayak Launch on the south side of the Eau Claire River on Ross Avenue. This project has been in the planning stages for the last couple of years due to the significant amount of use there has been on the river. The Village put together a cost estimate for the project and submitted a grant request to Marathon County for funding. The grant was approved and the Village has received just over $73,000 towards the development of this project. The Village is also working on submitting grant applications to other potential partners for this project which will be discussed and decided on later this year. If approved it is expected to be bid in late summer with installation to begin this fall.

The development of the Canoe/Kayak Launch is the first step in a larger goal of developing access and use of the Eau Claire River.

The Village is also proposing the development of a River Access Plan. This plan will be used to identify additional areas where people can access the river and utilize this resource. This project is in the early stages but will be discussed at the April 27th, 2015 Park and Recreation Committee meeting.

The final project that the Village is working on is the acquisition of an additional 78 acre site to be utilized as a park. As the Village continues to be developed, properties like this will be harder and more expensive to acquire. The plan is to utilize this site mostly for passive recreation (walking, hiking, biking, picnics, etc.). This property currently has unique features such as ponds for fishing and trails that can be utilized immediately. The Village has already submitted a grant application to Marathon County for the acquisition of this property and was able to receive a grant of $175,000 towards the purchase. The Village is also working on submitting additional grant applications to other potential partners for this project. The acquisition of this property will be discussed and decided upon later this year. If approved acquisition would likely take place this fall.

Local Events Home Composting Workshop The Village of Weston will be hosting a Home Composing Workshop, which will be presented by Marathon County Solid Waste and Recycling Connections Corporation, on Saturday, May 9th, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. There will be an educational presentation followed by a hands-on demonstration, so please dress appropriately. People who register, and attend, will be entered into a drawing for a door price, and will get a special gift for attending!

Workshop Cost: $5 per household (limit to 2 per household) Pre-order your Compost Bins and Kitchen Pails! Bins: $53. Pails: $25. MasterCard and Visa accepted.

Please call (715) 446-3101 x100 to register or to place your Bin order!

Please do not put food waste inside your recycling cart. Your options with food waste are to either place your food waste in your refuse cart or consider home composting.

Composting or “recycling” our own yard, garden and kitchen waste is the easiest and cheapest way of taking responsibility for some of our own waste. Did you know that food and yard waste make up over 25% to 30% of our solid wastes nationwide?

The BEST place to compost is in our own back yards.

Composting meets the criteria of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Through composting, the amount of waste sent to the landfill is Reduced, the organic matter is Reused, and it is Recycled into a useful soil amendment.

A summary of the 2014 workshop is available at www.westonwi.gov/2014CompostWorkshop.

If you are interested in learning more about home composting please contact Marathon County Solid Waste at (877) 270-3989.

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THE WESTON WIRE

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 • May / June 2015

Your Property Comprehensive Plan Update The Village is currently working with MD Roffers Consulting, an urban planning, zoning, and economic development firm out of Madison, WI, to complete an update to the Village of Weston’s 2006 Comprehensive Plan. The updates will focus on how Weston can best capitalize on its assets and future opportunities to enhance the local economy and quality of life. Assets include State Highway 29, the excellent school system, and economic strengths like healthcare.

A steering committee made up of the Village Board and Plan Commission is overseeing the project and will adopt the Plan amendments as they are completed. The Village’s Planning and Development Department staff is managing the project. The Department is also directing the work of MDRoffers Consulting. Collaboration with neighboring communities, Marathon County, and other community stakeholders is a big part of these efforts.

The Village’s comprehensive plan is a long-range guide for its future growth and development. Once updated, it will provide a vision and specific initiatives for Weston to achieve its future opportunities. Updating the comprehensive plan will also position the Village to receive grants to fund its various initiatives. The comprehensive plan update is being undertaken in three phases, which will be completed by 2016.

The first phase of the project has delivered: •

A new parks and open space plan, in the form of a parks and recreation chapter of the comprehensive plan, linking Village parks and trails to economic and community heath. This Plan was approved by the Village Board on January 5, 2015.

•

A revised Conditions and Issues volume of the plan which was approved by the Village Board on March 2, 2015.

•

A plan for expanding broadband internet service to serve existing and future tech- nology-based businesses and provide an increasingly important tool for home use.

This Plan was approved by the Village Board April 6, 2015.

•

Updates to the land use chapter of the comprehensive plan, which will provide guidance on future decisions to rezone land for development. This Plan was approved by the Village Board on April 6, 2015.

The second phase, well underway, will deliver: •

A plan for the lands along Camp Phillips Road—perhaps the Village’s most important entryway—focused particularly on redevelopment opportunities and associated road improvements.

•

Updates to economic development, transportation, and natural and agricultural resources chapters to guide future decision making in each of these areas.

The third and final phase will deliver: •

Updates to community facilities, housing and neighborhoods, utilities and intergovernmental cooperation chapters to guide future decision making in each of these remaining areas required in a comprehensive plan.

•

A new Tourism chapter to guide future decision making and assist with the intergration of tourism development into the social and economic life of the community.

Public participation is an important part of the planning process. Resident input received during the past two years have been, and will continue to be, incorporated into the Village’s Comprehensive Plan. Formal public review periods and public hearings are then held before the Village Board who takes action on any Plan Amendment. All Plan Chapters currently in draft form can be found at www.westonwi.gov/CompPlanUpdate. Please contact Planning and Development Department staff at 359-6114, or e-mail PlanDevDept@westonwi.gov, for more information concerning the comprehensive planning process, or to review any of the comprehensive plan documents.

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Building Permits Required Now that the construction season is in full swing, we want to take the time to remind you that building permits are required for many home improvement projects you may be looking to complete at your residence in the Village/Town of Weston. If you are looking to add a fence, yard shed, swimming pool, or an in-ground irrigation system to your property this summer, you will first need to get a building permit from the Planning and Development Department before you commence with construction. Permits are also required to finish basements and add on to existing buildings.

With the recent zoning ordinance recodification, it is important that you do some research on your home improvement project prior to talking to contractors and/ or buying materials as some of the regulations have also changed. Building Permit applications are currently being updated by staff. Once all applications are updated, they will be available online at www.westonwi.gov/Applications-Permits or by kiosk at the Municipal Center. If you are not sure if a building permit is required for your home improvement project, please feel free to call the Village Municipal Center, at (715) 359-6114 or email us at PlanDevDept@westonwi.gov, and a Village Planning and Development staff member will assist you in determining if your home improvement project requires a building permit.

Once you have completed your building permit application and have the building plans and other information required for the permit, please call the Village Municipal Center to schedule an appointment with the Building Inspector, Scott Tatro, for submittal and discussion of your application and plans, and to obtain your permit.

Please note that most building permits are valid for no more than two years so please plan your projects accordingly. Permit related questions can be directed to the Planning and Development Department via email at PlanDevDept@westonwi.gov or by calling (715) 359-6114.

5500 Schofield Avenue • P.O BOX 446 • Weston, WI 54476 • (715) 359-6114 • www.westonwi.gov

New Zoning Ordinance and Map Adopted In 2013, the Village Plan Commission began working with MDRoffers Consulting, a planning firm out of the Madison area, the Village of Kronenwetter, and the Town of Weston to update our zoning ordinances, and the extraterritorial zoning (ETZ) ordinance we have over the majority of the Town of Weston. The project was guided by an Intergovernmental Zoning Steering Committee made up of Plan Commissioners and citizen members of each of the three participating communities.

The project was undertaken jointly to reduce costs, increase intergovernmental communication, and unify ordinances to the extent practical to benefit the development community and the public. The desired outcomes of the project were to replace antiquated existing zoning regulations; provide clearer zoning ordinances which mesh better with other local and state regulations; advance economic development and streamline development review procedures; reduce the number of zoning districts, particularly here in Weston; modernize standards to respond to the increased size and complexity of developments; implement the Village and Town comprehensive plans and design guidelines; address previously challenging issues like signs, garage sizes, residential density, transitional and mixed use zoning districts, and the keeping of animals; combine the Village-Town of Weston ETZ ordinance (Chapter 95) into the Village Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 94) and ultimately end up with a full update to our zoning ordinance.

Over the last two years, the Intergovernmental Zoning Committee, the Village Plan Commission, Village Board of Trustees and Village Staff

have worked with MDRoffers to draft a new Zoning Ordinance which we feel accomplishes our original list of desired outcomes. Along the way we have also met with property owners, business owners, residents, developers and other community stakeholders to solicit their feedback and suggestions on the proposed Ordinance.

The document, in its many drafts, has also been available for the past year on our website at www.westonwi.gov/ZoningUpdate for public review. Comments we have received have been incorporated within the document when appropriate.

After many drafts and revisions, Village Staff presented the new zoning ordinance and map to the Village Plan Commission and Joint Town and Village of Weston Extraterritorial Zoning Committee for their final consideration at a Public Hearing held on March 9, 2015. At this meeting, the two Committees recommended the new ordinance and map approval to the Village Board.

The new Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map for the Village of Weston and Town of Weston Extraterritorial Zoning (ETZ) area was adopted by the Village Board at their meeting on March 16, 2015.

The new zoning regulations became effective upon ordinance publication on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. The new ordinance and map can be found on the Village’s website at www.westonwi.gov/Zoning.

The Village Planning and Development Staff is working on updating permits and other zoning-related applications, and the new applications will be available on the Village’s website at www.westonwi.gov/ Applications-Permits. If you have any questions or need an application, please contact the Planning and Development Department Staff at 715-359-6114, or via e-mail at PlanDevDept@westonwi.gov.

Your Safety The Best Summer Ever by South Area Fire District It has begun – an annual rite of passage, the incredible transformation that begins as we shed our Parkas, Mukluks, and mittens. We speak of it in all but a whisper, as if saying it too loud will call forth six more weeks of snow, sleet, and ice. Summer is coming!

As we catch ourselves casting second glances at our bicycles, boats, motorcycles, and grills, we end hibernation and begin preparations for a summer of joy. For those of us brave enough to endure life at the 45th parallel north, June 21st marks the start of summer and life beginning anew.

As you prepare for the best summer ever, the South Area Fire Department Fire Chief encourages you to “Take Two” this summer for yourself and your loved ones. “Take Two is a way to remember to take a second look at how you prepare for a safe summer” said Fire Chief Meilahn, and it includes: 1.

Bicycle: inflate tires to recommended pressures, oil the chain, wear a helmet, ride on bike paths whenever possible, and remain visible by wearing bright colors and adding reflectors and lights.

2.

Motorcycle: inspect your cycle and do a tune-up, wear protective clothing including a helmet, drive predictably and defensively, recognize high risk times such as dawn, dusk, and nighttime.

3.

Grills: inspect, clean inside and empty grease trap, keep grill away from the side of structures such as a house and out from underneath a balcony, never grill on second or third floor structures.

4.

Swimming: know your limits and don’t underestimate the power of moving water, never swim alone or after dark, and make sure children are wearing life vests and supervised while in water.

“Take Two” is also a way to remember to take time for your own personal health and wellness and those around you. “It can be as simple as a walk around the block after dinner or playing catch in the backyard with your children” said Battalion Chief Matt Hieronimus. As he smiled and continued, “on behalf of all of us here at the South Area Fire District, make this the best summer ever!”

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VILLAGE OF WESTON 5500 SCHOFIELD AVENUE WESTON WI 54476

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5500 Schofield Avenue • P.O BOX 446 • Weston, WI 54476 • (715) 359-6114 • www.westonwi.gov

Village of Weston Meeting Schedule

Village of Weston Municipal Center

Village Board of Trustees .................................................. 6:00 p.m.

1st and 3rd Monday of the month

5500 Schofield Avenue P.O. Box 446 Weston, WI 54476

Plan Commission .............................................................. 6:00 p.m.

2nd Monday of the month

Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday)

Community Development Authority ................................. 4:30 p.m.

2nd Monday of the month

General Information: (715) 359-6114 Website: www.westonwi.gov

Elected Officials Barbara Ermeling, President .................................... (715) 359-4365 bermeling@westonwi.gov Scott Berger, Trustee ................................................ (715) 573-5118 sberger@westonwi.gov

Park & Recreation ............................................................. 5:15 p.m.

4th Monday of the month Community Life & Public Safety ....................................... 6:30 p.m.

4th Monday of the month S.A.F.E.R Board of Directors ............................................. 6:00 p.m.

2nd Tuesday of the month S.A.F.E.R Fire Commission ............................................... 7:00 p.m.

2nd Tuesday of the month

Sharon Jaeger, Trustee ............................................. (715) 845-7408 sjaeger@westonwi.gov

Finance ............................................................................. 6:00 p.m.

4th Wednesday of the month

Kevin Ostrowski, Trustee ......................................... (715) 571-2676 kostrowski@westonwi.gov

Personnel .......................................................................... 4:30 p.m.

3rd Monday of the month

Fred Schuster, Trustee ............................................. (715) 359-7098 fschuster@westonwi.gov

Property & Infrastructure .................................................. 4:45 p.m.

1st Monday of the month

Jon Ziegler, Trustee .................................................. (715) 241-9301 jziegler@westonwi.gov

All meetings, except S.A.F.E.R Board of Directors and S.A.F.E.R Fire Commission are held at the Weston Municipal Center. The S.A.F.E.R Board of Directors and S.A.F.E.R Fire Commission meetings are held at the Rib Mountain Municipal Center (3700 North Mountain Rd., Wausau). Meeting dates are subject to change; call the Village of Weston offices to confirm dates and times.

Important Phone Numbers Administrator ............................................................ (715) 359-6114 Aquatic Center (seasonal) ........................................ (715) 241-7946 Assessor ................................................................... (877) 687-3445 Building Inspections ................................................. (715) 359-6114

Connect with Us! /WestonWisconsin

Fire EMS (Non-emergency) ...................................... (715) 355-6763 Municipal Court ........................................................ (715) 359-3333 Parks, Forestry, Grounds ......................................... (715) 359-9988 Police (Non-emergency) ........................................... (715) 359-4202 Garbage & Recycling ............................................... (715) 359-6114

@WestonWI /WestonWI visit Nextdoor.com and sign up

Water & Sewer .......................................................... (715) 359-2876 Village of Weston