Alerts & Announcements
CDA Lakefront Building Planning Committee Documents
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Walworth County News
Charter Cable Will Continue to Carry WBBM-TV (CBS) Chicago
Charter Communications has announced that WBBM-TV (CBS) Chicago will remain on Charter’s Walworth County channel line-up. Charter is currently in negotiations for renewal of the terms of its carriage of WBBM-TV with station owner CBS, a process that occurs every three years. While terms discussed in earlier phases of negotiations would have resulted in the discontinuation of carriage of WBBM-TV, Charter and WBBM-TV have agreed to terms that enables continued WBBM carriage on Charter in the Walworth County area.
In accordance with the terms of Charter’s new agreement with WBBM-TV, which will allow continued carriage of the station, but solely on Charter’s digital line-up, WBBM will be relocated from its current channel position on analog channel 7 to Basic Digital channel 969, effective April 20, 2010. Customers will require a digital receiver from Charter, or need to have a digital TV with a QAM tuner in order to view channel 969. Customers with a QAM tuner will need to auto program their digital TV on April 20 in order to tune in this channel.
More information about Charter services can be found online at www.charter.com.
Village Announces Open Book, Board of Review Dates
The Village of Fontana will hold Open Book for the 2010 Assessment Roll on Thursday and Saturday, July 22 and 24, 2010, and the Board of Review will be conducted on Monday, August 16, 2010 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
Open Book will be held Thursday, July 22, 2010 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Village Hall. Open Book will also be held Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 10:00 am to noon.
The Village assessment firm, Accurate Appraisal, LLC will have one of its assessors available at the Fontana Village Hall for office hours on three more Fridays in 2010.
An assessor will be at the Fontana Village Hall from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Fridays, June 18, 2010; July 16, 2010; and August 13, 2010. An assessor also was at Village Hall on February 12, 2010.
Assessment information also can be obtained on the Accurate Appraisal website at www.accurateassessor.com; by sending an email to info@accurateassessor.com; or by calling toll-free at 800-770-3927.
Village Posts March Meeting Calendar
The Village of Fontana monthly meeting calendar has been released. March 2010
Parking Stickers, Beach Passes Available at Village Hall
The Village of Fontana 2010 Resident Parking stickers and Municipal Beach season passes are now available for purchase at Village Hall. The Village of Fontana Police Department will begin enforcing the parking meters April 15, 2010.
Resident Parking Stickers must be affixed on the lower left hand side of the front windshield of the vehicle so that they are visible for the CSO Officers who patrol the meters and parking lots. A parking citation will be issued if a meter has expired and there is not a Resident Parking Sticker affixed to the lower left hand side of the front windshield of the vehicle. Resident Parking Stickers that are placed on the dashboards or affixed on other locations on the vehicle will not be visible to the CSO Officers and parking citations will be issued.
Residents and property owners may purchase their vehicle parking stickers for $10 each at the Village Hall. There is a maximum of four parking stickers allowed per tax parcel.
Beach Opens Memorial Day Weekend
The municipal beach opens for the season on Memorial Day Weekend, when the beach house will be open on weekends until Monday, June 7, 2010 when the daily schedule commences. Residents may purchase up to six Municipal Beach season passes for $3 each, and up to six more for $5 each.
Big Foot High School District residents may purchase season passes for $30 each, and nonresident beach passes may be purchased for $60 each.
The daily admission fee for the beach is $6 for adults, and $3 for children ages 6 to 12. Children who are age 5 and younger are admitted to the beach for no charge.
Fontana Fourth Fest in Reid Park July 3 and 4, 2010
The Village of Fontana and the Big Foot Lions Club are planning a Fourth of July weekend festival that will feature a Battle of the Bands Competition, an arts and craft fair and a concession and beer tent in the Village’s lakefront Reid Park.
The inaugural Fontana Fourth Fest has been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4, 2010. The event will conclude with the annual Village of Fontana Independence Day fireworks display at dusk on the 4th of July.
Battle of the Bands Competition
The winning band in the two-day Battle of the Bands Competition will receive a contract to play the opening slot (Noon to 3:00 PM) at the annual Big Foot Lions Club Lobster Boil & Steak Fry in Reid Park on Saturday, July 31, 2010. The winning band will be determined by ballot. Ballots will be sold for $5 each to people attending the event. Participating bands will play one set, with the total length of the sets to be 60 to 90 minutes depending on the final schedule. Original and cover bands will be welcomed, and the sound system will be provided. Bands will be required to submit a CD or tape of at least three songs.
The Battle of the Bands competition will begin at 2:00 PM on both days. The event will end at 9:00 PM on Saturday, July 3, 2010, and at 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 4, 2010.
Bands that wish to be considered for the Battle of the Bands Competition should submit a CD or tape and contact information to Village Clerk Dennis Martin at the Fontana Village Hall, 175 Valley View Drive, PO Box 200, Fontana, WI 53125.
Arts and Crafts Fair
The Village of Fontana also is organizing an arts and craft fair for a portion of Reid Park, with individual spaces to be marked off and rented to vendors. Vendors will be responsible to supply their own white tent and tables. Vendors will be required to have their spaces cleared by 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 4, 2010. For more information, contact Village Administrator/Treasurer Kelly Hayden at the Fontana Village Hall at (262) 275-6136.
The Big Foot Lions Club concession tent will be offering brats and hot dogs, pork chop sandwiches, popcorn, chips, soda, water, Miller beer products and wine coolers from Noon to 9:00 PM both days.
BIG FOOT Lions Club members Kevin Racky (lef) and Joe Abell (right) present a $6,000 check to Fontana Village President Arvid Petersen at the Village Board meeting Monday night, February 1, 2010. The donation was the Lions Club's annual appropriation for the Little Foot Playground Pirate Ship fund.
Village Hall Saturday Morning Hours Resume April 10
Now that the annual tax collection period has ended, the Fontana Village Hall will not be open on Saturday mornings until Saturday, April 10, 2010. Beginning on Saturday, April 10, 2010 the Village Hall again will be open for customer service from 8:00 am to Noon on Saturdays through Labor Day weekend. Village Hall is open Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 
THE FONTANA VILLAGE BOARD presented a congratulatory plaque to the Big Foot High School Varsity Football Team at the monthly meeting Monday night, February 1, 2010. The Chiefs compiled a perfect 14-0 record this past season on way to winning the WIAA Division IV State Championship. Pictured at the meeting are (from left) Trustee Tom McGreevy, team member Mike Walker, coaches Pat Hollihan and Jim Haeni, Trustee George Spadoni, and team member Alec McGreevy.
VILLAGE PRESIDENT Arvid Petersen presents a Certificate of Recognition to Fontana resident Peg Bair at the monthly meeting of the Fontana Village Board Monday night, February 1, 2010. The Certificate of Recognition states: In recognition of your March 3, 2009 promotion to brigadier general in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Congratulations for being the first woman to serve as a general in the Wisconsin National Guard. The Village of Fontana is proud of your current service as the chief of staff of the Wisconsin Air National Guard and commander of the Wisconsin Air National Guard headquarters. Thank you for your service to our country, which started as a registered nurse in the U.S. Air Force, after which you transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1981, the Montana Air National Guard in 1986, and the Milwaukee-based 128th Medical Squadron of the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 2000.
Village Publishing Electronic Newsletter
The Village of Fontana quarterly newsletter will no longer be printed and mailed to property owners and residents. The newsletter will be posted the first week of January, April, July and October on the Village Website at: www.villageoffontana.com.
Property owners and residents may submit requests to have a PDF file of the newsletter emailed to them, or they may pick up printed hard copies at the Village Hall and Public Library.
To request an emailed copy of the newsletter, property owners and residents should send their email address to:
villageclerk@villageoffontana.com.
Local Iceboat Club Filmed on Geneva Lake
Matt Mason, a local professional photographer, took some amazing video footage January 13, 2010 of many of the Boe-Craft owners on Geneva Lake. The area of sailable ice was small but was sufficient size to make the video. Website
Abbey Resort Offers Ice Skating
The Abbey Resort has opened an ice skating rink on its harbor lawn that is open for public use. For more information, please see the informational flyer.
VILLAGE OF FONTANA Police Chief Steve Olson and Trustee Micki O'Connell at the annual Village Holiday Party at the Lewis residence Monday night, December 14, 2009.
CDA COMMISSIONER Robert Chanson and his wife Jean were two of the guests at the annual Village Holiday Party held this year at the residence of Trustee Diane and Rex Lewis, the former Stevenson's III restaurant.
Dog Licenses Available at Village Hall
Village of Fontana residents who own dogs are reminded that April 1, 2010 is the deadline to avoid the $5 late penalty fee for 2010 Dog Licenses. The licenses are available at the Fontana Village Hall, 175 Valley View Drive. All dogs older than 5 months are required to have a Village License.
The fee for altered dogs, male or female, is $13 per pet. The fee for unaltered dogs, male and female, is $23 per pet.
Village Hall Office Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday from 8 AM to noon (excluding holidays).
Tax Bills In the Mail
The Village of Fontana mailed out the 2009 Tax Bills Tuesday, December 8, 2009. Tax Bill Information Sheet
Parcels located in the Pheasant Ridge subdivision and some located in the Abbey Hills subdivision are in the Walworth Elementary (Joint 1) School District; property located in the Upper and Lower Brookwood area and some parcels on South Lakeshore Drive are in the Reek (Joint 6) Elementary School District. All other areas of the village are in the Fontana (Joint 8) Elementary School District.
DPW Leaf Vacuum Services Will Resume in Spring
Village of Fontana Director of Public Works Craig Workman has announced that the curbside leaf vacuum services have been halted for the winter season.
During the late fall and spring, the entire village is covered on a weekly basis starting at the northern Village limits, progressing through downtown and Country Club Estates, and finishing along South Lakeshore Drive at the eastern Village limits. Because of the unpredictable nature of the leaf volume, it is impossible to schedule a specific day each week for a particular street or subdivision.
Property owners must rake the leaves no farther than 10 feet form the street, but not on the pavement. Any leaves that are not picked up because they are outside the 10-foot area should be raked to within the area for collection the following week. The leaf service does not include the collection of grass clippings.
Chipping Services
Curbside chipping also has been discontinued until spring.
No tree material that is larger than 6 inches in diameter will be accepted for chipping, and piles that contain non-recyclable materials will not be handled. All materials to be chipped must be stacked with the butt ends facing the street. A fee of $2.50 per minute will be charged after the first 15 minutes of each month, or for any pile that it too large to chip within 15 minutes. The Village does not handle brush from any lot clearing activities.
Village Complete Count 2010 Census Committee Commences Efforts
The Village of Fontana Complete Count 2010 Census Committee held its first meeting Thursday, November 12, 1009 at which promotional and informational measures were discussed. Preliminary Minutes
The U.S. Census Bureau is teaming with the local counties and municipalities to encourage public participation in the important event. The U.S. Census Bureau also has created a website that features all the information and documents for the 2010 Census.
As well as publicizing the U.S. Census Bureau and Walworth County initiatives, the local committee will be establishing a Questionnaire Acceptance Center and Be Counted Program site at the Village Hall. VOF Local Distribution Plan
Walworth County US Census Complete Count Committee has released an informational flyer on the 2010 Census. The committee held its first meeting May 26, 2009 (Minutes).
Census Information - English
Census Information - Spanish
2010 CENSUS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, such as mileage incurred while conducting Census work. Best of all, census takers work right in their own communities. The Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Census taker jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community.
Conducting the Census is a huge undertaking. Thousands of persons are needed in Jefferson, Kenosha, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha Counties. A variety of important field and office positions are required. Most Census field positions require a valid driver's license and use of a vehicle; however, use of public transportation may be authorized in certain areas.
Every 10 years, the Census Bureau takes a snapshot of our population, determining how many people reside within the nation's borders. The results help determine your representation in government, as well as how federal funds are spent in your community on things like roads, parks, housing, schools, and public safety. As a Census taker, you'll play a vital role in making sure that everyone is counted. All Census takers must be able to speak English, but people who have bilingual skills are needed in communities where a large number of residents primarily speak other languages. If you have the appropriate language skills and cultural knowledge to communicate well in your community, we strongly encourage you to apply for those positions.
To schedule a test, call (262) 842-1600.
Village Encourages Residents to Walk Dogs at Beach
In an effort to help abate the pollution problem created by the large flocks of geese and seagulls that gather on the beach during the fall, the Village of Fontana is encouraging residents to walk their dogs on the municipal beach from October 15 through March 31.
The Village Board amended the Municipal Code several years ago to allow for people to walk dogs on the beach after the summer season has ended. During the summer season, dogs are only allowed at the Duck Pond Recreation Area “dog track” area.
The gates to the beach are open during the winter season, so people can walks their dogs in either direction.
FONTANA Garden Club President Gwenn Granquist presented a check for $1,000 to the Park Commission to help fund the prairie seeding project at the Duck Pond Recreation Area. The volunteer event to sow and spread the seeds at the Duck Pond is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2009 beginning at 10:00 am at the Village Hall. Pictured at the October 21, 2009 Park Commission meeting are (fom left) Garden Club member Gail Hibbard, President Gwenn Granquist, and Park Commission member Sharon Conklin, Chairperson Sarah Lobdell and Vice Chairperson Jill Wegner. 
THE FONTANA Public Library Youth Program featured a Fire-Bear Workshop on October 8. The event was held in conjunction with Fire Prevention week. Participants made 13-inch bears that included firefighters outfits. Some of the participants were (from left) Jackson and Brandee Brown, Witney Workman, Avery Beetstra and Wylde Chupich.
THE VILLAGE of Fontana Department of Public Works crew razed the gazebo in Reid Park Friday morning, October 9, 2009. After knocking down the structure, the rotted wood was transported to the DPW garage site for disposal. The concrete foundation is still in good condition. The Village Board directed the Building Inspector to make the final determination on the soundness of the structure, which was deemed unsafe and a liability to the Village. The gazebo was constructed in 2001 and was dedicated by the Fontana Library and Civic Center Association, Fontana Women's Club and Fontana Garden Club on September 1, 1991 (according to the dedication plaque cemented into the concrete foundation). The Village Board approved a motion at its October 5, 2009 meeting to go on record to assure the public that planning is underway for the construction of a new gazebo on the foundation. (Images)
CDA COMMISSIONER Gail Hibbard (left) leads fellow members of the Fontana Garden Club on volunteer landscaping missions at the Duck Pond prairie restoration areas. The volunteers work tending the native plants and eradicating the invasive weeds in the prairie restoration areas.
Village Implements Pay Station for Third Avenue & Reid Street Parking
The Village of Fontana installed a centralized parking pay station unit on the southeast corner of Third Avenue and Reid Street for the parking stalls in lieu of erecting individual parking meters this past season.
The pay station is the same unit that is used at the train station in Harvard, IL.
Stall numbers have been painted on the surface for each parking space on Third Avenue and Reid Street. During the season from March 15 to October 15, motorists who do not have the Village of Fontana resident “F” sticker have to pay for parking at the centralized pay station using the individual parking stall numbers. A ticket is printed for display in the parked vehicles.
Parking is still free for motorists with Village of Fontana resident “F” stickers displayed on the driver’s side of the vehicle's front windshield.
The Village of Fontana is planning to erect more centralized pay stations and removing all the individual parking meters in the village.
A VILLAGE OF FONTANA recognition plaque was presented by Jennifer Pollitt, daughter of Past Village President Ronald Pollitt, to Fontana Fire and Rescue Department member David Blizard at the Village Board meeting Monday, August 3, 2009. Jennifer stated at the meeting that when he was serving as the Village President her father wanted to recognize Blizard for his four year's of service with the U.S. Marine Corps; however, they were unable to coordinate their schedules prior to President Pollitt's unexpected passing on February 17, 2009.
Village of Fontana Park Commission and Plan Commission member Sharon O'Brien led an informational walk through the Fontana Fen Tuesday, July 7, 2009 as part of the Fontana Public Library's summer programming.
Village Conducting Cross Connection Inspections
The Village of Fontana Building and Zoning Department is continuing with the state required cross-connection inspections and with stormwater infiltration inspections. Residential property owners will receive postcards requested them to schedule and the inspections.
The Village is required to develop and implement a comprehensive cross-connection control program to ensure that there is not a risk of contamination of the drinking water supply that could be caused by back-siphonage or back flow. The inspector will assist property owners in identifying actual or potential cross-connection problems on their property.
A cross-connection inspection consists of an on-site visual inspection of appliances and fixtures that utilize and are connected to a water source.
Dishwashers, humidifiers, water softeners, hose bibbs, faucets, washing machines, boilers, icemakers, lawn irrigation, swimming pools and water closets will be inspected for proper back-flow prevention devices and connections. The inspection takes from 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Following the inspection, property owners will receive a written report which will note any cross-connection hazards and the method for bringing the system into compliance.
The state requires commercial and industrial services to be inspected once every two years, and all residential properties to be inspected every 10 years.
Village Purchases MacGowan Parcels for $350,000
The Village of Fontana Community Development Authority closed on the purchase of two adjacent parcels of land for $350,000 from Patricia MacGowan on Monday, June 15, 2009,
Both parcels have the address of 138 Fontana Boulevard, Fontana, WI. One lot is a vacant parcel (Tax Key No. SOP 00052), and the adjacent parcel has a retail/apartment building (Tax Key NO. SOP 00052A) with a second-floor apartment that is currently being leased by two residential tenants. The lower commercial unit is not occupied.
The CDA Board will be soliciting developers to work with on a development project similar to the Mill Street Condominium/Commercial development.
Village Posts Noxious Weed Notice
The Village of Fontana has posted the annual Noxious Weed Notice in accordance with Wisconsin State Statute 66.0407. Weed Notice
Village Receives Structural Engineering Report for Lakefront Building
The structural analysis report for the lakefront marina building owned by the Village of Fontana has been submitted by PDI/Graef. The report will be discussed by the CDA Board at its monthly meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, 2009 beginning at 6:00 pm. Structural Analysis Report
Blue Ribbon Committee Tabulates Surveys
The Blue Ribbon Lakefront Building Committee tabulated the results of a public opinion survey that was mailed out last fall to all property owners and residents. The surveys were due back to the Village by October 3, 2008. Lakefront Survey
Survey Results
Question No. 18 Answers
Village Board Approves Compost Site Changes
The Village Board recently approved some changes to the Department of Public Works Compost Site at the Village Garage at 300 Wild Duck Road.
Disposal of Yard Waste
Property owners are no longer permitted in the Compost Facility. Instead, property owners may use the newly created Yard Waste Collection Site, located at the Duck Pond Recreation Area. The hours of operation for the Yard Waste Collection Site are Monday through Friday from 7 am to 3:30 pm, and Saturday from 8 am to noon.
Curb-Side Chipping Services
The Village provides curb-side chipping services; however, these services are now provided during the first week of each month from April through October. At the discretion of the Public Works Department, when a brush pile is determined to be too cumbersome to efficiently run through the wood chipper, the pile may be hauled away at a cost of $50 per load.
Leaf Vacuum Services
The Village provides leaf vacuum services at no charge to property owners in the spring and fall. Property owners must deposit leaves no farther than 10 feet from their front street, but not on the pavement itself. Placement of leaves within the roadway is against village ordinance and may be subject to a fine. Leaf piles shall be free of any foreign materials (stones, brush, foreign plant material, grass clippings, etc.) and the presence of such materials will prevent pickup.
Contractor Services
With the exception of leaf removal, all contractor services must include the removal of all debris and yard waste generated as a part of their work. The Village will not be responsible for removing any contractor generated material (with the exception of leaves) from the curb. There will be no contractor generated waste allowed at the Village of Fontana Compost Facility, or the Yard Waste Collection Site. Any contractor identified as utilizing the compost area or the Yard Waste Collection Site shall be subject to a $1,000 fine.
Installation work on the new pirate ship in Little Foot Playground commenced Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
The Village of Fontana Department of Public Works crew began site preparation work at Little Foot Playground Wednesday, April 29, 2009. The new pirate ship will be installed as soon as the site work has been completed.
Monthly Tornado Siren Test Set for Third Wednesday
The Village of Fontana Police Department has announced that Walworth County will be conducting its monthly testing of Tornado Sirens on the third Wednesday of each month at noon.
The third Wednesday of the month is also the day the County conducts its MABAS test at 10:00 am. The National Weather Service people always do their tornado tests on Wednesdays at noon.
Village of Fontana employees, officials and friends of the late Ron Pollitt celebrated his March 14th birthday on Friday, March 13, 2009.
Memorial Scholarship Established for Village President Ron Pollitt
Village President Ronald E. Pollitt, 61, died Tuesday, February 17, 2009 in Fontana. He was born March 14, 1947 in Kokomo, IN.
Pollitt, a retired accountant, served as a Village Trustee from April 2004 to April 2007, when he resigned his position after being elected Village President. Pollitt decided to not seek reelection in the upcoming 2009 Spring Election.
President Pollitt was also currently serving on the Village Plan Commission and the Board of Review, was the chairman of the Finance Committee and the Protection Committee, and was the Village Board representative on the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency Board of Directors and the Geneva Lake Use Committee.
He is survived by his wife, Peg Pollitt; four children, Elizabeth and Jennifer Pollitt, Lara Rodriguez, and Roger Pollitt; a granddaughter, Victoria Rodriguez; one sister, Margie (Bob) Dickson; and one brother, Bobby (Vicki) Pollitt.
Services were held February 20, 2009 at Toynton’s Funeral Home, Walworth, and February 21, 2009 at the Fontana Community Church, Fontana.
With the family's blessing, the Ron Pollitt Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit Big Foot High School FFA students, has been established by the Village at Walworth State Bank in memory of Ron, who was an active member of the 4-H and FFA during his youth. Donations may be sent to the Walworth State Bank, in care of the Ron Pollitt Memorial Scholarship Fund, Post Office Box 66, Walworth, WI 53184. Donations also can be dropped off or mailed to the Village Hall, Post Office Box 200, Fontana, WI 53125.
Big Foot Lions Club members Joe Abell (left), Bill Grunow (right) and Andy Pearce presented a $6,000 check to Village President Ron Pollitt at the monthly meeting of the Village Board Monday, February 2, 2009. The check was the Big Foot Lions Club's first annual installment on a $30,000 pledge the club approved to help fund the Little Foot Playground renovation project. President Pollitt thanked the Lions Club for the generous donation to the renovation project and for its annual appropriations to the Fontana Park Commission.
Park Commission Holds Work Day for Trout Restoration Project
By Village of Fontana Park Commissioner Jill Wegner
Many residents may not be aware of the rare “jewel” that our Village possesses in Van Slyke Creek, which flows through the Hildebrand Nature Conservancy, and provides water to Geneva Lake. This spring-fed stream provides excellent year-round habitat for brown trout, whose numbers increase during the fall months when the fish travel upstream from the lake for spawning. In June 2006 the DNR performed an electroshocking survey and found a large, healthy population of brown trout (some in the 11- to 12-inch range) and abundant food production for these fish.
Southeastern Wisconsin contains mostly warm-water fisheries, and so a high-quality, cold-water resource such as Van Slyke Creek is a treasure in our part of the state. The Village is working together with Trout Unlimited to improve the water flow and habitat in the Conservancy by clearing debris and blockages and removing several old wooden dams near the headwaters which have restricted the flow for many years. To date, we have applied for and obtained a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, and are in the process of investigating possible grants from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Wisconsin trout stamp funds. All of these organizations have reviewed this project and expressed an interest.
This is a project we are very proud of and we encourage citizens to become involved. This stream can become a showcase and provide incentives to others to become more involved in habitat improvement of all kinds.
A work day was held with volunteers from two chapters of Trout Unlimited on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Volunteers removed some of the wooden dams in the headwaters and removed debris throughout the remainder of the stream. For more information about the project, contact Jill Wegner at (262) 275-5882. Work Day Report
Abbey Resort Offers Club Membership for Fontana Residents
Residents of the Village of Fontana are eligible to register for the Abbey Resort’s AbbeyLakeClub to receive exclusive discounts and email updates on special events and promotions. For more information, please see the attached flyer.
AbbeyLakeClub Application
Village residents can complete the application on-line and email it to the Abbey Resort at: info@theabbeyresort.com
Park Commission Lists Tree Planting Suggestions
The Village of Fontana Park Commission supplied the following tree planting and mulching recommendations at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Minutes
The newest recommendations for planting trees are the result of observations by horticulturists.
They have found that most tree roots are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil and they spread outward from the tree as far or greater than the tree is tall. Taking this into consideration, new recommendations involve digging a broad planting “saucer” instead of a deep planting hole. This planting saucer is three times or more the diameter of the root ball. The depth of the saucer is only as deep as the root ball and the sides are sloped at a 30 degree angle.
Some even recommend a saucer that’s only 1-foot deep with a depression in the center to accommodate the tree’s root ball. This depression allows the root ball to be planted at grade and gives the plant stability, eliminating the need for staking. These new planting recommendations also include cutting away all wire, burlap, and other materials surrounding the root ball after the tree is set in place and positioned. Trees are thriving where these new planting procedures are being used.
Tree Mulching Recommendations:
Identify plant and its moisture / low oxygen tolerance.
Determine current mulch depth; tine rake to aerate / dry.
Use composted mulches only.
Well-drained soils: apply 2-inch (fine mulch) to 4-inch (coarse).
Poorly drained soils: apply 2-inch maximum.
Very poorly drained soils: use chemical weed controls.
Keep mulch 4 (young trees) to 8 (old trees) inches from trunk.
Soil test periodically for pH.
Avoid “sour” (smell ammonia) mulches.
Excavate soil to expose trunk flare; use coarse aggregate to fill.
Irrigation should not flood trunk or trunk flare.
Tine rake any slime mold or fungal mats to aerate.
Mulch out to the drip line if possible.
Share this knowledge with others. Avoid “mulch volcanoes.”
Residents Must Reregister for "CODE RED" System Alerts
Wrong Link Posted on Initial Story
About three years ago Walworth County Emergency Management set up an emergency call out system with a company called Code Red. If some sort of emergency were to happen this system lets us, the emergency responders, designate a specific contact area, from as small as a street to as large as the entire county. The emergency responders are then able to record and deliver a message with specific instructions. This could be for a missing child, evacuating an area, or providing other special instructions.
The system then dials phones in the designated area and plays back the recorded message. Currently the draw back to the system is it is privately owned and the phone companies are not allowed to give out unlisted numbers. The second draw back to the system is people using only cellular telephones or Internet-based phone services. Again these numbers are not allowed to be given out by those companies.
The two links below provide information about the company and a page where you can register your cellular and Internet-based phone numbers. Then if there is a local incident, we would be able to contact you through this system. The site is secure and does not give out or sell phone numbers. This is completely voluntary, though the benefit is being able to be contacted in an emergency situation.
If you do not have access to the Internet or know of somebody in the Village of Fontana or Walworth County who would not be able to register, forms and information are available at the Fontana Safety Building, Village Hall and Fontana Public Library.
This system has been used a couple of times in the county and is similar to what has been talked about on the news following the shooting at Northern Illinois University and how the school was able to alert students.
Company information is available at the following Website: http://www.coderedweb.com
To register a phone number visit the following Website: http://www.coderedweb.com/codereddataentry/index.cfm?GroupID=1032
FW/WPCC Participating in
Chloride Removal Program
Chlorides: Affects our impact on environment?
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources established chloride standards for wastewater treatment plant discharge as part of the Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 106. The Fontana/Walworth Water Pollution Control Commission facilities (the wastewater treatment plant which serves the Village of Fontana, the Village of Walworth and the Kikkoman Foods Corporation) is required to meet these standards. Currently, there is no economically feasible method of removing chlorides from the wastewater stream at the treatment plant. Therefore, the sources of chloride introduced into the wastewater stream must be controlled before reaching the wastewater treatment plant.
Clean water is supplied from underground wells, which does contain minimal chloride concentration. Although kitchen waste and snow/ice melt infiltration may account for a portion of the chloride found in the wastewater, the majority of the chlorides appear to be introduced by residential, commercial and industrial water softeners or operation process. The solution is to regenerate the softener to allow for continued softening.
Chlorides: What can be done?
Several methods exist which can be implemented by the homeowner and business owner to assist in reducing the introduction of chloride into the wastewater stream. Here are some suggestions:
1. Soften only the water that needs to be softened.
2. If you have a timer-based softener, investigate if the timer is correctly set for your particular water use.
3. Contact your softener company to inspect your unit and recalibrate all settings.
4. Remember to disconnect your softener when you are away for the weekend or any extended period of time.
5. Investigate the possibility of installing a Demand Initiated Regeneration water softener. This type of softener minimizes salt use and results in a cost savings.
6. Recycle the brine from the softeners or removal of brine.
The local water softeners companies can provide assistance in assessing your current softener situation. They can analyze your water, provide guidelines for proper settings and use, and provide information on equipment upgrades if you so desire.
Your help in achieving the goal of reducing chlorides in your area is an important environmental concern. The wastewater treatment plant staff has been sampling and testing for chlorides in wastewater since 1994 and will continue sampling to track the progress of this chloride reduction campaign. The Central States WEA Conference in Madison on May 24, 2007 was regarding information on how other municipalities and industries are reducing the chloride in the effluent water. This is a state effort to find ways to reduce chloride of water that is returning to the lakes, streams, ponds and creeks. Notice
Village Offers Credit Card, Electronic Check Payment Options
The Village of Fontana has contracted with Official Payments Corporation to offer credit card and electronic check payment options for property taxes, non-parking citations, utility bills and other miscellaneous payments.
System Information
VOF Fire Department Releases Weather Alert Information
A press release that covers emergency weather alert procedures in the Village of Fontana has been released by Fontana Rescue Squad Chief Jon Kemmett. Press Release
Utility Bill Automatic Payment Plan
The Village of Fontana now offers its property owners a plan that authorizes quarterly utility bill payments to be deducted from a savings or checking account. Details
Archived Alerts and Announcments:
VOF News Releases
Highway 67 Construction Project
Main Lift Station Project
Beach House Project
Duck Pond Pavilion Wing Addition Project
Disclaimer: The agendas, meeting minutes, notices and postings on this site are for convenience purposes only and may not represent the most current version. Therefore, they are not considered the official copy nor should they be considered a legal representation of the official copy. If you require a copy of the official version of one of these documents, please contact the Village Clerk’s office.
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