Village of Fontana News
VILLAGE OF FONTANA Street Department crew members (from left) Kevin Kohley, Mark Radtke and Joseph Special are clearing the rotted wood from the old Reid Park gazebo into a front-end loader Monday morning, October 9, 2009.
Reid Park Gazebo Replacement Project Commences
The 18-year-old gazebo in the Village of Fontana’s Reid Park was razed Friday morning, October 9, 2009 because following an inspection by the Village Building and Zoning Department the lakefront structure was deemed unsafe and a liability to the Village.
Planning has been underway for several months on a replacement project for the gazebo after it was determined that the deteriorating structure was starting to shift and sway with the wind. The gazebo was constructed with untreated cedar wood in 1991, and the soundness of the structure became a liability concern this past season.
The Park Commission was considering a renovation project, but the rotten condition of the wooden portions of the structure dictated the reconstruction proposal. 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, and 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.
The gazebo 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).
Master Plan Community Workshop Held at St. Benedict Parish Hall
The Village of Fontana hosted about 60 residents at a Vision Workshop on Saturday, June 6, 2009 to obtain public input regarding the Village’s comprehensive planning process. The Village recently began the planning process that will lead to the development of an updated comprehensive plan; a document that is intended to guide the growth, development, and preservation in the Village over the next 20 years. Summary of Findings
The Vision Workshop was held in the Parish Hall at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 137 Dewey Avenue, Fontana.
The primary goal of the workshop was to provide an opportunity for residents to express their vision for Fontana’s future. Participants were asked to express their ideas on how the community should grow over the next 20 years and what issues need to be addressed in the planning process — including housing, economic development, transportation, and parks and open spaces. Vandewalle & Associates, a consulting firm based in Madison, is working with the Village to update the comprehensive plan.
There will be a number of other important opportunities throughout the year for the public to provide input into this process. This includes joint Village Board and Plan Commission meetings devoted to discussion and development of the comprehensive plan and an open house to review the draft comprehensive plan in fall 2009. The plan adoption process, scheduled for early winter 2009, will also include public hearings before the Plan Commission and Village Board.
The Village scheduled five meetings and a public hearing to update the Comprehensive Master Plan with Village Planner Mike Slavney.
The first meeting was held Monday, March 2, 2009 at which preliminary Vision Worksheets were distributed. The culminating public hearing is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2009.
March 2, 2009 Agenda
March 2, 2009 Minutes
Resolution 03-02-09-01
Funeral Services Held 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.
Services Held for Willa McFarlane
Willa McFarlane, 92, Fontana, died Sunday, June 8, 2008 in Walworth.
She was born June 29, 1915 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, she moved with her family to the United States and they settled in Chicago. She returned to Ireland with her mother a few years later so that her mother could care for Willa’s ailing grandmother.
While in Ireland, Willa attended Larne Grade School and Larne Tech for two years, before she returned to Chicago so that her family could be together again. Willa graduated from Harrison High School, Chicago. Following graduation, she was employed at the Social Service Exchange.
Willa married Donald McFarlane on June 6, 1947 in Chicago. They moved to Fontana in 1953, where she was employed at Arnold Joerns Real Estate.
Willa served as president of the Fontana Garden Club and the Fontana Women’s Club, and served on the Village of Fontana Park Commission, the Board of Appeals and as an election judge. She also volunteered at Lakeland Nursing Home and was an avid bridge player. She was a longtime member of the Fontana Community Church, where she served as a Trustee, worked at the Thrift Shop, worked at the annual Country Fair and was a member of the Women’s Fellowship.
She is survived by a nephew, Craig McIntosh, Avondale, AZ; a great-niece, Caroline (Joey) Kirkpatrick, and their children, Piper, Maren and Keaton, Madison, AL; a cousin, Gordon (Carolyn) McFarlane, Three Oaks, MI; and her neighbors for 52 years, the Tannehills, who became Willa and Don’s second family.
Services were held June 13, 2008 at the Toynton Funeral Home, Walworth. Interment was at the Walworth Cemetery.
CDA Offers Facade Improvement Program
The Village of Fontana Community Development Authority (CDA) established the Facade Improvement Program to stimulate exterior building improvements to existing commercial buildings within the boundaries of Tax Increment Financing District No.1.
Renvoations that are sufficient in scope to produce visible changes to the building facades may be eligible for consideration. Application Process
Garlic Mustard Alert
Residents Urged by Park Commission to Pull Invasive Weed
The Park Commission announced at its May 17, 2006 meeting that garlic mustard is starting to bloom in the Village of Fontana.
The Park Commission urged residents to pull the invasive weed from their yards and gardens.
Once pulled, the garlic mustard plants should be kept separate from other yard waste. Pulled garlic mustard plants should be taken to the Duck Pond area and put on the burn pile, or they should be placed and sealed in plastic bags and put out with the garbage for collection by Keizer and Sons on Monday mornings.
Park Commission Listing Landmark Trees
Residents May Nominate Trees
Following the recent adoption of the Natural Resources Conservation Ordinance, the Village of Fontana Park Commission is developing a list of Landmark Trees.
The Natural Resources Conservation Ordinance supports and encourages the preservation of Fontana trees in a variety of ways. One of them is the provision to create the designation of “Landmark Tree.” It states that “a Landmark Tree shall mean any tree so designated by the Park Commission or the Tree Board for its natural beauty, majestic stature, historical significance, location, memorial designation or other qualities deemed appropriate.” These trees will have a measure of extra protection under the new ordinance.
The Park Commission is developing a list of such trees in the Village. It will include Memorial Trees planted in many of the village parks. Also listed will be the three “Champion Trees” designated by the Wisconsin DNR: a Black Walnut in Buena Vista Club, a Black Walnut located at North Lakeshore Drive and North Lower Gardens Road, and a Copper Beech located at 519 S. Lakeshore Drive.
The commission is seeking the assistance of residents in this effort. Landmark Tree Nomination Forms can be obtained at Village Hall.
Burglary Investigation Underway
The Fontana Police Department urges homeowners to ensure the ground floor doors and windows of their residences are kept secured, especially during hours of darkness. Outside lights should be checked and vehicles that are parked outside should be locked.
Please report any suspicious activity promptly to the police department.
HOW TO GIVE A BURGLAR A BAD DAY
In light of the recent burglaries in the Geneva Lake West area, the Fontana Police Department would like to remind our citizens of some helpful crime prevention tips.
- Lock ground floor doors and windows when the house is empty and during the hours of darkness. We recommend deadbolt locks on all perimeter doors. Patio doors should have a security bar.
- Make sure outside lights are working properly and consider sensor lights that will turn on if something enters the beam.
- Any vehicles parked outside should be locked and valuables kept out of sight.
- If your house is going to be vacant for a period of time, ask a neighbor or friend to check on it and file a house check request with the Police Department. Be sure to stop your mail and newspaper deliveries. We recommend that one or two lights be on timers.
- Please report any suspicious persons or vehicles promptly to the police.
Visit our website at www.fontanawipolice.com for more crime prevention tips and helpful links.
Funeral Services Held for Robert Sandy
Former Village of Fontana Chief of Police, Village President and Building Inspector Robert "Bob" Sandy, 76, passed away Monday morning June 19, 2006, at Saint Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee.
Robert W. Sandy was born August 1, 1929 in Oak Park, IL, the son of James and Ruth (Kissack) Sandy. He graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1948 and moved to Fontana in 1962. He married Lucille Long on July 16, 1972 in Fontana.
After serving 30 years with the Fontana Police Department, Sandy retired as the chief of police, a position he held from 1989 until 1997. Sandy also served on the Fontana Fire Department and Rescue Squad and most recently was a member of the Village's Protection Committee. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1999. He was a member of the Big Foot Lions Club, a 50-year member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union, a Scout Master for many years, and a member of the Community Church of Fontana.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lucy; two sons, James (Theresa), Wauwatosa, and Larry (Sue), Elkhorn; three daughters, Vicki Drake, Vancouver, British Columbia, Kim Dabertin, Delafield, and Elizabeth (Mark) Mlekush, Milwaukee; two grandsons, Rob Sandy and Alex Dabertin; and two nieces, May (John) Markey and Ruth Ann Pratali. His parents, a brother and a sister preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held Friday, June 23, 2006, at Fontana Community Church, 275 Kinzie Avenue. Burial was at Walworth Cemetery.
Main Lift Station Project
Beach House Project
Duck Pond Pavilion Wing Addition Project
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