News

Weekly Message: March 21st 2025

Litter Pick-Up Volunteers Needed, Dog Waste(!), Pool Opening May 17th, Summer Events, House Fire, Back Nine Paving Update, & Golf Cart Drivers

Afternoon everyone!

I have a lot to report today, and they are important topics, so please give this one a careful read through.

Litter Pick-Up
I need volunteers! Volunteers will receive a free car wash coupon!

Winter is coming to a close, and with the construction and intermittent windy conditions over the past several weeks, there is quite a bit of litter in the community, and I could use some help getting it picked up. I’m putting a plan together to comb the common areas and the fields designated for future development. If you’re willing to help, please send me an email and I’ll add you to the volunteer list and coordinate with you once I get some volunteers.

Dog Waste
I received quite a few reports of dog waste not getting picked up. I know it is sometimes difficult to pick up dog waste in the winter, but it is the owner’s responsibility to pick up their animal’s waste if the dog goes in an area that is not your own property.

It is absolutely unacceptable for you to simply leave it.

If you walk your dog around the community and haven’t been picking up your dog’s waste, I’m asking that you either make a special trip out, retrace your routes, and pick up the waste that you have previously left behind OR bring several bags with you next time you walk your dog, retrace your routes, and pick up what you’ve previously left behind.

I’m not calling anyone out at this time, but those who have sent me the reports have witnessed this occurring and know the residents that are doing it. I’ll be out inspecting and have also asked the residents that have reported waste not getting picked up to let me know so I can follow up with individual residents.

This shouldn’t be something I have to harp on, but here we are. Do better in the future.

Pool Opening Scheduled for May 17th
I’m coordinating with the pool maintenance company to get the pool opened, and we’re having the pool deck sealed after that is complete—something that has not been done to my knowledge. This is preventative maintenance that was approved for the 2025 budget and will prolong the life of the pool deck and save money long-term.

Am I also happy to report that I am working with Chick-fil-A to have a food truck on-site for the pool opening that members can enjoy. I haven’t had nailed it down yet, but it looks very promising.

Summer Events
Currently, I am working on establishing three events over the summer. We have a small budget set aside for community events like this, and I’m excited to put them together. I’m ironing out the details, will report the specifics once I have them.

The first event is a meet and greet for residents in early summer. I believe we will cater for this in some way, and there will likely be a raffle for Community of Bishops Bay gear. The second will be a car show in the middle of the summer. If residents have a neat vehicle you think others would enjoy, please consider participating. The third is a community-wide garage sale weekend. We may also consider another Santa/Tree lighting event.

Again, I’ll report details when I have them and we approach those dates, and at that time I’ll solicit people interested in showing off their cool cars!

House Fire on Red Barn Pass
I’ve received some questions regarding a home on Red Barn Pass that caught fire Tuesday afternoon as construction wrapped up. The home was unoccupied at the time and nobody was injured. There will be some restoration work to be completed before the family is able to move in.

The owners suggest that if anyone is interested in helping they donate to their local fire department.

Back Nine Path Paving Updates
I know adding dirt and seed to the shoulders of the existing asphalt path has extended further than anyone wanted, but the contractors have told me they’ll be out over the next two weeks to finish things up. There are some areas where I have requested they put sod in, opposed to seed and soil, because those areas are already showing a propensity for water to wash seed and soil, and I’d like to prevent that.

I am starting to get bids back for the path paving project that was budgeted for in 2025. I contacted 12 contractors, and while some simply said they weren’t interested, I have two bids in at this time and expect at least one more. Paving this path will increase safety and accessibility to members and cut down on long-term maintenance costs.

Golf Cart Drivers
This is a reminder that, in Wisconsin, anyone operating a golf cart is required to be at least 16 years of age and have a current driver’s license or instruction permit.

Thanks for hanging with me until the end of this one!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Weekly Message: March 17th 2025

Website Update, Middleton Annual Report, & Zac Off Partially 3/18

Website Update
We’re in the final stages of completing the Community of Bishops Bay website. I’m working with the software professionals to “test drive” the registration process so we can work out any problems before we go live. They are also creating a “block” for me so I can improve the look of the site for some of the pages that I am continuing to work on in the meantime.
 
Some aspects of the website will be under construction until we can get committees set up, but members will be able to use the site to access and download HOA documents and The Buzz, see the latest news and updates, view time and dates for HOA events, and learn more about the board and myself.
 
Middleton Annual Report
Middleton does a great job taking a proactive approach reporting the city’s goings-on, and here is the web address for the annual report they sent out. I have also included the attachment below.
 
https://publuu.com/flip-book/213312/1796363
 
I looked for something similar for Westport, but I couldn’t find anything like an annual report. However, here is the web address for the minutes and agendas of their various meetings.
 
https://www.townofwestport.org/minutes-and-agendas
 
Zac Out Partially
I volunteered to be a classroom helper for my youngest son’s class, so I’ll spend my mid-morning to the early afternoon trying to herd kindergarteners–I’m very much looking forward to it!

Weekly Message: March 7th 2025

Bruce Company Account Manager Change, Bruce Company Sod Repair, Back Nine Dirt Piles, & Native Plant Sale

Bruce Company Account Manager Change
We’re happy to see Jeremy transition to another role within Bruce Company and will miss him. Scott will be taking over our account and we’ve already been corresponding. I’ll have more about the change in The Buzz.

Bruce Company Sod Repair
I’ve spoken with Scott regarding the timing of the crew coming out to repair snow plowing damage in the community, and he says that usually occurs after they are reasonably certain it will not snow again. They plan on being out late April.

While they do go around and proactively check for unreported damage, please send me an email if you have damage to report so it can be added to their list. Thanks to those of you who have already done so!

Back Nine Dirt Piles
I asked the contractor if he could be out next week to work on the piles since it is due to warm up, but he is currently recovering from a surgery. He did say he will aim to be out to work on the piles before April. I’m doing what I can to get the project finished ASAP.

Dane County Native Plant Sale
Dane County has a program that sells (and takes donations for) native plant species to its residents and entities. Here is their snippet:

“Convert some of your lawn into a native garden this spring. Not only are native plants beautiful, but they provide important ecosystem services such as habitat for pollinators and wildlife and improved water quality. Native gardens act as sponges helping rainwater to soak into the ground preventing stormwater runoff and pollution from washing into our lakes, rivers and streams.”

Please check the design code before you purchase so you can be certain you won’t have to make changes.

Here is the link to the website for orders:
https://ripple-effects.com/Plant-Dane