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Sister Bay Buzz: Village Residents Vote on Resort Tax Feb. 20

by Janal Suppanz, Interim Administrator

As you may have heard, a referendum will be conducted here in the village on Feb. 20 regarding implementation of the Premier Resort Area Tax (PRAT). The village provides a variety of services and facilities for the public to enjoy. Other than the marina and Water and Sewer Utility, facilities and services like the parks, our fabulous beach, the library, streets and sidewalks, recreational programming, public safety, and fire protection are currently funded by the property tax levy, and, therefore, are solely paid for by village residents and taxpayers.

There are several reasons to support the Premier Resort Area Tax:

  • The PRAT creates a mechanism to provide additional funds for facilities needs and street and storm sewer repairs by collecting tax dollars from tourists and individuals who reside outside the Village.
  • Other than by imposing higher property taxes or rates, the PRAT is the only option available to the Village to raise funds for the previously mentioned facilities needs and repairs.
  • The funds are restricted and can only be used to pay for infrastructure expenses. “Infrastructure expenses” could include street and storm sewer repairs, beach and park maintenance, upgrades to the Village Hall, repairs to the public boat launch, and the purchase of firefighting equipment.
  • The impact of the ½-cent sales tax would only cost you $50 if you spent $10,000 at tourism-related stores and businesses in Sister Bay, but does NOT include stores like Ace Hardware, Lampert Lumber, the Piggly Wiggly, and gas stations.

Renovation of the NWTC Learning and Innovation Center is moving along nicely, and when all is said and done that facility will contain classrooms, a computer lab, space for community meetings, a processing kitchen for individuals to develop food products, and free Wi-Fi!

Blue Sky Contractors of Appleton has completed most of the demolition of the building, which formerly housed Nicolet Bank, and photos of the progress that has been made on the remodeling project have been posted on the Center’s Facebook page.

While the Center is under construction Manager Lisa Tetzloff is working from an office on the NWTC campus in Sturgeon Bay. She has been gathering information about community needs and interest, and is beginning to schedule classes and other programs. For further information regarding the center, please contact Lisa at 920.746.4936 or [email protected].  

On Saturday, Feb. 17, a “Valentine’s Day Weekend Reading With Amos” event will be conducted at 10:30 am. During that event kids will have an opportunity to read to Amos the Therapy Dog, and they will also have an opportunity to meet the new addition to the Library, “Mr. Bear,” whose name will officially be changed on that day. Head Librarian Christina asked me to pass the word along that February’s book display wall will feature books about winter sports and the Olympics.

Unfortunately there is still potential for dangerously cold temperatures and frigid wind chills to exist, and the folks at Ready Wisconsin asked that we publicize the following list of precautions to take when it’s very cold:

  • Stay in heated areas as much as possible during cold weather.
  • While at home, monitor your sources of heat. Any heating system that burns fuel, including your gas furnace and hot water heater will produce carbon monoxide. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, vomiting, confusion, and ultimately death. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms please call “911” and get out of your house immediately.
  • Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill, (gas or charcoal), inside your home or in an unventilated garage.
  • Be especially cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages while out in extreme cold. Alcohol may seem to keep you warm, but can actually hasten ill effects from the cold.
  • Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes. Symptoms of that condition include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear tips and the tip of the nose. If you see any of these symptoms seek medical treatment immediately.
  • If you must work outside in bitterly cold weather wear proper clothing. Dress in layers and make sure to cover your head, ears and hands. Insulated and waterproof boots will also help.
  • Overexertion is dangerous in cold weather as it puts an added stress on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make an existing medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease worse.

For further information regarding this and a variety of other public service announcements visit readywisconsin.wi.gov.

If any of you know of special events which will be occurring in the Village, or would like to publicize birthdays or anniversaries of folks who live or work here, please provide that information to me or any of the other folks who work in the Village Office at least two weeks in advance of the special day(s). Also, if you have any questions about upcoming village projects or operations please don’t hesitate to call us at 920.854.4118.

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