Welcome to the Overlook Lakes Condominium Association Community Resource

You may have noticed circular fences growing around our newly planted trees. And you may have asked yourself, why are those things there?

B&G-Grounds, in consultation with MMSD, has determined that we need to protect young trees from animal damage. Specifically, the fencing keeps deer from eating the leaves and rubbing the trunk, and rodents from eating the bark.

In 2025 we installed trees with no fencing with the hope that our local deer and rabbit population would find more attractive food to eat. They didn’t! Instead these animals zeroed in on our new trees.

As we plant additional trees you will see our B&G volunteers erecting fences soon after the trees are in the ground. We expect to keep fences on trees for several years, until they are large and strong enough to withstand animal nibbling.

B&G-Grounds is also assessing the use of flexible tubes that go over the lower portion of the trunk. These tubes protect trees from rodents and deer rubbing after fencing has been removed.

If you have questions on this initiative, or anything else related to landscaping at Overlook Lakes please email B&G-Grounds.

Below is the list to-date of shrubs we plan to plant spring 2026. Most of these locations were identified in 2025. A few, such as the ravine area, were identified in winter 2026.

B&G-Grounds is sending this list to all owners so everyone is aware of our plans, so owners can ask questions or present concerns before planting, and to ensure we are communicating how we spend your HOA dollars. OLCA volunteers will be planting these 26 shrubs so the total cost is very reasonable.

All selected shrubs are Wisconsin native species, adapted to our environment and home to many animals including butterflies, birds and bees. Shrubs have also been selected to be as deer resilient as possible.  However, in some cases we might place a circular fence around a shrub to ensure deer cannot nibble. Shrubs are also effective at keeping buckthorn from taking a hold. Some of these shrubs are in our complex now and some are new ones we are trying out.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact B&G-Grounds () by April 24, 2026. We hope to start planting the following week.

Help Needed! If you are interested in helping plant or being an ongoing waterer, please email B&G-Grounds ()

OLCA 2026 Spring Planned Shrub Plantings

Note. After consulting with our garden center vendor, Johnson’s Nursery, we may change specific species, or add or remove specific shrubs.

B&G Grounds Committee

With the winter’s thaw upon us, the foliage starting to bloom and the grass turning green it is time for the OLCA Website Spring Theme. The photos at the bottom of each website page shows spring-themed photos, changing randomly on each page. Look for the Summer theme in June.

Additional photos were contributed from the residents. If anyone would like to share their photos for the website, please email them to the Communications Committee.

Within the last week, you may have noticed pink ribbons appearing around many trees on our property. These designate trees that will have their tree wells edged and filled with mulch (woodchips) once the landscaping season begins in early spring. More trees may be marked soon.

Save the Date: May 5^th

Our Declaration, which is the major governing document for Overlook Lakes, calls for the annual meeting to be held on the first Tuesday in May. This year, that date falls on May 5^th. While those who celebrate Cinco de Mayo may already have that day marked on their calendars, we encourage you to mark May 5^th on your calendar and plan to participate as it’s important that we have a quorum.

Location

The meeting will take place at Greendale High School in the multi-purpose room. You will receive a map in April to help you find the exact location.

Time

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. and will likely conclude by 7:30 p.m. These meetings are not lengthy, but are essential to conducting business for Overlook Lakes.

Purpose

The annual meeting is required by law, helps owners stay informed about association finances and foreseeable plans, and provides a forum to express your desires and concerns while hearing from other owners as well.

Elections

Annual meetings are also when board members are elected. This year two board members will be elected. (Eric Van Ert is completing a 2-year term and Forrest Bivens is finishing a 1-year term.) Both have expressed a willingness to stand for reelection, but having more candidates is preferred. If you or someone you know is qualified and willing to stand for election, wonderful!

Information for “Expectations for Board Members” may be found here. Nomination information and forms may be obtained at the Office.

Community Service Award Nominations

Speaking of nominations, you are invited to nominate someone among us to receive a “Community Service Award” that acknowledges greatly appreciated activity carried out by one or more of our neighbors. To nominate someone for this honor, please email the board at . More information may be obtained here.

Thank you and we look forward to your attendance on May 5^th!

Our Steps to Support Native Plants & Biodiversity

You may have noticed that Overlook Lakes Condos Landscaping committee is focusing on native species and biodiversity when replacing shrubs and trees, or adding perennials to gardens. Why?

Traditional lawns and gardens might look tidy, but they’re dead zones for wildlife. They guzzle expensive water, depend on chemical fertilizers and herbicides, and pump out emissions from gas mowers and blowers.mNone of these chemicals stay put. They run into waterways and onto surfaces where children and pets play, posing documented health risks. Also biodiverse native species reduce the risk of infections as we have experienced with monocultures such as our many ash and hawthorn trees.

Native plant landscapes offer a safer, healthier, and more vibrant alternative, and save our association money. They support pollinators and birds, reduce water use, and thrive without harmful chemicals.

In addition to creating a safer outdoors for you and your family, our Landscaping committee is hard-at-work creating a beautiful space, one filled with life and color, right here in our backyard!

B&G Landscape Committee

Article Source

As we end 2025 and look forward to 2026, we wanted to give you a summary of all the work our dedicated B&G landscape volunteers have accomplished this past year.

In 2025 our volunteers planted 45 bushes, 206 perennials and 9 trees. In addition, volunteers watered, pruned, trimmed, edged, fenced, and weeded all over our 24 acres.

Total logged B&G landscape volunteer contribution was 641 hours. If we apply an average $120 contractor rate, that equates to $76,920 of saved association money or $418 per unit. Total cost for plants and materials was about $3,000. This included tools that we will be using in future years.

Area behind Building 45, before & after

One of B&G’s goals is to increase the health of our landscape with biodiversity. When Overlook was developed only a few types of plants were installed. Our new list of plants includes a variety of native bushes such as winterberry holly, staghorn sumac, snowberry, buttonbush, cinquefoil, native trees such as tamarack, river birch and alders, and native perennials such as sunflower, Joe Pye, marsh milkweed, iris, and grey-headed coneflower. In addition, we seeded and sodded many areas that were in need of grass.

Next year our volunteer projects will include revamping gardens, installing plants in sparse gardens, and continued monitoring of water needs and new plantings. We are already assembling a list of trees, bushes, and perennials to plant beginning in early May, and making proposals to the board for volunteer landscape projects.

B&G Landscape Committee

If you have questions on landscape volunteer work, email

Update 12-1-25

Now that we are through the recent snow event, we need to acknowledge the fact that things did not go as planned and that many owners were quite unhappy with the service that they received. Unfortunately, the first snow of the season was a bit overwhelming and even surprised the weather forecasters.

We have taken a close look at what worked and what didn’t work and have communicated our concerns and expectations to KEI. We will be meeting with them later this week, onsite, to review our expectations moving forward and to point out what we felt went wrong, and discuss remedies. Topics include:

• How to Report Concerns During a Snow Event
• Contractor Safety Concerns and Labor Laws
• Woodbridge Drive Parking

Winter will soon be upon us! The following points are all procedures owners need to know, and to begin preparing for before the snow starts to fall. We have a new snow removal contractor, KEI, and have communicated our high expectations of their performance this winter. Please understand that snow removal operations can occur at any time during the day or evening.

This article contains topics related to:

• Garages & Vehicles
• Driveways, Walkways & Patios
• Downspout Extensions
• Contractor Interaction
• Woodbridge Drive
• Snow Removal Starting Point

As the Overlook Lake Condos complex ages, there are trees and bushes in need of replacement. Dead trees and bushes will be removed as soon as time and resources permit, diseased trees and bushes will be evaluated by the OLCA contractor. In many cases these diseased plants will survive, even though they may look sad this season. If the contractor deems it necessary, the diseased tree or bush will be removed.

Species were chosen to be suited for the environment (dry-medium-wet), are disease-resistant, and are the right size and shape for the area (tall-medium-short-wide-narrow). There is a preference for Wisconsin native species that do not drop seeds that sprout, are long-lived and can tolerate salt. Owner suggestions for replacement options will be accepted. However, keep in mind many owners, who also see the trees & bushes, may have different opinions.

If you are seeing issues like dead/missing trees or bushes, overhanging limbs, or notice ones that need pruning, submit a Condo Problem Submission Form. This form is available online or at the management office. Do not email or call board members, committee members, or volunteers. A response will be given to you within a week.

Maybe you’ve discovered one of our many hard-working volunteers toiling around your building. Please take a moment to thank them for their efforts on behalf of everyone.

Thank you for helping to keep Overlook Lakes Condos landscape healthy and beautiful!

Help Avoid Costly Water Leaks

For owners planning to spend this winter in the south, following is a list of items you need to address before you depart. Doing so will help prevent damage to your unit and your neighbors’ units due to clogged, displaced or faulty water lines.

In addition to addressing the items below, please send an email to so that the Board of Directors has a list of units that will be vacant this winter. The list will only be shared with the Overlook Lakes Management Office and will otherwise be kept strictly confidential.

1. Have your furnace serviced, being sure the drain line is clear and securely inserted into the floor drain in the utility room. Clogged and displaced drain lines on furnaces have caused water leaks in the past.
2. Be sure the drain line from your hot water heater is clear and securely inserted into the floor drain in the utility room.
3. Have the water supply lines in your kitchen, bathrooms and utility room inspected to ensure there are no leaks. Failed supply lines to faucets, toilets and washers have also caused water leaks in the past. If you still have the original lines, it’s recommended that they be replaced with upgrades.
4. Shut off the water supply valves to your toilets.
5. Keep your thermostat set to at least 60 degrees.
6. Leave your lower kitchen cabinet doors and bathroom cabinet doors open to ensure adequate heating and air flow to prevent freezing of pipes.
7. Ensure the Management Office has a local contact should there be an issue needing attention.
8. Ask a family member, relative or friend to periodically check the interior of your unit throughout the winter to ensure all is well.

An additional measure for avoiding water leaks is for you to shut off the main water valve to your unit and to turn off the circuit breakers to your hot water heater. In eight-family units, the water valve is located in or above the hot water heater. In four-family units, the water valve may be concealed in the dopped soffit.

If you need help locating the correct water valve and circuit breakers, call the Overlook Lakes Management Office at least one week prior to your departure to schedule a date and time for property management staff to show you where each is located.

Repairing damage due to water leaks caused by clogged, displaced or faulty water lines is a long and costly process. Significant sections of drywall, insulation, baseboards and flooring often have to be removed and replaced. Please understand that if a water leak originates in your unit, you will be responsible for the cost of repairs to all affected units.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

If you have questions, email or call the Management Office at 414-427-5715.

Sincerely,

Your Overlook Lakes Board of Directors
Your Buildings and Infrastructure Committee