The West Bend Community Memorial Library Board on Oct. 21 authorized a permanent musical garden to be installed on library grounds after a presentation from Karen Wysocki, a Roots and Branches volunteer and former music teacher.

The board approved a motion to authorize the project; Barb moved and Joseph seconded, and the motion carried. The board agreed that the authorization and the vote would be recorded in the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: board members said the garden would add an accessible, family-oriented attraction to the library grounds and create opportunities for school and community involvement. Wysocki told the board the garden would pair musical instruments tuned to a pentatonic scale with landscaping and community-built elements so that “no matter what you play, it’s gonna sound fabulous.” She said the vendor for the instruments is Freenotes Harmony Park and that the instruments are weather-tested for outdoor use.

What the board heard: Wysocki described a compact layout of seven instruments she proposed for a smaller planting area adjacent to the library’s storybook walk. She outlined specific instrument types planned for the first phase: caterpillar bells, three mushroom instruments (large/medium/small), lily-pad bowls, color-coded chimes with an attached songbook (serenade), and a marimba-like instrument. She also proposed a locally built “piano pebble drum” manufactured by the high school metalwork program and painted birdhouses made by elementary students to add color and community ownership.

Wysocki described the proposed vendor’s products as robust and low-maintenance: “Unless someone wants to bring a bolt cutter and cut through, nothing’s gonna happen to it,” she said about the bolted components. She said maintenance needs are minimal, that instruments are corrosion- and weather-tested, and that she and Roots and Branches would help with replacement of any small parts such as laminated songbooks.

Funding and installation: Wysocki said the project is intended to rely on donations and a pending grant application; she said she has at least one donor already and that Roots and Branches has applied to a grant program (named in the presentation as Ritzy Grantures) and will know results in December. She also said community groups — including high school workshop classes and possibly Boy Scouts — would take part in building and installing some elements. Library staff said the group would draft a memo of understanding between Roots and Branches and the library board to document responsibilities.

Next steps: the board authorized the project and asked staff to draft the agreement with Roots and Branches. Wysocki said installation is planned for late spring to early summer pending grant outcomes and any price changes. She asked that board members and staff be consulted before any additional instruments or changes to the plan.

Quotes: “It will provide a more beautiful community by its colorful and inviting instruments,” Karen Wysocki said. “Each of the musical instruments are tuned to a pentatonic scale.”

Implementation: staff said Roots and Branches and the library would prepare a memo of understanding to clarify installation, maintenance and donor responsibilities. Wysocki said she would assume responsibility for replacement of small items that might wear or be vandalized and that vendor representatives (including a person with local experience) would help supervise the initial install.

The vote: The motion to authorize the Musical Garden was moved by Barb, seconded by Joseph and approved by the board.