Waunakee board renews alcohol and tobacco retail licenses, approves event music permits

The Village of Waunakee approved renewal of alcohol and fermented malt beverage retail licenses and cigarette, tobacco and electronic vaping-device retail licenses for the 2025–2026 licensing year.

Village staff told the board the same establishments were applying as the prior year and that all required paperwork had been submitted and approved by the police department. “Everything has been turned in and approved by the PD, and we’re working on operator permits for them also,” a staff member said.

The board approved a resolution renewing liquor and fermented malt beverage licenses effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, upon meeting all contingencies. Later the board approved a resolution renewing cigarette, tobacco and vaping-device retailer licenses; staff said this is the second year the village has required the licenses to come before the board with background checks similar to alcohol licensing.

Separately, the board approved an amplified-music permit for WannaFest (American Legion Post 360) for July 24–27, 2025. Board discussion noted concerns about timing, but members said the event’s music schedule and light usage do not extend beyond permitted hours.

Carla (last name not provided), a village staff member, explained a related amplified-music application for a softball tournament: the tournament requested an additional late game that would run concurrently with the scheduled beer-tent music, and while the softball group did not technically require an amplified-music permit they submitted one for transparency. Staff said the lights for the softball field would be on regardless and that the added game was not expected to materially increase noise.

Board members moved and approved the licenses and permits by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the meeting transcript.

No public objections were recorded during the discussion.