fall 2011 village voice

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Mayor’s Message FALL 2011 VILLAGE OF WAUCONDA NEWS e single most important issue currently facing our Village is the decision to bring Lake Michigan water to our community. e very future of Wauconda will depend on the Village’s ability to provide a reliable source of safe drinking water to our residents and businesses. As we all now realize, drinking water is a finite commodity that is in limited supply. Future challenges in obtaining and treating groundwater may indeed limit the growth and financial and economic outlook of our town. Wauconda’s collective financial future will involve our ability to attract and retain both residents and businesses to keep our community vibrant. at future must include a plan to supply us all with one of nature’s building blocks – clean, quality water. e vision that the Board and I are focused on is not centered on next month or even next year, but many years in the future to provide a strong community for our children’s children. We must begin now to sustain the robust family lifestyle that we all enjoy today. In the next few months, you will be hearing more about the critical issue of bringing Lake Michigan water to our borders. Please be sure to monitor the Village’s e-news and Board activities to stay informed about the important decisions that we will need to make in the next year on this front. In addition to our focus on natural resources, this year’s strategic plan is built around the concept of preparing to welcome and support economic development in our community when opportunities present themselves. True economic development is not just the creation of new stores, restaurants or manufacturing facilities. It also involves retaining and supporting the fantastic businesses that already call Wauconda home – not just those that provide retail sales, but also establishments that offer employment opportunities to our residents and bring workers to our town every day. Our busy industrial parks contain many of these community assets and we have a new focus on communicating MAYOR’S MESSAGE 1 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2 PUBLIC WORKS 3-5 FINANCE 3 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 6-7 POLICE DEPARTMENT 7-8 BUILDING & ZONING 9 VILLAGE OFFICIALS 8-9 CONTACT INFORMATION 10 and supporting them in any way we can. e Village’s entire strategic plan can be seen online on our Finance Department’s website. Visit www. wauconda-il.gov to read more about the vision, goals and objectives that we will be working toward for the coming year. I am so often reminded of the great community that we are fortunate enough to live, work and raise our families in. is past summer saw so many activities in our Village beginning with the 60th Annual Memorial Day Parade down Main Street , Wauconda Fest, the Independence Day fireworks, two triathlons, the Wauconda Rodeo, the Community Round Up, the Farmer’s Market, many fishing tournaments and the Annual Street Dance to name a few. is truly is a ‘Village With a View’ and the view from my seat is nothing short of amazing … for our future and what we can do together. Remember, as always, Together We Can Make A Difference! Special Section See page 4

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Village of Wauconda Quarterly Newsletter - Fall 2011 Village Voice

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Page 1: Fall 2011 Village Voice

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Mayor’s MessageFALL 2011 VILLAGE OF WAUCONDA NEWS

The single most important issue currently facing our Village is the decision to bring Lake Michigan water to our community. The very future of Wauconda will depend on the Village’s ability to provide a reliable source of safe drinking water to our residents and businesses.

As we all now realize, drinking water is a finite commodity that is in limited supply. Future challenges in obtaining and treating groundwater may indeed limit the growth and financial and economic outlook of our town.

Wauconda’s collective financial future will involve our ability to attract and retain both residents and businesses to keep our community vibrant. That future must include a plan to supply us all with one of nature’s building blocks – clean, quality water.

The vision that the Board and I are focused on is not centered on next month or even next year, but many years in the future to provide a strong community for our children’s children. We must begin now to sustain the

robust family lifestyle that we all enjoy today. In the next few months, you will be hearing more about the critical issue of bringing Lake Michigan water to our borders. Please be sure to monitor the Village’s e-news and Board activities to stay informed about the important decisions that we will need to make in the next year on this front.

In addition to our focus on natural resources, this year’s strategic plan is built around the concept of preparing to welcome and support economic development in our community when opportunities present themselves. True economic development is not just the creation of new stores, restaurants or manufacturing facilities. It also involves retaining and supporting the fantastic businesses that already call Wauconda home – not just those that provide retail sales, but also establishments that offer employment opportunities to our residents and bring workers to our town every day.

Our busy industrial parks contain many of these community assets and we have a new focus on communicating

� MAYOR’S MESSAGE 1 � ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2 � PUBLIC WORKS 3-5 � FINANCE 3 � ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 6-7 � POLICE DEPARTMENT 7-8 � BUILDING & ZONING 9 � VILLAGE OFFICIALS 8-9 � CONTACT INFORMATION 10

and supporting them in any way we can. The Village’s entire strategic plan can be seen online on our Finance Department’s website. Visit www.wauconda-il.gov to read more about the vision, goals and objectives that we will be working toward for the coming year.

I am so often reminded of the great community that we are fortunate enough to live, work and raise our families in. This past summer saw so many activities in our Village beginning with the 60th Annual Memorial Day Parade down Main Street , Wauconda Fest, the Independence Day fireworks, two triathlons, the Wauconda Rodeo, the Community Round Up, the Farmer’s Market, many fishing tournaments and the Annual Street Dance to name a few. This truly is a ‘Village With a View’ and the view from my seat is nothing short of amazing … for our future and what we can do together.

Remember, as always, Together We Can Make A Difference!

Special SectionSee page 4

Page 2: Fall 2011 Village Voice

PROPER MAILBOX PLACEMENT

Winter is right around the corner and with it, snow. To protect your mailbox and the Village’s snow removal crews, please make sure that your mailbox is installed correctly. The Public Works Department has a brochure available on the Village’s website to help residents check their mailboxes. The brochure details mailbox placement, setbacks, support structures, and restrictions. The Village is not responsible for damage caused to mailboxes that do not meet these regulations. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at (847) 526-9610.

A Reminder!

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Join our growing list of subscribers and sign up to receive E-News for the Community today! It’s easy! Just visit www.wauconda-il.gov and click on “Village of Wauconda E-News.”

AN UPDATE FROM ...

Economic & Community DevelopmentThe Village of Wauconda’s Department of Economic & Community Development has been experiencing a significant amount of activity in the light industrial and manufacturing areas of our community. First, we have found that many of our industrial companies are new to the Wauconda area, helping reduce the number of vacant commercial properties in our community. Secondly, there are manufacturing companies that have recently received global attention for expanding their facilities and excelling in business excellence.

One such business, Synergy Flavors, Inc., is establishing a new flavor innovation and manufacturing campus, less than a mile from its current facility in Wauconda. Synergy’s new campus will sit on 15 acres of land and utilize an existing building that will be modified and expanded into a 125,000-sq-ft facility. Synergy expects the facility to be

fully operational by the end of 2012. The enhancements to the innovation center are an essential element in the company’s global innovation plans.

A second manufacturing business, MBX Systems, just received global recognition when its founder and CEO, Tom Crowley, received the 2011 Executive of the Year award in the Stevie Awards’ 2011 American Business Awards. The Stevie Awards recognize business excellence in a variety of categories and provide an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to demonstrate exemplary achievements and positive contributions. Mr. Crowley is in good company - The 2010 winner in the same category was Apple’s Steve Jobs.

These are just a few examples of the many companies in Wauconda that are making a positive and responsible contribution to our business community and general public.

FACT: Installing occupancy sensors in storage areas and meeting rooms canreduce energy use 45-65 percent.1

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR. “Putting energy into Profits: ENERGY STAR Guide for small business”

(http://www.energystar.gov.index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_index:2007), 15.

Small Business Energy Savings DID YOU KNOW ...

ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business® program provides financial incentives to help you achieve your energy efficiency goals. Whether your business is large or small, whether your building is new or old, upgrading to energy-efficient equipment can provide savings that go right to your bottom line. By reducing the initial project cost, the Smart Ideas program accelerates your payback — and your approval process.

Please visit https://www.comed.com/sites/businesssavings/Pages/factsheets.aspx to learn more about this cost-saving program.

Join ouronlinecommunity...

Page 3: Fall 2011 Village Voice

In May of this year, the Village Board approved by ordinance, the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling $2,000,000 to fund various Public Works Department projects. These projects are:

• Water main replacement along Bonner Rd.

• Fire hydrant replacements

• Sanitary sewer force main upgrades along Lake Shore Blvd.

• Upgrades to sanitary sewer lift stations #1, 3, 4, 5, and 11

It is expected that these projects will be completed over the next year. In addition to the above listed projects, the Village will be finishing the last areas of roadwork to be completed using the 2008 Road Bond funds. The roadwork will consist primarily of improvements to Mill Street, with any remaining funds going towards various crack-sealing projects. Construction updates can be found on the Village website, under the “Communications” tab.

Because of the devastating effects of the Emerald Ash Borer, the Village is proud to reintroduce the Village’s Parkway Tree Program. Trees ordered through this program will be fully funded by the resident, but coordinated through the Village with a local vendor. Trees will be planted in the fall as weather permits. Three types of trees are available for purchase - maple, linden, and locust. The trees will be 2 ½ to 3 inches in diameter.

Trees purchased through this program may only be planted in the parkway; they may not be planted on private property. The cost per tree is $265.00, which includes the tree, planting, and a one-year guarantee. Deadline to order is September 15th, 2011. For more details and an order form, please visit the Public Works Department page on the Village’s website.

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Public Works Bond Projects

Public WorksFROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ... Parkway Tree

Program

Improving the Village‘s financial stability has been a major focus for the Board and staff for the past three years. The Village has consistently put plans in place and taken action to improve the fiscal health of our community. We would like to share with you some recent positive results that have been seen as a result of this planning and decisive action.

One year ago, it was projected that if significant changes were not made to our operations, the Village would have a deficit at the end of this year of approximately $1 million dollars. By 2014, this projected deficit would have approached $4.3 million dollars. Today, we are pleased to report that as a result of consolidations, reductions, deferments and the voter approved Fire District referendum last November, projections now show a positive balance of $250,000 at the end of 2014.

While the Board is certainly encouraged by this turn of events, they realize that the village must continue its concerted effort to control costs as deficits once again enter our projection for 2015 (in the amount of approximately $700,000.) Long-term recovery for the Village will rely on an economic upturn, not just locally, but across the country, so that revenues related to sales and income tax can once again be used to improve our bottom line. To help address this issue of long-term economic recovery, the Village Board and administration are making economic development a priority goal.

In short, by enacting what are sometimes seen as painful cutbacks, the Village has been able to eliminate projected deficits for the next few years. To improve the Village’s long term outlook, we will continue our efforts to live within our means – by not spending more than what comes in – and our staff will continue to identify ways to become more efficient and effective while still providing essential services to our residents and businesses. We thank you for your support and understanding as we work together to keep our community on the road to financial stability.

FinanceUPDATE:

Page 4: Fall 2011 Village Voice

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The Village of Wauconda has assessed the sustainability of the local water supply to determine if it will continue to meet the needs of the residents of our growing community in the future. Based on the forecasts for Wauconda and surrounding areas, it is evident that the water supply system we have in place will not be adequate.

If we do not properly plan today to maintain adequate quantities, it will have a devastating effect on our community. Staff and elected officials have begun formulating an expansion plan that will allow the Village to continue to meet the needs of our community without harming renewable resources for future generations.

One alternative that the Board is investigating is bringing Lake Michigan water to the Village. While this would certainly be a large undertaking, and there is much that remains to be done before this project could be initiated, the

following information is being provided to help provide an overview of the issues facing the Village.

Where does our water come from?The Village gets its water from four shallow wells (wells less than 500 feet deep) and four deep wells (more than 1,000 feet deep) located throughout the Village.

Deep Wells: The raw water that comes from the deep wells contains a naturally occurring element called radium. Before the water enters the distribution system, the Village treats the drinking water to remove the radium. From this process, the radium that has been removed is discharged into the sanitary sewer system, which ultimately ends up at the Village’s wastewater treatment plant. EPA regulations are now being reviewed that may impose stricter treatment requirements for radium levels. Meeting these requirements would result in the Village incurring significantly higher costs that would severely impact operations and finances. Having a plan that reduces the reliance on deep wells will provide an alternative, should future radium regulations prohibit their continued use.

Shallow Wells: Current projections indicate that five to seven additional wells would need to be installed to meet future water supply needs. The concerns about drilling more shallow wells are:

• Reliability - Water from shallow wells, either within our Village, neighboring communities, or on private property, is all drawn from the same supply site/aquifer. If more water is drawn out than can be naturally replaced, either by overpopulation or by drought conditions, the aquifer and all the wells that use that supply can go dry. Once an aquifer goes dry, new wells would have to be drilled to provide our community with drinking water.

• Avoiding possible contamination – While there has been no indication of risk of contamination from the Superfund site (former garbage dump) of the Village’s wells, a sole supply of Lake Michigan water would completely eliminate any risk of such contamination in the future. Eliminating this risk maintains a healthful supply of drinking water and preserves the property values in the area.

• Cost - Bringing five to seven new wells and their required treatment plants online in order to meet increased demand would cost between $6.5 – $8 million dollars.

Is something wrong with the existing groundwater supply?No, nothing is wrong with the drinking water that the Village currently provides. The concerns are for the future water supplies for our community.

Feasibility studies have shown the aquifers in this area have limited capacity and are susceptible to impurities and contaminants. Also, demand for water has resulted in over-pumping of several aquifers creating low water levels and poor water quality. Lake County, municipalities and other stakeholders are working to establish sustainable policies and practices in order to ensure there is available, clean, safe, and cost-effective drinking water in the future. The next step is for the elected officials of the group to form a water agency and develop a financing plan.

The population in Northeastern Illinois is projected to grow as much as 38 percent by 2050. This growth is placing a huge demand on our water supply. To address this, State and local leaders are working together to plan for the future water supply needs of Lake County and the entire region.

CONTINUED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ...

Public Works: Special SectionLake Michigan Water in Wauconda

Page 5: Fall 2011 Village Voice

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What are the alternatives if the groundwater supply dries up?The Village would need to find another supply for drinking water if the aquifers run dry. Lake Michigan water is the only cost effective adequate source currently available that is not dependent on ground water.

Why would Lake Michigan water be a good choice for Village residents?Village officials have been concerned about the diminishing water supply in local aquifers for a number of years. Work began in 2007 to investigate alternatives for the Village and then to request an allocation of Lake Michigan water from

the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). In 2010, the Village received the requested allocation, and will be allowed to receive water from the lake. Lake Michigan water is less susceptible to both over-mining and contamination. Lake water is also naturally softer than groundwater, so use of in-home water softeners would likely be unnecessary.

What would happen if something pollutes the water in Lake Michigan or if there is a problem with the pipeline from the lake?Groundwater wells would still be maintained to act as an emergency supply should an interruption to the Lake Michigan water supply occur. This redundancy in the water supply system is one of the greatest benefits of the proposed project. Having two completely different sources of water, one of our most vital resource, provides the safest, most reliable system.

If water supply problems will not be felt for years, why worry about the problem now? Even if the Village stops growth within its borders, it will still be significantly impacted because the aquifers that we currently use feed the water needs for all of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. The Village has a defined window of opportunity to decide about the future of Lake Michigan water. If the Village does not take significant steps to use the water allocation by 2015, we will lose it. We will be required to turn the allocation back into the IDNR and to re-apply to be considered for another allocation. The opportunity to obtain a new Lake Michigan Water allocation again in the future is not likely. A 2009 report by the IDNR showed that approximately 95% of the Lake Michigan water available for residents of Illinois had already been taken. Communities in McHenry County and other collar counties have already made plans to request the remaining allocations.

Are there other alternatives to consider? At the moment there are no other adequate supplies to replace ground water that would be cost effective.

How does this affect Wauconda residents?If the Village transitions to Lake Michigan water, new infrastructure such as piping, treatment facilities and pumps would need to be built. Several options to obtain the water are being considered, so exact figures are not available for construction, but residents would see an increase in their water and sewer rates if Lake Michigan water is brought to the Village. It is not known exactly what the dollar amount would be for the project, but it is estimated that this increase would run approximately $40 per home per month. What is known now is that the idea of water as a ‘free’ and ‘unlimited’ resource is quickly coming to an end.

Lake Michigan Water in Wauconda

Page 6: Fall 2011 Village Voice

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Advisory CommitteeTo learn more about caring for the lake, environment, and the benefits of native plantings come join the Bangs Lake Advisory Committee at their quarterly meetings. All meetings are held on a Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Village Hall. The remaining meeting date for 2011 is November 28th. For more information, please visit the Village’s website and click on “Community Links.”

SWALCO UpdateHousehold Chemical Waste (HCW) Public Drop-off Collection Events are being held twice a month at SWALCO’s permanent facility in Gurnee. SWALCO hosts collections there the second Saturday and the fourth Monday of the month (excluding December). The facility is located at 1311 N. Estes St., Gurnee. Spots are limited and an appointment is required. You can sign up for one of the available time slots and will receive an e-mail confirmation of your appointment. If you do not have access to a computer, you can call the SWALCO office and register by phone at 847-336-9340. Visit www.swalco.org for a list of items that you can bring to a collection event or to learn more about HCW programs and other SWALCO programs and events. You can even sign up for an e-list to receive announcements for upcoming programs, events, and services.

AN UPDATE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ...

Environmental QualityLake Weeds and AlgaeAs some of you may have undoubtedly noticed, the amount of weeds present in Bangs Lake this year has been higher than in recent years. The Village works closely with Lake County Lakes Management Unit regarding conditions in the lake. The County conducts water sampling every two weeks throughout the summer and also conducts a plant inventory twice per season.

At the beginning of the summer, the abundance of weeds was primarily of the Curly Leaf Pondweed variety. Curly Leaf Pondweed (a non-native invasive weed species), begins growing under the ice in late winter to early spring. Because we had such a long, cool spring, the Curly Leaf Pondweed was able to grow for a longer period of time and become very dense. The good news is that Curly Leaf Pondweed dies off in July and so will be subsiding. Similarly, the abundance of Eurasian Water Milfoil is weather-related. Eurasian Water Milfoil is also a non-native invasive weed species.

The abrupt change in temperature from cool to hot along with the extended spells of hot weather have allowed for this plant to grow rapidly. The hot weather has also been a contributing factor to the growth of algae. The County has reported an increase in the amount of algae on Bangs Lake this year. Weather is a factor as extended heat can support algae growth. In addition, algae blooms often occur as a result of increased nutrient loading in the lake.

Phosphorus is one source of nutrient loading. Fertilizers that contain phosphorus should not be used in areas that drain to the lake. The Village passed a resolution supporting the use of non-phosphorus containing fertilizers and the Bangs Lake Advisory Committee has done public education on this issue. Another source of phosphorus is sediment at the bottom of a lake that can be churned up as a result of boating activities.

The Village currently utilizes a mechanical weed harvester to control the growth of non-native, invasive weed species, primarily Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water Milfoil. However, the Village is currently in the process of evaluating alternatives to control the weeds in the lake. The goals of any lake weed control plan are to 1) control the growth of non-native invasive species so that native plants do not disappear, 2) maintain water quality, 3) preserve ecological diversity, and 4) support fishing, boating, and swimming activities.

West Nile Virus UpdateAs of August 31st, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) had reported five human cases of West Nile Virus in the State of Illinois. A total of 551 positive test results for West Nile virus were reported in mosquitoes, birds, and/or horses in fourteen Illinois counties. Three of the positive test results were reported in Lake County. The specific areas are Buffalo Grove, Wadsworth, and Deerfield.

Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois began on May 1st and includes laboratory tests on mosquitoes, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds as well as the testing of sick horses and humans with West Nile-like disease symptoms. Residents who observe a sick or dying bird should contact the Lake County Health Department at 847-377-8300. The Health Department will determine if the bird is to be picked up for testing. Additional information about West Nile virus can be found at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.

Page 7: Fall 2011 Village Voice

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Mosquito Q & AQ. What is the Village doing about mosquitoes?

A. The Village uses Clarke Mosquito Control to administer the mosquito abatement program, which began on May 1st. It is an extensive integrated pest management plan that includes inspections, surveillance of mosquito populations, and treatments for both larval and adult mosquito control. For details about the program, please see the Environmental Quality Department webpage on the Village’s website.

Q. When does the Village spray for mosquitoes?

A. Larviciding is much more effective in reducing the numbers of mosquitoes than is spraying. Spraying is used more as a last line of defense. Spraying for mosquitoes is only conducted when mosquito populations are at pre-determined nuisance levels or indicate the presence of West Nile Virus. We will always have nuisance mosquitoes. They are a fact of life. Our primary goal is to protect public health by controlling the numbers of disease-carrying mosquitoes, primarily through larviciding.

Q. How does the Village know how many mosquitoes are present?

A. Over 118 locations of standing water are monitored on a regular basis. A water sample is collected and technicians are able to identify the numbers and types of mosquito larvae present. To determine adult mosquito counts, Clarke uses two different traps: local gravid traps and regional New Jersey light traps.

Local gravid traps are collected and tested once per week to determine the numbers of potentially disease-carrying mosquitoes. Regional New Jersey light traps are located in Crystal Lake, North Barrington, Lake Zurich, Mundelein, McHenry and Round Lake and are collected 3 times per week.

The Wauconda Police Department would like to remind everyone that the school year has begun. Please be prepared for increased traffic volume and changes in speed limits in the school zones.

Here are some “Back to School” Safety Tips:It’s estimated that 24 million students nationwide start their school day with a trip on the school bus. Whether they walk, ride the bus or travel by car, let’s teach our kids a few tips to ensure they get to and from school safely.

Tips for School Bus Riders Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus. Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack, and never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it. Line up facing the bus, not alongside it. Move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic after getting off the bus. Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street, and walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you. Do not stand while the bus is in motion.

Tips for Pedestrians or Bike Riders Don’t walk alone – always travel with a buddy. Try and find a friend, or make a new friend in the neighborhood to walk to school or ride the bus with. As the winter approaches and the daylight diminishes, wear reflective or bright color clothing to increase visibility. Understand and obey traffic lights and street signs. Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Avoid loose fitting clothing that could get caught in spokes or pedals.

Tips for Car Drivers and Passengers You may not pass a school bus in either direction if the stop arm is out and the lights are flashing; unless you are approaching the bus on a divided highway. Obey all speed limits near schools. Watch out for pedestrians and school crossing guards. Pick up and drop off your child in the designated areas only. Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. For teen drivers, limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking/texting on a cell phone.

AN UPDATE FROM ...

Police Department

Page 8: Fall 2011 Village Voice

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Laws on Cell Phones and Seat BeltsOut of concern for the safety of our school aged children, laws have been passed that prohibit drivers from using cell phones at any time in posted school zones, regardless of children being present or not. The use of hands free or “Bluetooth” devices are an exception to this law and are allowed in posted school zones.

Make sure that children weighing less than 80 pounds are in safety seats at all times, and that the seats have been properly installed (the Police Department can do that for you if you’re not sure). The safest way for infants and growing babies to ride is rear-facing in the back seat. Rear-facing child safety seats protect the growing baby’s head, neck and back in a crash. Your child should ride rear-facing until at least 20 pounds and one year of age, longer if possible to protect his/her developing muscles and bones. A child should ride in a child safety seat with an internal harness until they reach the maximum harness limits.

Most forward-facing child safety seats have a harness limit of 40 pounds. If your child is riding in a convertible child safety seat with a harness limit of 40 pounds, after 40 pounds he/she should be put into a booster seat. If your child is riding in a combination car seat with a harness limit of 40 pounds, after 40 pounds the harness should be removed and your child safety seat can be used as a booster seat.

Safety belts are designed for small adults who are at least 80 pounds and 4 feet 9 inches tall. Until age eight, most children have not developed strong hipbones, and their legs and body are too short for the adult safety belt to fit correctly. A safety belt that does not fit properly can cause severe internal injuries to a child. A booster seat positions the safety belt properly on a child’s growing body.

You can determine if your child is ready for an adult safety belt by taking this 5-step test in every vehicle your child rides in. Your child should:

• Be tall enough to sit without slouching,

• Keep his/her back against the vehicle seat back,

• Keep his/her knees completely bent over the edge of the seat,

• Keep his/her feet flat on the floor, and

• Be able to stay comfortably seated this way for the entire trip.

All children under 13 years should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.

CONTINUED FROM ...

Police Department

Mark F. KniggeMayor

Ginger IrwinVillage Clerk

John F. BarbiniTrustee

Village Board of TrusteesAT A GLANCE ...

Lincoln F. KnightTrustee

Page 9: Fall 2011 Village Voice

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The Role of the Building, Zoning and Planning Department in Economic DevelopmentThe Village Board recently adopted an overarching Strategic Plan for Village operations that includes unifying the services provided by the Building, Zoning & Planning Department and the Department of Economic and Community Development. Of course attracting new businesses to our borders remains a top priority, but we are equally focused on retaining our existing businesses and providing them with any assistance that they may need.

The Building, Zoning, and Planning Department is available to provide consultation and assistance in zoning and rezoning classifications; land usage; annexations; variances; planned uses and planned unit developments. In fact, several of our staff members function within both the Building and Zoning and Economic and Community Development Departments, which we believe helps assure accurate communication and streamlining of procedures. This coordinated effort can assist existing Wauconda businesses with their expansion and renovation needs while encouraging the relocation of new retail, commercial, and industrial businesses.

If you are interested in developing, building or expanding your business in Wauconda, please contact the Building, Zoning and Planning Department early in your planning stages, so that advance plan review discussions can be scheduled. These meetings will help provide efficient and cost effective procedures to lead to your project’s timely success.

Residential and Commercial Plan ReviewThe Building, Zoning & Planning Department reviews and permits both commercial and residential new construction and renovation projects. In-house staff can review most projects with no fee charged to the permit applicant. From simple projects such as fences and driveways, to complicated decks, additions, and new single family homes, each application is reviewed to ensure that acceptable setbacks, size restrictions and applicable construction requirements are followed.

Structural projects are generally reviewed for building code compliance by a licensed architect who is subcontracted by the Village at very affordable rates. The end result assures compliance and quality construction for the permit applicant, and helps maintain property values Village wide.

Residential Dwelling Inspection ProgramThe Building Department conducts the Residential Dwelling Inspection Program which requires inspection of property prior to the sale of any residential home or change of rental occupancy. This process protects the health and welfare of the occupants as well as preserving and protecting the values of properties within the Village. Complete details about the program are posted on the Building and Zoning page of the Village website: www.wauconda-il.gov. Please remember to contact the Department prior to the sale of a home or change of rental occupancy.

The “Village With a View” is more than just a pretty face. It is the perfect place to grow a family or a business! Contact The Building, Zoning and Planning Department to find out how we can assist you. We can be reached at 847-526-9609 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, or anytime via email at [email protected].

Ken ArnswaldTrustee

Chuck BlackTrustee

Doug BusterTrustee

Linda StarkeyTrustee

AN UPDATE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF

Building, Zoning, & Planning

Page 10: Fall 2011 Village Voice

Village Hall is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

MEETING DATESVillage Board meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the board room of the Village Hall.

Committee of the Whole meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the board room of the Village Hall.

Zoning Board of Appeals/Plan Commission meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the board room of the Village Hall, when needed.

Bangs Lake Advisory Committee meetings are held quarterly on the fourth Monday of February, May, August, and November at 7:00 p.m. in the board room of the Village Hall.

Village Officials Village Contact InformationMAYOR

Mark F. Knigge

VILLAGE CLERK

Ginger Irwin

VILLAGE TRUSTEES

Lincoln F. Knight

John F. Barbini, Ed.D

Doug Buster

Linda Starkey

Ken Arnswald

Chuck Black

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR

David Geary

CHIEF OF POLICE

Douglas R. Larsson

Police/Fire Emergency (Voice & TTY) 911

Police Non-Emergency (Voice & TTY) 847.526.2421

Fire Non-Emergency 847.526.2821

Village Hall 847.526.9600

Building, Zoning, and Planning 847.526.9609

Economic and Community Development 847.526.9609

Environmental Quality 847.526.9610

Finance Department 847.526.9600

Public Works 847.526.9610

Water Billing 847.526.9604

J.U.L.I.E. (call before you dig) 800.892.0123

Village of Wauconda website www.wauconda-il.gov

Police Department website www.waucondapolice.com

Fire District website www.waucondafire.org

101 North Main Street • Wauconda, IL 60084

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