village of lakewood quality living in a natural setting the...
TRANSCRIPT
Visit Lakewood on the web at village.lakewood.il.us
Inside this issue:
Fall 2015
Police 4
Fire Safety 4
RedTail Golf Club 5
Public Works 6
Building Dept. 7
Community News
7
Village of Lakewood—Quality Living in a Natural Setting
The Lakewood Newsletter
From the President Dear Neighbors, While summer is vacation season for many, it is traditionally a busy time in municipal government as we undertake a number of initiatives. Primary among these this year is our roadway program on Lakewood Road and Lake Avenue. As with any Public Works project, it has been inconvenient for the residents impacted, and we thank you for your patience and understanding. A special thank you to the Crystal Lake Park District for their cooperation as the Lake Avenue project impacted their operations at West Beach. It is our hope that the projects will be substantially completed by the time you receive this newsletter, but please reference the Village’s website for the most up to date information. Following is a summary of issues and projects affecting our community. Intersection of Illinois Route 47 and Route 176 During the past several weeks, a number of residents have asked about the 40 acre parcel of land purchased by the Village of Lakewood at the southwestern leg of the intersection of Illinois Route 47 and Route 176. Given the misinformation that has been disseminated about this intersection, it is incumbent upon me to insure that you have accurate information. The Simple Facts
The Village of Lakewood purchased the 40 acre parcel of land to provide the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with the right-of-way needed to construct intersection improvements.
The land has not been given away, nor do we plan to give it away. It is fully our intent to sell the land to a future developer at a profit.
Based on the preliminary engineering plans provided by IDOT, the right-of-way needed for the intersection improvements will still allow significant development to occur on the property.
There is an urgent need to improve this intersection, as it has historically been listed as one of the top 5% most dangerous intersections in the state.
There will not be significant economic development at this location without intersection improvements.
Additional Background The odds of obtaining financial commitments for roadway improvements increase exponentially when municipalities demonstrate a shared commitment. Purchasing land and providing IDOT with the necessary right-of-way at no cost is one way that the Village of Lakewood has demonstrated its shared commitment to this project. Lowering the cost for IDOT makes this project more feasible and also contributes positively to the financial health of our state. Providing letters of support from neighboring communities,
Holiday Schedules
Thanksgiving Village Hall Closed: Thurs., November 26 Friday, November 27
Trash, Recycling and Yardwaste
Pickup: Saturday, November 28
Police and Fire Depart-ments are on duty 24
hours a day
TRICK OR TREAT HOURS
October 31, 2015 3 p.m.—7 p.m.
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McHenry County, and state legislators was another way in which we demonstrated our shared commitment to and support of this project. At meetings in Springfield, representatives of IDOT called the proposal a template for intergovernmental cooperation and public-private partnerships. If you have additional questions about this topic, a copy of the letter sent to Governor Rauner outlining our commitments related to this project is posted on our website for your reference. East Sewer Project The Village of Lakewood has previously communicated plans to install a new sewer main on the East Side of the community and redirect the effluent currently being treated at a Crystal Lake sewer treatment plant to the Village’s sewer treatment plant on Haligus Road. A bid opening on April 21 resulted in two submissions, each of which was much higher than had been anticipated. Staff spoke with both of the contractors who submitted proposals and those who requested bid packets but did not submit proposals. There were clearly two primary reasons for the escalation in costs. First, the time needed to obtain a low interest loan from the State of Illinois delayed the process such that contractors had already secured their work for the summer and fall construction seasons. Several contractors expressed strong interest in the project but would not be able to start until late fall. The second issue was the “uncertainty” surrounding the project given the variable water table on the East Side. There are relatively minor modifications that can be made to the specifications to address these issues. For example, the lift station can be moved further east to minimize the length of gravity sewer, thus decreasing the depth that the contractors have to dig to install the pipe. These modifications are being made to the engineering plans, and our goal is to re-bid the project in early fall and begin construction in late fall and work throughout the winter. The winter edition of the newsletter will include more specific information. Special Service Area #1/Special Service Area #8 During the past year, the Village of Lakewood began to distribute information about the expiration of Special Service Area (SSA) #1 in Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016, which impacts residents of the Turnberry subdivisions. As a part of this informational campaign, the Board of Trustees asked the affected residents for direction about what formal mechanism – if any – should be established for the ongoing care and maintenance of the Turnberry Lakes upon the expiration of SSA #1. Many residents took an active role in this process, and they should all be recognized for their hard work and extraordinary efforts. Numerous options were explored by the residents and, based on an informal survey, it appears that there is strong support for the creation of a new SSA (#8). At the meeting on July 14, the Board of Trustees approved “An Ordinance Proposing the Establishment of Special Service Area Number 8 Within the Village of Lakewood and Providing for a Public Hearing and Other Procedures in Connection Therewith the Properties Commonly Known as the “McIntosh” Turnberry, Loch Glen and Highlands of Turnberry Subdivisions, Turnberry Country Club, and RedTail Golf Club.” A copy of this Ordinance is available on the website or may be picked up at Village Hall. While we believe there is strong support for the creation of a new SSA, we also recognize that the support is not unanimous. Therefore, while not legally required to do so, a copy of an objection petition is available at Village Hall. A formal Public Hearing will be held on September 22 at 7:00 p.m. at RedTail Golf Course. State of Illinois This newsletter was sent to the printer near the end of August and, at that time, there was still a budget impasse in Springfield. Recognizing that this was a distinct possibility, the Board of Trustees approved a very conservative budget, as has been our practice. The only direct impact to date is the withholding of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds that are dedicated for roadway improvements. We continue to monitor the situation carefully and believe that any agreement on a new budget for the State of Illinois will include a combination of increased revenues for the State of Illinois; decreased revenues for local units of government; and decreased services across the board.
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Building Department On a positive note, we continue to experience strong growth in the number of new single family homes and townhomes being built within the community. In Fiscal Year 2014 – 2015, a total of 15 permits were issued for new single family homes and 8 permits for townhomes. The greatest concentration of these permits is at Woodland Hills and The Highlands at RedTail. However, there has also been renewed interest in The Reserve of Lakewood and at scattered sites throughout the community. For the current fiscal year, we have forecasted that permits for 20 new single family homes will be issued. With all of the housing options that individuals have, we truly appreciate the decision to buy or build a home in our community. We will continue to strive to make the Village of Lakewood the premier community in which to live or locate a business. Finally, thank you for the positive feedback we have received about posting all of our bi-weekly Board packets online. It is just one of our ongoing initiatives to make every effort to keep our residents informed. Best wishes to you and your families as our community celebrates the start of a new school year. Please remember to drive carefully and pay particular attention to school children and buses! Sincerely,
Erin Village President
In order to fill a vacancy in an existing position, the Village of Lakewood is accepting applications for a full-time General Utility Worker to assist with the daily operation and maintenance of the Village’s water and wastewater facilities. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: installation, maintenance or repair of infrastructure including water meters, pipes, manholes, b-boxes, valves, fire hydrants, pumps, etc. The position assists with the testing, inspection, and sampling of the water and wastewater facilities. In addition, the position will support the Public Works Department by performing a variety of manual labor duties that involve maintaining and repairing Village facilities and property. A successful candidate will be comfortable working with a variety of tools and equipment and have a willingness to work outside in all elements. Minimum requirements include graduation from high school or GED equivalent. Minimum of one year experience in water and/or wastewater operations. Must possess a valid Illinois Class B Commercial Driver’s License with air brake endorsement or equivalent and good driving record. Possession of an Illinois Class "D" water operator certificate or an Illinois Class “4” wastewater operator certification is preferred; municipal snowplowing experience preferred.
Candidate will need to have the ability to work weekends on a rotational basis to perform the minimum required daily facility checks; ability to be on-call on a rotational basis; and ability to respond to an emergency callout within 30 minutes. The compensation for the position is expected to be $19.00/hour, commensurate with level of experience and qualifications; plus benefits. The Village of Lakewood is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A job description and the employment application are available at Village Hall or on our website at village.lakewood.il.us. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and job application to Shannon Andrews at [email protected] or by mail at the following address: Village of Lakewood 2500 Lake Avenue Village of Lakewood, Illinois 60014
Employment Opportunity—General Utility Worker
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POLICE NEWS
National Drug Take-Back is BACK!
On Saturday, September 26, 2015, the Lakewood Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will coordinate a one-day collaborative effort to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s homes. Collection activities are planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lakewood Police Department, 2500 Lake Avenue, Lakewood. Residents are encouraged to bring all unused or expired medications during this time. Controlled, non-controlled, and over-the-counter substances may be collected. Items NOT collected would include: liquid medications, intravenous solutions, injectable and/or syringes, and any illicit substances.
Shop With A Cop: December 6, 2015
Every year before Christmas, police officers, deputies, and State Troopers from every law enforcement agency in McHenry County volunteer their time and take 200 youth shopping for the “Shop with a Cop” program.
Organizers work with providers in the area to identify those children in McHenry County that would benefit most in participation. Criteria that is looked at in selection includes: children less fortunate who would not have Christmas otherwise; children who could benefit from positive 1:1 police interaction; and children between the ages of 5 and 15.
Participants are taken to Walmart and can get a coat, boots, hat and gloves if they need them. They also can spend up to $150 on gifts for themselves and family members. After shopping, the officer and child go to breakfast currently hosted by D’Andrea Banquets in Crystal Lake. Volunteers help serve breakfast to the children and officers and help wrap the presents while they eat breakfast. Children have the opportunity to meet Santa too. If you would like to make a donation to the program or inquire about volunteer opportunities, please contact: McHenry County Police Charities, P O Box 981, Crystal Lake, IL 60039 or visit their website at: www.mchenrycountypolicechairities.org
Open Burning
According to the Village of Lakewood’s Municipal Code Chapter 13, Section 16: The open burning of any materials or substances is hereby prohibited within
the Village limits, other than the preparation of food on a temporary or permanent fireplace grill or barbecue pit, the recreational burning of hard landscape waste and the Village directed burning of wetlands and golf course hard landscape waste subject to the conditions and limitations contained herein.
Hard Landscape Waste is defined as: brown (i.e., seasoned/dry) stemmed branches and shrub pruning with large stems or trunks individually exceeding two inches in diameter. Recreational burning is defined as: a small outdoor fire, such as a campfire, conducted as an ancillary feature of a social event, such as a picnic or outdoor conversation. The burning of hard landscape waste that is produced on the premises for the purpose of disposing of such waste is expressly not defined as recreational burning. Please also note that according to the International Fire Code, Recreational Fires “shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.”
WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE DISTRICT NEWS
Each year 200 police officers and approximately 200 volunteers help
make this day possible!
Door to Door Solicitation
There is a process of approval that all solicitors must submit to when applying for a solicitors permit in the Village of Lakewood. Once a permit is obtained, the solicitor is allowed to go door to door within the Village during the time period their permit is valid. Should you wish to avoid solicitors, the Village has a supply of “No Solicitors Invited” stickers at Village Hall that residents may come and pick up at no cost and place on their front doors. If a resident has a sticker on their door, it is the duty of the solicitor to immediately and peacefully depart from the premises. If you feel unsafe at any time, call the Police Department non-emergency phone number at (815) 459-2151 and report the activity of door to door solicitation as it is occurring in your neighborhood. As always, in an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
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NEWS FROM REDTAIL GOLF CLUB
Join RedTail for 2016 and start playing today!
Seven Day Memberships are available for the 2016 season starting September 2. In appreciation, we will activate your membership privileges immediately to be used for the remainder of the 2015 golf season. Sign up today before prices reset for 2016.
Fall Junior Golf Classes (5 – 14 years old)
Fall Jr. Golf Clinics start September 1. What makes this program exciting and convenient is that it offers “Open Enrollment.” Your junior golfer may choose any class time offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school or on Sunday mornings/late afternoon. There are over 70 classes to select and participate in. Registration is not required unless you decide to purchase either the 4 or 8 class pass. Fees are $13.00 per class or $49.00 for the 4 Class Pass or $89.00 for the 8 Class Pass. Every class date will have a “theme” on the game and will include instruction, practice time and contests. Juniors will have fun learning and improving their golf skills. Classes will take place on the Putting Green or Practice Range. If your junior does not have equipment, we will provide clubs for each class. All classes will be taught by PGA Teaching Professional, Curt Peterson and, our RedTail Staff. For additional information, please contact Curt Peterson at (224) 612-1701 or visit www.redtailgolf.com
Fall Scramble #2
Fall Scramble #2 is scheduled for November 1 at 10 a.m. The event
format is a 4 person, 18 hole scramble starting at 10 a.m. Your $59 fee includes golf, cart, driving range balls before the event, a tee
gift, and lunch after the event. Prizes will be awarded in both
Gross and Net Divisions.
Sign up sheets for the event are available in the golf shop and at
www.redtailgolf.com
Fall Scramble #1
Fall Scramble #1 is slated for October 24. The event format is a 4 person, 18 hole scramble starting
at 9 a.m. Your $59 fee includes golf, cart, driving range balls before the event, a tee gift, and lunch after
the event. Prizes will be handed out in multiple flights.
Sign up sheets for the event are available in the golf shop and at
www.redtailgolf.com
Please call RedTail Golf Club at
(815) 477-0055 or visit www.redtailgolf.com for more information about these programs
2016 Golf Outings
Event booking for 2016 has already started. Please contact the golf shop at (815) 477-0055 if you are interested in planning a golf event next season. Our professional staff would be happy to help you plan, organize, and run an event that your group will never forget. We can custom tailor your event for as few as 16 players or as many as 132.
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Winter Mailbox Preparation
We are asking all residents to take time to check the condition, materials, and placement of their mailboxes to prepare for snow removal operations during the upcoming winter months. Please ensure that your mailbox is securely fastened and does not protrude over the curb. If the mailbox hangs over the curb and/or into the street, it is in danger of being damaged by snow removal operations. Regulations concerning the proper height and distance from the street are set by the United States Postal Service. Mailboxes are required to be set back 6 to 8 inches from the front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door. Since we see a variety of materials used throughout our community for mailbox posts and boxes, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight the types of materials that seem to be the most prone to damage due to winter temperatures. Materials such as aluminum or plastic become especially brittle when exposed to cold temperatures and the weight of the snow being thrown during plow operations can cause damage. Go to village.lakewood.il.us for US Post Office Mailbox Installation Regulations and Village of Lakewood Municipal Code Information (Section 26.11) for proper installment specifications.
Fall Stormwater Tips
Fall is a time for football, cooler days and changing leaves. However, with the fall season also comes the inevitable need for yard cleanup. In autumn, leaves are oftentimes
blown or swept into storm drains and waterways and can become a source of water pollution. Once they reach waterways, leaves decompose and release phosphorous into the water, which can result in algae blooms and decreased oxygen for fish. However, pollutants are not the only problem. Leaves can also build up along curbs, gutters and storm drains, which can lead to localized flooding. To reduce flooding situations and phosphorous levels in our waterways, consider utilizing the Village’s yard waste pickup program. You might also consider using leaves in mulch or compost. While the organic debris is not ideal for aquatic life, composted leaves are an excellent resource for fertilizing your garden in the summer months. It provides necessary nutrients, while also reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Lakewood Road/Lake Avenue Improvements
The Lakewood Road/Lake Avenue project has been the most significant roadway project ever undertaken in the Village of Lakewood. The total cost of the project was $1,879,500.50, funded largely through Surface Transportation Program (STP) grant funds, which is 80% federal and only 20% local. The Village is pleased to see that the project is nearing completion, with new surface along each of the roadways. At the time of this newsletter printing, the striping, final grading and landscape restoration were the only remaining items to be completed. The Village would like to thank the residents for their continued patience throughout the project, with traffic often limited to one direction and beach/boat launch closings. The Village would also like to thank the Crystal Lake Park District for their continued cooperation and patience through this project. As the cooler weather arrives, residents will be able to enjoy miles of new bike lanes. Please be sure to exercise caution while motorists acclimate to the new roadway and bike lane striping.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
REMINDER:
Rock Encroachments in the Right-of-Way
Chapter 26, Section 02 of the Municipal Code states that between October 1 and March 31 of the following year, rocks shall be set back at least 10 feet from any paved surface to permit unobstructed snow plowing and winter driving conditions. Any damage incurred due to temporary encroachments shall be the sole responsibility of the property owner and the Village shall not be liable for same. The Public Works Department is authorized to remove all non-compliant encroachments without notice since they present a hazard for which you would ultimately be liable.
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The Village often receives feedback from residents who are bewildered by the fact that contractors don’t return phone calls to bid on their simple projects. This feedback is typically received in the summer.
The fact is, if you are calling the contractor in May for work you want done in June, you are likely too late. ‘Small’ or ‘simple’ projects will nearly always lose scheduling priority to larger, more time consuming projects. These large projects have often been in the planning stage for nearly a year. To minimize your difficulty in obtaining a contractor’s response, we recommend planning ahead.
Fall is a great time to start to plan for that small, simple spring to early summer project. By November or December, many of the larger projects will be wrapping up, increasing the amount of people ready to compete for your work. Seasonal contractors in particular (concrete, pavers, exterior paint, driveway) will be very busy racing to beat the frost and snow, but by December, they will likely have more time to answer the phone and make appointments to create estimates. Therefore, our recommendation is to lock the contractor in early and use the balance of the winter to apply for permits and get ready for the project. Relax through the holidays knowing that as you get closer to those intermittent early warm spring days, you will be one of the first projects to get done for the year. If you have any questions regarding permit requirements for your proposed project, you can visit our website at: village.lakewood.il.us for more information.
MCRide Dial-A-Ride Service
This dial-a-ride program provides curb-to-curb, wheelchair accessible service to eligible riders in the service area. Dial-a-ride is a shared ride program, meaning that multiple individuals’ trips are grouped together in an effort to meet all trip requests and improve efficiency.
Hours of Operation: Monday—Friday, 6 a.m.—7 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Sunday, No Service
Call the Pace Call Center at (800) 451-4599 to schedule a ride 24 hours in advance or on the same day a minimum of 2 hours before the trip.
Services are available to the general public, seniors and individuals with disabilities
Services are available for travel to and from the following: Cities of Crystal Lake, Harvard, Marengo, McHenry, and Woodstock, Villages of Huntley, Johnsburg, Lakewood and Ringwood, and Marengo and Riley Township. Seniors and individuals with disabilities are also eligible for travel to and from Dorr, Grafton, Greenwood, McHenry, and Nunda. MCRide Dial-A-Ride Service Informational brochures can be found at Village Hall or visit our website at: village.lakewood.il.us for more information.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Small Project Preparation—Begin in Fall
Base Fare First 5 Miles Each Add’l Mile
General Public $2.00 $0.25
Senior (60+) $1.00 $0.25
Individual With
Disability
$1.00 $0.25
COMMUNITY NEWS
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VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD
2500 Lake Avenue Village of Lakewood, IL 60014 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Mon -Fri
VILLAGE PRESIDENT
Erin Smith – (815) 356-8005
VILLAGE TRUSTEES
J. Carl Davis - (815) 459-2685
Gene Furey - (708) 373-0606
Jeff Iden - (815) 356-6070
Kenneth Santowski – (847) 910-2985
Paul Serwatka—(312) 388-8000
Bev Thomas—(815) 455-3321
VILLAGE MANAGER Catherine J. Peterson - (815) 459-3025
DEPUTY VILLAGE MANAGER Shannon Andrews—(815) 459-3025
VILLAGE CLERK Janice S. Hansen - (815) 459-3025
TREASURER George Roach - (815) 459-3025
FIRE CHIEF Ralph Webster - (815) 459-1797
POLICE CHIEF Leigh Rawson - (815) 459-2151
REDTAIL GENERAL MANAGER Chris Neuhart - (815) 477-0055
REMINDERS
Crystal Lake Park District Updates
Registration for all programs and events is available online at www.crystallakeparks.org or in person at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Building, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake. For more information call (815) 459-0680.
Lake Discovery Day Free kids fishing derby (bait and fishing poles provided), prizes. Fun for the whole family: hands on demonstrations, used outdoor equipment sales (for information on selling your equipment, call the park district), games and activities. Annual State of the Lake Presentation at 10:30 am Saturday, September 19, Noon—4 p.m. Crystal Lake Main Beach, Free Admission
Outdoor Adventure Day (Ages 9-18) Join the Nature Center Staff for a great big day of outdoor adventure. Experience two of our most popular activities: 1.5 hours of archery and 1.5 hours of climbing on our Climbing Tower. Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m. —1 p.m. Veteran Acres Park, Resident Fee: $30, Non-Resident Fee: $45
Truck or Treat It’s not just trucks anymore! You will see a variety of vehicles. Sit inside, honk the horns! Come dressed in your Halloween costume and bring a bag to collect some treats. Monster Bash games provided by Buffalo Wild Wings. Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m. — Noon Crystal Lake Main Beach, Free Admission Saturday Night Dances at Main Beach Pavilion Singles and couples welcome. Enjoy an evening of dancing along with a complimentary dance lesson. $12 per single, $20 per couple, (fees increase at the door, $15 single, $25 couple) Saturday, Sep. 19, 7-10 p.m. (featured dance American Waltz), code 4320-0, Saturday, Nov. 21, 7-10 p.m. (featured dance Rumba), code 4320-1
Daylight Savings Time — November 1, 2015 it will be time to fall back and set your clocks back one hour. Also remember to change your smoke alarm batteries too!
Yard Waste Pickup — Last day for yard waste pickup is Friday, December 4
Attention Snowbirds—Please notify us if your mailing address will be different for the winter months. Questions? Call (815) 459-3025.
Celebrate Lakewood — Next year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, June 5, 2016! If you would like to join the planning committee or be a business sponsor for next year’s event, please contact Shannon Andrews at (815) 459-3025.
Shop With A Cop — December 6, 2015.
Rock Encroachments in Right-of-Way — Please remove by September 30.
Boat Storage Starts Nov. 1
CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 19 9:00 a.m. — NOON
SECRETARY OF STATE
FACILITY 428 S. EASTWOOD DR
WOODSTOCK, IL