Village News

Be Careful This Winter

 Winter is here and so is snow season.  The following are reminders of some procedures followed by the Village during snow and ice removal in public areas.

Street salting – When snow has fallen and/or icy conditions are present, initial salting operations are concentrated on arterial streets.  Approaches to intersections with “Stop” or “Yield” signs are the next priority for salting.   When severe icy conditions exist, salt will be spread at all intersections and other necessary locations throughout the Village.

· Street plowing – When snow accumulates on streets to a depth in excess of approximately three (3) inches, and initial salting operations have taken effect, street plowing will begin with arterial and collector streets.  This operation continues until all public streets in the Village have been cleared.

· Sidewalk plowing – As a general rule, sidewalks in the Village are not plowed unless there is at least a two (2) inch accumulation of snow and unless the ground beneath the snow is frozen adequately to permit plowing without causing damage to parkway or private property.  Initial operations are concentrated on routes to the school, the train station, businesses and so on, until all public sidewalks are plowed.

· What you can do to help out - If you use a snow blower, please do not blow snow into the street.  Please blow snow to the right of the driveway and be careful that nothing gets in the street.  In addition, please be conservative with salting your walkways and driveway.  This year, there is a salt shortage, and anything you could do would be a great asset.  

Kenilworth Offers Christmas Tree Pick-Up        

Enjoy the decorations and lights of the season.  Before we are ready, the holidays will be coming to a close and we will be packing up all of the ornaments and Christmas “goodies”.  When it comes time to take your tree down, please dispose of it by bringing it to the curb.  All trees should be outside on the parkway curb by February 28, 2010.  After March 1, trees will not be picked up.  Please remember to remove all decoration, lights, and tinsel from any trees placed at the curb for collection.  

The League of Women Voters Sponsors Candidate Forums for the Feb. 2, 2010 primary

                                      Come see the candidates in action at forums         sponsored by the League of Women Voters this January. Candidates for governor, senate and congress, among others will face off on the issues in a neutral environment.

The schedule of meetings can be viewed at the League of Women Voters Winnetka-Northfield-Kenilworth website.

Swine Flu Update

The State of Illinois has opened a new hotline that provides residents with easy access to information about the N1H1 flu (Swine Flu). 

H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) Hotline Numbers

For English - 866-848-2094

For Spanish - 866-241-2138

This hotline will operate daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Operators will be equipped to answer basic, non-medial questions related to the outbreak and will be able to refer callers to additional information source.  If you have any further questions, please see the Cook County Department of Public Health Department website. 

If you have any other questions, see the Kenilworth Police Department's website.

2008 Annual Water Quality Report

 The Kenilworth Water Department recently mailed out its Annual Water Quality Report to all residences and businesses in the Village of Kenilworth .  This is in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements of public water suppliers to provide the public with an annual statement describing the water supply and the quality of its water.

The key piece of information for most consumers is that our drinking water quality continues to surpass all state and federal regulations, without exception.  The report includes other information of interest to consumers such as water quality test results, definitions, source of water, and a note to immuno-compromised persons.  

The report also reflects the commitment and dedication of the Water Department staff to providing the highest quality drinking water to the residents of Kenilworth . If you did not receive a copy of the report or have any questions, contact the Water Department at (847) 251-1094.

Village Expands Recycling Services
At the March Village Board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a three-year contract with Perrin Brothers Trucking Company for all refuse, recycling, and yard waste collection following a recommendation from the Streets, Drainage, and Public Works Committee. In light of the new contract, services provided for recycling as well as lawn waste removal will see some changes effective immediately. Fees are set to increase at the beginning of June when the new contract is set to become effective; however, they are not yet set. Even though you will see a fee increase, your rates will still be less than our neighboring communities.

In no way have services been decreased; rather, these changes will streamline the process in which residents recycle and dispose of lawn waste. In fact, recycling services have been expanded! In order to gauge the community’s wants and needs for recycling, Village staff sent out an online survey to residents asking them their preference for recycling services. A big thank you goes out to all residents who participated in the Village of Kenilworth Recycling Survey. Your invaluable input shaped this expanded recycling collection.

Recycling
Recycling bags will now be available 24 hours in the lobby of Village Hall in order for residents to pick up bags after business hours and weekends. We ask you to provide your name, address, and the date you picked up the recycling bags on the yellow sign-in sheet on the front counter of Village Hall. Please take only two bundles at a time so that bags will be available to other residents. Perrin Brothers Trucking Company now accepts all recyclable materials; though, the current bags do not reflect this until the Village orders new bags. This includes magazines, soda bottles, tin cans, etc. Keep in mind that materials that contain food waste or Styrofoam are not considered recyclable.

Lawn Waste Pick-up
In addition, the Village of Kenilworth has made the pick-up of lawn clippings simpler; residents are no longer required exclusively to use the Village’s bags for lawn waste. The Village’s waste removal provider, Perrin Brothers Trucking Company, will now collect lawn bags that are typically available at most retail hardware and grocery stores including but not limited to Jewel, Dominick’s, Walgreen’s, Home Depot, Menards, etc. Lawn bags will continue to be sold at Village Hall for a limited time while the supplies last. Lawn waste pick up will begin April 1st. We remind residents that recycling bags are NOT acceptable to use for the purpose of lawn waste removal.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Village Staff, we thank you for your patience during these procedural changes. Village Staff works meticulously to grant residents the best services for the community. If you have any questions regarding recycling or lawn waste pick-up, please call the Village Hall at 847-251-1666 or come back to the website.