Village Bulletins
- Parks & Recreation Commission Summer Events at Eton Park.Mark your calendars, and pack a picnic for the remaining Summer Concerts! Dates include Saturday, August 14th from 6-8 pm and Saturday, September 18th from 5-7 pm. The August 14th concert features Chicago-based Dulcet Road whose brand of heartland rock combines the sound of Americana with nods to classic rock that give these Chicago rockers their own sound. Strident vocals, pounding rhythms and searing guitars with tales of Mid-America are the band's hallmark. Saturday, September 18th concert features North Barrington's very own Together Again, playing a combination of Jazz, Jazz-Fusion, Rock and Pop. Family Movie Night is scheduled for August 28th; movie and time to be announced! Enjoy summer at Eton Park in North Barrington!
- Mosquito Spraying. Clarke Mosquito Control is actively treating for mosquitoes in North Barrington. The next spraying will occur on Monday, July 26th. July 23rd's spraying was cancelled due to weather conditions. Sprayings have occurred on Friday, July 9th, Friday, July 2nd, Friday, June 25th, Saturday, June 19th, and Friday, June 4th. Check the website for future spray dates. If you have any questions about this service, either phone Clarke at 800-942-2555 or the Village Hall at 847-381-6000. Clarke's Mosquito Hotline, 1-800-942-2555 is manned and ready to take stagnant water reports from residents. Existing ponds or water sites that have only risen in level DO NOT need to be reported. Only areas or sites that have been dry and traditionally do not hold water, but are now retaining water for 4 or more days should be reported. To view the monthly program update, click here.
- Rugby Road Repairs. The Cuba Township Road District is currently determining what action is necessary to restore the culverts. Thank you for your patience!
- Pumpkin Growing Contest. The Village of North Barrington's Parks and Recreation Commission is challenging you to grow the biggest pumpkin! Bring the largest pumpkin from your garden to the North Barrington Fall Festival and win a prize if your pumpkin is the biggest. Come to the Village Hall for your pack of free pumpkin seeds to start growing!
- Lake County Curbside Recycling Guidelines. SWALCO advocated for one set of recycling guidelines for all of Lake County. The first set of new comprehensive Lake County Curbside Recycling Guidelines can be found by clicking here.
- Regional Water Plan. The Lake County Board endorsed a landmark water supply/demand plan meant to ensure the availability of clean water for the future. The “Water 2050: Northeastern Illinois Water Supply/Demand Plan” is based on the latest water demand and supply research for 11 counties in Northeastern Illinois. The findings show that rapid population growth could lead to water shortages in coming years without improved conservation and resource management. The plan outlines guidelines for businesses and residents to reduce consumption and waste, along with recommendations to improve how public and private water suppliers manage water resources. For more information on the report and the primary strategies please go to visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/waterplan. To learn more about what you can do to save water please click here.
- Disposal of Old/Unused Medication. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) states, "The age-old advice of flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet is now considered to be the least desirable of all alternatives." Once medications have been flushed down a toilet or a drain they may become a source of pollution in wastewater, which then may be able to pass through the treatment plants and enter rivers, streams, lakes, and groundwater systems. In Illinois, a pilot program with the IEPA provides local law enforcement with assistance in setting up a medication disposal program by providing barrels for collection, and free pick up and disposal of unused and expired non-controlled pharmaceuticals. The two closest police departments currently participating in this program are the Fox River Grove Police Department and the Johnsburg Police Department, both located in McHenry County. For more information on the McHenry County Medication Waste Disposal Program contact Cassandra McKinney, McHenry County Water Resource Manager at clmckinney@co.mchenry.il.us.
- Cuba Township Firewood/Mulch. The Cuba Township firewood program ends for the season on Friday, March 26th. The mulch program starts Thursday, April 1st (Township offices closed on Friday April 2nd). Mulch is free for residents to pick up on Fridays 7 am to 3 pm at the Township, or Township residents can pay a delivery charge of $50 for approximately 6-8 yards of mulch. To order mulch on-line starting 4/12 please click here. For more information on the program, contact the Township (847) 381-7793.
- Heritage Tree Ordinance. A Heritage Tree Ordinance was adopted on 10/28/09 for the purpose of preserving the Village's many heritage trees. A "Heritage Tree" is defined as any tree having a Diameter Breast Height of twenty inches (20") or larger. The preservation of these trees offers numerous benefits to the Village such as enhancing the Village's scenic beauty and preserving property values among others. Removal of any Heritage Tree is prohibited and subject to violation penalties. To view the ordinance in its entirety, you may come to the Village Hall or click here
- SWALCO. SWALCO hosts mobile events held from spring through fall at locations throughout Lake County, residents can drop-off their household chemical waste, quickly and easily, year-round (on selected dates and by appointment only), at the Gurnee facility, 1311 N. Estes Street. Visit the SWALCO website found here or call 847-336-9340 for more information about upcoming HCW collections and for a list of items that are accepted at these collections.
- Census 2010. The U.S. Constitution requires a national census be conducted once every 10 years. The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens. The 2010 Census questionnaire, which will be mailed out in March of 2010, asks only a few simple questions of each person-name, relationship, gender, age and date of birth, race and whether the respondent owns or rents his or her home. This simple, short questionnaire takes just a few minutes to complete and return by mail (the questionnaire can be found here). The Census Bureau does not release or share information that identifies individual respondents or their household for 72 years. Your responses are strictly confidential and protected by law. The Census directly affects how more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and more. The Census affects your voice in Congress, as well as your representation in state and local governments. 2010 Census: It's in our Hands! Be counted! For more information, consult their website found here.
- Flint Creek Watershed Partnership. The Village of North Barrington has joined the Flint Creek Watershed Partnership, which is comprised of watershed stakeholders dedicated to the preservation, protection and improvement of the Flint Creek sub-watershed of the Fox River. North Barrington started last fall to restore 10 acres adjacent to the Flint Creek. Chicago Wilderness Magazine highlighted the Partnership's work in their summer issue just released. The article can be found here. For more information about the restoration efforts, contact either the Village of North Barrington or the watershed coordinator, Patsy Mortimer at 847-381-8663, or via e-mail at pmortimer@earthlink.net or access their website found here. The partnership meets on the last Tuesday of odd numbered months. Future meeting dates include 7/27/10, 9/28/10 and 11/30/10.
- Proposed Ordinance for Maintenance of Private Sewage Disposal Systems. The Environmental & Health Commission is proposing an ordinance requiring periodic maintenance of private sewage disposal systems. The goal is to educate homeowners, prevent and detect failing systems, and reduce contamination risks to water sources within the Village. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available at the Village Hall or can be viewed here.
- Leave No Child Inside Initiative. Leave No Child Inside is an initiative created by The Chicago Wilderness Alliance that "promotes a culture in which children enjoy and are encouraged to be outside in nature, and as a result are healthier, have a sense of connection to their place, and become supporters and stewards of local nature." Also implemented through this plan is the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights. Further information regarding the Leave No Child Inside initiative or the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights can be found here.
- Barrington Area Community Calendar. To find out what is going on in your neighborhood as well as surrounding area, consult the online Barrington Area Community Calendar found here. You can even sign up for email notification! A great tool!
- Conservation@Home. Conservation@Home is a partnership between Barrington Area Conservation Trust and Citizens for Conservation to encourage homeowners to maintain their properties using conservation practices that benefit the environment. Conservation@Home volunteer consultants provide simple, easy-to-implement steps to encourage conservation-friendly practices on private land. There is no fee for the consultation. If you would like to learn more about how to implement environmentally friendly practices on your property, please schedule a Conservation@Home consultation with one of their representatives. More information can be found by visiting Citizen's For Conservation's Website or Barrington Area Conservation Trust's Website.
- New Handbook Provides Information for Private Well Owners. To help private water system owners develop and maintain a safe, adequate and dependable water system, the MidWest Plan Service has published a booklet "Private Water Systems Handbook" and is available through local University of Illinois Extension offices or on-line www.mwps.org. Some of the topics in the publication include planning for water usage, well construction, care and location; cisterns, ponds and springs; water testing and treatment; maintenance of the system and other related topics. Lake County Health Department also has informative information on their website found here.
- Culverts and Storm Sewers. Please keep culverts and storm sewer areas free from debris to aid with water conveyance from the recent rains. If there is a storm sewer near your property, kindly check to make sure the cover is free from debris in order to aid with drainage.
- Culvert 50/50 Cost Share Program. The Village has a 50/50 cost share program for under driveway stormwater culvert replacement. The Village will pay half of the cost of the replacement, with the homeowner paying the remaining half. The work is performed by Cuba Township's Road Department. It is important for all property owners to maintain their culverts for proper stormwater conveyance. A clogged or collapsed culvert can cause flooding problems on the homeowner's property as well as neighboring properties, and in some cases force water to spill over roads causing washout situations. Keeping ditch lines clear of all obstructions is equally important. The replacement program is just starting for the season. Sign up now to get in early. If you have questions about this replacement program contact the Village Hall.
- Rain Gardens. A rain garden is simply a shallow depression in your yard that is planted with native wetland or wet prairie wildflowers and grasses. It is designed to naturally collect water that runs off from your roof or is discharged from your sump pump. Rain gardens make good use of stormwater runoff; conserving precious water supplies and helping protect water quality in downstream lakes and streams. Rain gardens provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies and beneficial insects, such as mosquito eating dragonflies. More information can be found at Lake County's website found here. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also has an informational website found here. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and th U.S. Botanic Garden produced an online video "Reduce Runoff: Slow it Down, Spread it Out, Soak it In" that highlights green techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels to help manage stormwater runoff. Click here to see the video.
- COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS (CFL) RECYCLING. The Village of Barrington is one of several communities participating in a recycling program for CFL bulbs. The program is designed to help residential consumers property dispose of burnt-out CFLs because of the small amounts of mercury they contain. Drop off locations include the Barrington Village Hall, 200 S. Hough Street, (847) 304-3400; Barrington Public Works Building, 300 N. Raymond Avenue, (847) 381-7903 and Barrington Public Safety Building, 400 N. Northwest Highway, (847) 304-3300. More information about recycling bulbs and proper cleanup if a bulb should break can be found here.
- Vehicle Stickers. Residents are reminded that vehicle stickers are required for all vehicles in the Village. Every owner of a motor vehicle or motorcycle that is registered to a North Barrington address is required to have a vehicle sticker. These vehicle stickers are not only mandatory, but also provide an important source of village revenue, and the fees from these stickers are used towards road improvements on the Village roadways. Applications for the 2009/2010 stickers were sent out in late fall, if you have misplaced yours or need an additional one, please use the PDF version found here. If you need a schedule of fees it can be found here. A Penalty Rate will apply to stickers purchased after March 31, 2010.
- Garbage Pick Up If your service day falls on or after a holiday, your service will be one day late that week. Regular service resumes the next week. Observed Holidays Include: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Pick up after the Memorial Day as well as Independence Day holidays will be one day late (Wednesday instead of Tuesday). For customer service call (800) 796-9696 or visit their website found here.
- Residential Addresses. It has come to our attention that the fire department recently had difficulty responding to a fire call because the home did not have the address prominently posted on the mailbox or residence. For your safety, please make sure your residential address is visible from the roadside.
- Overnight Parking. Residents are reminded that there is no overnight parking allowed in the Village between the hours of 2 a.m and 6 a.m. Tickets for parking violations will be issued by the Lake County Sheriff's Department. This is especially important during the winter snowplowing season. If a vehicle impedes snowplow equipment, the vehicle may be towed in order for proper street clearance.
- DOGS. Residents are reminded that every person who owns a dog and allows the dog to run at large, other than on the premises of the owner, shall be guilty of a violation of Village Code and the offending dog will be declared a public nuisance and shall be apprehended and impounded. Also, any dog owner who fails to remove excrement deposited by his dog upon any premises, public or private, other than on the premises of the owner, shall be guilty of a violation of Village Code. Both violations are subject to fines.
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II. The Village of North Barrington is authorized to discharge stormwater under IEPA General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. ILR40. As part of the Permit, The Village is required to set goals over a five year period to reduce pollution to its receiving waters. These goals are described in the Notice of Intent (NOI) found here. After each year (March - March) the Village must document status of compliance with the NOI and any changes to the NOI in an Annual Report found here. If you have any questions, please contact the Village Hall.
- Potential Stormwater Ordinance Violations Please contact the Village Hall (847) 381-6000 to report potential stormwater ordinance violations, construction site erosion and sediment control problems, suspected illicit discharges to the stormwater system, and maintenance issues.
- A Citizen's Guide to Riparian Area Management From the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission. A Riparian area is the shoreline and immediate adjacent area to a lake, stream or creek. This guides gives steps for stabilizing shorelines and streambanks, as well as outlines successful stream management practices. This guide can be found here.
- A Citizen's Guide to Maintaining Stormwater Best Management Practices - For Homeowners and Property Owners. Published by Lake County Stormwater Management Commission can be found here.
- Living with Wetlands. Published by the Wetlands Initiative, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to restoring the wetland resources of the Midwest to provide environmental and economic benefits to both society and the landowner. Through research, education, public policy analysts, and large scale wetland restoration demonstration projects, TWI aims to restore one million acres - 2 percent of the wetlands lost in the Midwest - by the year 2010. This handbook for homeowners in Northeastern Illinois can be found here. The informative handbook explains the purpose of wetlands, ways to protect and manage wetlands, as well as how to seek help in maintaining the quality of the wetland area.
