Loading...
Vol. 26, No. 5 - Sep 2004"Deerfield AL�� PROPOSED TREE ORDINANCE Residents are invited to a meeting of the Residential Redevelopment Review Task Force to hear about and comment on a proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance. Deerfield is one of the few north shore communities which does not regulate trees on private property. The task force would like to get public input on this issue before making a recommendation to the village board. Where: Village Hall Board Room When: 9 AM, Saturday, September 1 lth MUDFEST 2004 Mudfest will be held on Sunday, September 12`h from Noon to 4 P.M. at Jewett Park. Participants are teams of 8 to 10 high school students which must be COED (at least 4 boys and 4 girls per team). Events will include mud volleyball, tug-o-war and a pie -eating contest. Also, a local high school band will start playing at noon. Special Feature Teen team vs: Village Trustees & Police NEW BUSINESSES Residents are urged to shop locally since the village benefits from the sales tax. New businesses that have opened recently in Deerfield include: • Ambience (home furnishings) — Deerfield Center • Curves (fitness center) — 710 Robert York Avenue • Jamba Juices — Deerbrook Shopping Mall. • Mephisto (shoes) — Deerfield Square September 2004 - VOL. 26 NO.5 HISTORICAL SOCIETY FALL FESTIVAL Do you know where and when this picture was taken? If you are interested in the history of Deerfield or just enjoy a great time with the family, you will love the Deerfield Area Historical Society's Fall Festival. It is being be held on Sunday, September 12`h from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Deerfield Historic Village (Deerfield Road and Kipling Place). The Fall Fest is the Historical Society's annual fund raising event that features musical entertainment, pioneer demonstrations, crafts, food (brats, hot dogs, ice cream, cake, cookies, soda), building tours, and book sale For more information call 847-948-0680. Admission is free. REMAINING FARMER'S MARKET DATES Every Saturday through October le from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the commuter parking lot at the northwest corner of Deerfield Road and Robert York Avenue. We are honored that North Shore Magazine recently named Deerfield's Farmer's Market `Best on the North Shore' pqREMINDERS \.A _ BLOOD DRIVE - Sunday, September 121h in the Pine Room of the Jewett Park Community Center between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary. It only takes about 30 minutes to be a Lifesaver. SCAVENGER SERVICE - Due to the Labor Day holiday on September 6`h, scavenger pick-ups will be one day later all that week. Please remember that trash may not be placed at the curb before dusk on the day before pick up. Also, please do not block the sidewalk with your containers or material. VILLAGE BOARD MEETINGS — Also, due to Labor Day, the first village board meeting in September will be held on Tuesday, September 71h FAMILY DAYS THANKS We would like to thank the following volunteers who organized and conducted this year's outstanding Family Days celebration. General Chairman — Ed Seidman Arts & Crafts — Judy Nelson Bike Parade — John Sciarretta, Italian Kitchen Dog Show — Herb Isaacs Fireworks — Mark Villano, Lions Club Food — John Pohn, Lions Club Mini Marathon — Peter DuBois, Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast — Newcomers Club Parade — Mike Delaney, Lions Club Poster Contest — Ester Finne, Koenig & Strey Senior Center — Virginia Hunt Ticket Sales — Art Hyams Optimist Club ANNUAL LEAF PICK UP Once again we are giving you some advance notice on when the annual leaf pick up program will begin. ❖ It starts the week of October 25th and will continue for four weeks, making one pass by your house each week. ❖ Remember! No leaves are to be raked into the street. Equipment now used by village employees vacuums the leaves from the parkway. The next issue of D-Tales will provide more details on the program. SENIOR CITIZENS ASSESSMENT FREEZE Lake County asked the village to print the following: The Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze applies to at single-family residences. The residence must be owner -occupied (primary residence) as of January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2004 by someone who is at least 65 years of age in 2004. A form must be filed every year in order to retain this exemption. ❑ There is a maximum income of $45,000 per household income. Additional proof of income information does not need to be submitted, other than the form itself. The Chief County Assessment Office may require further information upon application review. The form must be filled out fully and notarized. Most township offices and the Chief County Assessment Office offer the service of a notary public to senior residents for no fee. ❑ Public Act 92-131 requires that income received on or after January 1, 2003, under the Worker's Occupational Diseases Act and from Worker's Compensation be included as income. ❑ Three years ago, the Property Tax Code was amended by Public Act 91-819 to eliminate Veteran's benefits as income for the purposes ,of S this exemption. This includes military service - connected disability pensions, annuities, or similar allowances for personal injury or sickness resulting from active military service. ❑ Military retirement pay, based on age or length of service, must still be included as pension income. ❑ The Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze will not freeze the amount of taxes you pay. It will freeze your assessment. Your tax bill from year to year may vary based on the tax rate in your area. FINAL FILING DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 For more information call 847-377-2050 or 847-377- 2100 SCHOOL DAYS We would like to remind you that the .. schools are back in session. Please exercise more than your usual care in • watching out for children while driving. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN • 1 ' CENTER 375 Elm Street, Deerfield, IL 60015 LJ SENIOR CENTER HIGHLIGHTS The Patty Turner Senior Center, a Deerfield Park District program in partnership with the Village of Deerfield, is located at 375 Elm Street (from the Post Office, continue west on Osterman, cross the RR tracks and make an immediate left onto Elm. Follow the brown and white signs directing you to the facility). ❑ AARP 55 Alive Driver Safety Program — Thursday and Friday, September 9th & 10th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ❑ Rules of the Road — Thursday, September 9th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. ❑ The Great American Big Band Sound — Its Leaders, Composers & Arrangers — Sundays, September 12"', October 171h and November 14th from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Ron Surace and the "In Full Swing" Orchestra. $5/session. ❑ Lifestyle Expo for the 50+ - Saturday, October 2nd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ❑ Flu Shots — Friday, October 151h from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Flu shots and pneumonia vaccine are free with your Medicare Part B card. No card: flu shots/$•16 and pneumonia vaccine/$30. ❑ LendingCloset loset — Loans of wheelchairs, walkers, canes, bath benches, commodes, grabber sticks; etc. on a short term basis. ❑ Senior Car Program - Drop off/pick up for older adult residents by reservation (847-940-4010). • Monday -Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • $3/one-way ride within our general service area ($2/Circuit Breaker eligible) • $5/one-way ride to Glenbrook Hospital and Lake Forest Hospital (Highland Park Hospital is included in the general service area). • $5/prescription pickup/delivery from the Deerfield Walgreens Please call 847-940-4010 or stop in for a copy of the Patty Turner Senior Center Newsletter outlining an exciting array of classes, programs and trips for older adults. COMPOSTING The village has information on composting that offers specific solutions to managing yard waste. If you would like a copy, call the village at 847-945-5000. The village board recently held two workshops on proposed revisions to its comprehensive plan. They reviewed recommendations from a steering committee (which began work on the document in June 2002) and the plan commission which held several meetings on the topic, including a public hearing on June 24`h. Also weighing -in on the section relating to the downtown, the Village Center Development Commission shared its opinion on future changes to the village center. The comprehensive plan is a planning tool that establishes goals for the development of the village. Some of the primary objectives of the plan are: 1. Maintain the residential character of the village. 2. Control development of the remaining vacant parcels in and around Deerfield. 3. Maintain the viability of the village center as a focal point of the community. 4. Work closely with other local government units in serving our constituency. A copy of the final draft is available at the village hall for public review. The board is expected to pass an ordinance adopting the comprehensive plan this fall SALES TAX INCREASE As projected in the 2004-05 budget approved in April, an ordinance was passed in August imposing a 0.5% Home Rule Sales Tax which will take effect on January 1, 2005. The revenue from this tax will be split between the General Fund for operations and the Infrastructure Replacement Fund for future capital projects. This additional sales tax will not apply to drugs, most groceries and items that must be titled with the State. It will result in a total tax rate of 7.0% in Lake County and 8.25% in Cook County (Deerfield retailers south of Lake Cook Road). In passing the ordinance, the board included a "sunset provision" on the portion of the tax going to the Capital Projects Fund. In five years, unless there is a vote to renew it, the tax would revert to 0.25% INFO CHANNEL Be sure to check cable channel 10 on a regular basis for current information on community activities and events. pEERFIELp POLICE BEAT POLICE Distracted Driving Inattention Fuels Most Crashes Failing to pay attention when driving is a growing problem and a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes. Many crashes are caused by actions as simple as tuning the radio or as innocent as glancing at a dog on the sidewalk. Carelessness or inattention, even for a second to change the radio station, causes more crashes than anything else. A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that inattention causes 68 percent of the rear -end crashes. Other kinds of crashes: backing up, lane changes and merging are usually caused by a driver not recognizing an obstacle or not paying attention. Using a cell phone while driving increases your chance of getting into a crash by 400 percent. When dialing a phone number or engaging in intense conversation, you are not watching the road like you should. A `handsfree' apparatus is helpful, but it can't prevent you from becoming involved in a conversation and losing concentration. Your best defense is to pull off the road and stop in a safe place before using your phone. VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD 850 Waukegan Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015 Fire/Police Emergency ...................................... 911 Fire Department Non -Emergency ....................... 945-4066 Police Department Non -Emergency ..................... 945-8636 Village Hall ............................................ 945-5000 Public Works .......................................... 317-7245 Web Page ................................... www.deerfield-il.org E-mail ................................. deermail@deerfield-il.org STEVEN M. HARRIS, Mayor 940-7533 TRUSTEES ROBERT BENTON 945.1570 JERRY KAYNE 945-5320 HARRIET ROSENTHAL 945-3545 WILLIAMS. SEIDEN 945.2442 VERNON E. SWANSON 945-0227 MATTHEW J. WYLIE 945-5149 ROBERT D. FRANZ, Village Manager When you are driving do you ever.... Tune the radio Eat, drink, or smoke Pick something up from the floor or between the seats Write, read Reach for the glove compartment Talk on the cell phone Clean the inside of the windshield Argue with another passenger Comb or brush you hair Break up fights between your kids Put on makeup Put on contact lenses or use eye drops Shave File, clip or polish you nails If you answered yes to any of the above, you are driving while distracted and are at risk for a crash. Drivers inadvertently sometimes focus their attention away from the roadway, putting themselves and their families/passengers in jeopardy. How To Avoid Being Distracted Limit interaction with passengers Avoid driver fatigue Don't drive when angry or upset Avoid `gawking' Driver distractions and inattentive driving play a part in one out of every four motor vehicle crashes. That's more than 1.5 million collisions a year, more than 4,300 crashes each day. Source: Illinois Secretary of State's Office PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 1 Deerfield, Illinois POSTAL CUSTOMER DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS 60015 Printed on Recycled Paper Printed at SPS, The Printing Company, Inc. (847) 498-6126 SCHEDULE COLLECTION EVENTS The public Is invited to attend Village Board and Commission meetings, which take place at the Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road. Dates and times are subject to change. O Wednesday, September 1st: Village Center Development Commission 7:30 p.m O Tuesday, September 7th: Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m O Wednesday, September Sth: Human Relations Commission 7:00 p.m. O Thursday, September 9th: Plan Commission 8:00 P.M. O Saturday, September 11th: Residential Review Task Force 9:00 a.m. O Sunday, September 12th: Walkability Task Force 9:00 am. O Tuesday, September 14th: ' Youth Council 7:30 p.m. O Wednesday, September 15th: Cable & Telecommunications 7:30 p.m. O Monday, September 20th: Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m. O Tuesday, September 21st: Safety Council 7:30 p.m. O Thursday, September 23rd: Plan Commission 8:00 p.m. O Monday, September 27th: Appearance Review Commission 7:30 p.m. O Sunday, October 3id: Walkability Task Force 9:00 am. O Monday, October 4th: Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m O Tuesday, October 5th: Youth Council 7:30 p.m. Manpower Commission 7:30 p.m O Wednesday, October 6th: Village Center Development Commission 7:30 p.m. O Tuesday, October 12th: Safety Council 7:30 p.m. O Wednesday, October 131°: Human Relations Commission 7:00 p.m O Thursday, October 14th: Plan Commission 8:00 p.m. O Monday, October 18th: Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m O Wednesday, October 20th: Cable & Telecommunications 7:30 p.m. O Monday, October 25th: Appearance Review Commission 7:30 p.m. O Thursday, October 28th: Plan Commission 8:00 p.m. SCAVENGER CREDIT The Village has reached an agreement with ONYX Waste Company regarding a credit for service disruption last year due to the strike. The credit will result in a slightly lower charge to the village for service during 2004. Since this was not a lengthy disruption and accumulated waste was eventually picked up, the total credit calculated on an individual basis was not substantial, approximately $2.28 for once a week customers and $3.12 for twice a week. The village has elected to retain these savings in its Refuse Fund that will be used to partially offset future increases in the cost of service. The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) is sponsoring two collection programs: Saturday, September 18'b — Household Electronics, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 333 Knightsbridge Parkway, Lincolnshire. For items such as personal computers, printers, toasters, calculators, power tools and phones. Saturday, September 25`s — Chemical Wastes, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Lake Forest Municipal Center, 111 E. Laurel Avenue. For items such as common household materials such as oil -based paints, insecticides, aerosol products, solvents, batteries and fluorescent bulbs. These events are for Lake County residents only — no commercial, governmental or institutional materials will be accepted. For further information, call SWALCO at 847-336-9340 or check the agency's website (www.swalco.org). FLOOD INSURANCE Our Village participates in the National Flood Insurance Program that offers federally backed flood insurance for all buildings, whether or not they are in a flood plain. Flood insurance covers direct loss caused by surface flooding and local drainage problems. A mandatory purchase requirement applies to all forms of •_ federal or federally related financial assistance for buildings located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, including machinery, equipment, fixtures, and furnishings contained in such buildings. For more information about flood insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurance agent. Before a person can receive a loan or other financial assistance from one of the affected agencies or lenders, it must be determined if the building is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. The Special Flood Hazard Area is the base (100-year) floodplain mapped on a Flood Insurance Rate Map. Copies of the map are available for review in the Village's Department of Community Development. Many lenders and insurance agents have copies as well. It is their responsibility to check this map to determine if the building is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, although many communities provide assistance. If you would like more information on Special Flood Hazard Area Regulations, you can call the Department of Community Development at 945-5000. Information is also available on the Internet. Disaster mitigation • and preparedness websites worth checking are; http://www.fema.gov/mit/how2.htm http://www.fema.gov/impact/howto STREET REHABILITATION VOTER REGISTRATION A contract was awarded in August for the following street improvements: • Augusta Drive — Oakmont to St. Andrews • Berkley Court — Stratford to concrete pavement • Forest Avenue — Fair Oaks to Deerfield • Fox Hunt Trail — Millstone to Carriage Way • Gordon Terrace — Willow to Pine • Lombardy Lane — Anthony to Central • Warwick Road — Warrington to Kenton • Westcliff Lane — Margate to Kingston • Westgate Road — Wincanton to Kenton • Willow Avenue — Gordon to Country Streets with curb, gutter and carriage walks will have deteriorated sections removed and replaced. Carriage walk that has settled will be raised to the proper grade with concrete lifting techniques. All roadways will have the asphalt surface ground to adjust the profile. Base repairs will be made as necessary, followed by a new asphalt surface. Work should be completed by mid -November. We apologize for any inconvenience these improvements may cause you. • RAILROAD SAFETY It is important to remind children that railroad tracks should not be used as a path or shortcut. This can be dangerous, if not deadly! Trains come from either direction, at any time, and often at deceptive speeds. Adult commuters are also reminded that violators of the pedestrian crossing alarm at the Deerfield train station can be fined $250. BUSINESS OF THE YEAR The DBR Chamber of Commerce invites you to participate in selecting a Business of the Year for 2004. This award is given to a Chamber member business that meets the following criteria: Company must be a DBR Chamber member for a minimum of two years, achievements should have a positive effect on the quality of life in our communities, involvement in community service through business, civic, philanthropic affiliation or support, and demonstrated dedication to providing excellent service and/or • merchandise. To submit a nomination, please call the Chamber office at 847-945-4660 or visit the Chamber website at www.dbrchamber.com under the special events button. October 5`h is the last day for voter registration for the November 2°d general election. You may register to vote at the West Deerfield Township Office, 858 Waukegan Road (just north of the village hall) during regular business hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 to 4:15 p.m. By law, registration for voting must close 28 days before an election so please take advantage of the opportunity to become a registered voter. Two forms of identification are required (one form must show your current address). "In Person Absentee Voting" at the Township Office will begin on October 12d'. Additional hours for absentee voting convenience will be Saturday, October 30d' from 9 a.m. to Noon. If you have any questions, please call the West Deerfield Township Office at 945- 0614. DEERFIELD BRIDGE & ROADWORK Construction of the pedestrian bridge at the viaduct on Deerfield Road is nearing completion. The new bridge should be open to commuters by late September. Bids will be opened this month for reconstructing Deerfield Road from the viaduct west to Castlewood lane. This project will be funded primarily by a grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation. Some utility work in the parkway may be undertaken yet this year, but the street portion of the project will not occur until next spring. WAUKEGAN/OSTERMAN/LONGFELLOW INTERSECTION Work is underway on installing new left turn lanes and traffic signals at the Waukegan/Osterman/Longfellow intersection. As part of this project, the remaining streetscape improvements will be installed at the south end of the village center. Given the limited space and amount of traffic on Waukegan Road, this will be a difficult project over the next several months. Your patience and cooperation will be appreciated. BOARDS/COMMISSIONS VOLUNTEERS Several of the Village boards and commissions currently have vacancies. If you are interested in volunteering to serve the community in this capacity, please call the Village Hall at 945-5000, and we will be glad to send you an application.