Each firm outlined its cost structures and services. The firms detailed their engineering experience, proposed fee structure, and availability to attend Village Board meetings and work on current and future infrastructure projects.

The companies submitting proposals included Baxter & Woodman, the village’s current engineering firm; Howard R. Green Company; Lintech Engineering; Rempe-Sharpe & Associates, Inc.; Scheflow Engineers, Inc.; and Wills Burke Kelsey Associates, Ltd.

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, Maple Park trustees reviewed the proposals and decided to invite three of the firms back for future interviews: Lintech Engineering; Rempe-Sharpe & Associates, Inc. and Scheflow Engineers, Inc.

Acosta started the youth drop-in center and movie program as a way to promote goodwill between residents and police, and to offer something for kids to do in a safe environment.

In addition to a film, Kops and Kids offers free popcorn, candy, juice and pizza from Casey’s General Store. Attendees also receive stickers and temporary tattoos.

“Aliens In the Attic” is the next movie event on Friday, July 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the drop-in center. Look for additional movie dates in July and August.

The company had proposed renting the site from the village for $800 per month.

“The village is looking at ways to supplement its budget, but this site is not appropriate, and (locating the tower there) would not meet the requirements of the zoning code,” Village President Kathy Curtis said.

U.S. Cellular is considering other locations on private property in the village for the 190-foot pole.

The previous $50 fee for resident use of these facilities and $100 nonresident fee will be increased by a $10 maintenance fee to pay for periodic, intensive cleaning.

Some nonprofit organizations will be exempt from the $50 fee.

Village officials said they would rather have the pole on other village property, such as at the wastewater treatment plant; however, they said that the cellular phone company has a right, under state law, to place it where it would serve the company’s customers best.

U.S. Cellular is looking at other locations on private property in the village as well, and have not decided yet to lease the site near the Civic Center for the 190-foot pole. The company proposed a lease of between one and 30 ears, starting at $800 per month for the village and going up to a maximum of $1,609 per month.

Riders from around the Midwest will depart from the park on Washington Street at one-minute intervals starting at 8:01 a.m., with the last rider finishing around 1 p.m. Competitors will complete an out-and-back 10-mile course using Broadway, Thatcher, McNulty and Beith roads, with the top riders expected to average close to 30 miles per hour.

Past participants include World Championship team member Jessi Prinner from South Elgin and professional rider Reid Mumford from Batavia. Riders’ finishing times will be added to their cumulative time from three previous events held earlier this year in Winfield, Ill., to determine their overall standing.

The race is named for ABD club member John Fraser, who died from cancer in 2003. John was dedicated to his family and his community, but riding his bike (especially on the long stretches of roads in Kane and Will County) came in a close third. This year marks the eighth time that Maple Park has hosted the race, and as a thank you each year, ABD donates a portion of the entry fees to the Maple Park Civic Center.

For more information on the races, visit the ABDcycling.com or call Prairie Path Cycles at (630) 406-9749.

Photo via sxc.hu

Sugar grove
• A white male in a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans attempted to steal a Welsch Terrier dog from the yard of a residence in the 100 block of Oxford Avenue at 7:05 p.m. on March 28.

• A 5-foot, 200-pound white male with thinning hair, pretending to be an Illinois state police officer, stopped a Sugar Grove female resident who had flipped her finger at him when he cut her off in traffic at Route 56 and Golfview Drive on March 25 at 7:55 p.m. He was driving a black Pontiac Grand Am with flashing lights and blue lights inside (rear deck) of his vehicle. He spoke to the woman driver about “road rage” and said he was giving her a verbal warning. When she called the state police, they had no record of any such traffic stop.

• Jacqueline A. Adler, 21, of the 200 block of Snow Street, Sugar Grove, was charged with a Failure to Appear warrant through Kane County. She turned herself into the Sugar Grove Police Department at 10 S. Municipal Drive at 12:18 p.m. on March 23.

Maple park
• Steven Michael Dasko, of the 200 block of West DeKalb Drive, Maple Park, turned himself into the Maple Park Police Department on the charge of two counts of unlawful use of debit card and two counts of theft. Bond was set at $5,000. Desko posted the required 10 percent cash and was given a court date of April 6, at 9 a.m. The carges are class 3 and class 4 felonies, and if found guilty, could result in up to five years in prison and/or up to a $25,000 fine.

Under the proposal, the current $50 fee for resident use of these facilities and $100 nonresident fee will be increased by a $10 cleaning and maintenance fee.

Village officials proposed the increase Monday and the Village Board will vote on the fee hike Tuesday, April 6.

Three trustees suggested Monday that the village should raise usage rates.

“At least we’d be saying, ‘We’re going to charge you for the true cost of the water and sewer, not charge you a surcharge,’” trustee William Grabarek said.

Village officials in February proposed a combined water and sewer customer fee of $20 monthly in addition to the existing usage fees, and since have proposed lowering the base fee to $10, beyond usage charges.

The usage rates have been the same for many years—$2 per cubic foot (cf) for sewer and $2.69 per 100 cf for water, which some trustees think is too low.

“We have underpriced our water and sewer for a long time,” Grabarek said.

Grabarek suggested raising the combined water and sewer usage rate from $4.69 to $7 per 100 cf.

For more than a year, water and sewer operations have cost the village nearly $29,000 more per month than the village collects in water and sewer revenue. Village officials’ goal is for water and sewer service charges to match the cost of providing them.

“At $7 (combined water and sewer usage rate), we would make up the deficit in two years,” Grabarek said.

Charging that rate also would increase revenue in the water and sewer capital fund to pay for future system improvements, Grabarek said.

If the village raises usage rates, it would encourage water conservation, trustee Ken Anderson said.

Grabarek said seniors, single people and other low users would not pay as much under the higher rate as they would if the village imposed the customer fee.

In response to Grabarek’s rate-hike proposal, Village President Dave Anderson said, “An increase like that for high users is going to be prohibitive.”

Another idea for changing water and sewer fees that trustee Jeff Walter supports is to raise usage rates and to impose a temporary customer fee to build up the water and sewer capital fund.

Walter asked village staff to determine this week how much water and sewer bills would increase for certain households under the various proposed fee scenarios.

The Village Board will continue its discussion of water and sewer charges during the Committee of the Whole meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 8, at Village Hall.

What area villages charge
Maple Park
Water: Minimum bill of $26.76 every three months for up to 6,000 gallons, plus $3.84 for every additional 1,000 gallons

Sewer: $32.28 minimum for up to 6,000 gallons, plus $5.38 per 1,000 gal.

Elburn
Water: Minimum monthly bill of $5 including $3.60 per 1,000 gallons for water ($2.69/100 cf)

Sewer: Minimum monthly bill of $5 including $2.67 per 1,000 gallons ($2/100 cf)

Sugar Grove
Water and sewer: $15.50 customer charge per month, plus $2.75 per 1,000 gallons for water, and $2.76 per 1,000 gallons for sewer

Maple Park’s fire and police chiefs will develop the plan, Village President Kathy Curtis said Monday. Having the plan will allow the village to be eligible for federal incident management grants for streamlining management of emergency personnel, communications, facilities and resources.

NIMS is a federal initiative to improve the readiness of government agencies on the state, local and national level to address potential terrorist threats.

Board will discuss Kaneland request
MAPLE PARK—The Maple Park Village Board will discuss whether to renew an intergovernmental agreement with Kaneland School District at the village’s next Committee of the Whole meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 15.

District Superintendent Charles McCormick has asked all Kaneland villages to renew their four-year agreement with the district to provide developer impact fees to the schools.

Village officials cited the changing housing market and the differences in development among the Kaneland communities as reasons for wanting to study the issue further before making a decision.

The church is partnering with Sugar Grove United Methodist Church to send collected relief supplies to Haiti through the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

For the health kits, people may donate combs, hand towels, washcloths, nail files or clippers, bath soap bars, toothpaste, toothbrushes, plastic adhesive bandages and gallon-sized plastic zipper bags.

Maple Park drop-off sites for donated health-kit supplies include Old Second Bank, the fire department, Pegs On Main, the Post Office, and Grace United Methiodist Church.

For more information, contact Kelly Siebens by e-mail at Lillysmom@mchsi.com or call her at (815) 405-8342.

• Victoria M. Delmer, 34, was arrested at 2:26 a.m. Feb. 6, for driving while her license was suspended. Police stopped her on Keslinger Road at Liberty Street in Elburn for having expired license plate registration.

• An Elburn resident reported that someone stole the license plates on his Jeep and replaced them with others.
He noticed the different plates when walking to his car at the Dominicks store in St. Charles. One plate belonged to a Carol Stream resident and the other belonged to a Carpentersville resident.

• Tony L. Babic, 46, of the 1300 block of Pleasant Place in Montgomery, was arrested at 10 a.m. Jan. 27, on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on burglary charges. Police stopped Babic for failure to yield at an intersection after he pulled out in front of a squad car at Route 47 and Kansas Street in Elburn.

• Sergio Arturo Bohorquez, 36, of the 1100 block of Robinson Street in Elburn, was arrested at 1:39 a.m. Jan. 30, for driving under the influence of alcohol and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The arrest took place after police responded to a report that the offender’s vehicle was stuck in the snow on East Nebraska Street east of First Street in Elburn.

• Items valued at $2,000 were stolen from outside a business in the 800 block of Hicks Drive in Elburn sometime between Jan. 22 and Jan. 26. The owner of the business reported the theft, with missing items including several used air conditioner compressors and two copper kitchen ranges.

• Two white males in their 20s left Papa G’s, 250 S. Main St., Elburn, at 2:25 p.m. Jan. 27 without paying for the food they had eaten. On their table they left a VISA gift card with no remaining balance to cover their $29.54 restaurant bill. They drove away in a four-door, white Dodge Neon. One of the males had blond hair and the other had brown hair.

• Someone stole 26 pallets from Kane County Landscape Supply, 817 E. Route 38, Elburn. The business reported the theft at 11:29 a.m. Jan. 21. The pallets were valued at $390.

• Daniel J. Markel, 39, 230 E. Shannon St., Elburn, was arrested at 11:45 p.m. Jan. 20 for driving without having a valid license. Police stopped him on Route 47 north of Hughes Road in Elburn, for having an expired plate registration. He also was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

• Darone J. Mutts, 19, 3088 Manchester Drive, Montgomery, was arrested at 1:11 a.m. Jan. 23 on a Kendall County warrant related to a domestic battery charge. Police stopped him as he was southbound on Route 47 at Kansas Street in Elburn for having tail light out. He also was arrested for driving while his license was suspended.

• Thomas G. McCarthy, 22, 411 S. First St., Elburn, turned himself into the Elburn Police Department at 4:02 p.m. Jan. 23 on DeKalb County warrant for failure to appear in court.

Sugar Grove
• Matthew Mikulak, 20, of the 0-100 block of Poplar Place, Aurora, was charged with driving on a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia at 7: 04 p.m. on Jan. 3. He was eastbound on Galena Boulevard.

• Colin E. Stokes, 28, Sugar Grove, was found with an in-state warrant from Kendall County for failure to appear in court. He was northbound on St. James Parkway at Brompton Lane.

• Alberto V. Diaz, 23, of the 600 block of Hinman Street, Aurora, was charged at 4:34 p.m. on Jan. 5 for driving with an obstructed windshield and without a valid driver’s license. He was eastbound on Galena Boulevard at Route 56.

• Someone attempted a burglary by trying to break into the garage at a home in the 700 block of Evergreen Lane between Jan. 5 and Jan. 6.

• An employee of Harris Bank in Highland Park, Ill., used the debit card of a Sugar Grove resident to make an online purchase from Domino’s Pizza at 11 a.m. on Jan. 7. Because the incident happened in Highland Park, the resident was informed they would have to file a report with the Highland Park Police.

• Jorge Ramirez, 27, of the 200 block of 47W Route 30, Big Rock, was charged with driving on a suspended license at 5:03 p.m. on Jan. 10. He was northbound on Route 47 at Park Avenue.

• Bradley C. Berro, 35, of the 2900 block of Courtney Street, Plano, Ill., was charged with operating a vehicle on a suspended license for non-insurance and for operating an uninsured vehicle at 8:53 a.m. on Jan. 11. He was eastbound on Route 56 at Hankes Road.

• Vanessa L. Zukauski, 26, of the 300 block of Marion Avenue, Aurora, was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license at 4:04 p.m. on Jan. 11. She was eastbound on Galena Boulevard from Route 47.

• Lou DeCano, 20, of the 100 block of Dee Road, North Aurora, was charged with driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured vehicle, driving with an obstructed windshield (air freshener) and fraudulent identification at 3:35 p.m. on Jan. 12. He was eastbound on Galena Boulevard from Route 47.

• Brittany R. Orta, 23, of the 1800 block of Wessel Court, St. Charles, was charged with driving on a suspended license and operating a vehicle with an expired registration at 11:20 p.m. on Jan. 12. She was northbound on Route 47 from Galena Boulevard.

• Someone enacted a residential burglary at a home in the 100 block of Railroad Street, Sugar Grove, on Jan. 12 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Jewelry, electronics and blank checks were among the items taken.

• Someone stole a 2002 gold Ford Explorer from the driveway of a home in the 200 block of Maple Street, Sugar Grove, between Jan. 15 and Jan. 16.

• Jacqueline A. Adler, 20, of the 200 block of Snow Street, Sugar Grove, was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license and operating an uninsured vehicle at 3:31 p.m. on Jan. 16. She was northbound on Route 47 at E. Park Ave.

• Danielle R. Vick, 19, of the 400 block of South Batavia Avenue, Batavia, was charged with driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license and with a cracked rear taillight at 8:49 p.m. on Jan. 16. She was on Route 47 north of Cross Street.

• Paul B. Obis, 59, of the 2800 block of Gregory Street, Chicago, was charged with speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more at 8:31 a.m. on Jan. 17. He was westbound on Route 47 at Galena Boulevard.

• Jaclyn M. Peterson, 26, of the 200 block of Braeburn Drive, Sugar Grove, was charged with driving with an obstructed windshield (air freshener) and driving with a suspended license at 5:36 p.m. on Jan. 18. She was northbound on Route 47 from Galena Boulevard.

• Someone representing a company in Bangalore, India made several online fraudulent charges totaling $1,799 on a Harris Bank checking account belonging to a Sugar Grove resident.

• Someone stole a cell phone worth about $300 belonging to a Sugar Grove resident off the top of the ATM machine at the Jewel Food Store in Sugar Grove at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 20.

• Victor M. Hernandez, 19, of the 1000 block of W. State Street, Sycamore, was charged with driving without a driver’s license and driving with an obstructed windshield at 3:31 p.m. on Jan. 4. He was northbound on Route 47 from Bliss Road.

• A possible counterfeit $20 bill was received by Gas Mart at Route 47 and Galena Boulevard at 2:04 p.m. on Jan. 3.

• Samantha C. Nelson, 20, of the 500 block of S. 2nd St., Rochelle, Ill., was taken in custody for an in-state warrant for criminal damage to property through the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 2. She was northbound on Route 47 at Harter Road.

• Mauricio Castro-Morales, 23, of the 6000 S. block of Troy Street, Chicago, was arrested for driving with one tail light, driving without a license and driving without insurance at 2:48 p.m. on Jan. 2.

• Ray S. Meador, 24, of the 600 block of E. Grant Highway, Marengo, Ill., was taken into custody at 12:22 p.m. on Jan. 2 on three in-state warrants, one through DuPage County for DUI, one through Will County for criminal damage to property and one through Kane County for criminal trespass to residence. He was a passenger in a car eastbound on Park Avenue and Route 47.

• Someone ran over a mailbox in the 900 block of Black Walnut Trail, Sugar Grove between 12 and 8 a.m. on Jan. 1.

• Raymond T. Frazer, 49, of the 8400 block of Captons Lane, Darien was charged with driving on a suspended or revoked drivers license at 9:04 a.m. on Jan. 2. He was eastbound on Route 56 at Hankes Road.

• Walter D. Bueno, 29, of the 800 block of Rowling Road, Addison, Ill., was charged with driving on a suspended license at 9:13 a.m. on Jan. 1. He was eastbound on Galena Boulevard at St. James Parkway.

• Allison J. Flory, 18, of the 0-100 block of McCannon Drive, Sugar Grove and Luke E. Markham, 17, of the 500 block of S. Elizabeth Street, Maple Park, were arrested for possession of drug paraphrenalia and Mob Action at 7:03 p.m. on Dec. 30. The Mob Action charge was because both had acted in concert to possess the drug paraphernalia. They were on Golfview Drive and Route 56.

Maple park
• A Maple Park resident reported receiving a letter this week from SunLife Brokers Inc. that contained a check for $2,980. The letter advised the resident that he had won $100,000 and it instructed the resident to cash the check and send $2,150 back to SunLife to begin the process of receiving the winnings.

Police Chief Michael Acosta said although the check looked real, it is not authentic, and residents should discard letters like these because they are fraudulent.

The village created the parking protection district three years ago to deter commuters from parking in the neighborhood near Metra to avoid the commuter lot fee.

The following streets comprise the parking protection district: Nebraska Street (First Street to Third Street); Kansas Street (First Street to the east end); South Street (First Street to Third Street); Third Street (Nebraska Street to South Street); Second Street (Nebraska Street to South Street); First Street (Union Pacific Right-Of-Way to Oak Drive); and Oak Drive (from First Street to the east end).

Police issue tickets to commuters who park on those streets but will not ticket vehicles bearing the parking protection stickers. Neighborhood residents also may obtain parking stickers for visitors, so that their vehicles are not ticketed.

Elburn officials say yes to free promotion
ELBURN—Elburn will participate in the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau to allow the organization to promote village attractions.

The St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau will list Elburn attractions in its tourism publications at no cost to the village.

The Elburn Village Board members decided Monday that the village should participate, a move that the Development Committee recommended last week.

The only expense related to participating would be if the village of Elburn decided to place an advertisement in one of the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau publications, the organization’s executive director Amy Egolf said.

The St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau is supported by city and state funding. The Bureau works with the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, which will include Elburn attractions in state visitors guides at no charge to the village.

The village will have an opportunity to renew its participation annually.

Company hired to find possible leaks
MAPLE PARK—The village of Maple Park will pay $1,700 to locate possible leaks in 4.5 miles of water main pipes. The Village Board on Monday decided to hire the Arlington Heights company, Find That Leak, to use telemetry technology to determine whether the leaks are causing excess flow.

Trustee Mark Delaney, a member of the Infrastructure Committee, said if leaks are identified, the village will need to determine the cost to repair the pipes and when to move forward with the project.

The winner of a $250 Ream’s Meat Market gift certificate was Andy Lyons of Esmond, Ill. Winning a $100 Ream’s Elburn Market Gift Certificate was Elaine Doty of Sugar Grove. The recipients of the two $25 gas cards donated by Casey’s of Maple Park were Kelly Snyder of Elburn and Heidi Gilkey of Maple Park.

Lincoln Highway 4-H Club will donate the raffle proceeds to local, charitable organizations.

Technology upgrades at Village Hall
MAPLE PARK—The village of Maple Park will purchase new software allowing it to develop a server for storing information.

The Village Board approved the expenditure of $738 for the software at its Jan. 5 meeting.

The new software will complement other technology additions at Village Hall, including 12 computer monitors and four printers recently donated by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Parking permits available for residents near Metra
ELBURN—The village of Elburn has announced that residents of the neighborhood on the southeast side of Elburn near the Metra station should pick up their 2010 Resident Parking Protection District permits at Village Hall, 301 E. North St.

The village created the parking protection district three years ago to deter commuters from parking in the neighborhood near Metra to avoid the commuter lot fee.

The following streets comprise the parking protection district: Nebraska Street (First Street to Third Street); Kansas Street (First Street to the east end); South Street (First Street to Third Street); Third Street (Nebraska Street to South Street); Second Street (Nebraska Street to South Street); First Street (Union Pacific Right-Of-Way to Oak Drive); and Oak Drive (from First Street to the east end).

Police issue tickets to commuters who park on those streets but will not ticket vehicles bearing the parking protection stickers. Residents of the neighborhood also may obtain parking stickers for visitors, so that their vehicles are not ticketed.

Volunteers sought for Mental Health Board
VIRGIL TOWNSHIP—Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Inc., the local mental health authority for seven townships in southern Kane County, is looking for a Virgil Township resident volunteer to serve on the township community mental health board.

This person must have an interest in the issues of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse. Meetings are three times a year to review how the local mental health levy serves Virgil Township residents and to provide input on needed community services. No fundraising and no compensation is involved.

Contact Jerry Murphy or Marti Cross at (630) 892-5456 for more information.

Kaneville Library cancels meeting, announces appointments
KANEVILLE—The Kaneville Public Library Board of Trustees canceled its scheduled meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 12. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Kaneville Village Meeting Room.

The board also announced the appointments of Library Director, Ray Christiansen, as the district’s Freedom of Information Act Officer, and Board Vice-President Mary Niceley, as the district’s Open Meetings Act Compliance Officer. Both appointment became effective on Dec. 7, 2009.

Kaneville Classics hold Christmas party
KANEVILLE—The Kaneville Classics 4-H met on Dec. 28 and held its Christmas party, played games and exchanged gifts. The group’s next meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 25, at the Kaneville Comminity Center at 5:30 p.m.

To seek assistance for your family or if you know of another family in need, call Julie Little at (815) 827-3572 after 6 p.m.

The Family Fund Committee will provide a Holiday Assistance Application to fill out. All names and information are strictly confidential.

To be eligible, families cannot receive assistance from any other agency or organizations. The deadline for the return of application forms is Friday, Nov 20.

The event was sponsored by the Maple Park Recreation Council, Old Second Bank in Maple Park, Maple Park Lions Club and Lincoln Highway 4-H Club.

The winners in each category are under each photo. All are courtesy photos.

Infants to 3-year-olds
1st place, Brynn Humm (cupcake); 2nd place, Ryan Needham (wolf); 3rd place, Jackson and Connor McPhartlin

4 years old-kindergarten
1st place, Bella Humm (Mary Poppins); 2nd place, Victoria Alvaravo (witch); 3rd place, Parket Violett (Woody), Brandan O’Shea (Buzz)

First and second grade
1st place, Jack Miller (Einstein); 2nd place, Ava Olsen (pirate); 3rd place, Jenny Linden (ladybug)

Third and fourth grade
1st place, Jacob Baumgarten (Darth Vader); 2nd place, Tim Fillipp (Indiana Jones); 3rd place, Michael Finnan and John Paschal (gangsters)

Fifth and sixth grade
1st place, Bryan Prado (nerd); 2nd place, Mace Jendruczek (Spartan); 3rd place, Nicole Williams (spider)

Seventh and eighth grade
1st place, Brett Dienst (Michael Jackson); 2nd place, Abby Needham (Sailor); 3rd place, Ashley Larson (Army girl)

Ninth grade and above
1st place, Brittany Larson (Fairy); 2nd place, Amber Pauly (Raggedy Ann); 3rd place, Tyler Fabrizius (Tigger)

The committee will provide you with a Holiday Assistance Application to fill out. All names and information are strictly confidential. Families seeking assistance cannot receive assistance from any other agency or organizations and must fill out the application form.

Deadline for the return of application forms will be Friday, Nov. 20. Late names and forms will not be processed.

This year, the Maple Park Family Fund Raffle will be held at the Maple Park Pub and Grill on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.

The parade will step off from the Legion Hall, 112 N. Main St., and proceed south to North Street and east to Memorial Park.
A color guard ceremony will take place near the tank at the park.

The public is invited to participate in the event honoring U.S. military veterans.

Wastewater sample analysis accurate
ELBURN—Environmental Resources Associates recently studied the Elburn’s wastewater treatment plant sample analysis and found it to be accurate.

The purpose of the study is to ensure that the village’s lab analysis results match those of ERA. The company reported the results to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which periodically requires the study.

Board approves drug screening policy
MAPLE PARK—Drug screens will be required of all new hires before they officially can be a village employee on the payroll, under a policy approved Tuesday by the Maple Park Village Board.

In addition, the village now may require an immediate drug and alcohol screening of an employee they believe is under the influence during work hours.

Scouts plan for Metra landscaping
Elburn—Troop 7 Boy Scout Jordan Rego on Oct. 26 presented the village with a plan to improve the Metra train station landscaping.

His Eagle Scout project will include removing dead and dying plants, replacing bushes, expanding a flower bed and installing mulch.

“This is a project that will really enhance our Metra station,” Public Works Committee Chairman Jerry Schmidt said.

The Scout developed the project plan and budget, and will coordinate volunteers to help with the work this spring.

The project’s total cost is $1,200, toward which Rego is seeking donations to add to the $500 he already has raised.

Residents asked to keep yard waste off street
Elburn—Elburn trustee Ken Anderson wants residents to refrain from raking grass and leaves into the street, since the debris can end up in water retention areas and promote algae growth.

Anderson on Oct. 26 brought the issue to the attention of the Public Works Committee, of which he is a member.

Village seeks treatment plant operator
Elburn—The village of Elburn is seeking a full-time wastewater treatment plant operator who has an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEP) Class 1 certification.

The Class 1 operator, required by the IEPA, will receive a salary of between $55,000 and $60,000.

That employee would replace the part-time, Class 1 operator supplied by an outside company, Baxter and Woodman, currently costing the village $50,000 annually.

The village also has a public works employee who helps maintain plant operations full time.

Public Works Supertintendent John Nevenhoven said hiring a full-time, Class I-certified employee will free up the other staffer to do additional tasks for the village, such as snow plowing.

Village announces tax levy
Sugar Grove—The Village Board on Tuesday agreed with the estimated and proposed 2009 property tax levy of $4.1 million. Sugar Grove Financial Director Justin VanVooren said that after general obligation bond abatements and actual equalized assessed values, the estimated property taxes less bonds the village is likely to receive is $1.3 million, which is 1 percent above the 2008 extension amount of $1.3 million.

The village will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and will pass the levy in December.

Board authorizes agreement with EEI for Prairie Street pavement project
Sugar Grove—The Village Board on Tuesday approved a construction engineering agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. for the Prairie Street Local Agency Pavement Preservation (LAPP) project.

The Prairie Street project had been placed in the five-year program for construction in 2012. However, with the addition of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, the village moved the project up to the 2009-2010 schedule. The village’s share of the ARRA money is $109,000.

The total cost of the Prairie Street LAPP project with engineering is $1.1 million. The Federal share with the (ARRA) added is $908,000 and the village’s share is $203,000.

In addition, costume judging will occur at the Maple Park Civic Center at 3:30 p.m.

The infrastructure project list will be the only item on the meeting agenda. Trustees will evaluate Maple Park’s infrastructure needs, including future streets and sidewalk repairs, to determine which projects the village should address and when.

He said the board did not give him a reason for wanting him to leave the department, where he had been officer in charge for the past 16 months.

Village Personnel Committee Chairman Debra Armstrong would not disclose whether or not the board asked Slater to resign, since the issue is personnel related.

“All that I can say is that he submitted his resignation, and we accepted it,” Armstrong said.

While the Police Department does not have an officer in charge, Armstrong said she has that role.

Slater worked for the Maple Park Police Department for 6-1/2 years, he said.

The village of Maple Park did not make a public announcement about Slater’s resignation.

Former Maple Park Village President Ross Deuringer said he believes Slater was a valuable employee.

“I don’t know why he was fired,” Deuringer said.

Elburn
• James R. Parsons IV, 31, of the 1000 block of Rushmore Drive in DeKalb, was arrested at 12:10 a.m. Sept. 16 in the Metra train station yard at 422 Railroad Ave. in Elburn, on two outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court.

Police responded to a report that Parsons was intoxicated and harassing a Metra employee.

The warrants were from Glendale Heights, Ill., and DuPage County.

• Six teenagers were arrested for unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor at 11:05 p.m. Sept. 19, at a home in the 42W900 block of Hughes Road in Elburn.

Those arrested were a 17-year-old juvenile of the 1200 block of Dorr Drive in Sugar Grove, a 17-year old juvenile of the 17000 block of Barber Greene Road in Sycamore, Jordan C. Bergman, 18, of the 1100 block of Griffin Avenue in Elburn, a 17-year-old juvenile of the 42W900 block of Hughes Road in Elburn, and two 16-year-old juveniles.

Sugar Grove
• Someone shot out a car window in a driveway on the 300 block of Mallard Lane, Sugar Grove, at 5:50 p.m. on Sept. 11. The cost of the window is $500.

• Gabriela Mendoza, 20, of the 500 block of Terry Avenue, Sugar Grove, was charged on Aug. 27 with driving with a suspended license, speeding at 74 mph in a 55 mph zone and illegal transportation of liquor. She was driving southbound on Route 47 near Waubonsee Community College. She was later charged in a separate incident on Sept. 10 at 12:04 p.m. with driving on a suspended license. She was driving southbound on Route 47 near Galena Boulevard.

Maple Park
• The Kane County Grand Jury on Sept. 8 indicted Walter Brown, of the 600 block of Center Street in Maple Park, for retail theft. St. Charles police arrested Brown earlier this year for the crime.

The indictment is not proof of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

2,391
The number of collisions in the
United States in 2008.

147
Illinois ranks No. two in the United States
in highway-rail grade crossing
collisions in 2008 with 147.
Only Texas, with 228, ranks higher.

26
Of those 147 collisions, 26 resulted
in fatalities—the highest in the country.

60
Of the 147 collisions, 60 resulted in injuries,
ranking Illinois fourth in the country.

Source: Operation Lifesaver website

Each sticker is $25 per vehicle, but after May 31, a late fee of $10 is assessed. After July 31, a late fee of $25 is assessed.

Stickers can be purchased at the Civic Center, 302 Willow St., between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The fish fry is at the Legion, 203 Main St., Maple Park. Cost is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for children. Carry-outs are $9

Library hosts Mother’s Day Craft Day
The library will host a Mother’s Day Craft Day for children to make crafts for their mothers on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Annual book sale set
The library’s annual book sale will be Friday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Paperback books are 10 cents, hardcover books are a quarter, and patrons can fill a bag of books for $1.
Open house honors Blake

The library will host an open house to honor Sukey Blake’s nine years of service from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.

The department will use this year’s proceeds to help purchase Advanced Life Services equipment for an ambulance, as it plans to provide ALS service beginning November 2009 with its front-line ambulance. The public is invited to show support and see the new engine the department put into service in August 2008.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at the Maple Park Civic Center.

Voters will select three individuals for village trustee positions, as well as vote for the village president.

At the March 31 event, each candidate will be given an opportunity to outline their qualifications, accomplishments and future vision for Maple Park. There will also be a question-and-answer period.

Call (630) 650-0201.

The department will use this year’s proceeds to help purchase Advanced Life Services equipment for an ambulance, as it plans to provide ALS service beginning November 2009 with its front-line ambulance. The public is invited to show support and see the new engine the department put into service in August 2008.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at the Maple Park Civic Center.

Voters will select three individuals for village trustee positions, as well as vote for the village president.

Each candidate will be given an opportunity to outline their qualifications, accomplishments and future vision for Maple Park. There will also be a question-and-answer period.

Call (630) 650-0201.

Cost is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for children. Carry-outs are $9.

Super Sibs is a support group for children who have a sibling with a disability. Children learn from a variety of activities with horses as they explore issues regarding their own special families. This eight-week program is funded by Hoofbeats & Heartbeats, a not-for-profit organization.

Call (630) 365-5550 for more information.

The Friends of the Maple Park Library will sponsor a Dr. Seuss Birthday Breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday, March 1, at the Maple Park American Legion Post 312, 203 Main St. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors (65 and over) and children ages 3-10. No fee for children under 2.

Cost is $9 for adults, $7 for Seniors and $6 for children. Carry-outs are $9. Proceeds support our troops and our community.

The Friends of the Maple Park Library will sponsor a Dr. Seuss Birthday Breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday, March 1, at the Maple Park American Legion Post 312, 203 Main St. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors (65 and over) and children ages 3-10. No fee for children under 2.

Library offers Valentine Craft day
The Junior Friends of the Maple Park Public Library will hold a Valentine Craft time beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. Patrons of all ages are welcome.

Dr. Seuss breakfast
The Friends of the Maple Park Library will sponsor a Dr. Seuss Birthday Breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday, March 1, at the Maple Park American Legion Post 312, 203 Main St. in Maple Park. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors (65 and over) and children ages 3-10. There is no fee for children under 2.