ComEd to Begin Seeding of Prairie Plants in Right of Way
The agreement reached with ComEd on the chemically cleared right of way property that runs the length of our community calls for a program of planting native or "prairie" plants to provide a "natural" appearance and ground cover. Click here to read a letter from the Village's forester outlining the steps that will taken to prepare the ground for seeding of these prairie plants. The first step will entail eliminating some invasive grass species that have taken a foothold with a commonly used herbicide called Roundup. As you will read in the attached letter, Roundup is a product that has been on the market since 1976. It contains the active ingredient glyphosate which is the most used herbicide in the United States. Roundup has extremely low volatility which means it will not evaporate from surfaces and move through the air after application. The direct toxicity of pure glyphosate to mammals and birds is low and has showen no toxic effects when fed to animals for two years. The US Environmental Protection Agency and other health organizations have concluded that pure glyphosate is not carcinogenic. The Village wanted to make residents aware of this treatment which will be done in the next week or so and prior to seeding of the prairie plants which will be about a week after use of the herbicide.
IDOT Sets Next Willow Road Context Sensitive Solution CAG Meeting for Thursday, Jan. 14 at 6 PM at New Trier West
IDOT's next Context Sensitive Solution Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting to study Willow Road will be held Thursday, January 14 at 6:00 PM at New Trier West High School, 7 Happ Road, Bldg. C, Room 234 in Northfield. Northfield has 13 members who who sit on the CAG. There are also 13 alternate members who attend the meetings when a regular member is unable. Residents are welcome to attend the meeting and participate during the question and comment period following the regular CAG meeting. For more information, visit IDOT's Willow Road website by clicking here on http://www.willowroadfuture.org/.
Sign Up for the Village Newsletter via E-News to Continue to Receive Bi-Monthly Issues
To save on the cost of printing and postage, the Village has discontinued printed newsletters except for a few special newsletters. To continue receiving the Village Newsletter, visit the Village website, http://www.northfieldil.org/ and click on "Newsletter" to read it on line or to print out a copy or, sign up for "E-News" on the Village website. A copy of the newsletter will be emailed directly to you via your computer. To begin the process, click on the "E-News" box on this page and type in your email address . This will take you to a form where you can subscribe to receive the Newsletter and other news you have an interest in. As news becomes available in the areas you select, you will automatically receive an email update sent to your computer. In addition to the Northfield News, you can receive news in categories such as Public Safety, News from the Village Board, Hot Topics and, Construction Updates and Road Closures. E-News also allows you to update your email address, send emails to others you think would want to know the news and, you can un-subscribe if you find the categories or the E-News program is not effective for you. If you do not have a computer and/or you are unable to receive the Newsletter in this manner, please contact the Village Hall, 847-446-9200 x2231.
Long Range Financial Planning Sub-Committe Report Focuses on Serious Financial Issues Facing the Community
Click here to read the complete Long Range Financial Planning Sub-Committee's Report which provides insight into the Village's finances and trends over the next five years presented to the Board on October 20, 2009. Following presentation of the report, President Gougler asked the Sub-Committee chaired by Trustee John Chapin to continue their work in helping to identify solutions to the financial issues. Watch for updates on the website and in future newsletters on their continued discussions and as always residents are invited to attend all Board and any open meetings to provide their comments.
Street Rehabilitation Completed
The 2009 Street Resurfacing and Patchin Program has been completed. Thank you for your patience during the work.
Northfield Township Offers Opportunities to Clean Out and Recycle Items
Northfield Township is holding monthly recycling events to help you discard or recycle your items in a useful way. Nov. 21--The final Northfield Township Recycling Event in 2009 will be held Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Northfield Township Road District Garage, 1928 Lehigh Road in Glenview. Township residents are invited to participate in this free recycling program. Items that will be collected include: Computer Hardware, Household Paint (oil and latex), Engine Oil, Hydraulic Oil, Transmission Fluid, Cell Phones/Pagers, Metal, Batteries (all types), Tires, Bikes and Toys (usable condition) and Clothing in usable condition. For additional information, contact the Township office at 847-724-8300 or the Twp Road District office at 847-724-7055 or click on http://www.northfieldtownship.com/
Willow Road - Where is this Project and How to Find Out the Latest Information
The Village is committeed to keeping Northfield residents and businesses updated on what is happening regarding Willow Road with information on its Traffic and Transportation meetings as well as information from IDOT. You can stay informed by clicking on the box "Keeping Up On Willow Road" on this home page. In addition, IDOT has set up a direct website, http://www.willowroadfuture.org/, where they are providing an explanation of Context Sensitive Solutions, the process, as well as IDOT's Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting dates, plans, training materials and communications with the communities impacted by the study (Northfield, Glenview and Northbrook). Take a few moments to find out what is going on with Willow Road and to be part of the process.
State of Illinois Emergency Contact Information
The State of Illinois is offering Illinois instruction permit, driver's license and identification card holders to enter their emergency contact information into a voluntary, secure database. Starting in August 2009, in the event of a motor vehicle crash or other emergency situation where a person is unable to communicate directly, law enforcement may access this database to help them reach the person's designated emergency contacts. Click the link to start the process. http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/ecd/home.html
Northfield and ComEd Reach Agreement on Renewing ROW
Following a meeting on September 1, ComEd representatives and Village officials agreed on a plan to deal with the area sprayed with herbicide that killed the existing vegetation along the corridor that runs through the center of the community. Included in ComEd's plans, they agreed to the following: --ComEd will begin mowing along the corridor that was sprayed with herbicide and plant native wildflowers and prairie grass that will benefit the habitat. --While ComEd is obligated to trim trees adjacent to and remove tall growing trees in the transmission corridor, they will conduct a tree inventory and work with the Village to keep as many trees as possible in the Village Center area. --ComEd agreed to provide advance notice to municipalities of any upcoming vegetation management along their high-voltage transmission (high wires) corridor. --ComEd will continue to provide advance notice to municipalities on vegetation management along distribution (lower) lines. To read the complete letter from ComEd following the September 1 meeting, click here. The Village will continue to keep you apprised on this issue as more information becomes available.
Northfield to Receive $200,000 from State for Stormwater Projects
17th District Representative Beth Coulson recently informed the Village of Northfield that she was successful in getting $200,000 allocated from the State Capital funds to help Northfield with stormwater projects. A series of projects were identified by the Village's consulting engineer of Gewalt Hamilton Associates Inc., who conducted a comprehensive stormwater study in 2008. During that study, heavy flooding occurred in September when storms dumped an historic rainfall on the area of 8.54 inches in a 72 hour period. The stormwater study helped identify potential projects to minimize flooding throughout the Village's stormwater sewer system. The $200,000 Northfield will receive will be allocated partially from new revenue sources the State has identified that are being established to help fund capital projects throuoghout the State. This comes at an ideal time for many municipalities whose own capital budgets have been significantly reduced by revenue losses and higher expenses.
Update on the Use of Union Pacific ROW for Bike/Walking Trail
Following completion and approval by the Board of the Feasibility Study in early 2008, which indicated the various steps that could be taken to turn the Union Pacific railroad right of way into a walking/biking path through the four communities of Glenview, Wilmette, Northfield and Northbrook, the Skokie Valley Trail Committee sent letters, emails and made phone calls to Union Pacific to determine their interest in leasing the right of way under a rail banking agreement for an extension of the Skokie Valley Trail. Because there has been no formal response from Union Pacific to the Committee's request, the four communities held a meeting in July 2009 with representatives from the four Village Boards as well as with State Representatives Elaine Nekritz and Beth Coulson to discuss how to move the project along and how to determine Union Pacific's interest. It was noted that with recent discussions on the extension of the yellow line (Skokie Swift) to Old Orchard, perhaps, Union Pacific sees greater potential for use of the ROW for expanded rail service. Various strategies were discussed at the meeting and it was determined that the State and Board representatives would use their contacts to further gauge Union Pacific's future plans. An alternate approach or Plan B for the four communities might be to use Commonwealth Edison's right of way versus Union Pacific's, however that was not addressed in the Feasibility Study.
Friends of Northfield Foundation Marks 25 Years of Service to Northfield
The Friends of Northfield Foundation is an Illinois philanthropic corporation founded in 1984 with a mission to raise funds to support grant requests for the enhancement of the quality of life for Northfield residents as well as for non-profit organizations headquartered in the Village. The Foundation achieves its mission through the generosity of fellow citizens, other agencies, businesses and individuals who donate funds or leave endowments to further the Foundation's mission. Some of the grants the Foundation has made over the past 25 years include: AV and computer equipment for the Branch Library, a fireplace for the Library, annual support for the One Book-Two Villages program, Josselyn Clinic counseling grants for residents unable to pay, defibrillators for the Northfield Police and Fire Departments and the North Shore Senior Center, planter boxes for the Alzheimer Garden at the Senior Center, Northfield Park District, tophy case, kiln and workout equipment for the Community Center, Jim Clarkson Camp Scholarship Fund, School District #29, Trevian softball program, logo flags and American flags for Village lightposts, plantings along the Edens Expressway and the Community Events Sign. The Foundation also serves at the fiduciary agent for the Northfield Senior Assistance Fund which provides grants to seniors who have lived in Northfield and meet the criteria for assistance outlined in the application. This need-based program is administered by the North Shore Senior Center social services department and is maintained through the generosity of residents amd donors. The Village of Northfield is fortunate to have this organization working for the benefit of its residents. For more information or to find out about how to donate to the Foundation, write: Friends of Northfield Foundation, P.O. Box 8045, Northfield, IL 60093 or contact the Director, Pat Karr, 847-446-7805.
Landscape Clean Up Reminder to Prevent Flooding
The Village would like to remind residents to do their part in preventing flooding by not dumping landscaping or any other debris in the area rivers and to clear leaves and dirt away from storm/sewer drains. Leaves and branches clog up rivers and drains and prevent water from flowing properly resulting in water overflowing the banks in various areas. Residents who hire landscaping companies are also reminded to let them know not to dump in the river. The Village has received complaints about landscapers dumping leaves in the Middlefork Branch of the Chicago River. Please let your landscaper know they must remove any landscaping material from your property. Anyone caught dumping debris in the river can be ticketed and/or fined.
Food Pantry Donations Needed during Difficult Economic Times
Volunteers at a local food pantry have written to call attention to the on-going need for food donations at local food pantries at Northfield and New Trier Township offices. During the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas holidays many people donated ; however, now that the holidays are over donations have fallen to next to nothing but the need is great. With more and more people losing their jobs or working part time and with many senior citizens losing income from their investments, members of the community including clubs, organizations, church and temple groups are being asked to continue giving throughout the year. Cans of vegetables, soups, fruit, seafood, chili, ravioli, pastas, rice are welcome as well as boxed mashed potatoes, cereals, and noodles and other pastas. One example of recognizing the need and doing something to help was demonstrated by a Northfield Senior Center member who contacted the Highland Baking Company in Northbrook which agreed to help by donating day old bread which has a shelf life of five days. Volunteers of the Senior Center pick up six cases of bread every Monday morning and deliver them to New Trier and Northfield Twp. food pantries. You can help others too! Contact the Northfield Twp office on where to drop off your food pantry donations. Go to www.visitourmall.com/NorthfieldTownshipFoodPantry to be linked to their site or find out where to drop off donations in New Trier Township at http://www.newtriertownship.com/ . Your donations are always appreciated and really make a difference!
Recycling Your Small Electronics at the Village Hall
Northfield provides an opportunity for residents to displose of small electronics including old cell phones, DVD's, game consoles, MP3 players, digital cameras, digital video recorders and laptops/notebooks. White Plastic recycling containers have been placed in the front lobby of the Village Hall, 361 Happ, and the Public Works/Fire-Rescue building at 1800 Winnetka Road for the convenience of residents in disposing of these items. Tax donation letters are available on the bins and can be picked up at the time of drop off. Items are collected by Recycling Avenue, a service of Avenues to Independence, a non-profit organization formed to save the environment by recycling donated, small electronic items that it collects and disposes of in a proper manner while providing jobs for physically and mentally challenged persons. Items not accepted: computer monitors, printers, personal computers and toner cartridges. The Village Hall is open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday and the Public Works/Fire-Rescue building is open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
Stormwater Drainage Report Presented at Dec. 1 Village Board Meeting Available Via Link
The Stormwater Report discussed at the Monday, December 1, 2008 Village Board meeting as presented by engineering consultant Pat Glenn of Gewalt Hamilton Engineers is available by going to the following link on your computer: http://maps.gha-engineers.com/NSPIR/ or by clicking on "Flood Issues" picture and then "Stormwater Drainage Report."
Who to Call for Power Loss and Other Problems
ComEd, 1-800-334-7661: For electrical outages (no lights or other electricity). NICOR Gas, 1-888-642-6748: To report a natural gas odor. AT&T, 1-888-611-4466 (repair): For downed telephone lines or dead phones. Comcast Cable, 1-866-594-1234: For Cable TV service problems, burial of cable wires, internet or phone service problems (if service provided by Comcast). Waste Management, 1-800-796-9696: For waste/recycling, landscape waste pickups, special pickups and commercial size dumpsters. Northfield Public Works Dept, 847-441-3810: For water/sewer problems. Northfield Fire-Rescue Dept., 911 for Emergencies; 847-446-2131 for Non-Emergencies: For fires, medical emergencies, ambulance. Northfield Police Dept., 911 for Emergencies; 847-446-2131 for Non-Emergencies. For burglaries, suspicious persons or activity, accidents, gun incidents and other illegal or criminal activities.
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