AUGUST 2014

VILLAGE PRESIDENT ROBERT “BOB” KOLOSH

Village of Thornton News and Views

Village Hall

115 East Margaret Street

Thornton, Illinois 60476

Phone (708) 877-4456 Fax (708) 877-4458

www.thornton60476.com

Hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 12pm

We hope everyone is enjoying our mild summer! Although good for all of our electric

bills as air conditioning is rarely needed, it hasn’t been great for those residents with swimming pools (kids will probably swim in any weather though).

We would like to take this time to update our residents on some projects that have

been completed this fiscal year. Thanks to the hard work of the entire Village admin-

istration we have been able to start investing into the Village’s future with some much needed and overdue infrastructure improvements and capital expenditures.

The first and most obvious is our road resurfacing program. Public Works Superinten-

dent Jim Landini working alongside Streets and Sanitation Chair Trustee Joe Pisarzewski

identified several sections of residential roadways in the most serious state of disrepair. The Board’s goal is to try and fix “areas” as opposed to random individual blocks. The

result is a comprehensive plan to replace all of the Village’s roads in a set cycle rota-tion. We were able to accomplish the first phase this year and the work has gone fairly

smoothly for a project of this size. We would like to thank Supt. Landini, Trustee Pisar-

zewski and Engineer Hus for making sure the project went according to specifications required by the Board. Thanks also to all our residents for their patience during this

project.

The second important infrastructure improvement that has been completed this year is

upgrades to our aging water infrastructure. The Village experienced over 30 water main breaks this past winter. These were caused by a combination of extreme cold

weather and the age of our infrastructure. Our most troublesome water mains and valves were replaced including our 8 inch main line from our water tower on Harriet.

A third major investment was made at the Police Department/Community Center. Brand new sets of energy efficient doors were installed on the east and west sides of

the building. These were the last two sets of doors that didn’t get replaced during the Village’s 2008 bond issue. Now the entire building has more efficient windows and en-

try doors. In addition, we will be purchasing new equipment for the workout room, fixing the gym lighting and re-doing the fascia and soffits around the building.

The demolition of the office space next to the brewery (not the brewery itself) is pro-gressing. In the coming month’s construction will begin on the ThornCreek Senior Liv-

ing project. Skyline furniture is also in the process of remodeling and expanding their current property to become a site for their corporate headquarters.

Finally, there have been other miscellaneous capital purchases so far this fiscal year including several new laptop and desktop computers for use at various buildings, a

shade shelter which will eventually be installed at Mikrut Park, and a final lease pay-

ment made for 3 police patrol vehicles.

As you can see the Village has had a very busy summer. Our Department Heads and staff have done a great job in implementing these improvements in a fiscally responsi-

ble way. We hope everyone has a great end to their summer and wish all of our stu-

dents the best of luck this coming school year.

Take care,

Bob and Doug

AUGUST 2014

FROM THE CLERK’S OFFICE

Hi, Everyone!

As I am writing this, the marquis out in front of the Village Hall says it’s only 66 degrees outside. This is really unbelievable for August, isn’t it???

Village Wide Garage Sale – The date for this event is Saturday, September 13, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. For anyone new into Thornton, you can have a garage sale at no charge on this date. It is recommended you call the Village Hall (708-877-4456) and place your name on the Garage Sale list that is made available on line and at the Village Hall. Remember, if you plan on holding your garage sale any day before or after, you must then purchase a permit at the Clerk’s office for $5.00.

Village Vehicle Stickers – By now, everyone should have purchased their new 2014-15 Thornton vehicle stickers. At the Clerk’s office, we would like to thank everyone for their patience in having to complete the vehicle sticker forms again this year. Melissa and I are putting everyone’s information into our new software, and we should be able to send out cards next year. Another nice feature of our new software system is it includes all the Thornton vehicles registered with the Secretary of State. So after we get everyone’s info submitted, we’ll be able to print out a list of those vehicles in Thornton that do not have a sticker. If you haven’t done so yet, please purchase your vehicle sticker asap!!

Farmers Market – The Market at Hubbard Park is in full swing every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. In support of this event, the Clerk’s office is closed every Wednesday from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. You can find us getting lunch at the Farmers Market, from tacos and nachos to pulled pork and burgers; then topping it off with a fruit smoothie or gourmet cupcake for dessert – it’s all good!! Hope to see you there!!

F.Y.I. – Remember, all pets that are allowed outside at any time need a Village pet tag – this includes dogs and cats. The cost is only $2.00 each, and provides us with information to get your pet back to you if lost. Also, it is against Village Code to allow your pet to run freely without a leash or a fence; and when walking your pet, don’t forget your pooper scooper!!

There will be a Gubernatorial General Election on November 4, 2014. Village Hall is Precinct 20 and the Rec Center is Precinct 82. (Wolcott School is no longer a precinct.) Mail Ballot Applications are currently available here in the Clerk’s office.

Watch for Holiday Happenings coming again this year! Village Hall will be closed on Saturday, August 30 and Monday, September 1 for Labor Day. Stay safe for what’s left of our summer!!

Debbie & Melissa

VILLAGE PRESIDENT Robert “Bob” Kolosh

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR Doug Beckman

CLERK/COLLECTOR Debbie Pisarzewski

DEPUTY CLERK &

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Melissa Doud

BUILDING DEPARTMENT Building Commissioner

Russ Oberman Electrical Inspector

Bernie Lubawy

TREASURER Arlette Frye

ATTORNEY Scott Dillner

ENGINEER James Hus

Robinson Engineering

NEWSLETTER EDITORS Sharlee Dunlop Melissa Doud

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS - DECEMBER 5-7

Mark your calendars now and stay in town December 5-7.

Organizations throughout the village are already planning their events. If your group has never been a part of Holiday Happenings in the past and are interested in joining the festivities this year, please let us know. Contact Janet Sanders at 708-877-6137.

Watch for the official, complete schedule which will be included in the Historical Society greet-ing card/open house invitation which will be mailed to each home in November. Additional schedules will be available at the Village Hall, Recreation Department and Library.

Village Hall

115 East Margaret Street

Thornton, Illinois 60476

Phone (708) 877-4456 Fax (708) 877-4458

www.thornton60476.com

Hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 12pm

AUGUST 2014

VILLAGE BOARD APPROVALS

MEETING SCHEDULE

Village Committee Meet-

ings are held on the first

and third Mondays of

every month at 7:00pm.

Village Board Meetings are

immediately following at

7:30pm.

The Planning and Devel-

opment Commission

Meetings are held on the

second Wednesday of the

month at 7:30pm.

Police and Fire Commission

Meetings are held

quarterly.

All meetings are held in

the Board Room of the

Village Hall.

Open to the Public.

Village Hall

Board Room

115 East Margaret

Street

Visit us at www.thornton60476.com

For agendas and

meeting packets.

Appointment of Sharlee Dunlop as Recreation Director-No Public Comment

Motion by Trustee Hudson, seconded by Trustee Ehlers, to approve the appointment of Sharlee Dunlop as Recreation Director, effective immediately.

AYES – Trustees Hudson, Ehlers, Pisarzewski, Kolosh, Kaye.

NAYS – None.

ABSTAIN – Trustee Atkinson.

Motion carried.

FY’ 14 Year End Expense Report-No Public Comment

Motion by Trustee Pisarzewski, seconded by Trustee Hudson, to approve the FY ’14 April Year-end Expense Report, as presented.

AYES – Trustees Pisarzewski, Hudson, Kaye, Ehlers.

NAYS – Trustee Atkinson.

ABSENT – Trustee Kolosh.

Motion carried.

Special Use and Variance Ordinance for 113 Blackstone-No Public Comment

Motion by Trustee Pisarzewski, seconded by Trustee Atkinson, to approve the Special Use and Variance Ordi-nance for 113 Blackstone, with the amendment to remove the “8 ft.” wording, and leave in the “privacy fence” wording, as discussed.

AYES – Trustees Pisarzewski, Atkinson, Kaye, Kolosh, Hudson, Ehlers.

NAYS – None.

Motion carried.

Appointment of Doug Beckman as Village Administrator-No Public Comment

Motion by Trustee Pisarzewski, seconded by Trustee Kaye, to approve the appointment of Doug Beckman as Village Administrator, effective immediately.

AYES – Trustees Pisarzewski, Kaye, Atkinson, Hudson, Ehlers, Kolosh.

NAYS – None.

Motion carried.

Special Use Ordinance for 593 N. Williams-No Public Comment

Motion by Trustee Atkinson, seconded by Trustee Pisarzewski, to approve the Ordinance granting a Special Use to H&S Enterprises, Ltd. for the property located at 593 North Williams Street, as presented.

AYES – Trustees Atkinson, Pisarzewski, Hudson, Kolosh, Ehlers.

NAYS – None.

ABSENT – Trustee Kaye.

Motion carried.

Appointment of Glenn Beckman as Police Chief- No Public Comment

Motion by Trustee Hudson, seconded by Trustee Pisarzewski, to approve the appointment of Glenn Beckman as the Thornton Police Chief, effective immediately.

AYES – Trustees Hudson, Pisarzewski, Ehlers, Kolosh.

NAYS – Trustee Atkinson.

ABSENT – Trustee Kaye.

Motion carried.

AUGUST 2014

Our Mission: The Thornton Police

Department exists for the purpose of protecting life

& property, and to maintain social order within the carefully prescribed ethical & constitutional limits.

Through a cooperative effort we will provide

citizens & visitors to the community with

professional police services, always with the

emphasis on the continued sensitivity to

the communities needs & concerns for all.

TTHORNTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Glenn Beckman, Police Chief 700 Park Avenue

(708) 877-2531 Non-Emergency

(708) 877-4440 Records (708) 877-5525 Fax

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm

Saturday 9am - 12pm

SCHOOL’S BACK IN SESSION

Wolcott School starts August 20st and the Pre-K program starts August 25th. Our agency’s primary concern is the safety of the children and for that we need your help. Here are some tips that will make this school year a safe one:

SLOW DOWN and STOP TALKING. School Zone speed limits on Eleanor and Margaret are 20mph. Also, it is against the law to talk on a mobile device while driving in a school

zone.

DON’T BLOCK CROSSWALKS. Unfortunately, we can’t get the railroads to plan their schedule around our school travel times and occasionally traffic backs up because of a train. When that happens make sure to keep the crosswalks clear for the crossing guards to get the children across the street.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE CROSSING GUARDS. Village of Thornton crossing guards are trained individuals who wait for the safest opportunity to cross the children. So be mind-ful of them when they stop traffic and always cross the street with a crossing guard when available.

BE RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS AROUND THE SCHOOL. When picking up children from school be mindful that you are not the only person that needs to pick up a child. No parking areas (yellow curbs and parking blocks) around the school are strictly enforced for the safety of the children and for other motorists as well. More staff parking spaces were created to try and alleviate some congestion around the school at drop-off and pick-up

times.

DON’T DRIVE THRU THE PARKING LOT BEHIND THE POLICE STATION. The parking area on the south side of the Rec Center/Police Station prohibits through traffic. Many parents and children will be parking in that area and walking to the entrance of the Rec Center. Therefore, unless you have business at the Rec Center or the police station, you are pro-hibited from driving through the lot.

We appreciate all of our resident’s cooperation in helping us make this school year a safe one.

Safely celebrate this Labor Day Holiday Period. Law enforcement plans Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Crackdown on drunk drivers.

The Police Department will be conducting special patrols this Labor Day Holiday period, August 15, 2014– September 1, 2014, to crack down on drunk drivers and to cite unbuck-led motorists. Please remember to Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket. If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a sober driver before the party begins. Be responsible or risk a DUI. In addition to looking for drunk drivers, we will be stepping up seat belt enforcement particu-larly at night when seat belt usage rates are lowest. The Labor Day Holiday Period to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety.

AUGUST 2014

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Interested in more information about our Village Government? Try visiting our website at www.thornton60476.com. Various information on our website includes:

Financial Information (Annual budgets and audits); as well as bi-weekly invoice lists);

Village Department annual reports;

Village Trustee board meeting packets;

Upcoming community events and other important reminders;

Local Village ordinances and codes;

Elected Official contact information; and

Online water bill payments

Our Village strives for transparency; we hope you take advantage of all the information available to you, on our website. Also, please visit our Facebook page to see what’s happen-ing in town.

VILLAGE HALL

Save the Date!

Thornton Township Picnic Thursday, August 28th from 4-7pm Open

to the Public at Nason Park!

Please join us in congratulating the newly Appointed Officials! We are excited to have them and know they will do a great

job for our Village.

Sharlee Dunlop Doug Beckman Glenn Beckman Director of Parks and Recreation Village Administrator Chief of Police

June 16, 2014 July 9, 2014 August 6, 2014

Congratulations to these 2014 Pride In Property Winners:

Residential

39 Arapaho, Don Bielec

58 Arrowhead, Jason Romans

108 Blackstone , Cristina Toro

413 Blackstone, Jarvier Garcia

113 Indianwood, G. A. Vaundry

516 Kinzie Place, Steve Martin

321 Mallette, Thomas Paulton

904 Park, Josephine Heath

312 Water, Phillip Lang

Business

401 N. Williams, Skyline Furniture

Village Hall

115 East Margaret Street

Thornton, Illinois 60476

Phone (708) 877-4456 Fax (708) 877-4458

www.thornton60476.com

Hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 12pm

THORNTON’S ELECTRIC AGGREGATION

PROGRAM WILL BE EXPIRING AT THE END OF AUGUST

You have received notice in the mail from ComEd that First Energy Solutions will no

longer be the electric supplier. Our NIMEC representative went out for bids and found

that ComEd has the lowest rates. If you choose to stay with ComEd and are in the

Electric Aggregation Program you will automatically be switched back to ComEd. After

12 months, our NIMEC representative will again go out for bid to find the lowest rates.

Call the Clerk’s office at 877-4456 with any questions.

AUGUST 2014

Our Mission: To provide the citizens of

Thornton with fast, effective and professional fire, rescue and medical services through the use of trained personnel and quality equipment. We

continually strive to prevent the loss of life,

personal injury and property damage through

public education and emergency

responsiveness. We will render our services with

pride and personal commitment to the

individuals in need of aid.

THORNTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

David Habecker, Fire Chief Joe Eaker, Assistant Fire Chief

115 E Margaret Street

(708) 877-4459 Non-Emergency

A BACK-TO-SCHOOL MESSAGE FROM THE THORNTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

As summer draws to a close, back-to-school season is in full effect. It is important for parents to stay up-to-date on the proper safety precautions and share this information with their children to keep them safe throughout the school year.

The following Back-to-School Safety Checklist is from the National Safety Council:

Walking to school

Review your family’s walking safety rules,

Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available,

When on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic,

Before you cross the street, stop and look all ways to see if cars are coming,

Don’t ever dart out in front of a parked car,

Practice walking to school with your child.

Riding a bicycle to school

Make sure your child always wears his helmet when leaving the house. Teach your children the rules of the road they need to know to ride their bicycles. Ride on the right side of the road and in a single file. Come to a complete stop before crossing the street.

Riding the bus to school

Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus. Make sure your children stand six feet away from the curb. If your child and you need to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the side of the road until you are at least 12 feet ahead of the bus. You always should be able to see the bus driver, and the bus driver always should be able to see you.

Preventing backpack-related injuries

Chose a backpack for your child carefully. It should have ergonomically designed features to enhance safety and comfort. Don’t overstuff a backpack; it should weigh no more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. For example, a child that weighs 60 pounds should carry a backpack no heavier than 12 pounds. Ask your children to use both straps when wearing their backpack to evenly distribute the weight.

Preventing playground-related injuries

Encourage your child only to use playgrounds with a soft surface. Avoid playgrounds with concrete, grass and dirt surfaces, as they are too hard. Children under the age of four should not use climbing equipment and watch older children when they’re climbing. Do not let your children use monkey bars. They are unsafe and should not be used by children of any age.

SHARING THE ROAD SAFELY WITH CHILD PEDESTRIANS

All drivers need to recognize the special safety needs of pedestrians, especially those that are chil-dren. Young, elderly, disabled and intoxicated pedestrians are the most frequent victims in auto-pedestrian collisions. Generally, pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections; however, regardless of the rules of the road or right-of-way, you as a driver are obligated to exercise great care and extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians. Drivers should not block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn. Do not stop with a portion of your vehicle over the crosswalk. Blocking the crosswalk forces pedestrians to go around your vehicle and puts them in a dangerous situation. In a school zone when a warning flasher or flashers are blinking, you must stop to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. Always stop when directed to do so by a school patrol sign, school patrol officer or designated crossing guard. Children are the least predictable pedes-trians and the most difficult to see. Take extra care to look out for children not only in school zones, but also in residential areas, playgrounds and parks. Don’t honk your horn, rev your engine or do anything to rush or scare a pedestrian in front of your car, even if you have the legal right-of-way.

AUGUST 2014

THORNTON PUBLIC WORKS

Public Works Office Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm

After hours: Call Lynwood

dispatch 708-758-4744 ext #1

Maintenance tech is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Jim Landini, Superintendent Bryan Roberts, Assistant Superintendent

321 E Harriet Street

(708) 877-4462 (708) 877-1627 fax

Our Mission: To provide a wide range of vital community services to the residents of Thornton in a professional and effi-

cient manner.

EPA: THE SOLUTION TO STORMWATER POLLUTION

ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN!!

DID YOU KNOW that storm water is the biggest threat to clean water? Storm water flows over driveways and sidewalks which collects debris in its path. Debris such as chemicals, pesticides, fertilizer, pet waste, oil, grease and other pollutions can flow into storm and sewer systems. Any-

thing that enters a storm sewer is discharged into untreated bodies of water like lakes, streams and rivers which we use for swimming, fishing and drinking. Polluted storm water can kill or dam-age plants, fish and wildlife.

AND DID YOU ALSO KNOW that by practicing some household habits you to can help to do your part in protecting our water ways?

Here’s how:

Lawn and Garden

Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly, sweep fertilizer off driveway and sidewalk back into

your lawn,

Select native plants and flowers that requires less water, fertilizer and pesticides,

Sweeping up yard debris instead of hosing it down. Compost or recycle whenever possible,

Keep piles of dirt, mulch or sand for landscaping projects covered,

Pick up your pet waste.

Vehicle and Garage

Take your car to the car wash or wash vehicle on grass/unpaved surface to stop the flow of

dirty water,

Check your vehicle for leaks and spills: Absorb spillage with sand or oil dry,

Recycle used oils and fluids at service stations. Don’t dump these fluids down storm drains.

Home Repair

Locate and protect the drains from debris,

Purchase and use non-toxic biodegradable, recycled products,

Clean up and properly dispose of any debris when working on your house.

Try to follow some of these household habits to cleaner water.

REMEMBER: ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN!!

AUGUST 2014

WOLCOTT SCHOOL UPDATES

School is back in session Wednesday, August 20th! These guide-lines are for dropping off and picking up students. Drivers please be aware and allow for extra time in the morning. Wolcott Student Arrivals: Wolcott Street: Parking is allowed from Marion Street up to the yellow barricades. On the west side of the street, parking is not allowed from the yellow barricades south to Harriet Street. This is a drop-off only zone. On the east side of the street, parking is allowed; however, students must cross the street at the crossing guard. Harriet Street: This is a drop-off only zone. Hubbard Street: The entire street is open to busses only, Park-ing is not permitted by the ball fields. Wolcott Student Departures: Wolcott Street: Parking is allowed from Marion Street up to the yellow barricades. On the west side of the street, parking and pick-up is not allowed from the yellow barricades south to Harriet Street until after 3:05pm. On the east side of the street, parking is allowed; however, students must cross the street at the crossing guard.

BULK RATE

U.S. Postage

P A I D

Thornton, IL

60476

Permit No. 8

POSTAL CUSTOMER

THORNTON, ILLINOIS 60476

THORNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

August 25 7:00pm

Bob Sapp will give a presentation on our Thornton Quarry

Many of us have lived near the quarry most of our lives. Many have taken a tour down in the hole. Monday, August 25th you can have the opportunity to hear first hand from the Presi-dent of Hanson Material Service as he gives his presentation on the history and operations of the quarry.

Come join us as we learn more about the most popular “attraction” of our village.

Held in the Museum Hall at 114 North Hunter St

Half block north of the Village Hall

Refreshments will be served