In this issue-
In this issue, we say goodbye to 2014 and what a year it was for your village. Many things were accomplished: some that you can physically see and others that you can't. We summarize them below by category.
As always, if you have any input or suggestions for this newsletter or other village matters, let us know. We are here to represent you and the better we understand your views the better job we can do.
Happy New Year from the trustees, president, administrator, clerk, and employees.
--Jim Zegar, Editor
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Infrastructure-
- Wadsworth Road project completed, with new sidewalks, curbs, storm sewers and tree replacement with continuing efforts at beautification in general and improved parking
- Delany Road project completed
- Resurfaced Chicago Avenue
- Repaved village portion of Plaza Lane
- Seal-coated village parking lots
- Removed trees infected with the Ash Borer
- Closed-out the last two subdivisions under construction with no new ones currently under development
Social events-
- Hosted another free Concert in the Park
- Easter Egg hunt for the kids
- Holiday ceremony with Santa and cookies
- Worked together with the Wadsworth Queens on various events and benefited greatly from their assistance. See more below
Civic and intergovernmental-
- Second year of Farmers' Market
- Completed new Comprehensive Plan
- Negotiated intergovernmental agreements for snow and ice removal
- Used county services for road striping
- Served on the planning committee for Rt. 173 improvements
- Amended village zoning code
- Pursuing quiet zone for CP rail corridor
- Sent out 18 electronic newsletters
- Partnered with the Lake County Municipal League for crack sealing and other road maintenance services
- Partnered with other local governments for the joint purchase of road salt
- Serving on county-wide committee that is working to improve water quality within the Des Plaines River watershed
Property and equipment-
- Purchased the old post office building
- Sold Rt. 173 property for a profit
- Traded in an old dump truck for a new pickup with very little out-of-pocket cost
Referendum-
- Completed a successful sales tax referendum to fund a 15-year program to maintain and improve all 33 miles of village roads
Finance-
- Ended the year with a positive fund balance and NO bonded debt
- Received an unqualified opinion on our financial statements from our outside CPA firm which is the highest level of assurance a village can receive
- Continued efforts to streamline operations where improved services and/or cost savings can be achieved
New eateries-
- Tracy's Bistro on the corner of Rts. 41 and 173
- Dunkin' Donuts on the corners of Rts. 41 and 173 and also Rts. 41 and Wadsworth Road
On a related note, The Shanty received the prestigious "Enjoy Illinois: Delicious Destination" award and Captain Porky's was featured on the local television show "Chicago's Best."
Congratulations to the entire Kallianis family for their great efforts and terrific results. Wadsworth Queens-
We can't say enough about what a wonderful resource they are for this community. In the past year, this is what they did:
- Held a golf outing fund raiser
- Ran the Easter Egg Hunt
- Held their annual pageant with Emily Andersen (Miss Wadsworth), Alyssa Cairns (Junior Miss Wadsworth), and Hailey Hamann (Little Miss Wadsworth) winning their crowns. Congratulations to these outstanding young women
- Held a "Feed the Starving Children" event hosted by Hailey
- Alyssa organized a food bank event
- Emily helped organize a Neph Cure Walk
- Worked at the Farmers' Market
- Participated in the county pageant
- Helped manage the tree lighting event
- Worked diligently at the Farmers' Markets
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