Bensenville Gateway Newsletter- Oct. 2013

OCTOBER 2013

FROM WHERE WE’VE BEEN TO WHERE WE’RE GOING

A Message fr from rom your V Village illage President

| Believe it or not, we have reached the

ptional year for our community y,, but by no means is our 4th quarter of calendar year 2013. It’ It’ss been an exceptional community, Wee have a great deal to focus on in the months ahead, and along with collective work complete. W rustees, I look forward for ward to all that we can accomplish before the the Village stafff and our Board of TTrustees, New Year.

One of our key ey functions in the weeks ahead will be the completion of our annual budget. As you know,, it has been the goal of my administration to provide complete transparency in the d to accept nothing shor We have had great success in both process, and shortt of a balanced budget. We areas in thee past several years, success that has been recognized with meaningful awards and commendations. ations. As we work our way through the process we welcome input from all illage Board meetings. Please check our website at residents at our upcoming V Village .bensenville.il.us nsenville.il.us for meeting schedules and agendas. www.bensenville.il.us ver y pleased to now be providing information information to you 24/7 via our expanded We are also very municipal pal cable channel. Under the direction of Multimedia Communications Administrator w video studio will be open to municipal groups such as our Librar y, Schools, Fire Anthony Sumner,, our new Library, informative programming for District and Park District among others, for the production and distribution of informative our residents.

Our business development plans continue to move for ward as we recently announced the arrival of the new forward Blu Liquefied Natural Gas facility in town along with a new Thor ntons gas station. As you all well know, know, to Thorntons suppor supportt our businesses, and to provide safety and convenience to all residents, we have been undergoing a number of infrastructure improvements, not the least of which is the grade separation att Y ork and Ir ving Park York Irving Roads. While not yet complete, this major project, along with other key road projects are moving along as scheduled and continue ue to lead us in the right direction n toward major transpor tation improvements. provements. transportation Finally Finally,, as much as wee enjoyed a busy summer of outdoor VILLAGE PRESIDENT Frank Soto BOARD OF TRUSTEES Morris Bartlett Susan Janowiak Robert Jarecki Martin O’Connell, III JoEllen Ridder Henry Wesseler CLERK Ilsa Rivera-Trujilla VILLAGE MANAGER Michael Cassady

community activities, we now move into a season filled with more family celebrations. This edition of Gateway will provide details about events including Oktober Oktoberfest, our Holiday Toy Toy Drive, the Holiday Magic and TTree re Lighting Ceremony and our annual nnual Holiday Exhibition at the Edge Ice Arena. I look forward for to seeing many of you at these enjoyable hol liday events and celebrations. holiday

FRANK SOTO | VILLAGE PRESIDENT

Ho y M Holiday Magigic T H E V I L L A G E O F B E N S E N V I L L E P R O U D LY P R E S E N T S

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY C Y

SUNDAY | 24 NOVEMBER 2013 | 3PM TO 6PM

Bensenville nsenville To TownCenter TownCenter CEE NT CENTER N & GREEN STREET

3:00 0 | Santa S a t a arrives a on the Yuletide Y Express 3 : 1 -6 3:15-6:00 3:15-6:0 6 | Photos with Santa 6 0 | TTrree Lighting Ceremony 6:00 Yuletide uletide id d Express de r s train aiin rides throughout the evening!

FFESTIVITIES FESTIV E S VITIES VIT E ES include n e holiday hol music and carolers, reindeer, reindeeer e , face painting, paint n ng, free ffre holiday h movies at the Bensenville Bensenvv ille Theatre, r e commemorative commem commemo or ornaments, naments, free taffy ta taf a f fy apples, a appl es, s popcorn, popcor o p r n, n hot h t chocolate cho choco and hot dogs and the always alw a w a y popular ways p o p l r ANNUAL ANNUA A UA CHILI COOK-OFF! U sponsored sponso p o nss red po e byy the h Bensenville Fire Fi Department Depar tment with neighboring ne Fire Departments Depar ep tments epar

FOR MORE INFORMATION INFORMATION CALL 630 766 8888 OR VISIT WWW.BENSENVILLE.IL.US WWW.BENSENVILLE.IL.US

ANNUAL HOLIDA HOLIDAY OLIDA AY TOY DRIVE November 1st marks the beginning of Bensenville’s Bensenville’s Annual Holiday Toy Toy Drive.

You You ca can an leave a new new, w,, unwrapped toy or book at any of our donation boxes through December 5th.

Please be generous in your giving.

A $10 donation to the drive will also provide provide a Star of Giving – an ornamental or namental star on our community Holiday TTree ree with your name on it!

Drop-off locations for toys are as follows: Village V illage Hall Park District Blackhawk School Fenton High School Bensenville Community Libraryy Librar You Y ou will also find collection boxes at various merchant locations throughout town. If you’d like to have a donation box at your location, please call us at 630 594 1010.

SPONSORED BY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SERVICE CORPORATION (CISCO), THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE AND THE CITY OF WOOD DALE

UNION CONSTRUCTION Fair promotes the opportunities for careers in the union trades for Bensenville and Wood Dale residents.

CAREER FAIR Saturday | October 26, 2013 9am-Noon BENSENVILLE VILLAGE HALL 12 South Center Street Second Floor Board Room

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Bensenville is creating its new Comprehensive Plan and invites all residents and businesses to participate. The last comprehensive plan for Bensenville was created in 1980. With the help of a technical assistance award from Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, now is the time to develop a plan that will build upon the Village’s assets to address current local issues and provide a roadmap for achieving long-term goals. All residents, business owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders from the community are invited to participate.

Topic areas typically addressed in a comprehensive plan include land use, transportation, infrastructure, parks and open space, housing, retail/commercial development, and community image and identity.

The planning process will include three phases, with public input being a key component of each phase. The first phase was recently completed and involved a thorough analysis of the existing conditions within the community using information gathered through one-on-one stakeholder interviews, steering committee meetings, focus group workshops, public meetings, review of previous studies, and available data. Phase 2 is now RED RIBBON CELEBRATION underway and will focus on creating a vision for the future Friday | October 25 of Bensenville by identifying goals and objectives based on Join the Police Department for this important findings from the Phase 1 analysis and a public visioning Drug Awareness event that includes a bonfire workshop. On October 3 the Village held a public visioning and refreshments for middle and high school workshop that was attended by a number of engaged and students in Redmond Park. energetic Bensenville residents. The residents collaborated to identify areas of focus for the Village over the next several MONSTER MASH years.The final phase will combine efforts from previous Wednesday | October 30 RESIDENTS AT VISIONING WORKSHOP 5:30PM to 7:30PM phases to create the comprehensive plan document DEER GROVE LEISURE CENTER containing policies, programs, and actions steps to be undertaken in order to Trick-or-treaters of all ages will achieve the community's future vision for the Village of Bensenville. enjoy games, music, and rides for the Stay up to date and participate in guiding the Village’s future kids. Come in costume and arrive via www.cmap.illinois.gov/lta/bensenville early to enjoy all the fun. Admission is only $2 per person.

For info www.bensenville.Il.us or call 630 594 1010.

FALL & WINTER EVENTS

HOLIDAY MAGIC AND TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Sunday | November 24 3:00PM to 6:00PM BENSENVILLE TOWN CENTER Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun! This annual celebration will include our Chili Cook-Off, carolers, carriage rides, and more, all leading up to the special moment when the Bensenville Holiday Tree lights go on.

And of course, there will be a special appearance by Santa himself.

16TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY EXHIBITION Sunday | December 15 12:30PM to 2:30PM EDGE ICE ARENA The Exhibition will include performances by all of our skating students in routines set to Holiday favorites. Admission is $8 and includes a chance to skate with Santa afterwards from 2:30 to 4:30.

A HEALTHY ME IS DRUG FREE As part of the police department’s effort to increase awareness about the dangers of heroin use, the department is developing plans to promote Red Ribbon Week as part of a national campaign held from October 23-31. The campaign promotes drug free communities through various efforts. This year’s theme is A Healthy Me is a Drug Free Me. The plans for the week include police personnel visiting local schools and the Green Teen Zone to talk with students about the dangers of drug use and its prevention. Red ribbons and wristbands will be distributed and requested to be displayed and worn during the week to increase the awareness. A community bonfire with a special outreach to middle and high school students will be held at Redmond Park from 7:00 to 9:00 PM on Friday, October 25. Police and Fire District Personnel will be present. Refreshments such as hot apple cider and hotdogs will be provided.

MUNICIPAL PAL AL CABLE BENSENVILLE MUNICIP CHANNEL NOW 24/7

LIQUEFIED ED NA NATURAL ATURAL TURAL GAS FUELING CENTER R TO LOCA LOCATE ATE TE IN BENSENVILLE NSENVILLE

e’re pleased to announce that local cable customers We’re tomers can now watch

Bensenville recently became one of the first communities mmunities in the nation

updates on our local cable channel at any hour.. Comcast customers will

to approve the construction of a liquefied natural al gas fueling center. center

lle TV on Channel 6, find Bensenville

TTo be operated by Blu., the center will be located at 600 Devon

while those of you receiving cable

Avenue A venue and is designed to serve ser ve vehicles utilizing ng clean natural gas.

AT&T can find fin us on service from AT&T

g one diesel 18 LNG is the cleanest burning burning fossil fuel. Removing

Channel 99.. Much of the programprogram-

wheeler and replacing it with an LNG engine iss the carbon footprint

ming will come ome from our recently

reduction equivalent of removing 324 automobiles off the road.

completed multi-camera production

Besides the environmental savings, LNG costs 33% less than diesel, is

facility.. Plans ans call for utilization of

non-toxic, non-corrosive and has a higher ignition temperature

the studio by all interested taxing

making it less flammable than gasoline or diesel. W ith the number of With

bodies in Bensenville. The studio

fleet trucks in and out of O’Hare and surrounding ng industrial areas, we

me channel serve ser ve as yet and full-time

anticipate a significant growth in the number of vehicles that will be

another way in which we are

requiring this type of fueling station and are pleased to be among the

mation about our providing residents with as much information

first to establish sh a facility of this kind.

re-recorded coverage c community as possible. The channel provides pre-recorded of government all Village Board meetings along with numerous other government meetings, as well as plentyy of coverage of events taking place through through-mation on programming, visit the out our community. community. For more infor information Bensenville TTelevision elevision section of our website.

CRIME REDUCING CING SOC SOCCER LEAGUE

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW W O’HARE RUNWAY RUNW WA AY PROVIDES GLIMPSE MPS SE OF HISTOR HISTORY As part of thee process of relocating Saint

In September, September, the winners of Bensenville’s Bensenville’s

Johannes es Cemeter Cemeteryy and Saint John’s John’ United

volunteer soccer league where announced.

Church of Ch Christ rist in relation to the O’Hare Airpor Airport expansion plan,

Originally star started ted to build relationships between

the Chicago cago g Depar Department tment of Aviation Aviat has recovered and provided to

the Bensenville Police and a primarily Hispanic

Bensenville, hundreds of ar ville, h tifacts dating back to the late 19th artifacts

population in some apartment apartment ment complexes, the

o these items were believed to be par mer century.. All of partt of for former

league now welcomes not only youth teams, but

buildings on the site and adjacent roadways. Included are many

cipants from multiple more than 200 adult participants participants

jars, bottles, ttles, and other day to day possessions that provide a look at

locations throughout the community. community. As a result

Wee are reviewing the items the life of ourr predecessors in this area. W

police calls have been reduced duced by over 70% in

permanent home for them so that current and will soon find a permanent

some areas. Congratulations ons to all on a great

obser ve and lear n a little bit more about the histor residentss can observe learn historyy

success story. stor y.

and heritage itage of Bensenville. If you are interested in more infor mainforma-

NEW POLICE ST STATION TA ATION The Village Village Board recentlyy approved the sale sa of $16,000,000 in bonds

d inter view of the site archeologist is available on our tion, a video interview website..

to finance the construction of a new police station at 345 East Green

CHICAGO CAG STEEL BACK ON N THE ICE

Street. The bonds were sold ld via a competitive bid process, and the sale

Our own Chicago Steel hockey ockey team has retur returned ned to the

will be split into two $8,000,000 00,00

Edge Icee Arena for the 2013-2014

quantities to save on the interest nterest paid.

season. The team hit the ice

Wee are able to utilize this competitive W comp

September ber 20th for the first of nearly

bid process because of the Village’s Villa

30 home me games. The season star started ted with 9

improved financial condition on and an

players from Illinois on the roster roster.. The season

enhanced S&P bond rating, g, which wh we

featuress plenty of weekend games at the Edge,

have achieved through improved prove

many available vailable as par partt of different ticket

budgeting and spending processes proces in

packages. es. Call 630 594 1161 or visit

recent years. Property Property taxes es will not be

chicagosteelhockeyteam.com osteelhockeyteam.com for details.

increased to service ser vice this debt.

TIOGA NEIGHBORHOOD TO BENEFIT FROM WATER RETENTION PLAN Excavation continues at the site where Chippewa School once stood as a part of a major flood control project in the Tioga neighborhood. With the expansion of the detention area on the southeast side of the former school property, Blu. Liquified Natural Gas Fueling Center

storm water will now collect and reduce the potential for flooding in nearby homes. The project was made possible through an intergovernmental agreement between the Village and School District 2 which has committed to using the land for water retention for a minimum of 10 years. In addition, the Village experiences savings by using the excavated dirt in the Irving Park and York Road Canadian Pacific rail bridge. When the Village, School District, homeowners, and other construction projects all benefit from one agreement, we’d like to think of this as a win-win-win-win.

BLUE RECYCLING CARTS NOW IN USE Residents throughout town received new blue recycling carts from Allied during September.

One more chance to clean the yard!

The new 65 gallon carts allow automated recycling trucks to move more efficiently from

Our last Brush Pick-up for 2013

home to home and provide a cleaner, more attractive way to participate in our curb side

is scheduled for November 4th.

recycling program. A larger 95 gallon cart is available on request. The program allows for

Crews will pick up brush, limbs,

recycling of metal, paper, glass and plastic materials. Despite this important improvement,

and other yard materials that

we have held refuse rates constant again and the current rate is locked in until 2015. Senior citizens now receive a 15% discount on their Allied rate. The discount is automatic for any

residents place by the curb. Don’t

Bensenville resident with a primary resident over 65 who is already receiving the discounted

miss out on this chance to get

water rate from the Village. If you need to sign up for the discount, call us at

some clean-up done.

630 766 8200.

WATER METER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM CONTINUES As announced earlier this year, the Village is in the process of replacing approximately 6,000 water meters throughout town. The new meters allow for automated reading and are equipped to accommodate an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. While current meters are now past the expected useful life of 20 years, the new meters also offer savings to both homeowners and the Village due to more accurate monitoring, leak detection, and reduced reading costs. If you have not had your meter replaced, please respond when United Meters, Inc calls to schedule a convenient time. If you have any questions about the program, feel fee to call our Public Works Department at 630 350 3435.

YORK AND IRVING WORK PROGRESSING As you drive down York Road near the troublesome intersection with Irving Park Road, you can witness substantial progress being made in the major grade separation project. This $67 million project is being funded by a Federal CREATE rail enhancement grant.

Contractors are continuing their work on bringing in dirt for the new embankments on both the north and south sides of the proposed bridge.

The aesthetic T-Wall installation along the embankment has begun.

New bridge abutments are anticipated to be completed near the end of October. Once the abutments are complete, we will experience our first major traffic pattern change as they begin to work on the center bridge pier. This traffic pattern change is anticipated in November.

PRST STD POSTAGE US POST U TAGE A AGE PAID PAID PERMIT NO. 72 BENSENVILLE, IL STREET 12 SOUTH CENTER STREET BENSENVILLE | ILLINOIS 60106

POSTAL POST AL CUSTOMER BENSENVILLE | ILLINOIS 60106

BE A SPECIAL AL PART PPAR ART OF BENSENVILLE’S HOLIDA AY CELEBRATION CELEBRA CE ELEBRA ATION TION HOLIDAY

STAY CONNECTED— Anywhere, Anytime Information and access are never more than a click

Each year year, r,, our Public W Works orks Depar Department tment chooses from among

away, no matter where you are. To stay informed

a number of homeowners who volunteer to contribute a tree

and to interact with the Village and your neighbors,

ty for use as our annual Holiday tree. If you from their proper property have a beautiful, healthy pine or fir tree that you’d like us to consider r, call Gar consider, Garyy Thorsen at 630 670 1692 by November 1 and we’ll make an appointment to evaluate your tree.

be sure to follow us on your favorite form of social media. Follow us on Twitter @BensenvilleIL, Facebook page Bensenville, Illinois or by downloading our mobile app which can be found via iTunes or Google Play by searching Bensenville.