Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Expansion project on hold during the economic downturns is resurrected.
Trustees gave their nod of approval and reviewed water and sanitary sewer upgrades at the regular Monday meeting of the Village Board. A plan to expand the Village's wastewater treatment plant has been revived and set in motion with authorization of an updated engineering proposal. Trustees authorized an updated engineering services plan by Aecom Engineers, of Chicago, for the design and expansion of Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2. The plan is to double the capacity of the plant from three-quarters of a million gallons a day (MGD) to 1.5 MGD. It was initiated in 2006, when design engineering services were started. A combination of permitting problems related to Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 1 together with the economic downturn worked …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Village board approved a water rate change and established a $32 monthly service charge.
The increase in the cost of water is bound to start a trend, both tightening faucets and running them less. The New Lenox Village Board Monday approved an ordinance to increase the price tag for water on a graduated scale and establishing a $32 monthly water line charge. Instead of the 6,000 gallon minimum, "we've restructured the water rates so that the line charge covers the cost of delivering the water to your household or business," said Kurt Carroll, village administrator. With the new fee structure, some people will actually realize a lower rate. People who use only 1,000 gallons a month will see a reduced rate. Infrastructure improvements in Chicago and Oak Lawn are moving forward. The upgrades carry a price tag of $100 million-…
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The number of new home construction permits issued in 2012 climbed for a combination of reasons.
In New Lenox the number of new home construction permits issued in 2012 nearly doubled over last year. A total of 119 permits were issued, said Robin Ellis, village development director. The year previous, they numbered 63. This is a marked improvement since the economic decline started in the fall of 2008. In all of 2010, only 23 home construction permits were issued and 21 the year previous. Mayor Tim Baldermann announced at a Village Board meeting in October 2012 that New Lenox was ranked No. 2 in Will County for the number of new housing starts for the second quarter. A Chicago Metrostudy released figures for the region show that confidence is growing in the housing industry. Only the City of Naperville, the portion that is located …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The T-Bird Huck Band is the entertainment for the night.
The VFW is hosting a post-New Year's fundraiser, dubbed "Blues, Beer & BBQ," to make up for funds they can no longer generate from video gambling. In June, village trustees voted 3-2 to opt out of a state program that would allow video gambling machines in town and banned the games instead. Despite an outcry by the American Legion and the VFW, the village declined to enter into a relationship with the state, which would have oversight of the program. You can read more about it here, but village trustees opposed a program that joined their revenue stream with the Illinois General Assembly. Here are the basics of the state program: Frank Novak, VFW quartermaster/chief financial officer, said before the ban on video games, the …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Three incumbents file for seats on the village board.
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Thursday, December 20, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Candidates have until Dec. 26 to turn in their petitions if they want to be on the April 9 ballot.
Candidates wanting to run in the April 2013 election for office in New Lenox have from Dec. 17-Dec. 26 to file their petitions for open seats on municipal and school boards along with the park district, library and township. The original deadline was Monday, Dec. 24. However it was changed because many clerk's offices throughout the state are closed or open with limited hours because it's Christmas Eve. Sign up for the free New Lenox Patch newsletter. Village Clerk Laura Ruhl said Village Hall will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24, but the office will be opened with extended hours—8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26. Here's a list of elected positions open: New Lenox Township government has the potential to switch out every position. …
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Forced annexation proceedings initiated by the village acts to absorb a handful of property owners opposed to joining the municipality.
Village Board members agree Monday to take action to annex the six remaining hold-outs at Plank Trail Industrial Center. Robin Ellis, the director of community development for the village, updated the board on the state of the Plank Trail Industrial Center on the west side of Schoolhouse Road just south of Old Plank Trail. About eight years ago, when the industrial park was opened, the developer agreed that it should be annexed to the village once the property becomes contiguous. As the industrial park has filled in with occupants, it is now within the boundaries of the village. At the moment, six of the occupants have said they do not want to be annexed. The six parcels, referred to as lots 11, 12, 31, 32, 33 and 37 are now completely …
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
New Lenox taxpayers benefit from medical facilities.
The New Lenox Village Board provided an overview of the upcoming property tax levy Monday night. The levy is expected to increase slightly. The increase is expected to be minimal—about $10 for an average homeowner with a $200,000 house, according to Kim Auchstetter, village finance director. . Last year, villagers also saw an increase that averaged $10 as well. However, the village saw $5.3 million in fresh growth in 2011. This year, growth from new homes and medical facilities brought in to accommodate Silver Cross Hospital made up for only $1.8 million, said Auchstetter. Meanwhile, the equalized assessed value of New Lenox homes is estimated to be down about 5.5 percent compared to a 5 percent drop last year, said Auchstetter. The drop …
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Mayor Tim Baldermann made a pitch for term limits at the local government level.
Mayor Tim Baldermann broached the topic of term limits for local government officials at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting. He said other communities have moved to setting three or four as the maximum number of terms that one can sevre in a particular role.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The village board reiterated its commitment to hiring local residents for jobs stemming from a $27 million worth of capital improvements. The first on the list is construction and related jobs for a new public works building.
As the Village of New Lenox is moving ahead with plans to build a $9.9 million police station and an $9 million public works facility, board members emphasized a commitment to hire qualified local residents and award contracts or parts of contracts to New Lenox businesses. Construction of the two buildings and necessary upgrades at the sanitation plant are part of an overall $27 million capital improvement plan that also includes the extension of Nelson Road between Haven Avenue and Illinois Highway. Last year the New Lenox Village Board voted to increase its sales tax by a 1/2 cent, bringing the total rate to 8.5 percent, and also increase its utility tax 5 percent on gas and electric to help pay for the projects. On Monday, the village …
Susan
10:51 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
CCW - Amen! more ›