Mayor’s Message for Friday, January 17, 2025

Dear Residents,

Last week, I highlighted the accomplishments within the South Barrington Police Department. This week, I would like to share with you some of the notable happenings in 2024 that occurred outside the Police Department.

Road Repair
One of the highlights of 2024 was the work done as part of our road repair and resurfacing program. The costs for 2024 added up to approximately $500,000. The streets we repaired and resurfaced included: Beechnut, Winsor Court, Beacon Hill, and most of Willow Bay.

Property Taxes
We are proud to maintain our stable property tax levy (our 8th year in a row) There are multiple other taxing agencies on your real estate tax bill, but our total real estate tax amount requested yearly in order to run the administrative and police department has remained the same.

Tornado strike
On Tuesday, February 27, we experienced a confirmed EF-0 tornado in the Village. The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado occurred between 7:33-7:35 pm with estimated peak winds of 85 miles per hour. The tornado traveled approximately 1.1 miles with a maximum width of 105 yards. We were hosting other Mayors, members of the Barrington Area Council of Government, as it occurred. Roofing and other debris was scattered throughout our community. Thankfully, only property was damaged.

Conservation
During the last year, we were able to make tremendous strides in improving our Village’s plant life and green spaces. Some of the highlights included:

• Trimming 229 trees along the Village parkway
• Treating the trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer
• Planting South Barrington’s 101^st tree species, the American Hornbeam, at the Conservancy.
• Achieving the “Tree City USA” designation for the fifth year in a row as well as receiving the “Growth Award” for our dedication to caring for and investing in village trees.
• Beginning work with consultants to enhance the Conservancy and soon applying for a grant in the spring in order to implement the final plan
• Continuing our study with an engineering firm to explore the availability of obtaining Lake Michigan Water and a possible future allocation
• Continuing to be a center for recycling, for cork, fluorescent bulbs and seasonally, holiday lights
• Serving 175 cars and recycling 9,060 pounds of paper during the Village annual document shredding event through SWANCC last September

Miscellaneous

• The Village hosted a successful Property Tax Assessment seminar on “How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment,” as well as other seminars and programs for residents.
• This year, I was honored again to accept an appointment to the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC), which is an intergovernmental agency dedicated to reducing nighttime aircraft noise in the communities surrounding O’Hare Airport. Anyone with O’Hare noise complaints should visit the Board’s website www.oncc.org to report them directly. Due to the runway construction, 2024 was a unique year for noise.
• My participation as a board member in BACOG (Barrington Area Council of Government) is one of my high priorities for the Village. Mayors and Barrington Township members meet monthly to network, discuss state legislative bills, and run programs. One of the initiatives we promote is the private well testing program. We also have programs to measure the health of our aquifers that supply our water. We work on initiatives to keep our water supplies healthy. Our public water supply is tested on a regular basis and is not part of this testing program. There was a total of 111 private well samples turned in to be tested for pollutants from our South Barrington residents. In addition, I also sit on the board of Northwest Water Planning Commission and represent the Barrington Area Council of Governments to which we belong.
• We added social media on Facebook, X, Instagram for important news and alerts.
• The Village added two new staff members, Mike Dropka as Village Administrator and Angela Scola as the Executive Administrative Assistant.
• We had our first ever house decorating contest and Santa letter box in 2024. Mr. Heidner, the owner of the Arboretum of South Barrington generously provided gift certificates to the winners. We look forward to making this event even better next year.

Arboretum of South Barrington

• The Arboretum of South Barrington was awarded the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Community Impact Award. The Arboretum has been an asset to the Village and continues to play an active role in our community.
• Mago Grill and Cantina won OpenTable’s 2024 Diners’ Choice Award.
• We also welcomed several new businesses and restaurants in 2024, including:

• Dirty Dough
• Dawg Park Re-Open
• Giostra by Fabio Viviani
• Grant & Dunne
• J.Jill
• Neon Soul
• Pure Green
• Teamo Boba Bar

There is no doubt 2024 was a busy and productive year for our community. I look forward to serving you and your families in 2025 and building on the successes of the last year.

Architectural Control Commission
As a reminder we are still looking for someone to fill the opening on the Architectural Control Commission (ACC) committee. If you or anyone you know has an architectural or planning background, please consider putting your name in for consideration. As a volunteer member of the ACC, you will be involved in attending some evening meetings, administering the Village’s architectural codes and/or ordinances, and providing recommendations to petitioners and the Village Board on commercial properties, signage, etc. We presently have two architects on this 7-member committee.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the ACC should call the Village Hall at 847.381.7510  or email me at pmccombie@southbarrington.org to schedule an appointment.

Homeowner association meetings at Rose Hall
Several South Barrington homeowner associations hold their meetings in-person in Rose Hall. This option is available to ALL homeowner associations. If you are interested in reserving Rose Hall for your upcoming HOA meeting, please call the Village 847.381.7510. And if you would like the Police Chief or I to attend your meeting
to discuss village business, please let me know so that it can be arranged. We are always happy to attend.

National Weather Service
Winter has arrived and has brought along plenty of freezing temperatures and snow.

Winter weather can be unpredictable, and safety is always a top priority. The National Weather Service is a great source for up-do-date weather information. Before you travel, I recommend checking the Department of Transportation (IDOT) real-time road condition map, with major intersection snapshots, available on their website.

As always, I am here to listen to your thoughts and concerns. Feel free to email me at pmccombie@southbarrington.org, or use the anonymous comment boxes located in the lobbies of Village Hall and the Police Department. I review these messages privately and value your input.

Have a great weekend.

Paula McCombie
Mayor

Read more of my Friday message by clicking here.

If you have not signed up to receive our Weekly E-News or CodeRED Emergency Notifications, please do so by clicking the links below: