Mayor’s Message April 24, 2026

Dear Residents,

These last few days we have enjoyed some incredible weather. Hopefully, you have been able to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Life is always better with sunshine.

SPRING BRUSH PICKUP

The annual Spring Brush pickup will take place Monday, April 27^th and will run through May 1st. To help crews move efficiently and serve as many residents as possible, please follow these guidelines:

• Branches and limbs should be stacked in a pile no larger than 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and up to 10 feet long.

• Place all cut ends facing the street or aligned parallel with the direction of traffic to allow for quick and safe loading into the chipper.

• Please gather smaller branches and loose debris from your yard and include them in your pile. This helps prevent materials from washing into storm drains and culverts, which can restrict water flow and increase the risk of flooding.

Please note: This service is not intended for full tree removal or lot clearing. Tree stumps and root balls will not be collected. Crews will only pass through subdivisions ONE time. No yard waste sticker is required for this special pickup.

Thank you for helping keep our community clean and running smoothly!

STAYING AHEAD OF SCAMS IN A DIGITAL AGE

I had the opportunity to attend a Fraud Prevention Workshop hosted by the Wintrust Security and Fraud team at Barrington Bank & Trust. The information shared was a sobering reminder of the sophisticated threats facing our communities.

From convincing emails and text messages to AI-generated voices and fake websites, today’s scams can look and sound more legitimate than ever. Cryptocurrency scams are also on the rise, often involving promises of quick returns or urgent requests to move funds, both major red flags.

I encourage everyone to stay vigilant: avoid clicking unknown links, never share personal or financial information unless you’ve verified the source, and take a moment to double-check anything that feels urgent or unusual. When in doubt, contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number or website.

By staying informed and cautious, we can better protect ourselves and one another from these growing threats. Follow the link below to review the materials shared during this workshop.

CLICK THE LINK TO ACCESS THE FRAUD SCAM MATERIALS

VOLUNTEERS WANTED-CONSERVANCY COMMISSION

I recently announced the formation of the new Conservancy Committee, which has now officially launched with the inaugural meeting held earlier this week.

A key topic of discussion was the expansion of the Conservancy Commission, made up of volunteer residents interested in supporting the Conservancy Committee in the implementation/execution of the OSLAD grant, as well as assisting with long-term planning for future conservancy projects and use.

If you are interested in serving on the Conservancy Commission, please contact Makayla at mterfehn@southbarrington.org.

WATERING ORDIDNANCE

As the weather warms up, please remember the Village has an ordinance restricting lawn and sprinkler use as part of our conservation efforts.

Ordinance #2025-1442 states the outside use of the potable water supply provided by the village system for landscaping and lawn sprinkler or irrigation system is permitted between the hours of 5:00am and 9:00am and between the hours of 5:00pm and 10:00pm. Lots with odd numbered addresses will be permitted to use potable water for lawn watering by the use of a lawn sprinkler or irrigation system on odd numbered days (as long as they are not two consecutive days in a row) and lots with even numbered addresses will be permitted to use potable water for lawn water by the use of a lawn sprinkler or irrigation system on even numbered days. 

Please note this requirement is effective yearly between May 15th and September 15th. Thank you for your assistance in helping us conserve our natural resources.

2026 ARBOR DAY HIGHLIGHTS

Another conservation effort in our community is the annual planting of a new tree for Arbor Day.

This week we planted tree number 29 at the Conservancy for what has become a South Barrington tradition on Arbor Day. This year’s selection, a Bitternut Hickory, was especially meaningful as it was dedicated to our America250 Gives initiative and will serve as a living tribute to this historic milestone.

The Bitternut Hickory is a strong native Illinois tree known for its resilience, longevity, and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions. As a long-living native species, it represents endurance and growth over time, making it a fitting symbol for both our local environment and the America250 celebration.

Enjoy some photos from the celebration and our newest addition to the Conservancy!

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 an enjoyable weekend!

Paula McCombie
Mayor