Mayor’s Message September 25, 2026

Dear Residents,

The hot summer temperatures seem to finally be behind us and almost overnight, fall has arrived!

BRUSH PICKUP

The arrival of fall, of course, means a buildup of yard waste in need of pickup.

As in previous years, the Village has partnered with Cuba Township for a special village-wide brush pickup beginning Tuesday, October 13.

Participating residents must have their brush properly prepared and placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13 to ensure collection.

Cuba Township will make one sweep through the Village, and because of the volume of brush collected, pickup may take several days to complete.

Yard waste stickers are not required for this special pickup but to ensure your brush gets picked up, please review the brush pickup guidelines below:

• Pile Size: Brush piles may be no larger than 4 feet high × 4 feet wide × 10 feet long.
• Branch Size: Individual branches may not exceed 8 inches in diameter.
• Placement: Place all branches in the same direction, with the cut ends facing the road.
• No Bags or Ties: Brush must not be bagged or tied.
• What Is Not Accepted: This service does not include tree stumps, root balls, full tree removals, or lot clearing.

Contractor Work: Brush left behind by a tree-trimming contractor will not be collected.

END OF POOL SEASON

The cooler temperatures not only means falling leaves and brush but it also signals the end of pool season.

Please remember to follow Village guidelines when draining your pool. Village Ordinance 2011-930 (2-17-11) requires pool water to be discharged in a manner that protects our stormwater system and surrounding properties:

• Do not drain pool water directly into the sanitary sewer or septic system.
• Do not discharge water into or over a septic system.
• Clean, non-chlorinated, pH-neutral water may be discharged to storm sewers or surface drainageways.
• Water discharged to the stormwater system must not contain pollutants that could violate applicable water quality standards or create nuisance conditions, including offensive odors or colors, stagnant water, or areas that could become breeding grounds for insects.
• Before pumping out your pool, your contractor must notify the Village and confirm that the required conditions have been met.

Taking a few extra minutes to ensure your pool is drained properly helps protect our community’s stormwater system and keeps us in compliance with Village requirements.

HALLOWEEN TOWN AT THE ARBORETUM

Halloween Town is open for business, and there is something at the Arboretum for the entire family!

From creature-filled castles and ghostly graveyards to plenty of picture-perfect photo opportunities, Halloween Town offers fun and chills for all ages.

And when you’re ready for a little more fright… head over to Duchess Manor!

Duchess Manor officially opened for the season last weekend. There are options for the youngsters as well as older kids and adults. Make a night of it at The Arb and enjoy Halloween fun for the whole family!

Ready to brave Duchess Manor? Purchase your tickets here:
Duchess Manor Tickets

*Kids Lights on Tours available on Saturday & Sundays

NEW RECYCLING TOOL FOR SOUTH BARRINGTON

Sometimes it can be difficult to ascertain what items can and cannot be recycled.

This is why SWANCC’s Recycle Coach offers a free tool designed to make recycling easier and help residents make informed decisions about what belongs in the recycling bin, and what doesn’t.

The program provides residents with an easy-to-use search tool to look up everyday household items and learn how to properly dispose of them. It also offers collection reminders, service notifications, recycling tips, and information about local disposal options.

Taking a few seconds to check Recycle Coach can help prevent contamination in the recycling stream, reduce unnecessary waste, and ensure recyclable materials are handled properly. It’s a simple resource that can make a big difference in keeping our community, and our environment, cleaner.

Before you toss it, check it! Visit SWANCC’s Recycle Coach to get answers and make recycling a little easier.

Visit SWANCC RECYCLE COACH WEBSITE today!

A CHANGE TO LEFT-TURN SIGNALS ON BARRINGTON ROAD

There is an important change being implemented along Barrington Road.

Beginning October 5, IDOT will modify the left turn signal timing along the Barrington Road corridor to a “lagging left” operation. This means drivers turning left will not receive the green left-turn arrow at the beginning of the signal cycle. Instead, the through traffic signal will turn green first, followed later in the cycle by the protected left-turn arrow.

The purpose of the lagging left turn signal is to ensure the intersections are cleared of oncoming traffic. It is intended to improve safety on our roads. The change may feel different at first, so please pay close attention to the traffic signals and allow yourself a little extra time to adjust to the new timing.

IDOT is currently undertaking signal modernization and other improvements along the Barrington Road corridor. Please drive carefully and look for the new signal pattern beginning October 5.

PUMPKIN SMASH: NOVEMBER 7^TH

Back by popular demand the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Smash is set for Saturday, November 7th at the South Barrington Conservancy.

A community favorite, the Pumpkin Smash is the perfect way to give those pumpkins one last hurrah! So, as you enjoy the next month and a half of pumpkin picking, carving, and decorating, save those pumpkins for the big day!

We’ll be joined by Goebbert’s, along with our friends from the East Dundee Fire District and Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District. And we’re thinking a little friendly competition might be in order…  East Dundee vs. Barrington Countryside, the ultimate pumpkin smash off!?

We’ll be asking participants to RSVP in advance to help us plan for the event. If you already have the Pumpkin Smash on your calendar and know you’ll be joining us, please let Makayla know at mterfehn@southbarrington.org.

We can’t wait to see you there for another SMASHING good time!

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