Board Meeting: Water-Use Restrictions Proposed, SEASPAR Presentation

Western Springs residents are likely to see restrictions placed on their sprinkler usage this summer as the Board of Trustees considers an ordinance that would regulate water usage in the Village between May 1 and Sep. 30.

The proposed law would prohibit sprinkler use between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., along with use at any time on alternate days (as determined by odd or even street address.) Minor watering with a hose, etc. would not be legally affected, nor would any other type of water usage.

At Monday’s Board meeting, Public Works and Water Committee chair Trustee Suzanne Glowiak said that the ordinance was necessary because the Village is currently operating on only two wells due to the reverse-osmosis water plant construction. The Village does not want to overly rely on Well No. 1 due to its hardness, and is concerned with maintaining appropriate water pressure for fire suppression.

“This is similar to what most other communities have to do if they have lake-water allotments,” Glowiak said, noting that Western Springs was unique in not having to take such steps before. “What we would suggest people to do is take their automatic sprinkler systems off automatic, put them on manual and only use them when they have to.”

Trustees expressed hope that residents would be cooperative in generally restricting their water usage for the time being, and while Glowiak emphasized the single-year temporary nature of the ordinance, Trustee Deborah Lyons added that it might serve as a way for the Village to examine its water laws in the long term as well.

SEASPAR presentation

As per annual custom, a representative of the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR) appeared before the Board on Monday to update trustees on the organization’s progress in providing educational and recreational services to persons with special needs.

SEASPAR Executive Director Susan Friend told the Board that the program served 86 Western Springs individuals in 2011, 68 boys/men and 18 girls/women, ranging in age from 3 to 62. She added that the program is continuing to improve and grow in its sports program.

“Our goal is to provide as many programs and services for individuals with all types of disabilities of all ages,” Friend said. “That’s what our mission is all about.”

Friend also presented a five-minute video featuring various photographs from events and testimonials from SEASPAR beneficiaries, set to Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.”

“I, for one, am deeply appreciative of the work that SEASPAR does for all our residents,” Village President Bill Rodeghier told Friend. “I think you’re a credit to the community… We’re very happy that we’ve got such a well-run program and that you do such a good job.”

Miscellaneous other business

Trustee James Horvath announced that a new ordinance is planned to increase the number of locations in Western Springs where residents are allowed to put up 8-foot fences (as opposed to the ordinary 6-foot fences,) including between homes and businesses or between homes and multi-family units.

Trustee Glowiak told the Board that the Village’s allotment in gas taxes (MRT) from the Illinois Department of Transportation is proposed to be used with $20,000 for road salt and $20,000 for various sidewalk repairs.

Glowiak also said that the Village is prepared to approve a bid for road reconstruction on the beaten-down and undersized Woodland Avenue, between Ogden Avenue and Chestnut Street. The bid is set to go to G&M Concrete of Worth. The total budget for the project, which includes water-main repair, is $1.8 million. The project is expected to run from spring to fall of 2012.