the daily

Countdown crosswalk signals make downtown debut

Work was completed today on the first installation of crosswalk countdown signals that soon should help make signalized intersections throughout the village of La Grange safer for pedestrians.

The signals, which consist of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), display a visual countdown from 10 or 15 seconds to zero, letting pedestrians know how much time remains before the traffic signal for motorists turns yellow, Ryan Gillingham, village public works director said.

New countdown signals are now in place on all four corners at the intersection of La Grange Rd and Harris Ave, next to Village Hall. It will take about two months to complete installation at all of the village's signalized intersections, including those where jurisidiction is shared with neighboring communities, Gillingham said.

In addition to the new crosswalk signals, work crews also are replacing the overhead, incandescent traffic signals for motorists with LED devices. The LED signals use less power and should be easier for motorists to recognize, Gillingham said.

The LED signals also eventually will have a battery backup system so that traffic lights will continue to operate even when electrical power is lost, he said.

The cost of the new system is $214,000, all but $47,000 of which will be paid by two grants from the State of Illinois, Gillingham said.

Village capital projects staff reports available online

The La Grange village board of trustees on Monday held a workshop to review and discuss capital projects for fiscal year 2008-2009.

In coming days we'll report on some specific projects. In the meantime, you can read the staff reports that were prepared for the workshop.

Link to the staff reports.

New water main along Gilbert Ave goes in this week

Construction of a new 12-inch water main along Gilbert Ave between 47th St and Elm Ave is scheduled to begin today, likely creating temporary traffic delays along that route.

Public works crews from the Village of La Grange will install about 2,088 lineal feet of pipe under the sidewalk on the east side of the thoroughfare.

When completed, the water main will improve delivery capacity and operating pressure to adjacent properties.

Anyone with questions about the project is invited to call the public works department at (708) 579-2328.

Public works director Ken Watkins to retire in June

Ken Watkins, director of public works director for La Grange, will retire June 30, Village President Elizabeth Asperger announced at Monday night's regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Watkins, who began his La Grange career in 1976 as a water operator, has been director of the department since 2000.

"I think everyone in this village knows what an outstanding job he has done," Asperger said. "If you see Ken as you are walking around in the Village, out and about, shake his hand and thank him for his many years of service."

Watkins said he wished that he could stay on the job "another four or five years" but is retiring on the advice of his doctors.

Watkins suffers from Crohn's disease, an inflammation of the digestive tract for which he has had surgery and takes prescribed steroids. The stress of his job, routine for a healthy man, is compounded by his weakened physical condition, he said. 

Village's Christmas tree is gift from trustee Langan

The Christmas tree standing on the front lawn of Village Hall this year was a gift from Village trustee Mark Langan, according to Mike Bojovic, assistant director of public works.

The 25-foot Blue Spruce was harvested Monday from Langan's 9th Ave residence by Lyons Tree Service and transported to Village Hall, where public works employees spent two days trimming it with lights and decorations.

More than 100 trees and 480 light poles throughout the downtown and West End business districts also have been decked out for the holidays, Bojovic said.

Nearly 45,000 feet of holidays lights were strung, a 50-percent increase over last year, he said. Some 5,000 feet of balsam garland also was used.

Replacement of downtown sidewalk brick begins

Work will be begin Monday replacing the decorative brick pavement that graces several downtown La Grange sidewalk corners. Settling of the bricks has created an uneven surface with some tiles now protruding noticeably above adjacent tiles, creating a safety hazard for pedestrians who may trip over them as a result.

After removing the bricks, a construction crew will replace the sand base underneath with a layer of concrete that should prevent future settling.

Several benches and planters, that just days before had had their summer foliage swapped out for autumn plantings, were removed by Public Works crews until work on the tiles is completed.

Village officials say that, weather permitting, the project should take about five days.

Village leaf collection begins earlier than usual

The annual leaf pickup program for La Grange neighborhoods began this week, earlier than anticipated, as noticeable amounts of fallen leaves already had been raked to the curbside by homeowners due to "cicada damage and some quirky weather conditions," Village Manager Robert Pilipiszyn said.

Public Works crews will continue to collect leaves from all Village streets on a bi-weekly basis through Nov. 21.

Pilipiszyn asked that residents rake leaves into rows, no more than one-foot in height, parallel to the curb, and not into large piles. Leaves must be free of brush, branches, and other debris.

Because of high traffic along La Grange Rd, Ogden Ave, 47th St, and East Ave, leaves along those streets should be placed on the parkway and not in the roadway.

Com Ed to trim trees that interfere with power lines

Com Ed has scheduled overhead utility line clearance in the La Grange area from approximately October 1 through December 15, 2007, Village Manager Robert Pilipiszyn announced at Monday night's meeting of the Village Board of Trustees. 

"Utility line clearance involves trimming of trees and pruning shrubs and other vegetation which may interfere with electrical wires," Pilipiszyn said. Regular line clearance prevents liabilities problems since trees interfering with electric wires can cause an interruption in service and safety hazards. "

Tree trimming will be performed by a company hired by Com Ed, using qualified utility arborists. There is no charge for this professional service. The Village Forester will monitor tree trimming activities.

Property owners who have questions regarding this Com Ed maintenance activity, should call Com Ed at 1-800-311-6345 Ext. 902 or visit the company's website.

Village Forester Don Wachter can be reached by phone at (708) 579-2328 ext. 2427, or by e-mail at dwachter@villageoflagrange.com.

East Ave roadwork surprises, delights Village officials

Cook County roadwork crews today unexpectedly began grinding and resurfacing portions of East Ave in La Grange, Village Manager Robert Pilipiszyn announced this evening at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Village Board of Trustees.

While La Grange Public Works Ken Watson has been hounding the County for two years with requests for a complete resurfacing of East Ave and other major thoroughfares in the Village, the presence of County work crews this morning took the Village by surprise, Pilipiszyn said.

"We apologize to everybody for the lack of advance notice ... but we're glad that they are out there and beginning to do the work," he said.

Because Cook County currently has limited funds for roadwork, the grinding and resurfacing will occur on East Ave only within 200 feet of four intersections: Odgen Ave, Lincoln Ave, Cossitt Ave and 47th St.

The roadwork will likely further complicate travel for East Ave motorists, who already face detours and delays this week at the Indian Harbor Belt Railroad crossing, where crews are replacing tracks, ties and panels.

Sewer & water data to be electronically compiled

Sewer and water infrastructure data collected by the Village of La Grange during its capital projects program will be compiled into two electronic atlases by the Heuer & Associates, the Village engineer, under a services agreement approved Monday night by the Village Board of Trustees.

The data includes the location of underground utilities, size and capacity of sewer and water mains, and the location of hydrants, valves and manholes, according to a report prepared by the Village public works department. The atlases eventually will become part of a Village-wide geographic information system, the report said.

The cost of the work is not to exceed $20,000, and will be divided equally between the Village's sewer and water funds.