Audio recordings from the February 23rd meeting of the Board of Trustees are available on the Village website. To access the full menu of recordings, click this link.
The first item discussed was an overdue upgrade to the Village Hall telephone systems, given that the current analog equipment is no longer manufactured, and support for its software may be discontinued before the end of 2017. Representatives for CallOne presented their evaluation of the Village’s needs, and answered questions about their proposal for changes in equipment and signaling. CallOne is a member of the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative and can provide substantial discounts to the village in both hardware and software due to a competitive bid process. CallOne also currently serves fellow BACOG members Barrington, Barrington Township, North Barrington, Lake Barrington and South Barrington.
Police Chief Richard Semelsberger, who has met several times with CallOne representatives, along with Administrator Bob Kosin, spoke in favor of the enhancements to communications and efficiencies for the Police Department as well. Savings to the Village from a change in signaling are estimated to be $6100 in telephone charges annually, in addition to the village not having to pay the 8% sales tax. The Board will vote on the telephone system upgrades at a future meeting. The CallOne presentation can be heard here.
Brian Cecola
Trustee Brian Cecola reported that, after two years of vigorous work trying to get Cook County to repair or resurface Brinker Road, it appears as though the project’s schedule will be moved up. Originally slated for 2020, Brinker, as well as Otis Road, are now on the 2017 schedule, probably in the fall, but possibly extending into 2018. Trustee Fritz Gohl was flabbergasted about this positive development and exclaimed, “ I want to know how you did this” and “ were you on your knees begging or crying?” President McLaughlin explained that persistent emails and phone calls by him, as well as Cecola, likely sped up the timetable. That portion of the meeting starts here.
Village Attorney Patrick Bond gave an update on strategies to oppose Longmeadow Parkway (LMP) and any legal maneuvers that the Village could utilize to assist the Autumn Trail residents. Bond described the “quick take” process that Kane County is now attempting via the State Legislature in order to take title of the involved properties by paying a preliminary just-compensation amount to the property owners in an abbreviated hearing process. Thus, construction of LMP would be allowed to go on before the parties reach a final compensation agreement or before final litigation. A Bill has been introduced in the State Senate by Senator Pam Althoff, whose district does not include any part of the Longmeadow Project. Village residents were urged to contact State Senator Dan McConchie and State Representative David McSweeney whose districts include most of Barrington Hills, and who will eventually be voting on the quick take bill. Both elected officials have been silent on the issue of Longmeadow. (*Note: The Autumn Trail subdivision itself is located in Elgin-based Senator Cristina Castro’s 22nd District.)
President McLaughlin also offered to author a letter on behalf of the Board and residents to both McConchie and McSweeney, explaining Barrington Hills’ opposition to LMP and asking for their support. McLaughlin noted the speed of Kane County’s change of strategy to pursue quick take after the Village’s meeting with them where the Village reiterated its stance that Autumn Trail is a private road and Barrington Hills has no jurisdiction over it.
The Attorney section of the agenda can be heard starting here.
(**Note: we feel compelled to comment on the outstanding breadth of knowledge that Attorney Bond demonstrated at this meeting. Bond is incredibly well prepared at each meeting, and the facility and clarity with which he responds to inquiries by the Board of Trustees continues to impress. The Village is fortunate to have such skilled and accomplished legal representation.)
Lastly, the Board voted affirmatively on a proclamation of Barrington Hills’ commitment to hold the annual Hills Are Alive Heritage Fest jointly with the Barrington Honor Ride & Run Event on August 13th at the Riding Center this year. Details on plans are pending, but the proclamation was necessary at this time in order to reserve the Park District facility for the event(s). The Honor Ride & Run had been held at Citizens Park in Barrington for the last few years, but organizers have been looking for a new venue. Horizon Farms had been contemplated as the new site, but due to continued legal wrangling over ownership of that property, the Forest Preserve will not be able to host the event this year. More discussion and planning of the event will take place at the March Board of Trustees meeting.
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