Village Newsletter

The Village of Bartlett publishes a bi-monthly newsletter. The newsletter is mailed to all Bartlett residents approximately the first week of even months. Also, be sure to check out our online community calendar for information about upcoming events.

 

 

Bartlett Depot Museum Dedication
Sunday 9/12/2010*

“Two years and a half ago there was no such town as Bartlett…But with the advent of the iron horse, it became necessary to have a station, and when a station was decided upon, the town followed as a matter of course, and to-day we see a thriving village which has sprung up as if by magic, but with all the evidence of being substantial and prosperous.” The Elgin Advocate January 1, 1876

In 1873, Luther and Sophia Bartlett gave half of their 40-acre woodlot and a monetary contribution towards the erection of a train depot near their family farm. They named the new town that was formed Bartlett.

This historic building remained essentially unchanged from the time the first Bartlett home was built until its 134 years of service as a full-function station ended on December 10, 2007.

Our community’s small depot has stood watch as immigrants arrived to new homes, military men and women went to war, families departed and reunited, and persons traveled to work and play. This building, the only original structure still remaining in Bartlett’s first 40 acres, will continue to service our Village, not as a working depot, but as a depot working to take visitors on a rail journey through time and history.

The Village of Bartlett and Bartlett History Museum invite you, your family and friends to attend the dedication ceremony for the Bartlett Depot Museum on Sunday, September 12, 2010 from1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Please join in the celebration by attending one or more of the events scheduled at the Depot Museum, 100 W. Railroad Ave. and at Village Hall. All events are free, and registration is not required. Free goodie bags for adults and children, while supplies last. Refreshments will be available in the Village Hall lobby

at Bartlett Depot Museum
12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Patti Ecker performs “All Aboard, America!” Favorite train and patriotic songs come to life with guitar, banjo and Irish drum.

1:00 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Open to 3:00 pm.
Explore Bartlett’s rail heritage, featuring a rail photography exhibit by Bartlett resident Mark Llaunza.

at Bartlett Village Hall
Saturday, 9/11 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, 9/12 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers
Large model train layout by BSA Venture Crew 9911. Visitors will be given the chance to actually operate the passenger and freight trains.

2:00 p.m.
in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room
“Crossroads of the Nation: The Hidden History of the Railroads of Illinois”
Presented by Simon Cordery, railroad historian, historical advisor to the National Railroad Hall of Fame and Associate Professor of History at Monmouth College. Cordery’s presentation will survey the expansion of the railroad industry in the Land of Lincoln, demonstrate how Illinois fits into the pattern of national railroad development and explore the significance of the history of railroads in our state.

“This program is made possible in part by an award from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Illinois General Assembly.”

1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
in the Multipurpose Room
Railroad storytime for children with the Bartlett Public Library District. Programs will be ½ hour each. “All Aboard” for beloved stories and songs about the railroad.

*All events are on Sunday, except for the model train layout, which will be open both Saturday & Sunday. All programs are free and registration is not required.

           
Stormwater Update
On July 6, the Village of Bartlett Board of Trustees approved a contract with Fox Excavating Inc. of Batavia for Phase I of the North Avenue and Prospect Avenue Drainage Improvement Project. The project improvements consist of the construction of a detention basin and installation of storm sewer at the site.

This North Avenue location is one of five areas in the Village identified in Christopher Burke Engineering’s comprehensive drainage study following the massive storms and flooding that hit northern Illinois during September of 2008. The study outlined both short-term and long-term solutions for the five identified areas.

The targeted short-term improvements at this particular site have included continued channel brush clearing and storm sewer inspections by Public Works staff and the removal of a beaver dam from the parcel. The dam allowed three feet of standing water to remain on the property and reduced or eliminated the ability of flood waters to get on the site.

In order to proceed with the long-term solution, Bartlett entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Streamwood last October that will allow the Village to utilize this property for storm water storage. The Village of Streamwood was the previous owner of this parcel.

Once the improvements are completed, the water that is going downstream and the water that is filling up the area will be able to go into the detention site rather than flooding the adjoining properties, which includes the Hearthwood Farms subdivision.

Eleven bid packets were distributed relative to this project, and a total of nine bids were returned to the Village. The lowest bid, in the amount of $342,779, was submitted by Fox Excavating. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $620,645.

According to the contract with Fox Excavating, the work on the detention basin and storm sewer should be completed by November of this year.

 

Clean Water Award
The Village of Bartlett Wastewater Treatment Plant earned the 2009 Clean Water Award from The Conservation Foundation. Each year The Conservation Foundation presents a Clean Water Award to the top performing wastewater treatment plant in the DuPage River watershed.

Established in 1972 by business and community leaders, The Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit land and watershed protection organization. The mission of the Foundation is to preserve open space and natural lands, protect rivers and watersheds, and promote stewardship of our environment.

The Clean Water Awards are based on monthly test results of the wastewater treatment effluent submitted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. This is the third time the Village of Bartlett has won this award.

 

Kelly’s Korner
Edwin Sanchez is a hard-working, fast-thinking 13-year-old Bartlett resident, who will be attending South Elgin High School this fall. Victory Centre nurse Norma Jones is glad Edwin is a Bartlett resident because Edwin Sanchez recently saved her life.

Ms. Jones, while driving home from work as a nurse at the Victory Centre on West Bartlett Road, began choking and had to pull off the road. Fortunately for Norma Jones, Edwin was on the side of the road waiting for the school bus to go to 8th grade at Kenyon Woods Middle School. Norma ran up to Edwin, who instantly caught on to the situation and performed the Heimlich Maneuver on Norma, saving her life.

Both Edwin and Norma were present at the July 6, 2010 Village Board meeting, where Edwin was honored for his heroic action. Bartlett is indeed fortunate to have a fine young man such as Edwin as a resident.

Many serious issues exist that revolve around our schools and students, but let us remember the uncountable number of young Bartlett people, like Edwin Sanchez, who are selfless and giving and who help make this a fine community and will continue to do so as they grow older.

Thank you to the Bartlett Fourth of July Committee, Bartlett Lions Club and all those who made the Fourth of July parade and festival such a success.

The Bartlett Lions Club is one of Bartlett’s oldest charitable organizations, which for many years has been dedicated to helping the hearing and sight impaired. Early risers can join the Bartlett Lions for the Labor Day Dash and Family Run on the morning of Sunday, September 5. Go to www.active.com to register for the run or www.bartlettlions.org for more information.

School will be starting again soon, and I would like to extend sincere thanks to our school crossing guards. They are a dedicated group of men and women who often encounter very dangerous situations. They have the incredibly important job of protecting our children. They are on the job no matter the weather and deserve our continued thanks and respect.

Coffee with the Mayor is every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Village Hall. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome.


Village Team Tracks Bartlett Foreclosures
Bartlett was not immune to the foreclosure crisis that struck the country during the recent economic recession. Though smaller percentage-wise than many areas, the number of residential properties that have been foreclosed on continues to be an issue Village-wide.

To address this concern, staff from the Village finance, community development, public works and police departments and members from the Bartlett Fire Protection District were assembled and charged with developing a system to handle these properties.

The goal of this team is to minimize the community effects identified with foreclosures which include but are not limited to the following:

~ garbage and debris remaining after the residents move out
~ utilities left on becoming dangerous and causing property damage, basement flooding or fire hazard
~ deterioration of the structure/property
~ continued maintenance of the property (i.e. tall grass in summer)
~ squatters living in abandoned homes
~ taxes and bills not paid
~ negative impact on the surrounding properties in the neighborhood

The Foreclosure Team has successfully completed a database for foreclosed properties that includes the address, parcel number, bank/lender contact information, status of utilities (i.e. water and gas shut off), property inspection report on the condition of the site and other information necessary to avert possible future problems.

 

Police Beat
Back to School Safety
The Bartlett Police Department reminds drivers to slow down and be extra cautious as most Bartlett students return to school on Wednesday, August 25. Drivers are urged to obey school speed zone signs, refrain from using their cellular telephones while driving in school zones, be extra cautious when school buses are picking up and dropping off students at school and in residential neighborhoods. Police also urge motorists to allow for longer commute times when traveling to and from work due to the increased congestion around schools.

Students who walk to and from school are reminded to always look both ways before crossing the street, obey school crossing guards, watch for turning vehicles, be alert during inclement weather, and walk with a sibling, friend or a neighbor.

Bartlett Police will be monitoring the elementary schools and surrounding neighborhoods and will also be conducting expanded traffic enforcement activities in school speed zones during the first few weeks of school.

Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is an emerging problem and a significant highway safety issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, nearly 6,000 people were killed in crashes in which distracted or inattentive driving was a factor.

The Bartlett Police Department would like to remind motorists that it is illegal for a person to operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device, such as a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant or a portable or mobile computer, to compose, read, or send an electronic (text or email) message. The law does not apply when a driver is using the device in an emergency situation, in hands-free mode, while parked on the shoulder of a roadway, or while stopped in obstructed traffic if the vehicle is in neutral or park.

It is also illegal for a person, regardless of age, to use a wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle in a school speed zone and in a construction or maintenance speed zone, unless there is an emergency situation or the driver is using the device in hands-free mode.

Certainly most of the attention surrounding distracted driving has been on texting while driving, but there are a host of other distractions. Cell phone calls (both handheld and hands-free) continue to pose a safety risk for drivers as do more traditional distractions, such as eating, adjusting the radio, using the CD player or talking to passengers. The Bartlett Police Department encourages all motorists to properly manage these activities while driving and to always drive safely.


Did You Know?
...Bartlett has an ordinance making it “unlawful for any person to cause, create or maintain any obstruction of any street, alley, sidewalk or other public way.” Tree branches, shrubbery and even flowers protruding over sidewalks can create both a nuisance and a safety obstruction for pedestrians, children on bikes and, in some cases, drivers at intersections. The Village of Bartlett asks that you be considerate of your neighbors and trim back any greenery that may be encroaching on the sidewalk by your home or business.



Village Snapshots
Bartlett Farmers Market
Fridays, 2 to 6 p.m. through September 10
Town Center, Main St. & Railroad Avenue

The Bartlett Farmers Market has a great crew of vendors this year, some you will recognize and some are new! The list includes Breadsmith, Earthly Treasures, Hey Now Hotdogs, Kap Farms, Magnetic beaded necklaces, Melina’s Mexican Salsa, Mike’s Coffee and Cookies, Nickle’s Distribution Organic Meats, Nuttins Impossible, Pampered Chef, Pet Chef Express, Pure Essentials, Randy’s Lemonade, Superior Delights, Tastefully Simple, Twin Garden Farms, Windy Acres Farmstand, Rose’s Flowers, Highrise Bakery and more!

 

Zoned for Business
Two new food establishments offering pizza and a wide array of other foods have recently opened in the Village.

Mama Toni’s Pizzeria & Catering is now located at 1015 West Stearns Road, in the Stearns Crossing shopping center near Dominick’s Finer Foods. Owned by Joe Kornacker, a veteran of five restaurants in Naples, Florida during the past 26 years, Mama Toni’s is named for his mother and managed by Bartlett native and pizza master Leo Spizzirri. Spizzirri is a former executive chef of Giordano’s and a member of the World Pizza Champions team, the winningest team at the annual World Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy.

Mama Toni’s pizza features a seasoned crust that is available in thin, pan, stuffed and Sicilian style, the last being twice as thick as the thin crust but thinner than the pan pizza. Offering much more than pizza, the menu includes fresh salads and soups, subs and other sandwiches, pasta dishes, panzerotti, Black Angus hamburgers, ribs, chicken dishes, appetizers and sides and desserts. Everything is made from scratch, including Toni’s famous homemade meatballs and Italian sausage.

Catering is available, as is delivery service. For more restaurant details, including hours, call 630-372-1999 or see www.mama-tonis.com.

Vini’s Pizza has opened its fourth Chicago-area location in the Devon Prospect Plaza, 385 S. Prospect Avenue. A long-time neighborhood carry-out restaurant, the original Vini’s has been in Palatine since 1984 and the restaurant has two additional stores on the north side of Chicago. Current owner Rosendo Diaz has been in the pizza business for 22 years.

Vini’s menu includes pizzas with five types of crust and numerous sandwiches, including Italian beef, gyros and grilled chicken. It also offers burgers made with Angus beef, buffalo wings, pasta dishes, gourmet salads and side dishes, such as mac & cheese and gravy bread.

Delivery is free and catering packages are available starting at $9 per person. The pizzeria’s hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight. Call Vini’s at 630-213-2002 or go to www.whosvini.com for more information.


50/50 Parkway Tree Program
Through its 50/50 Parkway Tree Program, the Village of Bartlett shares the cost of planting trees with homeowners. Residents simply choose the trees they want and send in a check for their portion of the cost. The Village does the rest.

The trees will be planted by a nursery contractor in the parkway adjacent to your home. Each tree is a minimum of 2.5 inches in diameter and comes with a one-year replacement guarantee from the nursery. Parkway trees must be planted a minimum of 40 feet apart on all sides. Village staff will confirm the planting location and handle all of the planting details. The Japanese Tree Lilac, Ginkgo and Accolade Elm will be planted by November 15. The Bur Oak, Chanticleer Pear, and Fastigiate European Hornbeam will be planted in the spring of 2011.

Orders, with checks payable to the Village of Bartlett, must be received by September 8, 2010. The price listed for each tree is the homeowner's cost. Please mail orders (your name, address, phone number, the tree type, quantity, cost & total cost of all trees being ordered) to: 50/50 Tree Program, Bartlett Village Hall, 228 S. Main St., Bartlett IL, 60103. Use the following link to view photos of the trees or call Bartlett Public Works at 630-837-0811 for more information.

Bur Oak - Once established, this large (90 feet tall) native oak is highly adaptable to adverse planting conditions. Fall color varies from russet to bright yellow. 2001 Urban Tree of the Year. SPRING PLANTING ($100)

Accolade Elm - A large tree at maturity, 70 to 100 feet in height with the “vase shape” reminiscent of the native American elm. Highly resistant to Dutch elm and other diseases, the accolade elm is tolerant of a wide range of urban environmental conditions. The glossy dark foliage turns golden yellow in fall. A Morton Arboretum introduction. FALL PLANTING ($65)

Chanticleer Pear - An upright-growing, narrow-profile pear that produces white flowers in spring and has purple fall color. The chanticleer pear attains a mature size of 35 feet in height and 15 feet in width. It is a good tree to plant where space is limited. 2005 Urban Tree of the Year. SPRING PLANTING ($95)

Japanese Tree Lilac - A small to 30 foot in height tree, possibly the most hardy of lilacs. A profusion of white blooms cover this tree in mid-June. FALL PLANTING ($105)

Ginkgo - A medium sized (50 feet), slow-growing tree with clear yellow fall color. The ginkgo is an ancient tree; fossils have been found in 200 million year old rocks. It tolerates a wide range of
soils, salt, and pollutants. FALL PLANTING ($125)

Fastigiate European Hornbeam - A medium sized (40 feet high X 30 feet spread) pyramidal shaped tree that has a very formal appearance. It turns yellow-green in autumn and has few cultural problems and insect pests. SPRING PLANTING ( $110)

Come for Tea with the Johnsons
You've heard of the term "whirlwind courtship?” You will see exactly what that means in the story of Lyndon and Lady Bird. During their married years, "Bird" grew into an astute business woman and Lyndon became known as "The Master of the Senate.” Therefore it was no surprise that his administration passed more important legislation in less time than any president since FDR. Lyndon had a bigger than life personality, and Lady Bird herself said that life with Lyndon was "one big adventure.”

The Johnsons will be portrayed by the husband and wife team of William and Sue Wills in this 13th in a series of First Lady Teas hosted by the Bartlett History Museum and the Bartlett Public Library District. The Wills previously portrayed the Wilsons, the Roosevelts and the Nixons at this popular Bartlett event.

This dynamic acting couple makes nearly 300 presentations every year, bringing to life the stories of 31 different presidents and first ladies.They are a true working team with William researching and creating the scripts while Sue edits his work and creates the costumes, many of her own design.

This year’s First Lady Tea will be held at the Bartlett History Museum on Thursday, September 16 at 7 p.m. Attendance and refreshments are both free. Reservations are required. Please call the museum at 630-837-0800.

 

From the Archives

The Chicago Motor Club founded the School Safety Patrol program 90 years ago. The program trained boys to help students cross the road safely. Bartlett School participated in the program, and the Bartlett History Museum has many archival pieces relative to the school and its program participation. This circa 1938 patrol sash is a recent museum donation. It was worn by Ralph Andreasen, a one-time captain of the patrol (indicated by the star pin) at Bartlett School. In 1944 the school received the “Award for Safety Achievement” because no child was injured while crossing a patrolled intersection.