2023 in Review from Mayor Ford

2023 can be defined by what didn’t happen as much as what did happen. The themes were development, Village operations and water.

Let’s start with what didn’t happen. Development. There was Federal Life and Baxter. I believe most, if not all, residents agreed with the outcome. Federal Life’s development was not approved by the Board, and the developer in the Baxter case withdrew. There was more, a lot more, to those stories, but common between them was resident involvement and resident action. I believe the Boardroom was packed a couple of times on the Federal Life issue. We also called an additional Special Meeting to focus solely on the presentation by Lexington. As for Baxter, the Board supported the Thorngate residents in their work to bring attention to the environmental issues associated with the development proposed for a property so very close to their homes. The developer eventually withdrew. 

Now here’s what did happen. Village operations. In the newly created Finance Department we have a new computer system, and importantly, new staff. We started the year with moving to a sorely needed new system for financial accounting and utility billing. We also outsourced utility billing to GHA. Billing detail has improved. Service has improved. Receivables, that had reached over $100,000, are no longer an issue. As of January 1, we will also provide auto-payment of utility bills. Dana Litwin has been our liaison here and deserves credit along with Wendy Kokkines for bringing this along. Our financial systems have been cleaned up and we are now more able to project and manage our accounts with greater accuracy. Moses Diaz who has been with us just one year, and Director Tony Vasquez, who only recently started, are completely “upping the game” in the Finance Department bringing their municipal experience and credentials to work for us. 

In the Building Department, Vivian Hofeld continued to hold down the fort after the retirement of our part-time Director, and is still very busy teaming with our new Director Steve Witt, and taking on some Clerk duties as well - like business and liquor licenses. While Steve missed all the fun of the Federal Life and Thorngate events, he is now deep into enforcement of our Codes and thinking forward with the Plan Commission for potential future development. A common complaint over the years has been lack of enforcement. He is answering that call. On the horizon is the Wolters Kluwer property and the construction on Deerfield Road. Will we see another developer for Federal Life? We need to be prepared. 

So then there’s water. The Water Infrastructure Committee presented its findings in February 2023. As resources allowed, the Committee met to attempt to design a financial picture of what extending water mains might look like to residents so affected and to the Village. We are hopeful to have an update at a February 2024 Board meeting. Then there’s Stormwater Management. GHA announced a survey to residents early in the year asking about the effects of storm water on their property. A technical report was prepared in August and a presentation made in November. Recently, there was a request in the electronic newsletter for volunteers to join the Stormwater Management Committee. A January meeting is the target. In my opinion, stormwater management is a critical issue for the future of the entire Village. 

There were, and are, a multitude of projects, and I’ve likely missed some. But I think the best among them are the electronic newsletter (thanks to Trustee Dikin) and the actual construction of the Play Area – which turned out to be a roughly 7 year project as Trustee Clayton knows well. We plan a Grand Opening at a springtime event. 

Prioritization in 2023 was staffing – finance then community services. We were able to attract and engage a great team, due to the work of our consultant Mr. Bill Balling. We continue to work on the position of Village Clerk. The Clerk will definitely have their work cut out for them with the review, reorganization and storage of Village records. This should complete staffing. 

Next is what can happen. We should take a look at resident services. The greatest service is safety – and of course our Chief Dayno is in charge here. Now our Department fully staffed and continuously trained. The Community Services Committee was started with Trustee Smith’s election. So many great memories were created by volunteer activities that I am hoping this new Committee will be able partner with the RPC and the newly re-invigorated RRA to continue that spirit in the Village. 

My own goal is to move the Board’s focus toward policy setting and governing, rather than operational decisions. We now have the right team in place to allow that to happen. 

We are ready and looking forward to the challenges of 2024.