Village of McCullom Lake

P 815-385-2122 F 815-385-2199

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9-5

Friday 8-3:30 Wednesday 5:30-7pm

Dear Residents

We are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. You probably have seen ComEd vehicles in the Village lately. Despite the fact that we have had three outages since Christmas Day, they are working on several areas of the Village at the same time. They have assured us that we are number one on their priority list to replace old and outdated lines and equipment so we can soon be moved off the other distinction within ComEd statistical sheets.

The Village hall project: The financing is in place , the sealed bids were opened and the lowest responsible bids will be awarded at the first board meeting in February. I am very happy to report that some of the lowest bids did come from local companies. And, by all accounts, it looks like the project will come in just under budget. Now, we are just waiting on Mother Nature. My guess would be the old building will be coming down in early to mid March. After, that construction will take 16 to 20 weeks. If you would like to see the plans for the new building stop by the office trailer and the girls will be happy to show you.

Phase 3a of a Five Phase drainage project has gone our for bid. This phase covers Lake Shore Drive from just east of Clover Hill west to Orchard Dr, across Orchard Dr to meet up with the most recent completed phase. Those bids are due back February 9th and the lowest bid will be awarded at the 1st Village board meeting in February with the work starting in a couple of weeks. With the acceptance of our application we are looking forward to have the entire drainage project complete by this time next year.

There has been much concern about homes or properties that have come into disrepair. We are working with property owners to get those properties into compliance. A few homes have been abandoned and are in such bad shape that they have become unsafe. We have notified the property owners to fix them or tear them down. We will start the process to condemn if the owner doesn’t comply.

So, it’s just a little light, but we can now see the other end on these projects. Its going to be a exciting year in the Village. The great residents of this Village are overdue for a exciting year. Have a safe and happy February.

Stop into the trailer if you have any questions.

Terry Counley

February 2012

Inside this issue

Business Licenses’.............................. 2

Aggregation............................................ 2

Fishing Derby........................................ 2

Karen’s Korner..................................... 3

Helpful Numbers................................ 4

Resource Guide ................................... 5

Announcements & Calendar....... 6

Senior Calendar...………....……...7

Cancer Prevention ………….…….8

Share Order Form……………......9

Building Inspector

Wednesdays 6pm-8pm

Saturday by appointment.

815-791-1438

McCullom Lake News

Marty Lenzen of the USMC Reserves Toys for Tots 2011, presents Terry Counley and Jeremy Shaw with Commanders Awards. “Recognizing McHenry County Marines Toys for Tots Program”. 1/25/2012

As of 2/1/2012 there are 47 days until the First Day of Spring which is March 20th.

Fishing Derby rescheduled to Feb 18th

DOOR TO DOOR SALES

Door to door sales are prohibited in the Village without a solicitors permit. Anyone who is trying to sell you something or a service door to door should be able to show you their license issued by the VILLAGE OF MCCULLOM LAKE.

If a door to door salesman comes to your door contact non-emergency Police at 815-385-2161 to report it.

BUsiness licenses

Aggregate information

Each January the Village issues Business Licenses to businesses within the Village. To clear up confusion about requirements here is an excerpt taken directly from the ordinance. “It is unlawful for any person to conduct, either directly or indirectly any business activity without first obtaining a license” Sec.6.5-2 (a) Ord. 371 10-23-2007.

The benefit to that is that all businesses that are located in the Village will be listed on our website, so that residents who are looking for a specific service or retail item the resident can shop home town first.

The office is aware that some business owners are saying since they don't pay sales tax or have a store front that they do not need a license.

Please re-read the ordinance it is available on line at our web site, voml.org.

Business License applications are available in the office along with a fee schedule.

Remember if residents don’t know your there they can’t shop/support you!

Any questions call the Office 815-385-2211.

Illinois law provides municipalities the opportunity to purchase electricity on behalf of its residents and small businesses from alternative electricity providers at a lower cost than what ComEd charges. Several other municipalities have already purchased electricity on behalf of their residents, including the Village of Fox River Grove and City of Harvard, and have saved their residents on average 26% on electricity costs. If the Village is given the authority to purchase on behalf of residents through a referendum question on the March 20, 2012 ballot, residents will still be able to choose whether to continue with the municipal purchase or opt-out of the program and stay with ComEd. In the meantime the Village is working within a Consortium to prepare for the referendum and the purchase of electricity if the referendum question is approved by voters. The Consortium has the job of working on pre-referendum education information, preparing and going out to bid for power and analyzing those bids. The Village office will have a time-line and informational materials available to you after February 1st.

Karen’s Korner††

The kids have been sewing buttons on valentine’s fabric and then using hot glue to put them on lace doilies. They have been having fun. Sandy wants everyone to tell their kids to come back to sewing class, some may not know that the heat is back on in the building! Have your kids come on Wednesday to the Village Hall after school. Next week on February 8th Sandy will be having a big pizza party for the kids.

We have a 6 year old named Cameron in the Village who attends Valley View Elementary school. Valley View has put together “Teams” for St. Baldrick which is on March 15th. The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a childhood cancer charity funding the most promising research to help find cures for kids with cancer.

These teams of children will have their heads shaved for cancer. They try to get sponsor donations from family, friends and local businesses for this event and all proceeds are give to the St. Baldrick Foundation.

Cameron has personally lost 3 Great Grand parents in the last four years to cancer and at 6 years of age asked his mom if he could be a part of St. Baldrick’s.

Anyone interested in sponsoring or just donating in Cameron’s name, can drop off their donation to the Village. .

In these economic times folks may need some assistance, so we decided to compile a quick list of where help can be found.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors– Contact Mike Fritz 815-341-1047

Fish Pantry 815-344-4717 call for procedure

Applications can be made at McHenry Township 3703 N. Richmond Road, Johnsburg . www.mchenrytownship.com 815-385-5605

Illinois Department of Human Services - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—SNAP

Family Community Resource Center (Human Capital Development) - "one-stop" centers for cash & medical assistance, food stamps, and job services. 2215 Lake Shore Drive, Woodstock 815-388-0234.

SHARE- Food co-op anyone can participate. There is more information in this newsletter on how and where to order. Pick –up is at the Evangelical Free Church in McCullom Lake. For more information call Jerry Macey 815-690-2606.

Mc Henry County Health Department WIC , Women, Infants, and Children 3702 U.S. Highway 14, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 Phone: (847) 829-9262

Angel Food Ministries are also available nationwide. You can buy boxes of food for your family for around $30. Angel food ministries has no upper income limit. Angel Food Ministries is available online, http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ there are 5 churches in our area and 2 in Wisconsin.

Contributions to us are deductible under section 170 of the code. We are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the code. We are classified as a Public Charity. Anyone who has questions can contact me directly at 815-341-1047 I will be happy to answer your questions. Public inspection of our books is available ~ Mike Fritz

Assistance for individuals and families in the Village of McCullom Lake with: Repairs - Property Clean-up - Funding. Help in filling out financial aid forms for those who cannot afford it. If you are in need of help or know someone who is, or are able to help, please contact Neighbors Helping Neighbors President Mike Fritz 815-341-1047

Neighbor Hood Watch Meetings

Become Part of a Solution

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Meetings are the 1st Monday of each month at 6pm