Village Manager's Message
The asphalt overlay of Central Boulevard, Cornell Avenue, and several other streets was completed this week. This project was partially funded by the Rebuild Illinois funds passed through from the Federal Government. Staff worked with the contractor to avoid rain and road temperatures that were too cold for effective application of asphaltic concrete materials. This should be a twenty-year road improvement. We also have contracted with a firm to spray Reclamite on some recently repaved streets. This oil-based material works best at lower temperatures and will extend the life of these streets by an additional 5 to 7 years. Clean up from both projects will be done next week.
Construction of the Recreation Center has just begun. Interior footings and the elevator pit were poured today. Next week we will get a presentation from High Level Productions with a potential sponsor that could have a significant impact on how much of the General Fund balance will be needed to fund the Rec Center. These are much better conversations than we were having a year ago.
I am very proud to work with a group of individuals on this staff who are dedicated to service in many ways. This week staff members donated $3,025 towards the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation “Hope. Lives. Here.” campaign in support of the Nancy W. Knowles Cancer Center. These donations have a direct impact on someone in our community undergoing cancer treatments. Half of those funds came in the form of a matching donation from Finance Director Chuck Howard. Part of the amount he matched was a $500 donation from the International Association of Fire Fighters. If you are looking for a smile, check out pages 7 and 8 to see some Trick-or-Treaters with officers of VPPD. Taken on Halloween and at the Villa Avenue event, they are another example of staff involvement in the community.
Work on the budget continues. Today I was discussing the vehicles slated for replacement over the next two years. With an influx of a dozen new vehicles this year by a lease with Enterprise Fleet and about eight next year, we will make huge progress toward improving the safety, efficiency and work environment in our fleet. In the third year (2026) we will need to back off and look to purchase two or more of the large equipment purchases as our heavy trucks are getting too far past the age of recommended replacement.
I met with staff individually and at staff meeting on Tuesday. I met with Cory Poris Plasch, of CP2 Consulting to begin preparing for next year’s Strategic Plan update. I also attended the DMMC Managers Committee meeting where we discussed the impact of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act will have on local government. We also discussed the possibility of asylum seekers coming to DuPage County that are being transported to the Chicago metro area. Don’t forget to set your clocks back and reclaim that hour lost this Spring.
Sincerely,
Matt Harline
Village Manager
To access the full manager's report, click here
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
