October/November 2007

Oct./Nov. At-A-Glance Schedule

• October 4 - Scarecrow Fest Community Night preview for St. Charles residents, 6-10 p.m.
• October 5-7 - Scarecrow Fest, downtown St. Charles, www.scarecrowfest.com
• October 6 - Grave Reminders Cemetery Walk, North Cemetery (Rte. 25) 1-
  3 p.m., 630.584.6967, www.stcmuseum.org
• October 7-13 - Fire Prevention Week, Open House to be held October 14,
  11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fire Station #1, www.stcharlesil.gov/fd
• October 7 - 630 area code dialing change takes effect, 1-800-378-2222, www.att.com/areacodes or www.nanpa.com
• October 8 - Columbus Day, City offices open during regular business hours
• October 19-31 - Gallery of Ghoulish Homes tour, www.st-charlesparks.org
• October 20 - City Auction, Public Works Garage, viewing at 8 a.m., auction at 9 a.m., 630.762.7070, www.stcharlesil.gov/fi
• October 22 - November 26 - Residential leaf collection, please see the enclosed map and schedule for details, or visit www.stcharlesil.gov/news
• November 4 - Daylight Savings Time ends, turn clocks back one hour.
• November 22, 23 - City offices are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
• November 23 - Lighting of the Lights, Lincoln Park, 5 p.m., www.dtown.org
• November 24
  • Free Holiday Movie, “Prancer”, Arcada Theatre, 10 a.m.
  • Free Family Holiday Concert, Arcada Theatre, 2 p.m.
  • Christmas Parade, Main Street, 5:30 p.m., www.dtown.org

Fire Prevention Week

National Fire Prevention Week 2007 is October 7-13. The Fire Department will visit elementary during this week and the following week to promote this year's national campaign, “Practice Your Escape Plan.” We will be encouraging all children and their families to create and practice a fire escape plan for their home. They will be reminded that they should get out and stay out if a fire strikes their home and go to their pre-arranged meeting place. Children will also be reminded about the significance of smoke detectors, safety around matches, lighters and candles. More information on fire safety can be obtained on the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org .

The St. Charles Fire Department will host an open house on October 14 at Fire Station #1, 105 N. 1st Ave., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can see safety and rescue demonstrations, talk with firefighters, and pick up safety information from the Fire Department or vendors participating in the event. Visit the Fire Department web site at www.stcharlesil.gov/fd or call 630.377.4457 for details.

Remember to change your smoke detector batteries when Daylight Savings Time ends and you change your clocks on November 4. Senior or special needs citizens in need of smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, or requiring assistance with changing their batteries, can call the Fire Department at 630.377.4457.

Tree Tips for Fall

Fall may be better for planting trees than spring. Planting a tree in the fall before it goes dormant means an easier transition when it starts to grow in the spring. It will still need to be watered until it does go into dormancy for the winter, though, so keep watering until the ground freezes.

When selecting a tree, it’s best to make an informed decision. The Morton Arboretum web site, www.mortonarb.org, is a great place to start. Taking a stroll through a tree nursery in the fall will also ensure you find a tree with perfect fall color.

When planting a tree, always take into consideration its proximity to a driveway or sidewalk. The tree should have ample space to grow.

Leaves make great mulch for flower and vegetable gardens. Just mow over them a couple of times and blow them into your gardens. They aerate and add nutrients to the soil.

The City offers a 50/50 share-the-cost planting program for residents that have space on the parkways. Residents who buy their own parkway tree should first contact the City Arborist, Ben Deutsch, at 630.377.4459/bdeutsch@stcharlesil.gov. Ben will ensure the tree has the correct spacing before it is planted.

Welcome New Businesses to St. Charles!

Remember to shop local and visit www.stcharlesil.gov/edd for a complete listing of local businesses.

Brush Pickup

Brush pickup (branches 3’ long and less than 12” in diameter) is available for residents who pay an additional monthly fee on their utility bill (please review your bill or call Utility Billing at 377-4426 to confirm eligibility; businesses are not eligible). Brush that does not conform with the following requirements, or with vehicles parked in front of them, will not be collected:

• Pile brush on the parkway (not in the street), cut end facing the street, before 7 a.m. on Mon. (see table for dates). Once the crew passes an area, they will not come back until the next scheduled pickup date.
• Do not bundle brush with twine.
• Pile brush no higher than 4’.
• Please do not place metal, lumber, grass, leaves, dirt, roots or poison ivy/oak in the pile.
• Branches larger than 12’ long and 12” in diameter will need to be split or cut prior to collection.
• Twigs, trimmings and leaves should be placed in paper yardwaste bags (purchase bags with the City logo on them or use generic bags and place one refuse sticker on each bag) and left for collection on the normal refuse pickup day.
• Free mulch is available at the City’s facility on Rte. 38/Lincoln Hwy., west of Peck Road. Hours are Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.- 3 p.m., Sat. 7-11 a.m. Please bring a shovel and containers. The City does not deliver or load.

RV Parking and Storage

The City’s Code on the storage and parking of recreational vehicles (RVs) was recently revised. The new provisions follow:

An RV parked/stored outdoors in the One- and Two-Family Residential Zoning Districts shall not be located within the required front yard or exterior side yard (corner yard facing the street) from Oct. 15 to Apr. 15. RVs may be parked in the front yard for loading/unloading Oct. 15 to Apr. 15 no longer than 48 hours.

RVs may be stored outside all year in Residential Districts per the following:

• There is not more than one RV.
• The RV is stored or parked on a hard surface.
• The RV is stored/parked inside, in the rear yard, or interior side yard.

Enforcement will start this fall. Please call the Building & Zoning Office at 630.377.4406 with questions.

City Auction
October 20, 2007

The City of St. Charles will sell vehicles and other items to the highest bidder at public auction on October 20, 9 a.m., inside the Public Works Garage (enter off Rte. 25/S. Riverside Ave. or 7th Ave.). Viewing of auction items and registration begins at 8 a.m.

A complete list of vehicles and a partial list of other items is available online at www.stcharlesil.gov/fi. Items are sold as is, where is, without warranty or guarantee of any kind. Each item is the sole responsibility of the purchaser from the moment the item is sold. Items sold will not be removed until settled for. The City reserves the right to hold back any items from the sale. Payment may be by cash, money order, or local check. Call 630.762.7070 for more information or visit www.stcharlesil.gov/fi.

Flooding Information

Flooding is not covered by normal homeowners insurance, but it is available. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides protection for property owners against flood loss while working with communities to develop Flood Plain Management programs. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) identify areas of high risk. Flood plain information is available at the St. Charles Library or at the City Engineering Office, 630.377.4486, where they will help determine flood plain status.

Homeowners can avoid messy flooding problems by taking some simple steps to prevent flooding, even in the winter months.

• Keep curb, gutter, and storm drains in the streets near your home free of debris to allow water to drain properly.
• Make sure roof drains, sump pumps, and foundation drains, are connected to the storm sewer and not the sanitary sewer. Improperly connected devices may cause the sanitary sewer to back up through floor drains and other plumbing fixtures. Call the Public Works office at 630.377.4405 for help evaluating your home or business drainage system.
• Lot regrading or altering the direction of roof drain downspouts may reduce minor rear and side yard flooding. Landscapers may help determine other alternatives.

Clear a Path

Meter readers need a safe path and easy access to your electric meter. Welcome your St. Charles Municipal Electric meter readers by doing some simple housekeeping in the area around your meter:

• Clear the area around the meter for easy, safe access;
• Fill holes and remove tripping hazards;
• Restrain pets and unlock gates on days when you expect the meter to be read.

Allowing City meter readers to work safely on your property will ensure they take an accurate reading that will result in an accurate monthly bill.

Shedding Light on CFLs

Many homeowners are replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Lighting accounts for 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill, and CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last longer.

CFLs do, however, contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the bulbs be recycled to ensure they do not end up in landfills. CFLs may be brought to Naperville Fire Station #4, 1971 Brookdale Rd., weekends 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Kane County Environmental Management Office also holds annual Household Hazardous Waste collections at the Kane County Fairgrounds.

Visit www.energystar.gov or call 888-782-7937 for more information on CFLs. Visit the Kane County Environmental Management Office online at www.co.kane.il.us/Environment/recycle/index.htm or call 630-208-3841.

Your advice, suggestions and questions are valued and encouraged by the Mayor and City Council. Click here to link to an online feedback form, or email the Mayor directly at cao@stcharlesil.gov/.