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Municipal Services

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1. Who is responsible for the water and sewer services?

Per the Village's Municipal Code, the homeowner is responsible for the entire service connection from the home up to the main, including the connection. This includes maintenance and repair of the Buffalo (B-Box) or curb stop. Additional information can be found under 8-5-7: (Water) Service Lines and 8-6-3 Building Sewers and Connections

2. When is the Village's Leaf Removal Program?

The Village removes leaves from residential streets beginning in mid-October, through the end of November. Leaf removal begins as early as 7:00 am and may continue into the evening. In early October, an informational postcard will be mailed to residents explaining the leaf removal program and schedule. Residents may also receive information on the program by clicking on the  “Stay Informed” icon on the Village website and registering to receive New Flashes.  

 

Only leaves should be raked into the gutter. Other landscaping materials such as plants, grass, branches or pumpkins should not be raked into the street. Residents parking on residential streets should exercise caution during this time as hot automobiles can easily ignite large piles of leaves. Residents on Wolf Road only should rake leaves into a single pile on the parkway for collection and not into the street. 

 

During the removal process, residents can call the Leaf Hotline, 708-246-1800, ext. 305, for daily schedule updates. 

3. What are the parking restrictions during snow removal?

When snow begins, residents should make every effort to remove parked cars from streets. Clear streets allow Village staff to salt, and later plow when snow accumulates beyond two inches. It is illegal to park on any street for 12 hours after a snowfall of two or more inches. For more information, visit the Municipal Services snow removal page. 

4. How can I get a load of mulch?

Update, May 5, 2021: do to the volume of orders submitted via the online form, the 2021 mulch programi is now closed. 

Public Works is scheduling delivery based on the order of form submission, until supply runs out. Thank you for your patience.

The Municipal Services Department generally has garden mulch available to residents in the spring.

Residents can request a delivery of approximately 3 yards by completing the online request form. Deliveries will be scheduled as staffing and weather permits.

Self-serve mulch pick-up at the Public Works yard has been suspended for 2021, due to the danger posed by Tollway construction in the area. 

Questions can be directed to Municipal Services at 708-246-1800, ext. 200.

 

 

5. What are the guidelines for memorial ribbons on parkway trees?

The Village recognizes the community solidarity that is demonstrated by placing memorial ribbons on parkway and private trees. There is some concern, however, about the potential health impact on the trees - particularly when the use of materials like plastic can contribute to the formation of mold, mildew or trunk rot. Therefore, the Village is outlining a simple set of guidelines for residents wishing to place memorial decorations on parkway trees:

• Decorations shall be limited to a single ribbon made of cloth, wrapped around the primary trunk of the tree at chest height. No plastic bags or other material may be used
• Any ribbon placed shall not weigh more than 1.5 lbs and shall not have any additional decorative items beyond that which is printed on the material
• No decorations shall be placed on any branches or secondary trunks of the tree
• The Public Works Division reserves the right to remove any decorations on parkway trees at its discretion, if the decorations are determined to negatively impact the health, shape or aesthetic of the tree
• All ribbons located on private property may remain at the discretion of the property owner

6. What do I have to do to have a Block Party?

It is necessary for the Village to be aware of the date, time and location of a block party in order to provide for the safety of the attendees, as well as contingency plans, if an emergency arises in which the street on which the party is held would be ordinarily used for access. Current Village policy requires that any block desiring to hold a block party obtain a permit not less than one week in advance of the event. The permit is granted simply by filling out the block party Consent Form and paying the $50 deposit. The form is available at the Village Hall or online here. Print the Consent Form, get it filled out by your neighbors and return it to the Public Works Division. The Public Works Division will process the permit, notifying the Fire and Police Departments of the scheduled event. The $50 deposit is required for the orange cones and will be returned when the cones are picked up by the Public Works Division. On Friday afternoon preceding the weekend event, the Public Works Division will deliver the necessary orange barricade cones to a designated person for use during the block party. The cones will be picked up by the Public Works Division on Monday morning following the event. Any further concerns should be directed to 708-246-1800, Ext. 200.

7. When is hydrant flushing conducted?

Every spring the Village tests the water flow and pressure for all fire hydrants. Water discoloration may occur during the testing process; however, the discoloration is harmless. Running water from a fixture located in the lowest level of your home, until it is clear, should alleviate discoloration. Avoid doing laundry or using the dishwasher until the water is clear. Hydrant flushing is scheduled by neighborhood association and daily updates are available at (708) 246-1800, Ext. 305. Residents may also receive updates by subscribing to announcements from the Department of Municipal Services at Notify Me.

8. Does the Village pick up branches?

The Village only picks up branches following a severe storm. Fallen branches should be moved to the curb no later than 48 hours following a storm. If branches have not been picked up residents should follow up with the Public Works Division no later than one week following a storm event. 

If branches are moved to the curb as a result of a snow storm, residents should contact the Public Works Division as soon as possible to notify the location of the branches. All regular tree trimmings must be disposed of through the yard waste program. Learn more by referencing LRS guide here.

Please ensure that brush conforms to the following requirements to assist the Village’s Public Works Division in their cleanup efforts:

• Branches placed at the curb for pick up must be the result of Storm Damage. Branches that have been cut or sawed will NOT be picked up for removal.
• Any brush placed at the curb that was not a result of storm damage (i.e landscape debris, processed wood, weeds, etc.) will NOT be collected.
• Branches must be stacked neatly on the parkway, oriented Perpendicular to the curb with the stump facing towards the street, and three feet away from stationary items. (trees, hydrants, etc.) 
• Unlike Lake Shore Recycling’s guidelines for brush pickup, branches intended for pick up by the Public Works Division must NOT be tied with string, wire, and be free of wire, staples, nails, or metal of any kind.
• Root balls, stumps, lumber, debris, rocks, grasses, or any non-woody material will not be picked up.
• Do Not Cut branches into smaller sections. The longer the branch is, the easier it is for our crew to pick up. 
• Branches and twigs shorter than 18 inches should be placed in a yard waste bag for removal by your waste carrier.

Refuse & Yardwaste Guidelines

9. What do I do if my sewer backs up into my home?

If a home is experiencing a sewer backup into the basement, the Public Works Division will respond by checking the main sewer line for any blockages or problems. If the main sewer line is free of blockages, then the department will recommend the homeowner contact a licensed plumber to investigate the backup in the property sewer connection. During business hours (M-F/8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), please contact Public Works at (708) 246-1800 x 200. After business hours, call the non-emergency number for the Police Department at (708) 246-8540.

10. My street light is not working. Who do I contact?

Both the Village of Western Springs and ComEd repair the street lights in the Village. The street lights repaired by the Village include the lights in the downtown business district and the neighborhoods of Springdale, Fairview Estates, and Commonwealth. For lights maintained by the Village, please report the burned-out light to Public Works at (708) 246-1800, ext. 200 or through our online request system.

The remainder of the Village is maintained by ComEd. When a street light maintained by ComEd is burned out, a request for repair needs to be sent to ComEd. This can be done using online. It is not necessary to contact the Village to report a burned-out ComEd street light. 

11. I would like a new tree on my parkway. Who do I contact?

The tree replacement program allows residents to replace parkway trees and share the cost with the Village. A parkway tree replacement form needs to be completed and submitted in early February to ensure an April planting. Residents are prohibited from planting their own tree in the parkway. Permission is needed for the specific location, spacing and species. Learn more at: http://wsprings.com/192/Forestry 

Please call (708) 246-1800, Ext. 200 or email jpesek@wsprings.com to be placed on the tree replacement list.

12. How do I report a water main break?

The Public Works Division is available to repair water main breaks 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you know of a possible water main break during business hours (M-F/8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), please contact Public Works at (708) 246-1800 x 200. After business hours, call the non-emergency number for the Police Department at (708) 246-8540.

13. Are there watering restrictions during the summer months?

There are no restrictions for water usage during the summer months; however, residents are asked to voluntarily observe conservancy.

14. Does the Village have a cost-sharing program for sidewalk replacement?

The Village will replace an existing sidewalk square with a vertical displacement trip hazard of 1 1/4" or more at no cost to the resident. Cracked sidewalks that do not meet the trip hazard requirement can be replaced with the resident paying 60% of the Village's contractor's price. If you are interested in replacement of an existing sidewalk square, please contact the Public Works Division at (708) 246-1800, Ext. 200. Replacement is done in the summer and requests made after commencement of work will be placed on the list for replacement the next season

15. I have damaged curb in front of my home, can the Village replace it?

The Village does not have a formal curb replacement program, staff from the Municipal Services Department, (708) 246-1800, Ext. 200, can come out and inspect any damaged curb or gutter upon request.

Curb and gutter will only be replaced if it is determined to impede the flow of storm water and if funds are available for replacement.

16. The tree in my parkway has an "X" on it. What does this mean?

If a tree in the parkway has a green "X", this means the tree will be trimmed by the Village through the tree trimming program. If a tree has a red/orange "X", this means the tree is dead or diseased and will be removed.

17. How are the trees in the parkway trimmed?

Parkway trees greater than 7 inches in diameter are trimmed of dead, dying, diseased, interfering, objectionable and weak branches, every five years by a contractor hired by the Village. Smaller trees are regularly trimmed by Village crews of branches that are identified as hazards of 4" or greater in diameter. Residents may request permission from the Public Works Division to hire a certified arborist or forester to trim a tree in front of their home. Qualifications and contractor information must be submitted to the Public Works Division for review and permission must be granted in writing by the Public Works Division if any private trimming is to be allowed. To submit a request to have the Village Forester inspect a tree, please use the online form or contact (708) 246-1800, Ext. 200.

18. ComED is trimming trees in my area, what does that mean?

Per state statutory requirements ComED is required to perform vegetation management in all areas where its utility lines reside to ensure system electrical reliability. Tree trimming and in some cases the removal of trees by ComED and its contractors is permitted to take place on Village right of way and on private property.

The Village does not oversee ComED's vegetation management practices and ComED has discretion to manage vegetation in and around utility easements near its systems.

ComED is required to notify affected customers and property owners with (i) a statement of the vegetation management activities planned, (ii) the address of a website and a toll free telephone number at which a written disclosure of all dispute resolution opportunities and processes, rights, and remedies provided by the electric public utility may be obtained, (iii) a statement that the customer and the property owner may appeal the planned vegetation management activities through the electric public utility and the Illinois Commerce Commission, (iv) a toll-free telephone number through which communication may be had with a representative of the electric public utility regarding the vegetation management activities, and (v) the telephone number of the Consumer Affairs Officer of the Illinois Commerce Commission. The notice also stated that circuit maps or common addresses of the area to be affected by the vegetation management activities are on file with the local municipal or county office.

Notices for tree trimming and other management practices from ComED will be posted on the Village's website as they become available. Questions pertaining to ComED's tree trimming practices should be directed to ComED at 1-800-334-7661 or at the link below. ComED's Right Tree, Right Place Program

19. I would like a new tree on my parkway. Who do I contact?

The tree replacement program allows residents to replace parkway trees and share the cost with the Village. A parkway tree replacement form needs to be completed and submitted in February to ensure an April planting. Residents are prohibited from planting their own tree in the parkway. Permission is needed for the specific location, spacing and species. Learn more at: http://wsprings.com/192/Forestry . Please call (708) 246-1800, Ext. 200 or email jpesek@wsprings.com to be placed on the tree replacement list.