Local

Managing Park Forest Week of August 3, 2009


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Park Forest Village Hall. (Photo: Wendy Heise)

Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– August 3, 2009. Park Forest’s elected officials, management and staff continue their hard work to prepare for the end of summer activities and planning for the fall season.

Rescheduled Saturday Rules Meeting August 8

The Saturday Morning Rules Meeting previously scheduled for August 1 has been rescheduled for August 8 at 9:00 a.m. at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. Residents are encouraged to attend.

Village Board Meeting Summer Schedule

Village Board meetings continue on the summer schedule with the next Monday night Rules Meeting scheduled for August 10 at 8:00 p.m. at Village Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend. Keep in mind, copies of the Village Board meetings can be viewed at the Park Forest Library or on-line on the Village web site www.villageofparkforest.com.

Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 2009-2910 School Year Registration

New Student/Kindergarten Registration

Forest Trail Middle School, 215 W. Wilson Street, Park Forest

Thursday, August 13 from 9 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM.

The first day of school is August 20. For questions about registration, please call 708-668-9408.

Cooling Centers

When the temperatures soar and you need a place to cool off, remember that Village Hall (350 Victory Drive) and the Park Forest Police Department (200 Lakewood Boulevard) are the community’s designated cooling centers. Village Hall is open during routine business hours while the Police Department is open 24 hours. Also, please remember to periodically check in on family, friends, neighbors, and the elderly to ensure that they are adapting well to the heat.

Park Forest Community Development

Building

This week, 97 inspections were performed. These included new construction, re-occupancy, inspector initiated and referral/complaint.

In Civil Court action on property maintenance code enforcement matters, three cases were heard through the Adjudication Hearing Court process. The results were one case dismissed due to compliance, and two citations were found liable for a total of $280 in fines. Legal action has begun on three properties which were deemed open and vacant, and immediate and continuing hazards to the community.

Park Forest Fire Department

Responses

The department responded to 52 calls for assistance this week, including 8 double calls. Automatic aid assistance was provided to the Richton Park Fire Department twice and received twice each from Matteson and Richton Park and once from South Chicago Heights.

Training

Administrative Assistant Traci Apt recently attended the “How to Supervise People” training seminar in Merrillville, IN. The course was designed to provide tips for new supervisors on how to motivate employees, handle various problems and delegate tasks.

Safety Tip

Practicing safety in the kitchen is a great way to prevent cooking fires. To help avoid a fire in your kitchen:

  • Make sure stove tops and counters are clean and uncluttered.
  • Potholders, towels and other flammable items should be kept away from the stove top.
  • Pot handles should be turned inward so they can’t be bumped.
  • Never leave cooking unattended.

Park Forest Public Works

Legacy Square Pavement Work

Staff has been working on plans and specifications for the Legacy Square pavement rehabilitation and surfacing. Plans and specifications are currently in reproduction and will go out for bids on August 17.

Thank You

A big thank you goes out to Janet Brown who has been helping out in the Public Works Department while Administrative Assistant Deb Levesque is off from work recuperating.

Engineering Technician

A candidate has been selected for the Engineering Technician position from the interviews held recently. An offer has been extended and the new employee will begin work on Monday, August 3.

Field Operations

This week valves were repaired at 3 Hemlock, 3484 Western and 226 Dogwood. Sewer repairs were started at 341 Manitowac. Grass restoration from the asphalt restorations was completed. Also, asphalt patching was done Village-wide. Street lights were relamped and sanitary sewers were cleaned. Assistance was given to the Fire Department in moving concrete vaults.

Safety Meeting

The entire crew attended a NICOR safety meeting on Damage Control of NICOR facilities. The class was held at the Orland Park Public Works facility.

Water Plant

The system integrator is working on upgrades to the Water Plant’s data collection and reporting system.

Recreation and Parks

Aqua Center

Jason Miller and Craig Kaufman helped the Recreation and Parks staff use segments from the first video-taped safety audit for a piece on the lifeguards to be put on the Village’s website and the Facebook page. The final version should be up soon.

Staff met recently with representatives of the Architects and Construction Manager to do some last minute revisions to the floor plan to the bathhouse. The revisions will eliminate one washroom facility and move some other spaces around. This is a fine example of the value of the Construction Manager concept which allows these adjustments to be made before the bids come in over budget. Staff is also planning for the moving and storage of all the equipment in the building which will have to be done by early September.

Programs

Carolyn Hoff has sent copy for the Fall 2009 Program Brochure to the printer. It is due to be mailed to all residents in late August.

Volunteer postcards have been sent out for the Labor Day Park Forest Scenic 5 and More and volunteer shirts have been organized for distribution. A number of people have come in to volunteer and pick up their shirt. The first delivery of race award items was received this week.

Freedom Hall Remodeling

The floor in the Manilow Theatre looks great with all the concrete patching, painting and new carpet installed. The facility is awaiting installation of the new theater seating, scheduled for mid-August.

Source: Village of Park Forest Weekly Manager’s Report


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