Welcome to the Barrington Hills
Community News and Information Website
Barrington Hills is an equestrian community approximately 40 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois straddling across parts of four counties - Cook, Lake, McHenry and Kane. The estimated population in 2003 was 4,176. The village has roots from early settlers in the 1830s and formal incorporation took place in 1957. Residential properties are a minimum of 5 acre zoning with agricultural and horse farms welcome within the community.
Welcome and thank you for visiting the Barrington Hills Village News and Information Home Page. If you have suggestions for content, news and photos to share, please send e-mail to the Village Clerk at clerk@barringtonhills-il.gov. We want to hear from you! Share our email address and the Village Mega Portal address www.barringtonhills-il.gov, with friends and family members. The Mega Portal Page is our front door to Barrington Hills Government, Village News and Information, and the Police Department.
Spring will be here soon - photo courtesy of Debbie Stone
March Reminders
2010 Census - March Forms in US Mail
Prepare to Participate - the Biggest Benefit to the Community each Decade
$$$ A Million Reasons to be Counted $$$
Illinois could lose two Delegates to Congress if the State is undercounted!
The United States Census Bureau is gearing up for the 2010 US Census. The Census count helps Barrington Hills receive many critical benefits. The Census 2010 Page carries specifics you "need to know for lawful compliance." March 2010, forms will be mailed throughout the U.S. kicking off the 23rd National Census. They need to be mailed back by residents April 1, 2010.
Message from the President
To: The Residents of Barrington Hills
Subject: Illuminating Lighting
 
Unless you have been living on Pluto during the last year, you have most likely been hearing a lot about lighting issues in the Village. Even the Wall Street Journal decided that lighting in our Village warranted a nationally published editorial. Apparently, we are more weighty a subject than the troubles in banking and the economy.
This article is provided in its entirety on the main Village News page. For a copy of the draft Exterior Lighting Ordinance, click here. For a printable PDF version of the message click here.
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Barrington Hills will observe Daylight Savings Time (DST) on March 14, 2010. March 14 will always be the latest start date with the current daylight saving schedule for the United States. DST is set to start on the second Sunday of March each year. What do people do When it is time to spring forward? Various safety reminders are often synchronized with the DST start or end date to remind people to take safety precautions as they wind their clocks one hour back. Safety reminders include changing smoke alarm batteries and carbon monoxide detectors.
Scouting in Barrington Hills
Countryside School Pack 187 celebrates 100 years of Boy Scouts in America - photo and story by Jim Armstrong
Back Roads - Living History Interviews
Fritz Gohl, President Pro Tem and Trustee Liaison for the Communications Committee, among other titles, has initiated a new responsibility for the Communications Committee. Residents with a significant history in the community are being interviewed by Debbie Stone, Communications Committee member, professional writer and photographer. The title of the series of interviews, which include stories and photos, is "Back Roads." These stories may help new and long time residents understand the values the village was built upon and the effort it takes to maintain the unique way of life we enjoy in our community. You may never meet a resident again without wondering what "Back Roads" they have traveled.
Mrs. Peggy Richards in her garden in 2009 - photo and story by Debbie Stone
The first interview was with Mrs. Peggy Richards. The full stories are posted in the History section of this Website. Link to the Main History Page or use the Back Roads direct connection to Peggy's story.
Village Hall Rain Garden
Flint Creek Watershed Partnership (FCWP) will begin installation of a demonstration rain garden at the Village Hall to help educate residents on the importance of protecting our watershed by reducing polluted storm water run-off into our streams. FCWP's Rain Garden Initiative has been made possible by a $4,500 grant from the Barrington Area Community Foundation. For more information, go to the Village News Committee Page.
Beautification Committee Event
The Beautification Committee is planning its spring clean-up event for south Old Sutton Road on May 1. If you have a suggested roadway for a future event, contact the Village Clerk, clerk@barringtonhills-il.gov. For more information, go to the Village News Committee Page. A new email address is available to stay connected: green@barringtonhills-il.gov.
Barrington Area Council of Governments
Groundwater Initiative
The 19 groundwater presentations to BACOG and its member villages and townships are complete! An additional community presentation was held on November 30th, and this filmed meeting with slides and videos can be seen at BACOG's website under “water resources/publications”.
Barrington Hills Board of Trustees received three (3) separate BACOG presentations on Ground Water in 2009. Barrington Hills is a significant source of quality ground water for the BACOG area. Activities in our Village directly and immediately affect the quality and quantity of the groundwater available to thousands of residents in villages nearby who, like us, do not have access to Lake Michigan water.
Coyotes and Deer in Winter
Snow has been on the ground for months and the wildlife around us is getting more aggressive trying to get food. Reports have come in from neighbors that the coyote and deer populations have been battling, in more than one case, leaving dead deer on residential properties. Keep an eye on your family pets, especially small cats and dogs which can fall prey to the hungry coyotes. The coyotes bear their pups in February when they become protective of their young.
For further information on coyotes go to:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/directory_show.cfm?species=coyote.
For general information on living with wildlife go to:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/.
A call to the Police Non-Emergency number, (847) 551-3006, will help you determine if your County's Animal Control Agency can assist you and/or provide information for companies that specialize in removing dead animals from private property.
Barrington Hills - FOIA and OMA News
Residents have access to village records online. Go to the Village News Committee Page for information related to the Illinois Senate Bill 189 which went into effect January 1, 2010. The Village of Barrington Hills' Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) web pages are linked from the bottom of the new Village Portal Home Page. The Village FOIA Kiosk Page and the village's public Kiosk are under construction. Go to http://www.barringtonhills-il.gov/foia.
The Village Trustees, and appointed volunteer Commission and Commission members all have assigned email addresses using the convention of first initial and last name, followed by @barringtionhills-il.gov. The President, Clerk and Treasurer use their formal title followed by @barringtionhills-il.gov.
For a reminder of how to formally register a complaint, please go to the Hot Topics Page. Every complaint is IMPORTANT!
Looking to Spring: Roads and Bridges
Chapel Road is no longer recommended for permanent closing. Instead, every effort will be made to address future flooding within the available budget, and temporary closures will be instituted when it is not possible to maintain a passable roadway.
The long awaited resurfacing of County Line Road from the Kane County Line to Old Hart Road is expected to begin in May and last into July. Tentatively, the 2010 Road Program is scheduled to include Hawley Woods Road, Round Barn Road, and Old Dundee Road. The actual scope of the program can change based on the severity of the winter and its effects on various roadways. Go to the Village News Committee Page.
Barrington Area Conservation Trust
Distinguished Speakers Series
Go to the Community News Conservation Page March details.
Police Updates
The Police Website Main Page has recent changes and links to Police Awards and Public Safety Awards. Coverage includes news and advice from the most recent Neighborhood Watch meeting, and Police Investigations around the Village that residents want to know about. The Police Archive includes easy to find information by Quarter. Forms are available for Home Watch and more. Check it out! Lt. Joe Colditz is the main contact for information posted to the Police Website.
Police Department: Lighting and Security
The police department’s position on lighting is as follows:
The Barrington Hills Police Department is in favor of lighting for the purpose of crime prevention and security, when that lighting is strategically placed, and illumination levels are set to be the most effective in order to provide a feeling of security to the homeowner. Additional levels of security for residents recommended to protect their family and their home include:
1. Have an alarm system and activate it when home or away.
2. Yard signs / window stickers indicating that you have an alarm system.
3. Have a back-up alarm.
4. Use indoor light timers / computer software that controls lights.
5. CCTV or IP Cameras
6. Dogs
7. An operational gate at the driveway entrance.
It is each homeowner’s individual choice as to the amount they wish to invest in home security.
Distracted Driving Laws Aim
To Improve Traffic Safety
On January 1, 2010, several new laws went into effect in Illinois. For more read the latest Newsletter or go to the Village News Main Page.
• Drivers are now prohibited from using cell phones in school or construction zones unless using a hands-free device.
• Anyone operating a motor vehicle is also prohibited from using an electronic communication device, such as a cellular telephone, Blackberry or computer, to compose, send or read electronic (text) messages. This law does not apply to global positioning systems (GPS), navigation systems.
State of Illinois
Voluntary Emergency Notification System
Go to Police Page via this link to voluntarily sign up for the Illinois Secretary of State's Emergency Contact Database. This confidential database is available for individuals to set up emergency notification. Illinois is only the third state to have such a database which was launched in 2009.
Barrington Hills History and Photos
A significant part of the beauty and social aspect of the village is reflected on History Pages. The Village Photo Gallery has photos from village events current and past. |
