2015 Fall
Summer of 2015:
Water is necessary for human life and all too often it can be in short supply as seen in this August 2015 drought monitor report. Please see http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ for more information regarding drought conditions. In the Midwest, at the time of constructing this newsletter, we can say we were pretty fortunate to receive rainfall during the summer of 2015. For the month of June, we experienced the 9th wettest on record with 7.12 inches, which was also the cloudiest. Numerous storm events contributed this record rainfall. As a result, Palatine Township Road District responded to alleviate blocked storm sewers, clogged storm sewer grates and downed trees. In fact, we designed and built several ditch modifications that assisted storm water from the roadways and properties due to the heavy storm events.
Snow and Ice Control:
If the upcoming 2015-2016 winter season is anything like the recent ones, we will be in the record books once again. Winter season 2013-2014 brought us 82.0 inches, 3rd overall. Last season, 2014-2015, we received approximately 50.7 inches. However, during the Groundhog Day weekend we received 19.3 inches of snow at O’Hare, ranking the storm event as 5th . Snowfall wasn’t our only worry; we also tied for the coldest February on record. Whether feast or famine, the Palatine Township Road District crew will be ready to assist. We have executed our salt contract in order to provide the Township with bulk treated road salt and have outfitted our fleet with additional ice control measures. We continue to monitor weather conditions and apply the best technique to combat inclement weather.
Help us to keep your neighbors and other motorists safe by not disposing of snow into the street, a public sidewalk or even on the parkway across from your property. Properly pile the snow from your driveway on the downstream edge of roadway plowing operations and your drive. This will reduce the amount of snow deposited into your driveway during the following storm event. If a mailbox has been compromised by our municipal plow truck, please notify us immediately so that a temporary mailbox may be installed for continued postal service. If you any questions, concerns or need any additional information please do not hesitate to contact us at 847.358.6336. Thank you for your consideration, everyone at the Road District greatly appreciates your effort in combating the winter storms and together we will keep the roadways open and safe.
Capital Improvements:
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, stormwater drainage is a key component to the design, function and longevity of the roadway pavement. Premature failure of the asphalt pavement and granular subbase may occur if stormwater is not transferred away from the roadway. There are several ways to handle this drainage, however the two most recognizable are curb and gutter designs or open ditches with cross culverts. In years past, farmers laid miles of drain tiles which were made of clay, 6” to 8” in diameter and about a foot long. They were laid in trenches with open joints to allow groundwater to filter through the soil and thus into the clay drain tile. This drainage system is abundant within the Township. Some of them are still functioning, most are in need of replacement. As mentioned above, we designed and built several ditch modifications that assisted stormwater from the roadways and properties. These modifications included connecting the clay drain tiles into a new storm sewer system. Fortunately, the Road District has an excellent staff of skilled personnel that are capable to not only build but maintain the drainage systems and all of your infrastructure needs.
