2015 Spring

Winter Events 2014-2015:

Last winter season 2013-2014, we saw the third highest amount of snowfall with 82.0 inches.  Winter seasons 1978-1979 at 89.7 inches and 1977-1978 at 82.3 inches ranked above it.  This winter season we saw early snow on Halloween and record cold temperatures in November and then a snowless December which only occurred one other time since 1894.  We all know that can change in the Midwest and at the Road District we continually plan for winter storms.  In fact as we wrote this article in early January, we experienced several snow fall events that partnered with wintry mix precipitation.

We were also reintroduced to the POLAR VORTEX.  As you may remember and would like to forget, immediately starting the New Year we plunged into record breaking low temperatures and wind chills that closed area schools and brought in the polar bears at the local zoo.  For more information regarding the weather events and records please visit the National Weather Service at  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsarchive.php?wfo=lot.

While these records were made the Road District Crew were out plowing and applying ice control measures.  We stand ready to remove snow and ice in an effective manner in order keep the motoring public safe.

Yard Waste Program 2015:

This successful, annual program will resume once again on April 6, 2015 and will continue until November 24, 2015.  Weather permitting, in late March and early April, we will deliver 56 yard waste stickers to each household in the unincorporated areas.  These stickers are to be used on your purchased yard waste bags for the following items: grass clippings, leaves and garden debris, however dirt or sod is not prohibited.  Please do not put more than 40 pounds of material into the bags as they become too heavy to lift into our refuse truck.  If you have small brush or branches, please tie them with twine in bundles 4 ft. or less in length and 2 ft. or less in diameter.  By doing so, they will be more manageable for disposal.  Additionally, for your gardening use, we have compost which is aged, ground yard waste and are available for pick-up at the Road District Garage and Town Hall.

Tire Amnesty Program 2015:

Charles Goodyear’s tire is a staple of modern society however it has become one of the largest solid waste headaches.  This nuisance extends especially to our roadside ditches.  Violators “fly dump” their unwanted tires, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flooding and mowing problems for the Road District, not to mention an unsightly landscape.  In response we created a tire amnesty program several years ago and it has become a well-attended event.  Early each spring on selected Saturdays anyone living in Palatine Township can drop off their used tires at our yard.  If you are a resident of Palatine Township come and drop off your old tires at the Road District Garage, located at: 530 N. Smith Street, Palatine.  This year centered on Earth Day, the tire amnesty program will be from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday April 18, 2015 and Saturday April 25, 2015.  No tires over 16″ in diameter or from commercial vendors will be accepted.