02.07.2011 - Village of Deerfield

Report on Departmental Objectives
February 3, 2011
Page 5
To install and maintain street signs so they are legible under all weather conditions – The Department
continues to replace older road signs with the new high visibility signs per Federal Highway
Administration Retro reflectivity guidelines. 64 street signs and 157 roadway signs have been replaced.
The upcoming years will see an increase in sign replacement and planning because of the new MUTCD
standards for retro reflectivity. The FHWA requires that a plan to be established by January 2012 to
explain how the Village will be implementing these new changes. By 2015 all regulatory sign in the
village will be required to meet the minimum retro reflectivity standard.
To replace all broken grates, covers and manhole frames – Broken grates are replaced on an as-needed
basis.
To plant parkway trees with homeowners sharing half the cost – Homeowners have the opportunity to
participate in a 50/50 cost share program to plant parkway trees planted in the fall by Village personnel.
The trees are purchased through the Suburban Tree Consortium which enables the Village to obtain high
quality trees at competitive pricing. 25 trees where planted in the fall and 4 trees will be planted this spring.
To maintain and repair the interior of the railroad station – Maintenance is performed daily, primarily
by Tom Sherman, Village Hall custodian. Repairs are made as needed by the Street Department.
To cut weeds and grass on Village-owned property – Grass is cut as needed. High visibility areas are
maintained by Moore Landscapes. Street department mows 15 various locations around town. The new
Streets Foreman has initiated a plan for department employees to obtain their Commercial Applicators
License through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. This will enable the Village to be more responsive
with the weed control throughout the downtown streetscape.
To maintain trees in Village right-of-way – The Street Department trims and removes public trees
throughout the year. Sawvell Tree Service has completed the Southwest quadrant this year. Working
together public works and Sawvell have removed approximately 100 trees due to diseases and safety
concerns.
In January the Village submitted an application to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to receive grant funding
for the planting of an additional 50 parkway trees and to assist with the parkway tree inventory. The grant
has been developed to assist communities with urban forest management and planning to minimize losses
from Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). To date the village has not had any confirmed cases but resides within the
Illinois Department of Agriculture EAB quarantine zone. Funding is made possible under the Forest Health
Cooperative programs of the United States Department Agriculture.
To maintain adequate supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel and to keep the equipment in good
working order Gasoline and diesel fuel is purchased as needed by using the lowest of three quotes,
including the State’s low bid supplier. Fuel is charged to expenditures of specific departments according
to usage.