Minutes of the Barrington Hills Village

Communications Committee Meeting

October 20, 2008

5:30 p.m.
Training Room
VILLAGE HALL
112 Algonquin Road

Final

1. Call to Order

Chairman Nikki Panos called the meeting to order October 20, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. in the Barrington Hills Village Hall.

Roll Call

Present

Nikki Panos, Chairperson

Barbara Kemp, Vice Chair (arrived at 5:42 p.m.)

Pamela Cools, Recording Secretary

Maureen Prettyman

Absent

Linda Fox

Laura Ekstrom

Beth Mallen, Trustee

Lt. Joe Colditz, Police Department

2. Reports from the Village

Lt. Colditz

Results from the Police Survey are coming in. Out of the 1500 surveys mailed, 300 responses have been received to date. A summary of the results will be posted on the Police Department website in November.
Last week Lt. Semelsberger received the Cook County Sheriff’s Medal of Honor.
Investigations continue into the fourth suspect in the August home invasion incident.
The Department has received reports of door-to-door solicitors of children’s books. This does not appear to be a scam, but the books are rather expensive. Door-to-door solicitors need to have a permit ($25) issued by the Police Department. ID and background checks are done on permit applicants by the detectives. Political and religious organizations are not required to have permits.
The Legal Committee is looking for ways to tweak zoning and other codes to allow for better enforcement.

Beth Mallen

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) tonight will discuss the Verizon cell tower application and equestrian boarding regulations. Also on their agenda is the request by Nottingham Builders for an extension on their special use permit for the construction of an artificial lake in the Otis Woods subdivision.
There have been no developments on either Duda or CN.
The Village is still searching for a replacement for Neal Waltmire.
The Communications Committee should begin looking for a new member to fill the remaining vacancy. The ideal candidate would be tech savvy and should have photography skills. The possibility of an un-paid intern from a local college or university to assist in website posting and maintenance was also mentioned.
Saturday October 25^th is scheduled as the 1^st Make A Difference Day. The Beautification Committee has contacted schools, Boy Scout Troops, etc. They have received no responses to the solicitation letters which they sent out to block captains. The police will be on hand to assist with traffic control.

3. Approval of Minutes

Approved September minutes as submitted with no amendments. Motion by Barbara Kemp, and seconded by Maureen Prettyman.

Approved 4-0-0.

4. Newsletter

Dundee Press has mentioned to Nikki Panos the possible cost savings we could achieve on the newsletter by a change in the method of address label printing, the elimination of folding and adhesive sealing tabs, and a change in the type of paper. The committee is unsure which of these suggestions, if any, would be acceptable to the Village, and follow-up conversations with Robert Kosin, Director of Administration, will take place after he returns from Springfield.
$7300 (not including postage) has been budgeted for newsletter production in 2009.
Pamela Cools announced that January 20, 2009 would be the deadline for submissions for the next newsletter issue. A feature about the road salt shortage and driving safety tips is planned.

5. Website

Barbara Kemp is working on an archeological history article for the website, and will interview Muffy Cooke, and will photograph her home and grounds.
Barbara had business cards printed up for the Communications Committee to use in introductions to the public.
She is also firming up the Resident Spotlight article about Patty Meroni. Members were encouraged to think about nominations for the next spotlight.
Discussion ensued on ways that the Committee might further publicize the website, and better communicate information to residents.
Maureen Prettyman will pursue contact with community organizations to encourage posting of our web address www.vbhcomm.info on their links pages.

8. Adjournment

Given there was no new business, Nikki Panos entertained a motion for dismissal at 7:04 p.m. The next meeting is on Monday, November 17, 2008. Motion to adjourn made by Pamela Cools and seconded by Maureen Prettyman.