The Village of Ogden distributed a summer information update to residents last week.
While residents are welcome to attend the monthly board meeting at Village Hall at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month, the Village has its sights set on increasing communication with residents so they are aware of events, changes and ordinances within their community.
“The Facebook page ‘Ogden News and Information‘ posts information regularly, including last-minute updates,” the newsletter reads. “Recognizing that Facebook and websites are not for everyone, the board hopes that this newsletter will enhance communication and transparency in our village.”
Professional Vendor Changes
In recent years, the Village has changed vendors that provide professional services to Ogden.
Miller & Hendren from Champaign provides legal services to the village. Royal Bookkeeping in St. Joseph now provides monthly accounting services. And since 2018, the CPA firm Martin Hood from Savoy has been performing the annual financial audit.
Speed Limit Within the Village
Residents and visitors to Ogden should note that the speed limit within the village is capped at 25 miles per hour. The Village also reminds drivers to obey stop signs by coming to a complete stop at each one and to keep parked vehicles off of sidewalks. Following these standards will keep residents and children on the street safe.
Brush Pickup and Burning
Brush pick-up began in March and will run on the first and third Mondays through the beginning of December, weather pending.
The size of the brush to be picked up should be no larger than 4 inches in diameter and 5 feet long. The Village accepts bundled 5-foot pieces and brush in paper bags. Leaves, grass clippings, or roots with dirt will not be picked up.
Per ordinance, burning shall be restricted to private property and not on any village public parkway, terrace, street, alley, curb, gutter, sidewalk, park, or easement, with the exception of leaf burning only allowed on rocked parkways or private properties beginning Oct. 1st and ending Dec. 15th.
Water and Sewer Billing Increases
June’s water and sewer billing will represent the first full month of rate increases in 2019.
In 2018, the village board voted to moderately increase the water and sewer rates every year starting May 1st, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
For sewer, there is a 50-cent increase in the minimum from $3.00 to $3.50 and an approximate 37-cent increase for every 100 cubic feet of sewer usage that appears on a bill.
For water, there is an approximately 19-cent increase for every 100 cubic feet of water usage that appears on a bill.
These increases were designed to focus on usage and to minimally affect lower-end users. The increases are necessary to keep up with the cost of repairs, maintenance, inflation, and the replacement of future infrastructure assets.
Surrounding communities have seen their rates double or triple in the last few years due to these costs. With yearly moderate increases, the village wishes to keep up with current costs and responsibly save funds for future costs.
Storm Water Drainage
Drainage remains one of Ogden’s most important, complicated, and costly issues.
Village staff performs regular processes which include cleaning clogged or broken drain pipes around town and flushing out catch basins on an annual basis.
There are currently two long-term projects in the works.
The first involves the northeast of Ogden, where IDOT is redoing the drainage underneath the I-74 exit. The Village of Ogden, with the cooperation of local landowners, will be connecting to this new tile both north and south of the I-74 exit, with the goal of alleviating drainage issues in this area of town.
IDOT will also be rebuilding the drainage tile at the intersection of Market St. (Rt. 49) and Lincoln St. (Rt. 150). The Village of Ogden’s role in the project is to facilitate the engineering needs and acquire any easements necessary to complete the ditch.
Ordinance Violation Complaint Forms Available
Forms for complaints regarding suspected ordinance violations are now available both at the village hall at 101 W. Main Street from 8 a.m.-noon on Monday through Thursday, and also at OgdenIL.com under the “Government” Tab and then the “Ordinance” link. Completed forms can be turned in at the village office.
