Highway Commissioner, THOMAS W. GOOCH

Cuba Township’s 6th annual FALL FESTIVAL was held on

Saturday, October14, 2006.   The pictures below are a small example of the wonderful day enjoyed by all.

Photographs courtesy of Roy Svacha

      Winter is in full swing now.  During this past summer I attended a number of seminars on snow and ice control operations including a look at new chemicals and materials.  As we already have had for a couple of years, state of the art computer controlled delivery systems I decided to experiment on a limited basis with some new liquids.

 

       During the summer I reached an agreement with Algonquin Township Road District to buy pre-mixed liquids from them in order to avoid the expense of a mixing station until we know if the new “super mix” will work.

 

       The latest theory for a “super mix” is a combination of salt brine, liquid calcium chloride and —believe it or not — beet juice!.  It may or may not work and if it does it will further reduce our already low salt concentrations.  Unfortunately there is no recognized authority or data on the new mix only the opinions of those who are selling the mixing stations-so we’ll have to see what the future results show, but we have already used this year over 3,000 gallons of the mix.  In the meantime we are continuing to use 100% liquid calcium chloride with a corrosion inhibitor which substantially reduces our salt quantities and is a tried and proven liquid addition to salt.

 

       THINKING OF SPRING, I decided I would like to have every year a Saturday morning meeting, sort of a town hall meeting on roads with any and all of you who would like to join me to discuss that years road maintenance programs, talk about snow removal and how we can be better next year, talk about salt damage and restoration needs, where there are drainage problems, bad culverts and never ending patching needs and hear anything else you would like to tell me!  So this year I decided to hold such a meeting on March 31, 2007 at 8:30 A.M and continuing until 11:00 A.M. where I’ll be available to you individually from about 9:30 onward.  Between 8:30 and 9:30 I thought we could have a joint meeting where we could all discuss issues together.  I’ll supply coffee and some food we will meet at the Township Garage.  As you know, we provide year round services for Lake Barrington, North Barrington and Tower Lakes and administer their road programs.  I will ask some of their elected officials to attend to answer your concerns if any related to a particular village’s program.  To my way of thinking this will help you be aware of what I’m planning in the upcoming season and help me hear and solve your concerns and problems.  If the idea is well received by you and we accomplish as much as I think we can we will make this a yearly event.  SO MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!

 

       On the School House, we have problems arising in the form of Commonwealth Edison.  In order to move the building we have to drop lines along Miller and Kelsey Roads.  Edison is estimating the cost at approximately $30,000.00 to do that.  They won’t even give me an exact amount unless I pay for it.  I am bitterly disappointed in their attitude and behavior.  I have tried to make this happen for over a year now and feel like I have reached an impasse. I can not in good conscience use this kind of money, taken from the taxpayer for something like this even though it means preserving a historic structure.   My ever helpful friend Mayor Kevin Richardson is as always trying to find a solution as am I.  At this point it seems like our best chances is appealing to the upper management levels of Commonwealth Edison for a little community involvement from them.  If you know of anyone in the upper levels of management there and want to help us please give me a call.  I have a new cell number 847 951 7575 please make a note of it and use if you need to talk on any subject.  I could really use some help on this school house. We are running out of time and simply can’t pay this amount to a utility company for this purpose.

 

  Finally check out www.cubaroads.com.  Our Blog was opened and placed there in December and available for your use for feedback and comment.  I should have my first posting there for you to read and comment back by the time you read this newsletter.  I intend this Blog to be a fun thing for comments from the community on any subject....................