Darien Direct Connect

City of Darien's Weekly Direct Connect for  May 25 2012

City Hall Closed
Darien City Hall & Municipal Services Department will be closed on Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day.  For any Police response please dial 9-1-1.

Refuse & Recycling Delay
Refuse and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day the week of May 28th, due to Memorial Day.  Fridays pickup will be on Saturday.  Please have everything at your curb no later than 6:30 a.m., as that is when refuse pickup begins.  To contact our refuse hauler, Veolia, please call 708-409-9700.

Memorial Day Ceremony
Darien VFW Post 2838 will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony at Community Park on Plainfield & Clarendon Hills Road on Monday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m.  Please join them as they honor our Veterans.

Darien Receives Lowest Electric Rates in Illinois
Darien voters authorized the City to negotiate electric supply rates on the behalf of residents.  We are proud to announce our recent bid provides for the lowest rates in the State of Illinois, at 4.54 per kWh for two years, when compared with the current ComEd rate of 7.73 per kWh.  These savings would save the average resident approximately $250 per year, even as the ComEd rate drops to around 7.00 per kWh in June.  Residents began receiving notices in the mail on May8 from Direct Energy, allowing them to opt-out of the program if they so choose.  This is a legitimate mailing, and unless residents choose to opt out no further action is necessary.  Please contact Scott Coren at 630-353-8104 for additional information.

Water Rate Increase
On January 1st, the City of Chicago and the DuPage Water Commission increased the amount the City of Darien is charged for water we receive from Lake Michigan by 34%.  This is only the first year of four annual increases by the City of Chicago through 2015.  Because of the current and future increases, the water rate beginning with the May 1, 2012 billing will increase from $4.90 per thousand gallons to $5.90 per thousand gallons for residents with an additional $5.00 flat service fee, and from $5.88 per thousand gallons to $7.08 per thousand gallons for unincorporated customers with an additional $6.00 flat service fee.  Individuals can learn more about conserving drinking water atwww.preservingeverydrop.org.  If you would like more information please call City Administrator Bryon Vana at 630-353-8114.

2012 Street Rehab
The City of Darien is beginning its street repaving project.  Our goal is to improve the streets while inconveniencing the residents as little as possible.  Residents living on these streets will receive flyers with information and timelines before the paving occurs. The Following streets are scheduled for construction the week of May 29th .  For more information please call Municipal Services at 630-353-8105.

City Meeting and Committee Agendas
The following links will direct you to the City Meeting and Committee agendas and packet information on our website.  Stay informed on City issues and upcoming projects!
All Agendas:
http://www.darien.il.us/Government/Minutes/2012/MinutesOverview.html
City Council Meeting Agenda:http://www.darien.il.us/Government/Minutes/2012/Council/CityCouncilMinutesOverview.html
Video Volunteers Wanted
The City of Darien is looking for volunteers to operate the cameras for airing and recording of city meetings.  The volunteers typically work one night every other month.  The meetings generally begin at 7:30 p.m., and last anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. For more information please call Mary at 630-353-8115.

Stop Delivery of Local Paper
The City is providing the following information due to resident contact asking for a solution to stop unwanted free delivery of the Tribune Local newspaper.  To stop delivery of the Trib Local (and you are not currently a Chicago Tribune subscriber), call 1-800-998-2339, option #3. If you are a Chicago Tribune subscriber, call 1-800-Tribune.

West Nile Virus Activity in DuPage County
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first West Nile virus positive bird and mosquito batches reported in Illinois for 2012. Positive samples were collected from Chicago, Lemont, Norridge, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Lisle, Westmont and Woodridge. For more information please see the news release at:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/press12/5.22.12_First_WNV_Mosq.htm