Village of Cullom, Illinois

To contact customer service for Republic Services

http://www.republicservices.com or call: (815) 723-3200

UPDATE: The Village has conducted an informal survey.  There appears to be approximately 120 Ash trees in Cullom, with approximately 80 on Village property.  They will need to be removed in the near future.  

 The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle native to Asia, about the size of a grain of rice was first detected in Michigan in 2002 and has started to spread throughout the United States.

We do have EAB in Cullom.  Within a few years all Ash trees in the village will be dead or dying.  The village has developed a tree management program and all Ash trees on village property are on an established list to be removed and replaced with other species.

All sixteen native Ash species are susceptible to the EAB.  An Ash tree can be recognized by the compound leaves which are arranged opposite of one another on the branches.

Homeowners will have to consider their own options, to protect or replace the trees on their own property.  If you choose to protect them, the sooner you begin treating the tree with insecticides, the better.  You will need to treat the tree over its lifetime. The Morton Arboretum has a website with more information: mortonarb.org/plantadvice

Symptoms and Signs

Sometimes damage to the tree may not be apparent for up to three years of infestation.  The most obvious signs of an attack are dead limbs near the upper part of the tree. Woodpecker damage is sometimes apparent as they search for larvae and damage the bark of the trees.

The EAB eggs are laid between layers of bark.  When they hatch the larvae bore into the tree where they feed on the inner bark creating “S”-shaped tunnels called galleries.

Adults begin to emerge through “D”-shaped exit holes and will remain active until the end of summer.

Homeowners should check their trees for infestations.

The following is an overview of the goals and objectives for 2017 determined by the Village Board of Trustees.

* North-side Business District Sidewalk Replacement Project

* General Sidewalk Repair and Maintenance

* New Zoning Ordinance Map

* Develop Emergency Management Plan

WATER TREATMENT

* Tower Inspection – Cleaning

* Replace Valve at tower location

* Paint outside Iron Filter

* Annual Sand Filter Maintenance

* Continue Hydrant/Valve Exercising Maintenance Programs

* Water Quality Report Notice Mailing

* Renew Allied/Republic Contract

* Plant trees – ongoing tree maintenance

* Establish Street Sign Replacement Program

* Continue Alley Maintenance Program

WATER DRAINAGE

* Develop plan of correction for drainage issues

* Investigate/Correct existing driveway/culvert issues

* Accounting Procedures Updated

* Prevailing Wage Ordinance – <June>

* Appropriation Ordinance – <July>

* Levy Ordinance <November>

* Audit of Accounts

* Encourage/Oversee/Enforce Main Street Building Repair

* Establish Community Advisory Board

* Christmas on Main Street

* Strict Ordinance Enforcement

* Abandoned/unlicensed vehicles

* Animal Control

* Junk/Trash on property

* Whatever other issues that may arise.

2017-objectives

The following is a brief executive summary of the Cullom Village Board for 2016

* The ADA compliant South-side Business District Sidewalk Replacement Project completed.

* Street Repair/Maintenance Rotation Program continued using MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) funds.

* Begin Alley Maintenance Rotation Program to gravel alleys.

* Street traffic control signs – two year project completed.

* Riprap added to grate/culvert at corner of Elm/Jeffery streets.

* Park Buildings – repaired leaks and holes, cleaned, organized and painted.

* Oversee painting outside Community Building and Business District buildings.

* Identified trees for removal by Ameren; continue tree trimming maintenance.

* Passed Ordinance for the replacement/construction of driveway or culvert construction within the Village limits.

* Established a new bookkeeping account “Tiling Account” with gaming tax revenue.

* Fire hydrants flushed two times and valve exercise maintenance continued.

* Annual sand filter maintenance completed.

* Tim Lovell earns Water Operator’s License, promoted to Public Works Supervisor.

* Water Treatment Plant nominated by Illinois Rural Water Association (NRWA) for Treatment Plant of the Year.

* Completed water drainage improvements on South Elm Street.

* Outstanding Improvement Award given to Bill Reiniche of Legends Automotive for upgrade of building at 165 West Jackson Street

* Passed Mediacom Franchise Ordinance to continue receiving revenue due to new State Law.

* Annual Audit completed

* Prevailing Wage, Appropriations and Tax Levy Ordinances completed with no tax increase.

* No increase in the garbage/water rates for 2017.

* Organized businesses to hold ‘Christmas on Main Street’.

Looking forward to another productive year in 2017 making Cullom a great place to live and work!