Seasonal

Spring: Severe Weather Preparedness

Seasonal Flooding
The Chicago region continues to receive record setting rainfall. In 2019, the wettest May on record impacted the area with 8.25 inches of rainfall. Regional and nation-wide trends continue to track increased rainfall amounts, with the United States recording its second-wettest year on record in 2019. Additionally, since precipitation records began in 1871, four of the top five wettest years in Chicago have occurred in the last decade (Chicago Tribune, May 19, 2020).

Prepare ahead of time for the potential impacts of seasonal rainstorm flooding with this helpful information. 

Thunderstorm Safety
The Midwest is impacted by severe weather year round, however spring storms bring specific hazards including tornadoes, thunderstorms & lightning, and flooding. It’s important to plan ahead and be ready in case of an emergency weather event. 

Construction

Find out details about specific 2020 construction projects with Public Work’s interactive comprehensive Construction Map!

Outdoor Clean Up Activities

The Public Works Department coordinates two opportunities to clean up our Village’s bike paths, parks and the DuPage River. Email Dave Gorman for more information.

• Lombard Pride Cleanup (April) - Help beautify bike trails, parks and other public areas in preparation for Lilac Time. Groups or individuals of any age, pick-up trash and/or remove buckthorn and garlic mustard form the Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail. Or you can walk a nearby park and pick-up trash.
• DuPage River Sweep (May) - Volunteers from Lombard and Glen Ellyn remove trash along the banks of the East Branch DuPage River at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve.

Community Events and Lilac Time

Public Works assists with planning, coordination and set-up of many of the events associated with the Lilac Time festival. The festival includes two full weeks of events including family fun in Lilacia Park, concerts, the Art and Craft Fair, tours with the Historical Society and so much more! Visit the www.lombardlilactime.com for for a complete list of events. You can also find upcoming community events on our Village Calendar.

Your Home and Garden Projects 

• Yard waste Pick Up begins the first full week of April!
• Where can I dispose my unwanted paints or cleaning supplies?
• Where can I learn more about rain barrels or composting?

Spring Time Projects Beyond Construction

In addition to construction projects, spring time also means spring cleaning! Here is how your Public Works Department is hard at work for you: 

Streets and Electrical

• Removing snow plows and salt spreaders from trucks and storing them for the summer.
• Installing tailgates and tarps on the trucks, and setting up equipment to prepare for paving and patching operations.
• Installing the fountain in the pond by Village Hall.
• Sweeping up winter debris and spring buds falling from trees.
• Repairing and installing mailboxes that were damaged during winter plowing.

Forestry

• The Forestry Division is responsible for maintaining approximately 19,000 parkway trees and does two tree plantings per year (spring & fall).
• Forestry staff will be mulching the new trees as well as other young trees. The parkway restoration contractor will be restoring utility digs and stump removals that were done between September 1st of the previous year and February 1st of this year.
• Forestry staff will shift from cyclic pruning into service request trimming and weather permitting, Village mowing begins early April.

 Underground Utilities

• Catch basins are cleared by Village Staff to help with storm water drainage and to help keep storm lines clear. Catch basins that need repair are fixed before summer pavement patching takes place.
• Fire Hydrant flushing and testing ensures proper operation by helping us to locate problem fire hydrants and low flow areas. The hydrants in disrepair will be scheduled for repair or replacement as necessary.
• Retention/Detention pond out fall cleanup. This is the cleaning and clearing of Village owned pond out falls and restrictors to ensure proper operation during the spring rain season.

Snow Plowing

Winter of course brings snow plowing. Visit our Snow Plowing page for detailed information about how the Public Works department performs snow plowing, as well as topics related to snow plowing.

How to Avoid or Fix Frozen Pipes

In extreme sub-zero temperatures, Public Works responds to many calls for frozen pipes. To avoid this situation it is advisable to let the water run at a constant trickle until the temperature rises.  Lower lake water temperatures combined with cold air movement around plumbing fixtures can create freezing in water lines. Under these conditions, water can freeze in the lines in just a couple of hours. 

• Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. The cost of the extra water is low compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe.  The water can be used to water indoor plants and more.
• Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.
• Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by repairing broken windows, insulating walls, closing off crawl spaces and eliminating drafts near doors.
• Know the location of your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately.
• Protect your pipes and water meter. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or use electrical heat tracing wire; newspaper or fabric might also work.

  
  What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze:

  Shut off the water immediately. Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.

  • Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended, and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
  • Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.

• When you are away:

  • Have a friend, relative or neighbor regularly check your property to ensure that the heat is working and the pipes have not frozen.
  • Also, a freeze alarm can be purchased for less than $100 and will call a user-selected phone number if the inside temperature drops below 45 degrees.

• Lombard Village Code helps ensure better pedestrian access after snowfall

  Village Code previously required public sidewalk clearing for all commercial properties in Lombard, regardless of location. The amended Code (2018) provisions require property owners to clear public sidewalks along the following street segments, regardless of the zoning designation. 

  • St. Charles Road from Elizabeth Street to Martha Street;
  • Main Street from Grove Avenue to Washington Boulevard;
  • Park Avenue from Orchard Terrace to McGuire Drive; and
  • Westmore-Meyers Road from Division Street to North Broadway.

• When snowfall occurs, Village Code requires a path clearance minimum of 5 feet wide for commercial properties in the above listed designated areas. . The Code also requires that property owners are responsible to clear abutting sidewalks, as well as the sidewalk areas that lead up to intersections on corners. The Code is aimed at improving the safety of sidewalk segments that are commonly utilized by pedestrians.

  Clearing of sidewalks will be required within 24 hours of the end of each snow event. Failure to do so may result in follow up action from the Village’s Code Enforcement  staff.

  Please contact Code Enforcement at (630)620-5757 for more information. 

  See FAQ Guide For Snow Removal

  Cold Weather Safety Reminders

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Recycling Extravaganza

The Village’s annual Recycling Extravaganza is held at the Village Hall in late September. The Recycling Extravaganza provides a one-stop-drop for many hard to recycle items including: books, bikes, crutches, wheelchairs, clothing, reusable furniture/appliances, building supplies, flags, cell phones, eyeglasses, hearing aids, car batteries, latex paint, scrap metal, wood clay/ceramic pots, fire extinguishers and empty gas tanks will be accepted. As the event nears detailed information will be provided on the Recycling page.

 Leaves & Yard Waste  

• A six week free leaf pick-up is provided through Waste Management at the end of the season. During this time, leaves that are placed in paper bags at the curbside will be collected for free on the same day as your regularly scheduled waste collection days. An unlimited number of bags containing only leaves may be placed curbside on the normal waste collection day without the need of stickers. Paper bags may be placed prior to this period provided that yard waste stickers are attached.
• Yard waste stickers are required on cans and bundled brush, as well as for any debris from non-residential properties. 
• Free leaf pick-up and yard waste collection end after the 2nd full week of December. After that, residents are responsible for their leaves. Mulching leaves into the lawn will help add nutrients to plants during winter months.
• Visit the Yard Waste page for more information regarding free leaf pick-up and yard waste collection.

Lombard Public Works reminds residents to never blow leaves or grass clippings into the street. Phosphorus Poisoning can occur when leaves and grass clippings are washed into sewers, polluting our waterways.