From: Ela Township Highway Commissioner

Hello everyone.  Hope you had a good summer and a wish for a great fall and winter to come. 

If you recall in past newsletters, I stated that our highway department was not receiving any of the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) because the highway department's tax rate was too low.  Our portion of the MFT was distributed to other townships within Lake County with higher tax rates.  I have been lobbying our elected officials for our fair share for number of years.  This summer the governor signed a bill allowing low taxing districts to receive a portion (50%) of their share.  Half is better than what we were getting. This is supposed to be enacted in July of next year.  The governor was planning to borrow from the MFT fund earlier this fall, which includes all local government bodies, to balance the state budget.  This would mean that all counties and local governments with roads would not receive any MFT moneys.  There was no stipulation as to how long he could borrow the money or when he had to repay the fund.  The governor promised to pay the fund back two fold from the capital bill that the house and senate passed last year, but at this time, the capital bill is unfunded. At present he has backed off from raiding the fund due to an outcry from local governments including township highway commissioners.  After the election, all bets maybe off.    I just don't get it, but I'll keep working for the people of the township no matter what the state does but they don't make it easy.

Your highway department has finished its largest paving project ever.  We finished the last third in Forest Lake Subdivision as well as Indian Meadows/Indian Trails Subdivision, which was in direr need of resurfacing.  This was done a year ahead of schedule. 

This winter we are going "greener" with 4 of the 5 plow trucks having installed computers to calculate the amount of salt and liquid on the roadways.  This will further reduce salt and chemical additives into our environment without reducing safety. 

Your road district is appreciative of homeowner who to put out reflectors or roadside markers in the winter months.  This helps us see the roads during snowfalls.  These reflectors also help other drivers stay on the roads in wet and poor conditions.  Following the posted speed limits also helps the edges of the roads as well as staying on the road in wintery conditions.

The highway department has run into problems with residents putting sprinkler heads, invisible dog fences and or shrubbery in the right of way.  Please remember, on average, the right of way extends a minimum of 15' from the road.  Any obstruction in that right of way has the potential of being damaged by road work.  It is not the responsibility of the township to repair or replace any such damage.  If you have any questions, just contact me.  

The highway department is happy to jet your driveway culverts if they become plugged with dirt or ice.  However, replacement of driveway culverts is the homeowner's responsibility.  If you need more information on replacing your culvert, please call my office.

While the weather is still nice, please check your mailbox as to the stability of the box and post.  Replacement of mailbox and or post will only occur by us if it is hit by the plow, not by flying snow.  Your mailbox and post must be able to withstand flying snow!  If you have an expensive mailbox, you may want to put up a temporary one for the winter because replacement mailboxes are standard issue with 4 x 4 posts.

A reminder to all that burn in the ditch line:  Culverts are now PVC (Plastic).  Make sure there is no PVC in the ditch line or culverts where you burn. It could cost you to repair not only the PVC but your phone and/or cable.

"We will keep the streets as safe as possible.  Please do your part and adjust your driving to the conditions of the roads." 

Thanks to everyone for all the positive comments,

Bill Kruckenberg

 Ela Township Highway Commissioner