1. science
2. ecology
3. waste management
4. recycling

Village of Cobden
P O Box 218
112 East Maple Street
Cobden, IL 62920
www.cobdenil.com
[email protected]
(618) 893-2425
(618) 893-2853 - fax
NOVEMBER 2014
________________________________________________________________________________
NOVEMBER 28, 2014
DALE MILLIS AUCTION SERVICE
CONSIGNMENT/SCHOLARSHIP
AUCTION
9:30 a.m.
Cobden Downtown Park
Farm equipment, household, cars, trucks, antique and
new items – something for everyone
Consign items by calling
Dale Millis Auction Service
618-924-5151
Proceeds of donated items go toward the Cobden High
School scholarship program
Included in the auction are three vehicles that are being
sold for the Village of Cobden Police Department.
These are vehicles that were seized by the Department.
1997 Saturn Sedan
1997 Ford Taurus
1991 GMC 4 x 4 Sonoma
Christmas in the Village
Christmas Decorating Contest
Sponsored by
Cobden Community & Business Association
Cash prizes for Residential and Business
donated by the Cobden Lions Club, Village of Cobden,
individuals and businesses
Decorate your business or the outside of your
house and yard (must be visible from the street).
Addresses will be posted for the public to know
where to see some amazing decorations.
Judging takes place anonymously from the street
after dark after the deadline.
All entries must be received by Wednesday,
December 3rd by 5:00 pm.
Judging will be based on originality, arrangement
and overall presentation.
MUNICIPAL CONSOLIDATED ELECTION
APRIL 7, 2015
Winners will be announced at the lighting of the
Christmas tree on December 6th.
The following offices will be filled in the Consolidated
Election to be held on April 7, 2015
Entry forms and rules can be picked up at the
Cobden Village Hall, Alligator and the Blue Fox
(111 Oak St) or downloaded from visitcobden.com.
Village Trustee (3 to be elected)
Candidate packets are available at the Village Hall. The
period for filing is December 15-22, 2014.
For complete election information visit the State Board of
Elections website: www.elections.il.gov
Cash donations from any individual, business or
organization are welcome and will be used for the prizes.
TIF DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 1
The Village of Cobden will consider the use of tax
increment financing (as provided in the Tax Increment
Allocation Redevelopment Act, State of Illinois 65 ILCS
5/11-74.4-1 et. seq., and hereinafter referred to as the
“TIF Statute”) and the Cobden Tax Increment Financing
Plan, hereinafter referred to as the “TIF Plan”, in order to
cause and assist in the economic and physical
development in this portion of the Village.
A public hearing will be held on this Plan on December
1, 2014, at 6:30 PM at Cobden Village Hall, 112 E.
Maple St., Cobden, Illinois 62920.
A copy of the proposed Redevelopment Plan is on file
and available for inspection at Cobden Village Hall, 112
E. Maple St., Cobden, Monday through Friday during
business hours. The General Land Use Plan shown
therein conforms to the Comprehensive Plan of the
Village.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be
heard at the public hearing.
The adoption of the Plan is not an increase in real estate
taxes nor will it cause an increase in real estate taxes.
T R IC K O R T R E A T
Thank you to those who donated candy,
funds for candy, or who participated in
making Trick or Treat fun for the children of
our community.
COBDEN PARK PROJECT
We are excited to inform you that the new
playground equipment for both parks has been installed
along with new basketball goals for the downtown park
and the improvements to the playground areas and the
walking path are almost complete. We are planning to
purchase more ground cover for the downtown park as
funds become available.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the
Simonds family – E. T. Simonds Construction for their
donation of labor and materials to completely refurbish
our downtown basketball court and to improve the
walking path at the Cobden Community Park. We are
extremely fortunate to have this family in our
community.
We also thank everyone for their donation –
whether it was putting your change in the donation jar
at the Village Hall, sending a check, participating in
fundraising events, a community organization who
donated, or whether you were the anonymous donor of
the $500 contribution or the $900 contribution. Your
generosity will bring much pleasure to the children and
adults who use our parks.
Contributions are still needed to complete the
downtown park improvements.
A special thank you to David Stewart and his
family. David spearheaded this effort and his family
volunteered many hours of labor and support for the
project
without
seeking
any
recognition
or
compensation.
Cobden is the best place to live!
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
2014 MEETING SCHEDULE
VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
November 3 and November 17
December 1 and December 15
The Village operates a generator at the Village Hall in
the event of long-term power outages. This is done to
ensure continued operations of the Emergency
Operations Center. Feel free to contact the Village Hall
if you are in need of assistance during power outages.
VILLAGE HALL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
CLOSED – NOVEMBER 27 & 28
TRASH RATES TO INCREASE
Effective November 1, 2014 the trash and recycling
fee will increase to $15.85 per month.
COBDEN BRANCH LIBRARY
100 South Front Street
618-893-4637
Monday & Tuesday – 2 to 6 p.m.
Thursday – 9 a.m. to noon
Natural Gas…Safe, Reliable and Efficient
ILLINOIS MIGRANT COUNCIL
TECHNOLOGY LEARNING CENTER (TLC)
Centro educativo de tecnología
After School Tutoring - Computer Skills Instruction - Access
to Computers and Internet - ESL Classes - GED preparation Migrant Education Family Literacy Program
OUR SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL
COMMUNITY RESIDENTS
We offer computer classes to the public:
Introduction to the Internet & Understanding Email
Basic Computer Literacy: Starting from the Beginning
Resume Building and Online Job Searching
Natural gas is America’s most popular home heating fuel –
heating more homes than all other energy forms combined.
Dollar for dollar, natural gas provides more heating value than
any other energy source.
The Village of Cobden runs one of the most reliable natural
gas systems around, providing natural gas to hundreds of
customers through a network of underground distribution
lines. We work hard to meet your energy needs in the safest,
most reliable way possible.
After the brutally long and cold winter last year, everyone is
worried about energy prices. As we head into the winter
season, you can help keep your natural gas bills low by
following these simple tips:
•
Exploring Microsoft Office
Come in and schedule personal class time.
Hours: Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
111 South Appleknocker Drive
618-893-1922
Fax 618-893-1927
•
•
•
•
•
•
LITTLE BLUE FLAG?
If you have noticed a little blue flag by your water meter,
it is in place to help locate the meter if it gets covered
with leaves (or snow). Please do not remove the flag so
that the meter can be located in the event of a water leak
and for the monthly meter reading.
USE OF AFTER HOUR DEPOSIT
When using the Village’s after hour deposit receptacle, please
refrain from folding envelopes. This sometimes blocks the slot
for other payments to fall through into the interior safe.
MAILING YOUR UTILITY PAYMENT?
Be sure to address your payment to
Village of Cobden
P O Box 218
Cobden, IL 62920-0218
Save energy dollars by setting your thermostat two or
more degrees lower. Use a timer to decrease
temperatures while you are asleep or away from
home.
Have your furnace inspected regularly, and change
furnace filters frequently.
Make sure doors and windows have good weatherstripping.
Lower the temperature on your water heater.
Remove window air conditioners at the end of the
cooling season.
Close your garage door to prevent heat from
escaping.
Use storm windows or plastic window wrap kits.
For more information on our community’s natural gas system,
contact the Village of Cobden at 893-2425.
HELP SOMEONE LEARN TO READ
The S.C.A.L.E. Adult Literacy Program provides
trained tutors for people who need to improve reading and
math skills.
If you would like to become a volunteer tutor or if
you need help to become a better reader, contact Pam
O’Connor, Coordinator
1-800-481-2242, ext. 3222 or 618-634-3222
Shawnee Community College
Submitted by Renee Juarez
ANIMAL CONTROL
The Union County Animal Control Officer can be
reached by calling 833-4915 (Union County Animal
Control Facility, 385 Kaolin Road). Please keep in
mind that dogs are to be kept under restraint and are
not to run loose in the Village.
NATURAL GAS SAFETY AND YOU
Information regarding natural gas safety procedures is
available at the Village Hall.
TRASH COLLECTION
RATE EFFECTIVE 11/1/14 - $15.85
Cobden Veterans Memorial –
Contributions to the maintenance and upkeep of the
Veterans Memorial located in the Community Park are
appreciated. Your generosity will enable us to cover the
expense of adding more names and to provide for the
upkeep of the landscaped area around the monument.
Your continued show of support for our veterans is
appreciated.
COBDEN COMMUNITY PARK
The shelters in the Community Park and the
downtown park are available for use on a first-come firstserved basis. Call the Village Hall (893-2425) to reserve
the shelters for family, church, or other social gatherings.
GAS AND WATER METER REGULATIONS
If you need to have utilities turned on or off at
your property for any reason, you must contact the
Village Hall.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO TURN ON OR OFF ANY GAS
AND/OR WATER METER UNLESS YOU ARE AN
EMPLOYEE OF THE VILLAGE. ANY PERSON WHOSE
GAS OR WATER METER IS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN
TURNED ON BY ANYONE OTHER THAN A VILLAGE
EMPLOYEE WILL HAVE THE AMOUNT OF FIFTY
DOLLARS ($50.00) ADDED TO THEIR REGULAR BILL.
If you need to have your gas or water turned off
during a time when the Village Hall is not open, you must call
our after-hour emergency number 618-559-7406. If you do not
receive an answer, you can call Karen’s cell phone 618-5599025.
The Village requires that all gas and water
meters be free of obstruction so that employees will
have access to them during emergencies. This includes
keeping the areas around the meters free of weeds and
bushes. Please help us avoid dangerous situations by
complying with this requirement.
Call JULIE Before You Dig! It’s the law!
TOLL FREE 8-1-1
24 HOURS – 365 DAYS A YEAR
CALL TWO WORKING DAYS BEFORE YOU DIG
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays)
(includes recycling service)
collection is early in the morning on
Wednesday of each week. It is advisable to set your
cart out on Tuesday evening. If your cart is not out
by this time, you might be missed for the week.
Ø Trash
Please remove the cart from the curb after trash pick
up.
Ø Trash will only be collected in the cart provided.
Ø CWI observes New Year’s Day, Memorial Day,
Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and
Christmas as holidays. Trash collection will be a day
later in observance of these holidays.
Ø Please avoid setting your trash cart by your mailbox.
The telephone number to call for issues regarding
trash collection is:
1-800-631-1156 or 618-867-3397 ext. 113
RECYCLE COLLECTION SCHEDULE:
WEST SIDE –
November 7
November 21
EAST SIDE –
November 14
Saturday, November 29
GLASS RECYCLING
PLEASE RECYCLE ONLY
EMPTY GLASS JARS AND BOTTLES
RECEPTACLE LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE VILLAGE
HALL.
PLEASE RECYCLE THESE ITEMS IN CART:
Newspapers, Inserts & Junk Mail
Magazines, Catalogs & Envelopes
Paperback Books & Phone Books
Cardboard & Clean Pizza Boxes
Office & School Papers (colored paper, too)
Boxboard (cereal, cake & cracker boxes)
Brown Paper Bags (grocery type)
Aluminum Cans & Clean Foil
Tin & Steel Aerosol Cans (empty)
Plastic Milk, Water, Soda, Juice Jugs
Yogurt & Butter Tubs, Ketchup, Detergent & Cleaning Containers
DO NOT PUT THESE ITEMS IN RECYCLING CART:
NO Plastic Bags (recycle at your grocery store)
NO Food Waste
NO Food Tainted Items (used
paper plates, paper towels
or napkins)
NO Empty Glass Jars & Bottles (a container for glass is
located on the east side of the Village Hall)
NO Polystyrene Cups or Plates
NO Motor Oil Bottles
NO Hazardous Chemical Containers
NO Plastic Toys or Sporting Goods
NO Electronics or Batteries
NO Compact Discs or DVDs
NO Foam Egg Cartons
NO Ice Cream Cartons
NO Garbage
NO Yard Waste or Garden Tools
ELECTRONICS DISPOSAL
Illinois state law prohibits trash haulers from collecting
any electronics for disposal in landfills. Collection
centers in Carbondale are:
•
Southern Recycling Center (549-2880)
300 West Chestnut Street
•
Goodwill Industries (549-3415)
1145 East Main Street
COBDEN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
Larry Quertermous - Chief
Larry Hackethal, Assistant Chief
Tim Casper, Captain, Secretary/Treasurer
Keith Sutliff, Captain - Austin Sellars, Lieutenant
Eric Gulledge, Sergeant
Allan Brumleve – L. J. Hackethal – David Hartline –
Cody Gulledge – R. J. Bridges – Alex Sellars –
Larry Sefren – Bill Miller – R. J. Millis - Dalton Myers
– Chris Solomon – Ty Quertermous – Robert Prater
EMERGENCY CONTACTS:
Cobden Police Department:
893-2213 (non-emergency)
If no answer: 9-1-1 or 833-5500 (Union
County Sheriff)
Cobden Fire Department:
9-1-1
Emergency Operations Center Village Hall:
893-2425 or 614-5149
Utility Department Emergency: 559-7406
The Village has a cellular phone for use during
UTILITY emergencies after regular office hours and
on weekends and holidays. This is to be used in the
event of a UTILITY EMERGENCY especially
situations dealing with natural gas. The cell phone
is not to be used for police or fire emergencies.
IN THE EVENT OF UTILITY EMERGENCIES
THE NUMBER TO CALL IS: 559-7406
DO WE HAVE YOUR NUMBER???
We encourage you to verify that the Village has
your correct telephone number on file. There have been
occasions when we have needed to contact customers
for water leaks and other problems, but find the numbers
we have on file are no longer in use. You can simply
write the number on the part of your utility bill that you
return to us or send an email to us at
[email protected].
REGULATIONS FOR BURNING:
This is a reminder that it is a violation of the Village’s
Revised Code of Ordinances to burn any refuse or debris in
the Village. This does not pertain to landscape waste that
is generated on your property. Please be considerate of
your neighbors and comply with the burning regulations.
Following are the restrictions on burning landscape waste,
including leaves:
•
Landscape waste shall be burned at sites provided
and supervised by the Village of Cobden; and
•
Landscape waste shall be burned on the premises
on which such waste is generated; and
•
Landscape waste shall be burned only when
atmospheric conditions shall readily dissipate
contaminants; and
•
Landscape waste may be burned only if such
burning does not create a visibility hazard on
roadways, walkways, or railroad tracks; and
•
OPEN BURNING OF LANDSCAPE WASTE MAY
ONLY TAKE PLACE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS
WITH A PERSON OVER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS
OF AGE IN ATTENDANCE DURING THE
ENTIRE PERIOD OF BURNING.
•
NO OPEN BURNING OF LANDSCAPE WASTE
SHALL BE PERMITTED ON ANY STREETS OR
ROADS.
•
No open burning may occur during periods of time
when determined by the Fire Chief, or the Chief
of Police that atmospheric conditions or local
circumstances make such fires hazardous.
GUIDELINES FOR BRUSH PICKUP
The Village provides a brush/landscape waste pick
up service free of charge to our residents each
Wednesday. Following are the conditions under which we
will provide this service:
1. Leaves, grass clippings, small twigs, etc. are to be
in bags, boxes, or containers of some kind.
2. There can be no papers, cans, or trash of any kind
mixed in with landscape waste.
3. Trees, limbs, brush, etc. cut by a contractor or
anyone for hire cannot be picked up by the Village.
4. Limbs must be cut in lengths of no more than four
(4’) with no branches attached.
5. There will be a limit of two truck loads per
residence per week.
Request for brush pickup must be received by 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday.
Contact the Village Hall (893-2425) or
([email protected]).
BUILDING PERMITS
Within the corporate limits of Cobden, no
building and/or structure shall be enlarged or
constructed, or the construction commenced until a
Building Permit has been approved by the Village Board.
Prior to construction or alteration, an approved Building
Permit is required. An application can be obtained at the
Village Hall, completed by you, and returned to the
Village Hall office.
The application is then referred to Ron Flamm,
who is the Village’s Zoning Administrative Officer, for
inspection. Following inspection by him, the application
is then presented to the Village Board at its next regular
meeting to review. Construction is not to begin until
the permit has been approved by the Village Board
of Trustees. Because of the required site inspection,
application must be made at least ten (10) working days
prior to the Village Board meeting.
Building Permits are required for placement of
pre-built storage buildings. A SPECIAL USE PERMIT is
required for placement of a mobile home.
BUILDING PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR
ALL PRE-MANUFACTURED STORAGE BUILDINGS.
2015 MEETING SCHEDULE
VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 5 and January 20 (Tuesday)
February 2 and February 16
March 2 and March 16
April 6 and April 20
May 4 and May 18
June 1 and June 15
July 6 and July 20
August 3 and August 17
September 8 (Tuesday) and September 21
October 5 and October 19
November 2 and November 16
December 7 and December 21
CEMETERY BOARD OF MANAGERS
Tuesday, January 20 at 6:00 p.m.
COMMUNITY YARD SALE
Thank you to those who participated in the Community
Yard Sale by paying your small fee to be placed on the
map. The fee covers advertising of the event in
newspapers and the cost of producing the maps.
STORM WARNING SIREN PROCEDURES
In the event of a probable threat of severe weather
capable of producing a tornado, or in the event where a
tornado has been reported to have actually been
spotted, the following procedures will be implemented:
1) Designated ‘Emergency Personnel’ of the
Village of Cobden will activate one or more
Siren(s) which will consist of a long, continuous
blast lasting for three (3) minutes. At this time, it
is critical to take the necessary steps to seek
protection and shelter immediately.
2) A repeat of the Warning Siren(s) can occur at
any given time, if here is an additional threat of
severe or dangerous weather.
[PLEASE NOTE: There is NO “ALL CLEAR”
Siren.]
3) The purpose of the Warning Siren(s) is to alert
the public in a good faith effort to the probable
threat of dangerous, life threatening weather
conditions including a tornado. HOWEVER, IT
IS
THE
RESPONSIBILITY
OF
EACH
INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY
TO BE AWARE OF THE CURRENT WEATHER
CONDITIONS AND SEEK SHELTER. IT IS
HIGHLY
ENCOURAGED
THAT
EACH
INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY
STAY TUNED TO WEATHER CONDITIONS IN
OUR AREA BY RADIO, TV, WEATHER RADIO,
SMART PHONE, ETC.
DO NOT RELY
SOLELY ON THE WARNING SIRENS, AS LIFE
THREATENING CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR
OR CHANGE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT
WITHOUT WARNING!
4) The Warning Sirens will be tested on the first
Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m., unless
there is a threat of severe weather on that
particular day.
CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE
Christmas in the Village, sponsored by the Cobden
Community and Business Association, will be held on
Saturday, December 6. A variety of activities are
planned for the day. As usual volunteers and donations
will be needed. A Hospitality Table and a visit by Santa
Claus will be conducted at the Old Feed Store at 111
North Appleknocker Drive. Donations of candy,
Christmas goodies, napkins, plates, cups, monetary
donations, and other related items will be needed and
can be taken to the Village Hall.
All clubs,
organizations, churches, and businesses are encouraged
to sponsor special activities and participate in the event.
Contact the Village Hall for more information.
Christmas in the Village has become a popular
community event and we hope that as many of you as
possible can get involved.