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MM*.1 The {possible consolidation . of McHenry Shores village government with the city of McHenry would have no affect on the Step 1 sewer facilities planning grant, George Heck, vice- president of Baxter and Woodman engineering, told the Facilities Plan­ ning Area (FPA) advisory committee at its indoctrination meeting Sept. 17. Heck also noted that Shores residents With Sewer Planning In Community would be asked to respond to a survey regarding the condition of their existing septic systems as part of the justification for 75 percent federal grant for the proposed sewage collection and disposal system. Ball park figures for the proposal indicated a possible $875,000 local cost against a total $3.5 million project. All cost figures at this stage have been "grabbed out of the sky" Heck cautioned, and are used only for the purpose of this initial survey and report. Heck explained to the five FPA committee members that their function would be to gather information about needs and input from local residents regarding the sewer proposal. They would talk with people affected and include the feedback in their report. But they would have no decision making authority. This remained with the city government of McHenry and the village board of McHenry Shores. They would not be the umpire in any possible disputes between represen­ tatives of the two municipalities or other interested groups. They would simply be gathering facts. The goal, Heck indicated, is to finish the report for the Step 1 study by April 1. Alderman Mike Wieser, committee member from McHenry, asked Heck what could happen if the annexation of Shores, which is being explored, oc­ curred before the study was completed. The question was whether it would have any affect on the grant or on the low sewer rates now charged by McHenry. He worried about the future increase of these rates for McHenry residents. Heck, who said he was unaware of annexation considerations, reassured Wieser that there would be nothing in the study to force McHenry into proceeding under federal regulations. Annexation of the Shores wouldn't affect the need of the people in the area of the study. The city could become the grantee for Steps 2 and 3 (providing for federal aid for sewer construction and disposal plant building.) Wieser noted that the city doesn't want to be involved with < the restrictions of).federal grants. Mayor Joseph Stanek of McHenry recalled thatf implementation plans fallowing tie 208 Clean Water Management \studies specified that political jurisdictions would not affect the plannirfgare&s. The city had also teamed /rom thelEPA that the city present regulations couldn't taild a disposal plant, even with its own funds, wthout-gmng through the Step l study (with or without a grant). Heck briefed the committee on the background of the Step 1 planning grant. McHenry Shores had for six or eight years shown interest in a sewer system and treatment plant and McHenry also was planning for a privately paid for improvement to its treatment plant. He said with the city's recent acquisitions and the Shore's growth of needs it was natural for the two to come together for planning. The Shores had retained Baxter and Woodman with McHenry's awareness to prepare the application and documentation for the Step 1 federal planning grant, originally for limited needs by the year 1985. Heck said that the planning would now be for the year 2000 for needs of the "future service area." He defined this indefinitely as being south of McHenry's existing service and east of the river to and including Eastwood Manor on Route 120. He also explained that while the Shores would be planning for a collection system and the treatment plant, McHenry's interest would only be in the plant. McHenry would, as it has in the past plan and build in­ terceptors for themselves. Both municipalities had been designated as facility management agencies. The planning manual promises that each community will cooperate in the planning process for the treatment plant. To determine probable sizing, each municipality will furnish estimates of its needs and capacities required. Heck insisted that the new system would have no connection with McHenry's existing system. He noted also that many residences in unin­ corporated areas along the river probably had marginal septic systems due to problem soils. They also would need alternatives to septics to reduce river pollution and to permit continued growth on both sides of the river. A basic part of the committee's work (with the engineers) would be to assess the effect of the proposed system on the environment, as beneficial or adverse. For the Shores, an important part of the study would be a house-to-house survey of the existing septic systems to determine their condition and main­ tenance. This survey is to be conduct­ ed by representatives of Baxter and Woodman. A letter explaining a questionnaire is to be distributed next week and the survey will begin the following week Heck explained further that the information gathered will be used only to justify the need for in­ stalling sanitary sewers in the village, but it will not be used to force residents with septic problems to make costly repairs or to replace their systems When village officials wondered how to keep the survey results confidential, Heck said the data are being collected by the village board for only one pur­ pose, justification for a grant for the installation. Protection for the responders should be assured since they want an honest survey Anything that would deter that result would defeat its purpose, he said When the Step 1 study is completed, the village board will hold a public hearing at which all interested groups in the area are to be invited. Hock said The public will review the report and make comments on "issues" which the committee will "address". Besides effects on the environment, people will comment on impact on possible growth of each community and the adequacy of the proposed services Heck also gave his ballpark guesses for possible costs for the project as $1.5 million for the collection system in the residential part of the village, in dustrial sections would have to pay for their own, and $2 million for the joint treatment plant. The annual operating cost, he guessed, might run $150,000 The impact on a water bill might run $:> per 1,000 gallon of metered use Bonds (Continued on page 18) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER " S E R V I N G T H E C H A I N ( ) L A K E S R E G I O N S I N C E 1 8 7 5 " VOLUME 106 NUMBER 16 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1981 1 SECTION 20 PAGES Voice Concerns For Water Management Agency Proposal komoting Peanuts When pert and pretty Mika Jones, 7, arrived in McHenry Friday afternoon, she was completing the first half of a whistle stop tour of Chicago's North Western suburbs. Except for McHenry, where she arrived by car, she rode on a North Vfcstefn railroad commuter train, with stops at DesPlaines, Arlington Heights, Barrington, Crystal Lake, and Park fUdge, At each station she was met by a delegation of Kiwanis members. AT. each stop, Mika exhorted Kiwanians to put forth greater effort on the thirtieth annual Kiwanis Peanut day fund raiser Friday, Sept. 25. On that day more than 10,000 Kiwanis Mika Jones, 7, of McHenry, wears her crown of peanuts and a heart melting smile as she appears at the Chicago and North Western Railway depot Friday. Her mission was to encourage enthusiasm for the annual Peanut day sales Sept. 25. by local Kiwanians. With her, at left, is Pete Merkel, chairman of the sale for the McHenry club. At right is Frank France, Illinois chairman of Peanut day activities. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD members, their families and sup­ porters will be on street corners throughout Chicagoland, "giving" away bags of peanuts for donations from pedestrians and motorists. All the money they raise will stay in the community in which it is collected, used by the local Kiwanis club for youth activities and a variety of community improvement projects. Mika is the symbolic "queen" of the Peanut day. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones of 2514 S. Scheid lane, she topped 25 contestants to win the McHenry crown in July. Later, she won the Illinois-Eastern Iowa com­ petition. By Anthony Oliver About 100 people crowded into city hall last FrT concerns about a proposal which would create a "water management agency" to address the improvement of the Fox river and the Chain O'Lakes area, between the Algonquin dam and the Wisconsin state line. Donald Vonnahme, of the division of Water Resources, told the audience that no money had been allocated in the state budget for dredging or im­ provements in the Chain or Fox river this year. The proposed new agency is an outgrowth of the Chain O'Lakes-Fox river commission, which is chaired by Sen. Jack Schaffer (R-16th). Schaffer noted that over the years, efforts had been made to get someone committed to an on-going program of waterway maintenance between the Algonquin dam and the Wisconsin state line. The senator commented that the prospects of obtaining either state or federal funds for a comprehensive program were "remote." "Without a catalyst for the program, the gradual decline of the Chain and Fox will continue," Schaffer said. "The increase and the potential for use will decrease." The proposed agency would have no law enforcement authority, would work to garner funds from state and federal sources* would derive its own funds from a boat user fee, would not impact on sales, property or income taxes and would be charged with the development and maintenance of a continuous waterway between Algonquin and Wisconsin. The stated purpose of the Friday hearing was to gather public input about the creation of a new agency in order to decide whether to pursue the matter at the fall session of the Illinois legislature While most of the people questioned the structure of the agency and the boat user fee, most conceded that something had to be done. A number of the people present ex­ pressed concern over the lack of specifics in the wording of the bill which, if passed and signed, would create the agency "Some of the worst legislation that Council Debate Over Various Issues Musin and Journalism styles have changed through the years, and possibly the popularity of lawyers has been at least partially responsible. It only takes a glance at some of the old Plaindealers to realize that the account of a story at the turn of the century would, in 1981, bring a lawsuit before the print was dry. This was known as a time of vigorous verbiage, when language was strong and editors quarrelled among themselves. All of this came to mind recently when we were delving into the files of our newspaper by way of microfilm. One story, in particular, caught our eye and bears repeating. It appeared shortly after the turn of the century. For obvious reasons names will not be used. : "An accident which nearly cost the Jm.tit J--, the nine-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. P-- S--, at Johnsburgh, occurred on the main street in John­ sburgh late last Thursday afternoon. JJ-- R-- of this place was out celebrating the Fourth, and during the day had imbibed quite freely of fire tfgter. Late in the afternoon, while at the Columbia park picnic grounds, he borrowed a horse and buggy and started for Johnsburgh.Thinkingthat he would go unnoticed by the people on the grounds, he set the horse out at a furious gait and kept this up all along the main street. Young J-- was just (Continued on page 18) The McHenry City Council nixed smoke testing for a problem section of sanitary sewer and quarreled Over assigning tag days at Monday's meeting. Also troubling some aldermen were large payments to expert wit­ nesses involved in the Decker property condemnation suit. On the motion of Alderman Jack Pepping the council committed the city to visual inspection of residences along the overloaded section of the Boone Creek area sewer instead of the proposed smoke testing in a search for sources of excess water being discharged into the interceptor during heavy rains. Engineering Represen­ tative Steve Larson from Baxter and Woodman had explained the need at a previous meeting, noting that illegally connected sump pumps and down­ spouts, along with broken tile or loose joints, could be allowing too much water to flow through a marginally sized tile line. He had suggested smoke testing to detect such hook-ups. At Tuesday's meeting the council reviewed a suggested letter to affected residents warning of possible smoke infiltration into homes that could cause problems to persons with heart or lung diseases. It also noted steps to take to make sure that all drain traps were filled with water to prevent such smoke entry. Little used drains can dry up and allow vapors from the sewer line to enter the house, the letter said. Alderman Mike Wieser asked if such testing is going to be of benefit or cause more hazard than it is worth due to the possible litigation resulting. He wanted a counsel opinion. And if the letter was sent or left at homes, it would have to be registered with a return receipt to be acceptable as a defense, Wieser claimed. City Attorney Bernard Narusis advised, "If you're sued, you'd lose, letter or no letter. It's your smoke. You can't put something in a person's house that hurts him." And it was noted that any dry "goose necks" in a house sewer system would admit smoke. As superintendent of utilities, Dick Weber suggested that they could go for personal inspection, Alderman Ray Smith asked Narusis if the city could legally request admission into homes to inspect for illegal hook-ups. Narusis responded, "Yes, if they're connected to the system". Pepping then moved that the city conduct a visual search for illegally connected sump pumps and down spouts using city personnel, and forget the smoke testing. As Curt Bremer, representing the Lions club, asked for a Candy day tagging permit for Oct. 10, which date is set aside by that organization nationally, Wieser reminded him and the council that according to ordinance, request must be made 30 days in ad­ vance. It also came to light that the McHenry Hornets football team and groups raising funds for ALS (Lou Gehrig disease) had also submitted requests for this date. Mayor Joseph Stanek noted that the ordinance restricts tag days and requests to two per month, but he hoped the council would waive the time requirement for the Lions. Wieser demanded, "What good is the ordinance if it is not enfurced? And neither request was submitted to the license committee." Alderman Liz Nolan moved that they make an exception for the Lions club. Pepping resisted, noting that he had nothing against the Lion's request. "If we don't follow the ordinance or apply it equally, then the council will be subject to criticism." Narusis agreed, "There is a need for self-discipline, and yes, you would be open to criticism, if you don't observe it (provisions of the ordinance)." Mayor Stanek read provisions from the ordinance that specified examples of permits to be given such as major recognized organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, etc.) being assigned dates on nationally established fund raising days and thought that justified granting the Lions' request. Wieser insisted, "What good is the ordinance if we don't follow it? And if we don't, let's change it tonight. What was the intent of the makers (of the or­ dinance?)" The council voted to grant the day, Oct. 10, to the Lions for Candy day (Continued on page 18) JOHN THENNES DIES Bishop Arthur O'Neill will officiate at funeral services Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic church for John A. (Pa) Thennes, 97, who died Monday, Sept. 21, in Carestoel. Mr. Thennes was widely known as owner of Pa's tavern on Elm street for many years. we pass," said Sen. Schaffer, "is that which dots every 'i' and crosses every 't\" " One of the specifics that was left out regarding the boat user fee brought numerous reactions from the people present. Some simply objected to the fee while others objected to its struc­ ture The senator noted that the structure of the fee was intentionally left out of the bill because that was something that should be left to the agency. In previous meetings, Schaffer had suggested a graduated user fee based upon the size of the boat motor. He said projections indicated that approximately $300,000 to $500,000 a year could be raised by these fees. A stipulation in the proposed bill is that a minimum of 75 percent of the money collected by the agency would have to be used for "hands-on" projects and not administration or salaries. With allusions to another RTA, a couple of people asked, "How do we revoke this if it becomes a monster?" The senator said the board of the agency would be elected - unpaid members who could be replaced in the upcoming election. Or, he noted, the law which created the agency could be repealed. One resident felt that the boat owners should not be charged and that the bulk of the cost for the waterway im­ provements should fall on the sewage treatment plants and the municipalities along the river. He also charged that other existing state agencies, like the Illinois Department of Conservation (IDOC), were not doing the job. Even on the Chain O'Lakes-Fox river commission there was dissension as board member Darlene Degenhart, of McHenry. said it was the responsibility of the State of Illinois to take care of the waterway. "I think we can get the mone> if we pursue it aggressively," Ms Degenhart said She expressed fears 'hat the people would find other places to go boating if the user fee was imposed "I don't believe that the 10 townships have a political base that anyone will listen to," she said. Another audience member said the bill was totally unenforceable, judging f r o m t h e l e v e l o f r i v e r p a t r o l b y l l x x police and local agencies According to Schaffer, police responsibili t ies could be contracted to existing agencies A McHenry resident said he was not opposed to the formation of the agency or the user fee. but added that he wanted to know specifically what the fee was going to be Albert Adams said the area was "over governmented already and said the area does not need another agency "We've got the agency to do the job. we just need more clout," Adams said. "The Department of Conservation should enforce this without creating another agency " Taking exception to some of these points of view, McHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek said he did not believe the agencies would do their jobs "All we ever get are studies, ' Stanek said, "if something is not done, we'll lose it. Local control by unpaid officials is stilt the best furni of government ' "This is the only bill that 1 have over seen that specified the amount of money that had to be used for hands on projects," Stanek said After the public hearing process is completed a decision will be made whether to pursue the matter in the legislature Two Arrested In Burglary One youth was arrested on a burglary charge and a man has been charged with possession of stolen property as the result of a break-in at Bill's Town club, 3308 Pearl street, early Saturday. Police Chief George Pasenelli said Franklin Kline, 17, of 2617 Myang, McHenry, and Edward G Garcia, 27, of 3308 Pearl, McHenry, remained in county jail Tuesday morning. No court date had been set The burglary was discovered about 7 o 'clock in the morning when the glass in a hallway door leading both to the upstairs apartments and the tavern was found broken. Missing items from the tavern included $10 in change, a radio scanner and l iquor Kline was charged w ith burglary and Garcia with possession of stolen goods Kickoff For Fire Prevention For the second consecutive year, WGN radio personality, Bob Collins, will appear in McHenry Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. at McHenry Township Fire Protection District Station 1, 3610 W. Elm street, to kick off Fire Prevention week locally. The firemen of Company One, assisted by Collins, will present live demonstrations on a variety of home fire hazards and fire fighting techniques. The demonstrations will include a car fire, kitchen grease fire and the use of several different fire fighting pieces of equipment The public is urged to attend the demonstrations and meet Bob Collins After the demonstrations, all trucks will be'on display and firemen will answer any questions that the public might have. MCHS At Band Day 25th Anniversary Page 14 Registration Drive Voter League Program Page 18 Children In Hospital Atmosphere Tours Set Sept. 26 Page 18