Verizon leases WFRD ground for cell tower

The Woodstock Fire Rescue District (WFRD) has leased a 25' x 50' portion (1250 sq. ft.) of its Judd Street (Station 1) property to Verizon for a new 88-foot cell phone tower. The deal is done, and construction has begun.

In response to a FOIA request to inspect the documentation for the deal, WFRD responded promptly and fully, providing not only inspection but a copy of all the documentation (far more than 50 pages) without charge. Minutes of the January 27, 2011, Trustees' meeting reflect that Verizon had contacted WFRD in October 2010 to open discussion about a tower. Those Minutes suggest that WFRD's communication ability will improve with construction of the tower, as fire vehicles do not get a signal until they are out on the road. (Do they need a radio signal, while the vehicles are in the station?)

At the March 1, 2011, Trustees' meeting the agreement with Verizon was approved and officers of WFRD were authorized to sign it.

In case you want to watch the tower going up, here is the timeline:

7/12-7/15 Ground preparation and building out of caisson forms.
7/19-7-22 Drill and pour tower foundation; drill and pour shelter foundation piers. Directional boring for Com Ed power and AT&T services.
7/25-7/29 Excavate for install all site grounding, utility frames, etc.
8/2-8/5 Shelter delivery, tower delivery and tower stacking
8/8-8/12 Installation of antennas, cabling and site install completion
8/15-8/19 Site clean-up and completion on asphalt repair with their future parking lot project repairs.

It's not every day that you can see a tall tower going up right in your own town. If you go, be sure to stay out by the curb on Judd Street and away from the doors of the fire station. If you want to go closer, be sure to get permission first.

I found it interesting that only City administrative approval was needed. Verizon and WFRD did not have to go to the City Council for approval. No public hearings were required. Site plans were submitted to the City and routinely approved by City employees.

The City may have recommended to WFRD to inform the neighbors, but WFRD was not required to do so. The commercial neighbors probably couldn't have cared less.

But what about their neighbors to the northwest? Emerson Loft townhomes are located north and west of the fire station. These townhomes sell for $160,-350,000. More in a good real estate market. Would the developer or the homeowners have cared?

The monopole tower will be 80 feet high (88' with appurtenances). Atop the pole will be several antennae. (Click on the photo to enlarge it; then click on the Back button on your browser to come back here.)

Personally, I think there should have been a Public Hearing or at least more public exposure. One public notice was printed in The Woodstock Independent in the February 23, 2011 issue.

If you think the City should take a bigger hand in approval of cell phone towers, then let the City Manager, Mayor and members of the City Council know now - before the next tower comes to town. You can find their e-mail addresses at http://www.woodstockil.gov/ or just call City Hall at 815-338-4300.

5% pay raise - anyone else?

The business management of the Woodstock Fire Rescue District usually flies under the radar of taxpayers. While their meetings are open to the public, my guess is that few taxpayers ever show up. The Woodstock City Council attracts many when special interest items are on the agenda; and certainly some of the townships have attracted attention.

But WFRD?

At its May 26, 2011 meeting of the WFRD Trustees, the following actions were taken. The following (quoted) sections are directly from the Minutes of the WFRD meeting.

"For the position of Chief – Motion was made by Trustee Sankey to approve an increase of 5% based upon the current base salary of $124,225.  Trustee Kunzie seconded that motion.  No further discussion was held.  Motion passed.

"For the position of Deputy Chief – Motion was made by Trustee Sankey to approve an increase of 5% based upon the current base salary of $98,500.  Trustee Kunzie seconded that motion.  No further discussion was held.  Motion passed – Trustee Menzel abstained from the motion.

"For the position of Division Chief of Training – Motion was made by Trustee Sankey to approve an increase of 2% based upon the current base salary of $79,720.  Trustee Menzel seconded that motion.  No further discussion was held.  Motion passed.

"For the position of Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention – Motion was made by Trustee Sankey to approve an increase of 2% based upon the current base salary of $57,750.  Trustee Kunzie seconded that motion.  No further discussion was held.  Motion passed.

"For the position of Administrative Assistant – Motion was made by Trustee Sankey to approve an increase of 3% based upon the current base salary of $50,350.  Trustee Kunzie seconded that motion.  No further discussion was held.  Motion passed.

"For the position of Mechanic – Motion was made by Trustee Sankey to approve an increase of 2% based upon the current base salary of $65,000.  Trustee Menzel seconded that motion.  No further discussion was held.  Motion passed."

Most taxpayers probably have no idea of who is paid what at WFRD. Do any interested taxpayers even show up to ask questions about salaries, benefits, perks? For example, are take-home vehicles provided? And, if so, under what conditions? Is there unlimited use, including fuel? In-town only? Out-of-town? Personal use allowed?

Could a good secretary be hired for $25,000/year, instead of $1,000/week? (plus benefits)

During economic times, when many taxpayers have lost jobs and homes, should a taxing district be granting 5% pay raises? On top of what most would probably consider a very generous $10,000/month salary?

Were these increases a responsible decision by the Trustees?

WFRD growing - out of bounds?

Be sure to read Cal Skinner's article this morning about the Woodstock Fire Rescue District. You'll find it at www.mchenrycountyblog.com/ You may have to scroll down for it. The headline is "Lakewood moving fire protection from private company to Woodstock Fire Protection (sic) District".

I first thought, knowing a little of the history about the relationship of the Village of Lakewood to the City of Crystal Lake in past years regarding timely payment of charges for fire protection and rescue services, was "How much does Lakewood owe Crystal Lake, if anything, right now and how is Crystal Lake going to collect it?"

A while back I think Crystal Lake accepted $15,000 in payment, rather than fighting for the entire $150,000 that had been billed. That was a great deal for Lakewood and a lousy deal for Crystal Lake taxpayers.

Woodstock Fire Rescue District is funded by District taxpayers. Are the taxpayers going to okay this empire-building deal? What part, if any, of Lakewood is within the boundaries of WFRD? Can WFRD legally contract services to be provided out of its district?

If WFRD builds its empire, expanding its union ranks, and then Lakewood bails, what will WFRD get stuck with? How will it cover that contingency?

Although it is a public body, WFRD seems to be a rather "tight" organization, perhaps like Dorr Township was before residents began asking questions and probing actions. Does any member of the public attend WFRD monthly meetings? The November meeting will be November 18, 2010, 7:00PM, at Fire Station #1, 435 East Judd St., Woodstock.

For meeting dates and locations, look under "Board of Trustees" on www.wfrd.org/

Will WFRD cancel any contract if the Village of Lakewood commences a slow-pay program on its financial obligation? What about all those "extra" union firefighters who will want to be paid, whether Lakewood pays or not? WFRD taxpayers will end up on the hook.

Why No Tax Revolution?

I was off and running on one of my favorite crusades this week - abandoned vehicles on residential properties in Woodstock. For weeks (months?) I have driven by a black four-door sedan pulled up close to the street at 1915 N. Seminary. Naturally, it has recently been covered (and I do mean "covered") with snow, as further proof that it is unused, stored, probably inoperable. This vehicle has a For Sale sign on it which, of course, is not visible when snow covers the car.

Another contact with Code Enforcement in Woodstock elicited the information that the property owner plans to have the stored vehicles (there are also three trucks there) towed, starting on Monday.

This prompted me to wonder about the amount of property taxes there and whether they might contribute to any rapid turn-over of tenants. Tax bills are public record and a quick search on co.mchenry.il.us uncovered the 2007 Tax Bill: a whopping $8,565.20!!!! In other words, of whatever rent the landlord might collect, he parts with $714/month of it just for taxes!

And, if he doesn't collect any rent because the tenant skips out or has to be evicted, the property owner still parts with $714/month!

Taxes pay for services. Are you over-serviced? Dig out your tax bill and run the numbers.

Over $4,600/year goes to District 200. Woodstock Fire/Rescue District gets almost half as much as the entire City of Woodstock.

Did you contest your tax bill this past year?