Another calendar year has gone by, and it was another tough one economically speaking.  I'm proud to say, though, that the Village of Addison is weathering the storm better than most.

I have often said that the Village's primary purpose is to provide service to our residents.  Once again this year, the Village was able to lower our budget without laying off employees, which means we did not decrease services to our residents. We managed this without any new taxes.

The Village's financial operations were recognized by Fitch Ratings, which gave Addison a AAA Bond Rating, the gold standard. 

This came to good use late this summer, when Diocese of Joliet approached the Village about purchasing the former site of Driscoll Catholic High School. The Village Board met with the elected officials of other taxing bodies in town, and determined that the 19 acres could be put to very good use. 

The $2.9 million price – just $150,000 per acre – was too good to pass up, despite the unfortunate timing.  In early September, the Village issued $3.5 million in taxable bonds, to pay for the property as well as the demolition of the school buildings.  We simultaneously entered into an agreement with DuPage High School District 88 for them to use the fields for practice, and for them to maintain them as well.  When Addison Trail is not using them, other organizations such as Addison Park District and Addison Rec Club can utilize them, as well as the community as a whole.  This was truly an opportunity we could not pass up.

I've heard from many alum of Driscoll that are saddened by this news.  I'm proud that the Village was able to work closely with many of them in the creation of the Driscoll Legacy Hall, which now housed in the southwest corridor of Village Hall.  Memorabilia, photos and history are housed there, and I encourage the community to visit.

Road projects created some headaches in the center of town, but now that they are accomplished, it has made a world of difference.  Mill Road/Army Trail Blvd./Kennedy Drive reconstruction coincided with the replacement of 6,500 feet of an 83-year old water main.  The $3.8 million project was partially funded by a $1.8 million grant.

In addition, $1 million in Motor Fuel Tax funds helped in resurfacing of streets in the Friars Cove and Golden Gate subdivisions, totaling 2.8 miles of road.

Streets were not the only things under construction in town, and while the Village did not directly oversee these projects, the entire community will benefit from them.  They included:

• "Building the Future" – the additions and improvements at Addison Trail High School were at last completed in September, giving Addison students a state-of-the-art learning environment.  This project also gave a permanent home, at last, to Addison Center for the Arts.

• Jewel Osco and Walmart – both completed renovation projects that will benefit our residents, but also draw new customers to Addison.

• Elmhurst Memorial Hospital's Addison Center – this $27 million building broke ground in October and will open next year.

There was one project that many of us on the board wondered if we would ever see completed, but happily will indeed get to enjoy – the Salt Creek Greenway Trail was dedicated by several communities on September 25.  This 32-mile long bike and pedestrian trail connects Busse Woods to Brookfield Zoo, and is a shining example in intergovernmental cooperation.  Funding difficulties prolonged the project for more than a decade, but now that it is complete, it is a tremendous amenity.

As we look forward to 2011, there are many challenges ahead of us, but also much to look forward to.

The long-awaited widening and reconstruction of Rohlwing Road/Illinois Route 53 will go out to bid this month.

The Mill Road sidewalk project, connecting Addison and Wood Dale, is scheduled for spring as well.  Grants of $360,000 will go toward the $450,000 project.  Of the remainder, Addison will pay $36,000.

In addition to improvement projects, community-oriented services are just as important.  Summer will once again be filled with events – such as Bike and Car Shows and "Addison By the Slice" – that bring residents out to spend time with neighbors and friends.  Due to success of last year, the Village also plans to bring back the Carson Barnes Circus this summer, tentatively scheduled for Aug. 19-21.

Our thanks to our residents for their patience in difficult times, but also for their honest input and feedback.  I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming year.

Happy New Year!