From Edwin Hettermann:
Letter from Village President Hettermann – A year in review
Dear Johnsburg Resident and Business Owners,
Happy New Year! Each year the holiday season seems to pass faster than the last, reminding me of how important it is to appreciate our loved ones and enjoy each day and what it brings. This past year brought about a lot of great things in Johnsburg and I’d like to take a moment to share them with you.
We experienced a great start to the year by awarding the contract for the River Sewer Extension Project to Joel Kennedy Constructing Corp. at the beginning of February. Work on the project progressed throughout the year and by December the project was substantially complete. The project encompassed the extension of a force main under the river and construction of a lift station on Linden Avenue – two very important components of the infrastructure needed to provide sewer service to the east side of the Village. This project was made possible thanks to nearly $1.4 million in grants.
At the beginning of May, the long awaited Riverside Drive Road Improvement Project got underway. The first phase of the project is now complete, which included the installation of concrete box culverts at the Dutch Creek Bridge, resurfacing of Riverside Drive, and grading of the adjacent roadway in preparation for the multi-use path planned in Phase 2. We realize the bridge closure created many inconveniences and I thank our residents for the patience and cooperation they exhibited throughout the construction. A grant of $1.5 million was initially secured for the project and I’m pleased to announce that an additional $780,000 was recently obtained to further reduce the Village’s share of the cost.
The Church Street Realignment Project is now complete with the exception of the crosswalk signals and a sidewalk extension along Johnsburg Road, which will be completed this year. Thanks to the grant secured to realign the road, site distance at the intersection has been improved and the crosswalk signals will aid in getting pedestrians safely across Johnsburg Road.
The Sunnyside Beach Road Improvement Project also wrapped up this past year. Sunnyside Beach Drive was a privately maintained road that was upgraded to meet Village road standards. Now complete, the Village will take over all future maintenance of the road. At the request of the residents, the Village pursued bonds to pay for the improvement and designated the area as a special service area so that the residents on Sunnyside Beach Drive could pay for the cost of the improvement over time on their tax bill.
The McHenry County Division of Transportation (MCDOT) pursued two resurfacing projects in Johnsburg in 2024 – Bay Road and Spring Grove Road. At the Village’s request, striping on Spring Grove Road was done in a manner to create an improved shoulder on which bicyclists can travel. Making certain our transportation network can safely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists is a high priority, and we will continue to incorporate sidewalks, multi-use paths and improved shoulders whenever possible to provide for all means of travel.
The public works department, consisting of only 4 full time employees and 2 seasonal employees, is responsible for all of the Village’s infrastructure which includes nearly 60 miles of roads. This past year, in addition to snow removal and de-icing of the roads, they performed 21 major road patches, replaced 10 driveway culverts and 2 intersection culverts, installed more than 600 feet of storm sewer pipe and restored storm water facilities, maintained all warning, regulatory and street name signs, placed shoulder gravel throughout the Village, maintained and repaired all Village vehicles and equipment, and performed the daily maintenance and operations of our sewer and water systems. We have a small but mighty crew that always finds a way to do more with less. They never cease to amaze me.
Our parks and facilities department, consisting of one full time employee and two seasonal employees, had a busy year maintaining and improving all of the Village’s parks and facilities including the golf course which I’m pleased to say had another successful year! In addition to those tasks, Joe Kleinhanzl, the department lead, assisted with snow removal, installed holiday decorations, replaced flags and banners throughout the Village and helped with the preparations for Village events.
The passage of the SAFE-T Act in 2021 brought about many new requirements for police agencies throughout Illinois. Chief Jason Greenwald has been busy working with his department, implementing the new requirements to insure that the Village is compliant with all aspects of the Act. I am pleased to say that departmental operations have not been negatively impacted despite these added demands on our personnel. This year Chief Greenwald plans to expand community programs offered by the department and hopes to reestablish the School Resource Officer program.
The Village’s administration department is also minimally staffed so we are fortunate to have a team of knowledgeable and efficient staff that are able to carry out all of the tasks required of every municipality, even those much larger than Johnsburg with more staff. Their role in the Village’s operations is oftentimes understated and their responsibilities are too numerous to list, but without them, we would not be able to function.
Sadly, the litigation brought by the Pistakee Yacht Club against the Village is still ongoing. When I last reported, the Village had been working with the Yacht Club to develop an agreement to resolve the litigation, yet despite several drafts of the agreement being prepared, incorporating numerous additional changes requested by the Yacht Club, the Yacht Club chose to sue in court. On August 20, 2024 the Yacht Club filed a new claim which was dismissed on December 10, 2024 and on January 3, 2025, the Yacht Club filed yet another complaint.
This matter first came about in the Spring of 2023 at which time the Village received multiple complaints regarding the improper use and condition of a vacant parcel owned by the Yacht Club. The Village notified the Yacht Club of the violations and made extensive attempts in good faith to work with the Yacht Club to clean up the property and amicably resolve the matter. Unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful. The Village has a responsibility to enforce ordinances and protect all of its residents from being adversely impacted by the misuse of property. We have repeatedly expressed our willingness to work with the Yacht Club and are disheartened that their representatives have chosen litigation rather than working in good faith with the Village to resolve this matter.
Village staff continued working with the Army Corp of Engineers on the Dutch Creek Aquatic Restoration Project. The project received a Federal Interest Determination qualifying it for federal funding and efforts are ongoing to identify in kind services, land value contributions and other sources the Village can pledge towards the local share of the project costs. I look forward to reporting more during the coming year on this important project which will help to restore the habitat in and around Dutch Creek Bay.
Construction on the new workforce housing project wrapped up at the end of the year and residents began moving into their new homes at Tuckaway Townhomes this month. The development, located by the Marathon gas station, consists of 49 townhome rental units geared towards working families. McHenry County is increasingly becoming an unaffordable place to live. When considering new housing options in our community, it is important that we consider everyone’s needs. Projects like Tuckaway Townhomes are built with the use of tax credits that help reduce the cost of construction keeping the rents more affordable. I encourage you to read McHenry County’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Report available on their website at www.mchenrycountyil.gov/CD to learn more about the housing challenges in McHenry County as they affect us all in one way or another. McHenry County is also in the process of drafting its Consolidated 5-year Plan for 2025-2029 and seeking community input. Take the time to participate in their survey which can also be found at www.mchenrcountyil.gov/CD.
Last year we welcomed several new businesses to the community. Grandma Kitchen Mexican Grill opened by the Chapel Hill Road bridge this past Spring and Backyard Bar and Marina opened on Bald Knob Road in the Summer. Style Lash Studio moved to the Val-mar Center and work got underway for the new Lakeview Lounge adjacent to JB Liquors which will be opening any day. Work also began on developing the Village’s new website which we anticipate will go live later this winter. Markets at Remington Farm farmers market and the Wednesday night food truck event returned successfully for a second year in 2024 as did other long standing events such as the Pistakee Bay Fireworks, Saufen und Spiel and the Memorial Day Parade and Picnic sponsored by the Village, the Johnsburg Lions Club and the Johnsburg Community Club. The Easter Egg Hunt, Fishing Derby, Party in the Burg, and Celebration in the Park, all sponsored by the Village, grow more popular each year thanks to the hard work and efforts of the Community Affairs Committee and our staff. Unfortunately weather challenges prevented the Holiday Magic event from proceeding but rest assured that it will return this year, bigger and better than ever.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be an exciting year as several infrastructure projects move forward. In addition to closing out the Church Street Realignment Project, the resurfacing of Johnsburg Road will get underway. We were fortunate to secure a grant to resurface Johnsburg Road from Fairview Avenue to Miller Road. The work will include a thickened pavement section to extend the life of the road and sidewalk sections along the east side of the road.
Because of the additional grant funds secured for the Riverside Drive Road Improvement Project this year, we are able to redirect the local funds originally pledged for that project to pursue a larger road resurfacing program this year. The Village, in partnership with McHenry Township and the Village of Ringwood, will be going out to bid to resurface more than 3 miles of road this year. By partnering with other agencies, we can benefit from economies of scale and get better pricing.
Despite supply challenges delaying the project, the shelter donated by the Johnsburg Lions Club will be constructed this year at Lions Park on Hickory Way Drive along with the other improvements planned for the park. The construction of pickle ball courts, volley ball courts, and new playground equipment at Sunnyside Park will also move forward this year thanks to a generous donor and a basketball hoop and swings will be installed in the park on Jay Street in Remington Grove subdivision. You’ve likely observed more benches placed in the parks around town. The Village has a program through which park benches can be purchased and dedicated in honor of individuals or organizations. If you are interested in learning more about the program, contact the Village Hall at 815-385-6023.
Several new development proposals are on the horizon. Recently, Kelley Williamson Company proposed the development of a convenience store with a restaurant, car wash and fuel sales at the corner of Johnsburg Road and Route 31. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the development and the matter was presented as a first read to the Village Board at a recent meeting. Residents in the adjacent subdivision have expressed some concerns with the proposal, including how traffic associated with the store may impact their neighborhood. The petitioners are working with both IDOT and MCDOT on access and improvement requirements associated with the development to try to address these concerns as they have jurisdiction over the affected roadways.
The Village staff is working with multiple developers seeking to pursue both residential and commercial developments in both the Downtown District and Route 31 Corridor area. New businesses are planned at the Shops at Fox River shopping center and buildout of existing residential lots will continue throughout the Village. The developer of the proposed Hidden Harbor development continues to work with MCDOT regarding access and road improvement requirements on Chapel Hill Road while finalizing his plans to improve the area around Waterfront Hotel and Marina with drive up boat storage facilities, an expanded marina, car condominiums, an ice cream shop, restaurant and retail stores.
Last year was a great year in the Village and 2025 promises to be even better thanks to the many people that contribute their time and talents to getting things done. There will always be challenges but by working together we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Village President. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
