Residents Praise Ela Township At Annual Meeting

There was nothing but praise from residents for the job being done by the Ela Township administration during the annual Town Hall meeting Tuesday night.  

“I have read a number of articles about township government being irresponsible with taxpayer dollars, others should look at our township so they can do a better job,” said Laura Zickuhr, Ela Township resident.

Residents at the meeting elected Ela Township Highway Commissioner Bill Kruckenberg to moderate the meeting, the agenda was read by Clerk Bill Donnan, and the proceedings were supervised by attorney Henry Tonigan.

The tentative budget was presented by Ela Township Supervisor Lucy Prouty, who summarized all six funds and resulting services the township is responsible for.

They include the General Town Fund which supports township administration, the Ela Township Assessor’s office, social service agency funding, the Ela Township Social Worker program, After School Youth Program, ’55 Plus’ and bus services. 

“The beginning General Fund balance as of April 1, 2011 was $1,706,320.00 and taking into account revenues and expenditures, the fund ending balance is $1,553,251.00,” said Prouty.

Prouty then summarized the beginning and ending balances for the General Assistance Fund, General Road Fund, Permanent Road Fund, Park and Cemetery Funds.

“In addition to providing assistance for those in need, the roads are maintained, the park fund provides for maintenance and future improvements, and the cemetery fund takes care of maintenance and upkeep of our two cemeteries,” said Prouty.

Residents were impressed with the positive funds balances maintained by the township.

“I look at all the positive numbers and believe this administration should be complimented, said Ray Pelelas, Ela Township resident. "They know how to live within their means and provide surpluses; that is not easy to do.”

Other residents expressed their satisfaction with programs and services offered by the township.

“I’ve been a resident of Ela Township for 18 years, and I am 100 percent pleased with the services, employees and management; I couldn’t be happier,” said Connie Bellio.

“What this township does for the seniors is amazing, and I don’t know of any other program like it around,” said Diane Pelelas, Ela Township resident. “There are so many different activities offered that give seniors opportunities to get out of the house and involved, which is so important.”

Elected officials had thoughts of their own about the work the township does, not only for the township itself but with the partnerships it has established.

“It’s been my pleasure to serve the township; I do get discouraged when I hear we are wasting money or not being cordial to other villages,” said Kruckenberg.

“During the last seven years, we (Ela Township) have plowed (snow) for Deer Park; the first year we saved them $36,000 and over that time more than $700,000 in costs have been eliminated due to our partnership,” Kruckenberg added.

Kruckenberg also cited a working relationship with the Village of Lake Zurich, where the township lends its services during storms and other times when assistance is needed.

“We never charge the village anything, and they do the same for us; the same goes for Kildeer and Long Grove, we do their sign program and patching,” said Kruckenberg.

Ela Township also maintains 100 miles of road and is on call to handle any issues when needs arise.  

“I don’t think we’ve ever missed a call, and I think these villages would really miss us if townships went away,” Kruckenberg said. “We charge $40 an hour, but if we weren’t here, with prevailing wage, they would be charged $60 an hour without equipment.”

“I love Ela Township, and I take running day-to-day operations very seriously; people are very excited about the services we offer from the social work program that helps so many experiencing real hardships to the senior program that gets our seniors so involved,” Prouty said.

Overall, residents were positve about how the township has handled the people’s business.

“When you look at what our federal government is doing, and then you find a government body like Ela Township that is being fiscally responsible, it should be commended and this administration should be given public acclimation,” Ray Pelelas said.

“I give them a lot of credit,” Bellio added.

 “The positive show of support was very gratifying, it was an affirmation that we are getting the job done for the people,” said Jack Reck, trustee.

“We are looking forward to finalizing the purchase of the post office building and getting the new community center going,” Reck said.

“I was very appreciative of everyone that came out to support the job we are doing,” said Lucy Prouty, supervisor.

The board scheduled next year’s Ela Township Town Hall meeting on April 10, 2012.