Northfield Trustees Pursue Expert in 911 Centers

The Northfield Village Board voted Tuesday to search for an independent expert to review its proposed partnership with Winnetka and Kenilworth over a consolidated police dispatch center. It also annexed property, disbanded the electrical commission and revised its code to clarify regulations on banners.

"We need to retain an expert that specializes in consolidated dispatch centers so that we're properly evaluating budget and make sure that if we were to move down that path, it's something that work effectively for all communities," said Village Manager Stacy Sigman. "One thing the consultant will be doing is verifying all the information we've put together and making sure we've done it correctly."

In recent months, , but they each code and track data differently, so they want an outside specialist to confirm that their plans will work.

"Once we've made this decision, there's no going back," said Police Chief William Lustig. "It would be nice to have it validated to make sure that it's not based on three different villages'  varying findings."

Northfield's share of the compensation will be $17,151. The board hopes to see the final report in June.

"We've invested a lot of time," said Village President Fred Gougler. "I think we're at a stage now where we need to have this presented to us so we know whether it makes sense economically."

The board also disbanded the electrical commission, which has rarely met in past decades.

"In the past 20 years, this commission has only met once and it was like a three-minute meeting," Sigman said. "This is just an opportunity we have to streamline government and not have to an extra commission. If there's a point in the future when we need some sort of electrical issues reviewed, we can always put together an electrical task force or something."

In other news, the board voted to annex 15 Rolling Ridge Rd into the village, which means that the property will now be able to receive village services. The board also revised city code to allow business to display temporary banners for 14 days at a time for a total of six times per year, up from only twice per year.

Anne Kane, community development director, reported that the village has recently received a $14,000 grant to combat the emerald ash borer, a beetle that has been infesting trees in the town. There are 70 trees slated to be removed; 24 have been taken out already.

 The following meetings were listed in the board's agenda:

• April 4 Plan and Zoning Commission Meeting — Canceled
• April 5 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting — Canceled
• April 7 IDOT CAG Public Meeting No. 9 — 6 p.m. at New Trier West
• April 11 Architectural Commission Meeting — 7 p.m.
• April 19 Committee of the Whole Meeting — 5:30 p.m.
• April 19 Village Board Meeting — 7 p.m.
• April 29 Arbor Day festivities — 10:30 a.m. to Noon.