By Josh Van Dyke
Wauconda township looks at bus business, mosquito control contract
The Wauconda Township board of trustees got some good news about the Paratransit Services in the area at its June 17 meeting, but also met an issue concerning the senior bus services.
The good news is that the township received a subsidy of about $25,000 from Pace, the suburban bus division of the Regional Transportation Authority. The township has paid invoices of $800 to $1000 a month to Pace in exchange for its Paratransit Service. The service provides a way for disabled residents of the area to get to the Countryside Association, where they are offered opportunities for employment and job training.
The subsidy was the first from Pace received by the township in the years it has used the service. The subsidy money is worth about 2300 rides on the bus.
The other business involving busses was the issue of donations to the senior bus service. There were concerns raised about not only the simple fact that money is being moved around on the bus, which could cause complications as the drivers store it, but also over misconceptions the passengers may have. The service, which for many seniors is the only way to get to places like stores or banks, is fully paid for by taxpayer money.
“We are not charging to ride the bus, and never have,” said Wauconda Township Supervisor Glenn Swanson.
The township board of trustees voted to change the senior bus service policy so that those who wish to make a donation need to mail a check to the township offices.
The board of trustees also listened to a review of its current contract with Clarke Mosquito Control. The goal of the contract is to control the number of mosquitoes on township property. The main reason for the efforts, besides nuisance concerns, is to act as a preemptive measure against the spread of diseases such as the West Nile virus. The 2002 West Nile virus outbreak was what prompted the contract in the first place.
The contract only covers property within the Wauconda Township that doesn‘t fall under the domain of a town. Each town, such as Wauconda or Island Lake, has its own contracts and policies for mosquito control.
Those who would like to report problems with mosquitoes on Wauconda township property should call 1-800-942-2555.