The village board of trustees and I extend to all residents of the village a Happy New Year, one blessed with good health, much happiness and well-being for all of our families. At the same time, we recognize that this is a very emotional season for some residents of the community who have lost loved ones these past few months as well as most recently two weekends ago, this is especially difficult for those parents who have lost a child. Please keep these families in your prayers and offer them as much support as you can.

At the close of 2003, I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that your board of trustees continues to work hard in trying to make a decision on the fate of the St. Paul's Main Building. Granted there are differences in opinion, which are expected. Since April, I have presented time lines to the board to project when a decision would be made on this matter and what process would be used. This time line and process has continually been adjusted. It has been a year since the previous mayor set up a Trustees' Committee on St. Paul's to determine the viability of three options: demolition, private or public use. This report was rendered in May 2003. The board deliberated all summer and issued a Village Facts as well as an RFI to determine the interest for private development, understanding that home rule legislation was necessary to proceed with that option. Three private development options were received and public forums were held on private development and on the library/community center.

Over the past few years, residents' input has been received formally from a stellar blue ribbon resident Mayor's Committee of experts as well as informally from POAs (property owners' associations) and residents who attend board meetings. At the recent forums, the overall sentiment was for the board of trustees to make a decision.

Each member of the board of trustees is passionate and concerned about this matter. We need your help and support in making what is a difficult decision. My mission is to bring this process forward and to bring a decision to the public that will be in the best interest of this residential community now and for future generations. It was evident by the vote at the Dec. 18 board meeting that the board is split down the middle on this issue. The passage of Trustee John Watras' resolution will simply enable the board to focus on the public library/community center use for the Main Building. Much work must be done by the board, staff and consultants in order to develop the necessary information for bond counsel and for the public.

A bond resolution must be for a specified amount. It will be discussed by the board of trustees and will require a 5-3 vote for the passage. Then the bond resolution will be put out for a special election bond referendum to be voted on by the public. Also, it is important for residents to understand that if the community supports the bond referendum it simply means that the board of trustees is authorized to issue the said amount as needed, but it cannot exceed the specified amount. This does not preclude other sources of revenue (e.g. sale of existing property for fund raising) to be used for additional aspects of the project as it proceeds or should I say, if it proceeds. It is obvious that further meetings of the board of trustees as well as input from residents and consultants will be needed to determine the exact amount of the bond as well as the scope of the library/community center project.

The second half of village taxes, which were due and payable on Dec. 1, 2003 are normally subject to penalty if payment is not made within a 30-day grace period. This year the grace period ended Dec. 31, 2003 and any payments received after that date will be subject to penalty. Please return the second half bill stub with your payment.

The deadline for applications for veterans' tax exemptions was Dec. 31. Applications cannot be accepted any longer.

Residents are reminded that there will be no garbage or recycling pickup this Thursday, Jan. 1. Residents scheduled for recycling on Jan. 1 are asked to put their recyclables out on Thursday, Jan. 8.

If you have a live Christmas tree or wreath to dispose of, please leave them at the curb on your regularly scheduled recycling collection day. They will be collected by the Department of Public Works and offered to other agencies for beach erosion control or rendered at the village yard for use around trees and shrubs as mulch.

Please assist the village by removing tree stands from the discarded trees and cooperate with your neighbors by disposing of them only on the scheduled recycling collection days. This collection of trees will continue for the next several weeks. We can only hope that the weather, particularly the snow, holds out until all trees and wreaths are collected.