Highway Commissioner: Thomas E. Thurman
          highway@dorrtownship.com

               Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm

Highway Department News

The Highway Department has recently received some nice letters from our township residents. We would like to share them with you.

Dear Sir,

This is the 15th year of the Bull Valley Beautification Project.

We appreciate all the years that you have been so considerate and careful in mowing along the roadside in our area where these bulbs are planted. It is so important that the daffodil leaves are allowed to fade and begin to turn yellow before they are cut. We thank you for your consideration of these plantings as you do your spring and summer mowing. We hope too that you enjoyed those early spring flowers.

I would like to mention that we recently placed orange flags in areas where we plan to plant bulbs in the fall. We have tried to place them as close to the tree line as possible. I hope these flags will not in any way hamper your mowers and that they can be left so that we will know where to place the new plantings.

Thank you again for your careful work. We so appreciate all that you do.

Sincerely,

Lynn Pensinger and Nancy Jung, Co. Chairmen

August 24, 2001

Dear Sir,

Mrs. Alison joins me in thanking you for the new road sign at Dean and Davis Roads. We greatly appreciate your efforts.

Sincerely,

Helen and Mark Alison

Snow and Ice Control
Dorr Township begins salting when the snow starts to accumulate and traffic safety is affected. We spread rock salt treated with liquid calcium chloride, which will melt snow and ice when ambient temperatures are as low as 0 degrees.

The Township has opted not to adopt a Township wide parking ban, but relies on the cooperation of our residents. Please do not park on your street if snow is anticipated or has not yet been plowed in your area. This will help us do a better job. Parking on cul-de-sacs, dead ends, and turnarounds should be avoided when plow trucks are out. Parked cars in these areas prevent the plows from removing the snow properly and/or turning around.

Our crew does not intentionally "plow in" your drive nor aim for your mailbox. Our snow plows are of the same side delivering designs as all other municipalities. This is the fastest and most efficient means to remove snow from streets. As a result, snow is discharged to the curb and inevitably into driveways. If possible, delay the time you clear your driveway until the plows have cleared your street. Do not clean your driveway into the street. It presents a hazardous condition to motorists and is against the law.

Occasionally, heavy slush discharged from a plow will knock down a mailbox. Most mailboxes, if properly placed and installed, will withstand heavy slush. The Township will not be responsible for damage to improperly placed mailboxes. If your mailbox meets specifications and is damaged as a result of our work, contact the Road District and we will replace it.

Paving Program
Every year we try to repave some of our deteriorating roads. This job is contracted out to local paving vendors. This years project for 2007 paving is as follows: Railroad Street, Waller Street, Monroe Street, West Street, Market Street, Madison Street, Church Street, Prospect Street and Castleberry Drive. No milling will be required this year. Back to Top

Road Stripe Program
The Township also contracts its striping program. Every year we center and stripe our main roads. Cul-de-sacs and subdivisions are not necessary at this time.

Road Repair
We repair roads as needed. This involves patching roads when potholes erupt. We also repair gravel shoulders when erosion has washed them out. Culvert replacement is necessary if the culvert is blocked or rusted out, for proper drainage.

Roadside Clean Up
We check the roads every Monday and pick up garbage, brush, fallen trees and road kill. We also walk the entire road system once a year to pick up litter in the right of way.

Roadside Mowing
We mow the right of way three times per season. This takes about two weeks each cutting, weather permitting. The mowing is necessary to keep adequate sight distance when residents enter and leave their driveways.

Tree/Brush Trimming
Trimming trees, brush and vegetation are necessary for the safety of those that travel on Township roads. Occasionally firewood is generated from the tree/brush trimming.

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Road Signs
We erect and maintain most of the signs that are placed along Township roads.

Signs are periodically inspected. If you notice a missing sign, please notify us so that we may quickly replace that sign and avoid a potential accident.

Our department is required to follow Illinois statutes when placing stop signs and other traffic control and warning signs. Therefore, we cannot change speed limits or install stop signs at every intersection.

If you believe that traffic signs or speed limits should be changed in your subdivision, please contact your homeowners' association (if one exists) first.

Street Lights
We supply street lights to certain intersections requiring illumination. If you see a street light not working properly, please call Dorr Township so we can notify Com Ed for repair or replacement.

Equipment Maintenance
We regularly service our equipment. Part of our maintenance program includes repair/replace when necessary.

Permits/Bonds
Culvert permits are required prior to any new construction. This certificate will be necessary for the person obtaining a building permit from the County. A bond is required for driveways needing a culvert. When construction is complete, providing there is no damage to the culvert or roadway, you can claim your bond.

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Christmas Tree Drop Off
We accept Christmas trees after Christmas up to the end of January. The tree must be free of ornaments, garland and tree stands. The tree will be chipped up and used as mulch for gardening purposes.

Mulch Program
As a result of brush pickup, mulch is available for your use. Mulching around trees and bushes is an excellent landscaping tool. Nutrients are provided, soil stays moist longer, there is less lawn to mow, and mowers do not scar trunks and stems.

Mulch is available at the Township garage. Please call so we can make arrangements for you to pick up what you need. We can help you load up if we are available. Otherwise, the gate is open during business hours, please help yourself.

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