A new Hawthorn Woods ordinance bans leaf burning starting next year; alterative options to be studied

Black smoke and the smell of burning leaves is common in Hawthorn Woods, where the practice of open burning is second nature to many residents.

However, with the village board’s approval of a new ordinance Monday night, amending a 15-year-old village code, that practice will soon come to an end.

The new ordinance will go into effect Jan. 1, giving the board time to mull over options for residents to get rid of their leaves and twigs.

“Looking at the atmosphere, we determined it’s unhealthy for some people to be out and about,” said Public Works Director Erika Frable, who has been researching open burning for two years.

Frable said the village is looking at improving the overall health of residents.

Options being considered include: a 6-week waste management vacuum program requiring households to pay $1 per month; an unlimited yard waste pick up program for $110 per year; or suggesting residents to use their leaves and plants as compost.

Mayor Joseph Mancino said the vacuum program, where leaves are pushed onto the street to be vacuumed up, may cause problems by clogging underground storm sewers.

“We’d have to be better convinced of any of the options and how they would work,” Mancino said. “We don’t want to solve a problem and create 16 new ones.”

Scott Wagoner, a Hawthorn Woods resident, said he’d like to see even more options from the board to prevent longtime residents from having to pay what he calls a “tree tax.”

“I moved here and it (burning leaves) was allowed. I want a no-cost solution,” he said.

The board said it will poll residents in the fall, and give them several options to choose from, to help officials determine how to move forward.

Trustee Kelly Corrigan said the practice of burning leaves, which was allowed twice a week during the spring and fall, has been a growing problem since she moved to the village.

“When I first moved here I thought that was really cool, until I couldn’t see my neighbors house anymore,” Corrigan said. “People don’t burn properly, they just let it smolder.”

There are exceptions to the ordinance such as burning agricultural waste, fire department activities, open fireplaces and grills, and controlled prairie burns. A citation for illegal fires can be as much as $500 per violation.