It's past time to take down holiday lights

We're already into the third month of 2008 and the holiday season ended about eight weeks ago.

But for some people, the harsh winter has kept them indoors and deterred them from taking down the holiday lights and decorations on the exterior of their homes.

Some still have wreaths attached to front doors. Santa's smiling face still peeks out from a frosted window. White lights line garages and eaves.

You could keep them up until next season, but you'd probably be facing some fine.

If you are a resident of Carpentersville, the deadline to take down all of your multi-colored lights, blow-up lawn ornaments and other holiday paraphernalia was Saturday.

Village Manager Craig Anderson said while there are fines involved -- because holiday decorations fall under a village ordinance -- compliance is what the village seeks.

Holiday decorations, under the village code, cannot be on display for more than 60 days in a one-year period.

Another deadline this month is for residents to comply with the trash cart ordinance.

The village board recently passed an ordinance allowing residents in some village neighborhoods -- specifically in Morningside and Berkshire -- to store their black trash carts in front of their property under the condition that it is screened from sight.

Screening, according to village code, "shall be accomplished by the use or walls, fencing, and/or planting. Screening shall be equally effective in the winter and summer seasons. Walls shall be constructed of materials matching the primary building. Fencing should complement the architectural and landscaping designs on the site. The method of screening shall be less than 5 feet in height above the solid ground surface. Opaque chain link fence screening is prohibited."

Dumpsters used by commercial businesses must be completely, permanently and securely screened and enclosed from the ground surface up in a 6 foot high wall, board, masonry, or opaque chain link fence with a gate.

The deadline was extended to March 31 since the board passed the ordinance during the winter, when it is virtually impossible to plant shrubs or build a fence or wall.

The village's Web site says enforcement of the code will resume April 1.

Residents living in exterior units in Morningside and Berkshire do not have direct access to the side or back yards of their homes. That would require residents to transport a wheeled cart through their homes to reach an acceptable location.

But the way winter is going, the end of March could be as frigid as the beginning of January in these parts of the country. Digging a hole to plant a shrub or anchor a fence could be more troublesome later this month if the weather doesn't cooperate.

On another ordinance-related note, the village started sending out notices to residents whose homes are in need of an exterior paint job.

The first letters were sent out March 1.

• Larissa Chinwah covers Carpentersville, East Dundee and West Dundee. To reach her, call (847) 931-5722, or e-mail lchinwah@dailyherald.com.