Wilmette has launched two websites in an effort to reach residents, including those who may not yet have weighed in on stormwater control options the village is considering for west Wilmette.
The village’s goal is to use the websites, along with two open houses and a three-pronged direct mail effort, to educate residents before the board’s final decision, set for April 17, Assistant Village Manager Michael Braiman said.
Braiman introduced the websites, the open house, mailing and decision timeline at the village’s Jan. 9 board meeting.
“It’s not only important to educate people about the three options, but to be sure we continue our transparent and open process” on how the board makes its decisions, he said.
He said Wilmette will host open houses on Feb. 8 and March 13.
He said the first site, www.wilmettestormwater.com, will tell residents about the three stormwater control options, including why they’re needed, their costs, and how well they’d protect vulnerable properties west of Ridge Road. The second site, a “community engagement platform” set to go live this week, will be more interactive, he said, allowing residents to converse with staff and project planners.
He said that site can also be used to communicate with residents about other upcoming issues.
Both sites will be accessible through the village’s main website, www.wilmette.com, Braiman said.
Village Manager Tim Frenzer said the websites will supplement other routes for village residents to learn about the project.
Wilmette plans to send out a 4-page mailing on Jan. 23, Frenzer said. On Feb. 15, the regular village newsletter will go out, and much of it will be dedicated to the west Wilmette project options, he said. Braiman said the final mailing, a postcard, will go out April 1.
Costs for the websites were estimated at a total of $10,500, and the mailings will cost roughly $10,000, according to Braiman’s presentation.
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