News digest from the Village of Oswego

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On this Veterans Day, the Village of Oswego
thanks all veterans for their service

Be-leaf us: Leaf collection program continues The leaf collection is wrapping up its second pass through the Village, anticipating a third pass beginning Nov. 22. As a reminder, leaves must be placed in the parkway by 6 a.m. of the scheduled collection week.?Due to the tremendous scope of this work, leaves piled near an obstruction or obstructed by a parked vehicle will be skipped. The bulk of the piles will be vacuumed up as the crews go by your address. However, it is impossible for crews to collect 100 percent of the leaves piled for collection. Keep leaves out of the curb line and street. Leaves in the street can cause hazardous driving conditions and local flooding. Leaf burning is prohibited at all times throughout the Village. There is a very small window of opportunity to collect the leaves from the time the leaves fall to when winter weather begins. Inclement weather or large volume of leaves can alter the leaf pickup schedule. Once the leaves are snow covered, the vacuum cannot collect the leaves and the program may be suspended. Collection alternatives Residents are strongly encouraged to use alternative options such as placing leaves in and around plant beds under trees and shrubs as this provide nutrients for the soil and provide insulation for the plants.? Residents can also use Groot?s curbside yard waste bags and refuse collection program. The final week for yard waste pickup through Groot is the week of November 29. Yard waste bags will be accepted without stickers the week of November 15.

Don't forget: Fall clean up coming Nov. 15-19

Groot Industries will collect additional household waste, yard waste and bulk items from all Village residents during the week of November 15th, on regularly scheduled garbage days. Please place all items, along with your regular garbage and recycling, at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled garbage day. Yard waste must be disposed of in 30-gallon Kraft yard waste bags. Stickers will not be required this week only.

Village Board, police union reach agreement

The Village Board at its Oct. 19 meeting reached a two-year collective bargaining deal with the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, which represents the Village?s patrol officers.

The agreement includes wage adjustments over two years that keep police compensation competitive with comparable Chicago-area communities, as well as an agreement to further discuss body-worn cameras prior to implementation.

?The willingness of both sides to come together quickly on this demonstrates the special relationship we have in Oswego with our police officers,? Village President Troy Parlier said. ?I want to thank all the hard-working police officers who serve our community, especially facing the unique challenges of the last year.?

Read more on the Village's website.

Hope to see you at Christmas Walk on Dec. 3!

Christmas Walk returns to downtown Oswego on Friday, Dec. 3, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy all your favorite features, including Toyland Train rides, ice sculpting, performances from local groups, a chance to visit with Santa himself, and the opportunity to see what all your favorite downtown stores have to offer for the holiday season. Oswego organizations and local businesses will host a variety of interactive booths to boost your holiday spirit. The event culminates with the ever-popular silent emergency vehicle parade down Main Street.?

The Christmas Walk drive-through is also returning to Venue 1012 on Friday, Dec. 10, featuring illuminated service vehicles, holiday displays and a full cast of your favorite holiday characters. The event runs 4:30 to 8, and includes a goody bag for all children while supplies last.

For more information about both events, visit www.oswegochristmaswalk.com. Interested in volunteering? Find sign up opportunities here.?

Last chance to sponsor or participate!

A few spots remain to participate in or sponsor the 2021 Christmas Walk and Holiday Drive Through events. More information is available at?www.oswegochristmaswalk.com.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Last chance to get your winter art on display!?

The Oswego Cultural Arts Commission invites Oswegoans to be part of a winter community art project by creating a card for our winter-themed holiday display in the Village Hall Art Gallery. Pick up a complimentary 5.5? x 8.5?, 138-lb. mixed media card and return it to Oswego Village Hall with a winter design by Nov. 12. We'll display your creativity during our winter card exhibit running Nov. 22-Jan. 28 at Oswego Village Hall.?Get more details.?

Upcoming dates

• Nov. 11 -?Village Offices closed in observance of Veterans Day.
• Nov. 15-19 - Fall Cleanup Week. Details.
• Monday, Nov. 15?- Leaf collection in Zone C. Details.
• Tuesday, Nov. 16?- Village Board meeting 7 p.m., Committee of the Whole 6 p.m.. Details.
• Monday, Nov. 22?- Final leaf collection, all zones. Details.?

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