By Gail Peckler-Dziki/Correspondent
The results of a recent Paddock Lake resident survey are in and village administrator Tim Popanda says the information will aid the board in making informed decisions.
A total of 1,326 surveys were mailed to village residents and 349 returned them, for a return rate of 26.3 percent. The majority of respondents (75.3 percent) reported that the quality of life in Paddock Lake meets their approval. Yet some (38.5 percent) indicate that they receive quality services for the taxes they pay and 29 percent feel services are lacking for the taxes they pay.
An overwhelming majority of respondents, 89 percent, are pleased with recycling collection and nearly 90 percent are pleased with trash collection. Nearly 80 percent of respondents agree or somewhat agree that the village staff provides adequate customer service.
Seventy-three percent said the village ought to create a Neighborhood Watch program. A majority, however, said they are satisfied with police protection and feel safe in the village. Eighty-seven percent said they feel safe in their neighborhoods during the day and nearly 78 percent said they feel safe in commercial areas.
Numbers for feeling safe in parks and in neighborhood at night were a little lower, nearly 66 percent and 76 percent respectively. Fifty-eight percent felt safe while suing the lake.
Recently equipment that the village used to televise meetings and other information reached a life-end. The board was unsure if they should spend $35,000 to replace with upgraded equipment and the survey provided the answer. It was two to one against the idea, with nearly 65 percent saying no, 31 percent saying yes and 3.6 percent unsure.
Popanda said that while the village receives money from Time-Warner for allowing the antennae on village property, that money is used to offset the levy and keeps taxes lower. On average, the villager receives $20,000 in franchise fees annually.
The majority of respondents wanted to see the village recruit commercial development and preserve village history. Results for putting a pavilion in the park were more mixed, with 43 percent neutral, 40 percent positive, 23 percent negative and 1.5 percent didn’t know. Results for investing in holiday street decorations was similar, with 39 percent positive, 33 percent neutral, 25 percent negative and 2.4 not knowing.
The village newsletter was the main primary source for village information, with word of mouth and the Paddock Lake Report tied for second.