Niles Reinventing the 'New Resident Welcome Packet'

When people move into Niles, the village provides them with some information about services.

But in proclaiming "Good Neighbor Month" at Monday's village board meeting, Mayor Andrew Przybylo announced the village and the Niles Chamber of Commerce are working together to introduce a revamped Niles New Neighbor Packet.

"(It) is intended to be a fun resource and a warm welcome to the neighborhood and we look forward to having it," said Katie Schneider, executive director of the Chamber.

She said it would have gift cards, coupons from merchants, possibly actual gifts, and information about the Dine-In Niles program the library, park district and chamber of commerce.

There would also be a letter from the mayor and information about village services, such as garbage collection and recycling. 
 
"We also want to provide information on local service clubs, such as the Lions, the Optimist Club and Scouting," she said. adding they are a good way for new residents to get involved in the community and meet their neighbors.

The Chamber is still trying to work out whether it would be presented in a gift bag, she said.

Przybylo said that since he became mayor a little over a month ago, he has heard from many residents about problems with their neighbors, whether it be over a tree branch hanging over their property, water running onto property next door or noise issues. 

"We used to have a mediator for neighbors' problems. We’re thinking about bringing that back; where neighbors could come and talk," he said.

"It used to be Ray Giovanelli, the former police chief; by all accounts he was pretty effective at what he did."

The mayor recalled than when he first moved to Niles, his son wanted a basketball hoop, but the ball would have gone on a neighbor's lawn, and she said she would appreciate not having that. Przybylo said he didn't have to think twice to scrap the idea.

"I don’t want to get preachy, but we really just have to get along and respect each other in the hope we will be respected," he said, before launching into the Good Neighbor Month proclamation.

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