Waterman Resident Survey

Waterman Area Resident Survey

The Village of Waterman is launching an effort to make our community a more exciting place to live, shop, and manage a business. The Village Board needs information from you regarding what is important for the community and completing this questionnaire is a first step in that direction. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey which will be tabulated by the NIU Center for Governmental Studies, who will also assist us in developing our plan. All answers remain confidential. Results will be most useful if you complete the survey by November 1, 2019. Please complete only one survey per household. At the end of the survey is an opportunity to be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card, if you wish. Thanks for your input into this important work!

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* 1. What is your preferred gender?

Female

Male

Prefer not to answer

Other: _____________

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* 2. What is the highest level of education you have completed?

Less than High School

High School Diploma or GED

Associate Degree, Trade or Vocational School

Bachelor's Degree or Higher

Prefer Not to Answer

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* 3. Which statement best describes your current employment status

Working as paid employee

Self-employed

Not working, on temporary layoff from a job

Not working, looking for work

Not working, retired

Not working, disabled

Not working, other

Prefer not to answer

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* 4. How satisfied are you with the variety of businesses located in Waterman?

Highly satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Dissatisfied

Highly dissatisfied

Prefer not to answer

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* 5. In the past 30 days, how often have you purchased goods and services from businesses in Waterman?

Less than 3 times

4-5 times

6-8 times

9-10 times

11 or more times

don’t know

Prefer not to answer

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* 6. What Waterman businesses you have purchased goods and services from in the past six months? (Check all that apply)

Restaurants/bars

Convenience stores/gas stations

Automotive services other than gasoline purchases

Financial services

Professional services (insurance, accounting/tax preparation, legal, real estate, etc.)

Retail shops

Personal services (hair care, dog grooming, nail salon, etc.)

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What type(s) of business(es) would you like to see in Waterman that are not currently available?

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* 8. Do you currently own a business in the Waterman area? (Check all that apply)

Yes, I own a business located in a commercial building

Yes, I own a home-based business

I am interested in becoming a business owner or starting another business

If you are interested in starting a business, what obstacles prevent you from doing so?

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* 9. How satisfied are you with the schools and education in Waterman?

Highly satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Dissatisfied

Highly dissatisfied

Prefer not to answer

Don't know

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* 10. Waterman should become a tourist destination within the next five years.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral or no opinion

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Prefer not to answer

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* 11. What is your approximate annual household income?

$25,000 or less

$25,001-$50,000

$50,001-$75,000

$75,001-$100,000

$100,001-$150,000

More than $150,000

Prefer not to answer

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* 12. Waterman is an attractive and pleasant town in which to live.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral about this statement

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Prefer not to answer

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* 13. What aspects of Waterman do you feel add to its physical appearance? (Check all that apply)

Outdoor recreation facilities such as parks etc.

Downtown buildings

Well maintained streets and sidewalks

Downtown streetscape (banners, benches, lighting, plantings, etc.)

Residential neighborhoods with older homes

Newer residential neighborhoods

Agricultural surroundings

Public buildings such as schools, library, post office, etc.

Other (please specify)

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* 14. How could the Waterman community improve its physical appearance? (Check all that apply)

Improve condition of downtown buildings

Improve appearance of storefronts

More open space in downtown area

Make improvements to the streetscape such as benches, flowers, banners, etc.

Provide public art such as murals, sculptures, fountains, etc.

Enforce maintenance codes in residential areas

Improve condition of streets and sidewalks

Add or improve Village entry signs and directional signs to area attractions and downtown

Other (please specify)

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* 15. Which recreational facilities in Waterman do you use regularly? (Check all that apply)

Lions Community Park

Muingan Park

Deerfield Crossing Park

School outdoor recreation facilities

Other (please specify)

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* 16. What additional facilities and activities would you or your family members use or participate in if available in Waterman? (Check all that apply)

More communitywide events

Additional sports facilities and leagues

Facilities and activities specifically for retired or elderly

Educational enrichment for youth

Arts and culture facilities and activities

Other (please specify)

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* 17. How long have you lived in Waterman?

Less than 3 years

3-10 years

11-20 years

More than 20 years

Prefer not to answer

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* 18. Do you live within the Waterman Village limits?

Yes

Not sure

Prefer not to answer

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* 19. My housing is affordable.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

No opinion

Prefer not to answer

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* 20. How many people in each age group live in your home?

	None	One	Two	Three	Four or more
0-12 years	0-12 years None	0-12 years One	0-12 years Two	0-12 years Three	0-12 years Four or more
13-21 years	13-21 years None	13-21 years One	13-21 years Two	13-21 years Three	13-21 years Four or more
22-44 years	22-44 years None	22-44 years One	22-44 years Two	22-44 years Three	22-44 years Four or more
45-64 years	45-64 years None	45-64 years One	45-64 years Two	45-64 years Three	45-64 years Four or more
65-79 years	65-79 years None	65-79 years One	65-79 years Two	65-79 years Three	65-79 years Four or more
80 years or older	80 years or older None	80 years or older One	80 years or older Two	80 years or older Three	80 years or older Four or more

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* 21. What are your current living arrangements?

Currently own my home

Rent now, not interested in purchasing a home

Rent now, would like to purchase a home in Waterman

Rent now, would like to purchase a home in another community

Other arrangement

Prefer not to answer

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* 22. Why did your household choose to live here? (Check all that apply)

Near to employment

Family ties

Availability of housing in Waterman

Affordable cost of living

High quality schools

Small town/rural environment

Near recreational opportunities

Access to health services

Near amenities and services found in larger communities

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

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* 23. Do you plan to move in the next 3 years?

Yes, within the Waterman area

Yes, not in the Waterman area but in DeKalb County

Yes, outside of DeKalb County but in Illinois

Yes, outside of Illinois

No plans to move in the next 3 years

I don’t know

Prefer not to answer

If you plan to move, please explain why and where you would like to move.

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* 24. What type of housing would you like to see more of in Waterman? (Mark all that apply.)

Apartments

Single-family homes

Condominiums

Townhomes

Housing designed for elderly

Don't want additional housing

Don’t know

Prefer not to answer

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* 25. Please indicate which of the following facilities should be expanded in Waterman.

	Supply is Adequate	More Needed	Not Interested in this facility	Don't know
Grocery store	Grocery store Supply is Adequate	Grocery store More Needed	Grocery store Not Interested in this facility	Grocery store Don't know
Parks and recreation	Parks and recreation Supply is Adequate	Parks and recreation More Needed	Parks and recreation Not Interested in this facility	Parks and recreation Don't know
Entertainment options	Entertainment options Supply is Adequate	Entertainment options More Needed	Entertainment options Not Interested in this facility	Entertainment options Don't know
General shopping	General shopping Supply is Adequate	General shopping More Needed	General shopping Not Interested in this facility	General shopping Don't know
Food and drink establishments	Food and drink establishments Supply is Adequate	Food and drink establishments More Needed	Food and drink establishments Not Interested in this facility	Food and drink establishments Don't know
Healthcare	Healthcare Supply is Adequate	Healthcare More Needed	Healthcare Not Interested in this facility	Healthcare Don't know

Other facilities needed

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* 26. How satisfied are you with each of the following aspects of Waterman?

	Very Satisfied	Somewhat Satisfied	Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Somewhat Dissatisfied	Very Dissatisfied	Don't know, no experience
Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, public buildings, utilities	Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, public buildings, utilities Very Satisfied	Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, public buildings, utilities Somewhat Satisfied	Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, public buildings, utilities Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, public buildings, utilities Somewhat Dissatisfied	Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, public buildings, utilities Very Dissatisfied	Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, public buildings, utilities Don't know, no experience
Maintenance of parks	Maintenance of parks Very Satisfied	Maintenance of parks Somewhat Satisfied	Maintenance of parks Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Maintenance of parks Somewhat Dissatisfied	Maintenance of parks Very Dissatisfied	Maintenance of parks Don't know, no experience
Availability of social welfare services	Availability of social welfare services Very Satisfied	Availability of social welfare services Somewhat Satisfied	Availability of social welfare services Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Availability of social welfare services Somewhat Dissatisfied	Availability of social welfare services Very Dissatisfied	Availability of social welfare services Don't know, no experience
Availability of healthcare	Availability of healthcare Very Satisfied	Availability of healthcare Somewhat Satisfied	Availability of healthcare Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Availability of healthcare Somewhat Dissatisfied	Availability of healthcare Very Dissatisfied	Availability of healthcare Don't know, no experience

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* 27. What are three words you would use to describe Waterman?

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* 28. I like the general direction Waterman is heading.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral about this statement

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don’t know

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* 29. To help Waterman set long and short term goals/priorities for the next 3-5 years, please identify what you think is most important for the community's economic success. Do not rate more than three items as a 4 (very important).

	1 Not Important	2	3	4 Very Important	5 No Opinion
Attractive and economically active downtown	Attractive and economically active downtown 1 Not Important	Attractive and economically active downtown 2	Attractive and economically active downtown 3	Attractive and economically active downtown 4 Very Important	Attractive and economically active downtown 5 No Opinion
Improve the appearance of all areas of the community	Improve the appearance of all areas of the community 1 Not Important	Improve the appearance of all areas of the community 2	Improve the appearance of all areas of the community 3	Improve the appearance of all areas of the community 4 Very Important	Improve the appearance of all areas of the community 5 No Opinion
Attract new businesses and industry	Attract new businesses and industry 1 Not Important	Attract new businesses and industry 2	Attract new businesses and industry 3	Attract new businesses and industry 4 Very Important	Attract new businesses and industry 5 No Opinion
Increase employment opportunities	Increase employment opportunities 1 Not Important	Increase employment opportunities 2	Increase employment opportunities 3	Increase employment opportunities 4 Very Important	Increase employment opportunities 5 No Opinion
Attract more tourists	Attract more tourists 1 Not Important	Attract more tourists 2	Attract more tourists 3	Attract more tourists 4 Very Important	Attract more tourists 5 No Opinion
Increase number of local events	Increase number of local events 1 Not Important	Increase number of local events 2	Increase number of local events 3	Increase number of local events 4 Very Important	Increase number of local events 5 No Opinion
More activities for elderly	More activities for elderly 1 Not Important	More activities for elderly 2	More activities for elderly 3	More activities for elderly 4 Very Important	More activities for elderly 5 No Opinion
More activiities for youth	More activiities for youth 1 Not Important	More activiities for youth 2	More activiities for youth 3	More activiities for youth 4 Very Important	More activiities for youth 5 No Opinion
Attract new residents	Attract new residents 1 Not Important	Attract new residents 2	Attract new residents 3	Attract new residents 4 Very Important	Attract new residents 5 No Opinion
Develop additional housing options	Develop additional housing options 1 Not Important	Develop additional housing options 2	Develop additional housing options 3	Develop additional housing options 4 Very Important	Develop additional housing options 5 No Opinion
More and improved recreation opportunities	More and improved recreation opportunities 1 Not Important	More and improved recreation opportunities 2	More and improved recreation opportunities 3	More and improved recreation opportunities 4 Very Important	More and improved recreation opportunities 5 No Opinion
Other, specify	Other, specify 1 Not Important	Other, specify 2	Other, specify 3	Other, specify 4 Very Important	Other, specify 5 No Opinion

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* 30. Which of the following would you or members of your household be willing to do to make Waterman a better place to live, work or visit? (Check all that apply).

Serve on a local board or committee

Invest money in a new business

Volunteer time to help with a community project

Contribute money to help with a community improvement

Volunteer to help improve Waterman's appearance by repairing buildings, painting, gardening, clean up, etc.

None of the above

Is there a specific project or activity that most interests you?

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* 31. (Optional) If you want to be informed of opportunities to participate in Waterman improvement projects, and/or you want to be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate, please provide your name and phone number or email.

Name

Phone

Tell me about opportunities to participate Yes or No

Enter me in the gift certificate drawing- Yes or No