Village Board Swears In Trustee Egan for 4-Year Term

The village board meeting opened as usual Monday, May 16, with the roll call and pledge of allegiance, followed by a little laughter when the mayor skipped over the swearing-in ceremony of incumbent trustee Kevin Egan and moved right to the consent agenda.

Trustee Cynthia Heath quickly and discreetly pointed out the oversight, and Egan, who was appointed in 2005, was properly sworn in by the mayor for his second four-year term.

"You really bring some special skills to this board that benefit our community," trustee Mike Stevens later said to his colleague trustee Egan in congratulating him on his re-election.

In other business:

Other village-area construction updates:

Village Administrator Jerry Ducay noted that the summer road construction season will definitely impact Frankfort residents. From the widening of Route 30 to the construction on Interstate 80 along with the improvements being made to Center Road, Frankfort area drivers will need to be very patient and careful in the months to come.

Ducay also commented on the board's approval for the possible future repairs at 114, 116 and 118 Kansas Street (property formerly known as Cactus Carol's and the Bank Building) saying that the village is not taking action but is preparing in case it needs to take action.

Due to the current property owner's refusal to maintain the property, the village took the owner to court in 2010. However, officials are not confident that the court order to make repairs will be obeyed.

In an effort to protect the public from potential safety hazards, the village may need to complete the facade repairs and demolish a portion of 114 Kansas where a falling tree damaged the back of the building years ago. The village would then put a lien against the properties to recoup the costs.

Improvements continue on the Grainery Tower, said village administrator Jerry Ducay. Trustee Morgan noted that the village receives revenue from the cell tower located on top of the Grainery and that only a fraction of that money goes back into upkeep and maintenance costs. Ducay thanked Old Plank Road Trail cyclists and pedestrians for their cooperation in following the temporary detours around the construction area along the trail

New ordinance passed

The board unanimously passed the Priority Lien Ordinance which will improve the chances of the village getting reimbursed for costs expended on the maintenance of unkept property in the village.

New equipment purchases

The village approved the purchase of a new wood chipper and two new snow plow trucks for the public works department. Egan, who made the report, pointed out that the village routinely replaces equipment when it is past the point of economical repair, and these items fell into that category.

Infrastructure repairs:

The board approved the water main replacement for Birchwood Road in Connecticut Hills and also Highland/Drummore Roads  in Prestwick. Mayor Holland noted that Birchwood Road will also be resurfaced some time this summer after the new water main is installed and thanked the residents for their patience in dealing with deteriorating road conditions.

Special use permits granted:

The board approved special use permits for liquor sales for Chipotle Grill (11129 W. Lincoln Highway) and Fajitas Mexican Restaurant (19941-43 LaGrange Road).

The board also approved a special use permit for an outdoor seating area to be constructed at Fajitas Mexican Restaurant.

A variance was granted to the Vaziris of 10809 Swallow Tail Lane to permit a 5-foot high fence on a portion of their property that runs along 108th Avenue.