Board Meeting: Avoiding Huge Transformer on Pole, Hen License Up for Evaluation

Following the nearly hour-long Citizen Comments exchange over Timber Trails and water fluoridation, the Western Springs Board of Trustees spent most of the rest of their Monday evening meeting preparing a number of small measures to be voted on in their omnibus vote in two weeks’ time.

Perhaps most notably, the Board appears prepared to reject ComEd’s demand that to avoid additional costs in developing the reverse-osmosis water plant, the Village will have to agree to a 1000KVA transformer the size of a 55-gallon barrel placed atop a 40-foot pole right behind the plant.

“We didn’t think that would be the best look and would not be keeping in the residential neighborhood feel to have this very large pole with this very large transformer on it,” said Trustee Suzanne Glowiak.

Instead, the Village will opt for an alternate transformer solution that is expected to cost them between $70,000 and $100,000—money that the Board said can be easily found in the over $8 million budget for the plant improvement.

In general-government news, Trustee Deborah Lyons announced that the Village is prepared to extend for 120 days the temporary poultry license given to the Vichick family in order to allow for a complete study of the “test case.”

“We have a lot of information to go through,” Lyons said. “[Wendy Vichick] has had a very favorable experience… She has enjoyed it; she feels her neighbors have enjoyed it. [But] even with hearing all this, we felt the need to let the neighbors weigh in a little more formally.”

Board members plan to make a “field trip” to evaluate the Vichick residence and coop.

Village Engineer Jeff Ziegler announced that an agreement is prepared for reconstruction of the Village’s eastern train platform. The $1.2 million project is being funded with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and is 80 percent funded by the state of Illinois. Improvements are predicted to be finished by the end of 2012.

The Village has agreed to promote an initiative from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to offer a lowered electric bill through alternative energy suppliers like Integrys. The MMC touts that the option can save homeowners 20-25 percent on their electric bills. Village Manager Pat Higgins told the Board that he recently made the change himself, with positive results.

The Public Works and Water committee has joined with the Public Health and Safety committee to request the purchase of $120,000 in vehicles for various police and Village staff uses.

The second phase of grants are being filed with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for lighting improvements to the. If passed, as expected, the $146,000 project will cost the Village just $376.

The Village has completed its survey of parkway ash trees, threatened by the recent appearance of emerald-ash borer. Results and a plan of attack are expected within the month.

The Board is required to formally approve payments of $22,000 towards subsidizing the purchase of lacrosse helmets for young Village players. Helmets were provided by The Lax Shop of Chicago. (In a new step, the Recreation Department will also now have to sign a formalized agreement with the Park District for use of Village fields.)

A surplus of $30,000 from last year’s resurfacing of Ellington Avenue will be put back into Village coffers.

The yearly agreement between pediatric-cancer charity Bear Necessities and the Village for the charity to volunteer at the Tower Trot in exchange for the right to fundraise is expected to be easily formalized, as is a raffle license for Lyons Township High School’s post-prom raffle.

A free agreement with Cook County will let the Village continue to use the Geographic Information System (GIS) for analysis of various geographic-related issues.

President Bill Rodeghier is expected to appoint James Tyrell as the Chair of the Plan Commission, replacing Jeanne Plunkett, who recently resigned her post. Rodeghier is also planning to review the 15 vacancies on boards and commissions that will open up in June, and reiterated his policy of allowing one reappointment for a willing and competent member.