'Contentious' Western Springs Neighbor Dispute Ends

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs is putting an official end Monday to a "contentious" dispute between neighbors over a village right-of-way between their houses.

Residents Jim Conniff and Ray Swapa live in the 5200 block of Grand Avenue.

They each agreed to pay for a part of the right-of-way – $61,710 from Swapa and $60,307 from Conniff.

After the deal was presented to the Village Board on Monday, Trustee James Tyrell said, "Somebody should be commended because I remember this was quite contentious."

Village attorney Michael Jurusik said it was a collective effort.

"Staff did an excellent job," he said, jokingly adding, "I think we wore down everybody."

Tyrrell said the more than $120,000 was a "little plum for the village."

Jurusik said the money would go into the street account.

The Village Board is expected to vote on the agreement at a meeting in a couple of weeks.