I’m pleased to report that the June 3rd Village Board meeting accomplished some important business.
The board voted to move forward with the rebuild of Fire Station #2 at Lake Marian Road. This is our most active fire station and it has been in need of some serious repair for many years. It will be repaired this year. This will be done without any increase in taxes. The money will be taken from our cash reserves and will not put any undue burden on our Village finances, staying within the acceptable limits set by general accounting practices. Also, the board approved some additional money for the planning of the badly needed new Public Works Facility to be located on land owned by the Village, at Cleveland and Wilmette near the Waste Water treatment facility.
At a previous meeting the board agreed to allow an invocation to be delivered by a member of the clergy at the start of each board meeting. At the June 3rd meeting some ground rules were approved for the invocations. The board approved those guidelines by a 6-1 vote. Trustee Humpfer was the “no” vote. The June 3rd meeting was the third time we have had a pastor deliver an invocation and happy to report that there have been no issues. The pastors were given some direction from our Village Attorney prior to starting this new practice and they have all done a very good job of following those guidelines.
The board also discussed the issue of sidewalks at a section of the Village known as GOLFVIEW HIGHLANDS UNIT 8. On a vote of 6 in favor and 1 not in favor (that was me) direction was given to the staff to approve a compromise plan in which sidewalks would be installed on the South side of Northlake Parkway between Center Drive and Ravine Lane. Also suggested were sidewalks to be along Ravine Lane on the West side of the street. Many residents have voiced their opposition to these sidewalks. Because of the country style atmosphere of this neighborhood, I agree with the neighbors. I feel that too many large trees would need to be removed in order to put these sidewalks in this quaint neighborhood. I support the new streets, curbs and gutters; but not the sidewalks.
The board also approved of a new vehicle and equipment for the police department and the hiring of a new police officer starting June 30, 2008. The new officer is to replace a retiring commander. The funding for the new vehicle and equipment came from two grants the police department received.
