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Public works reviews 2024 accomplishments and lays out 2025 street, water and storm plans
Summary
Public Works staff reviewed 2024 work and presented the 2025 capital and operating outlook, emphasizing street maintenance strategy, pending water-treatment work for iron/manganese and PFAS, and stormwater projects to address phosphorus limits.
The Village of Weston Public Works and Utilities Committee reviewed its 2024 accomplishments and outlined plans and funding needs for 2025 during its Nov. 11 meeting at the Western Municipal Center.
Committee members heard that staff treated roughly 12.6% of village street miles in 2024, completed two well rehabs, advanced PFAS and iron/manganese treatment planning, and submitted loan and grant applications for stormwater work. Michael (Public works staff) said the village now manages “almost a little over 119 centerline miles of road, 100 and almost 14 miles of water main, 103 miles of sewer, [and] 70 miles of storm sewer,” stressing the scale of the infrastructure under village care.
The presentation said the village seeks a steady, repeatable capital program rather than large, irregular spikes in project spending. Staff noted transportation aid from the state remains below its 2011 peak; the village is still about $400,000 short of that prior level under the DOT formula because of multi‑year averaging and statutory caps. Michael described the strategy as “trying to space it out” so aid and local budgets avoid a boom-and-bust cycle.
On water, staff reported that wells 7 and 8 are online and that well 4 will include PFAS treatment and iron/manganese removal; well 3 is in design and is scheduled for bidding this winter. Michael said the village submitted a Safe Drinking Water loan application for well 3 and expects conditions that restrict when construction can start. He also said some principal forgiveness has been awarded for well 4 and that well 3 may receive similar forgiveness.
Stormwater obligations under state limits (phosphorus) remain a major driver of projects. Staff said the Business 51 stormwater pond project — the largest planned storm project — is estimated at roughly $3 million and is expected to remove about 120 pounds of phosphorus toward the tributary’s required reduction. The village submitted a Clean Water loan application in October and plans to seek about 20% principal forgiveness and additional grant funds.
Staff emphasized preservation treatments (rejuvenators, chip seals, overlays) as cost‑effective steps that defer full reconstruction. The presentation noted a street-repair unit cost comparison: typical rejuvenators and chip seals are under $1 per square yard, while full street reconstruction runs roughly $85 per square yard, illustrating the budgetary logic for preventive maintenance.
The committee discussed funding, grant timing and how grants affect the transportation aid formula (grant dollars cannot be counted in the aid calculation). Michael said the village will continue to pace projects and pursue grants where possible.
The presentation closed with a reminder that the village now has many active funding streams — transportation aids, TIF, grants, and utility user fees — and that continued incremental funding and project spacing are central to sustaining the system.
The committee took no formal action on the presentation itself.
