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Neighbors complain of algae, odors and mosquitoes at Maple Pond; village to look into cleanup options
Summary
Residents told the board the pond by Lees Road/nearby neighborhoods is thick with algae, emits odors and attracts mosquitoes; they said fish and a turtle have been observed and that a FOIA request did not return records. Mayor and staff said they would investigate and explain limits to discussion under listening‑post rules.
Carol Stream — Multiple residents raised health and nuisance concerns about heavy algal growth and odors at Maple Pond, saying the algae has made fishing impossible and has increased mosquitoes and dead or stressed wildlife around the shoreline.
An Internet comment from Joseph Paez described the pond as "heavy in algae and unusable as intended. Fishing is difficult due to the large amount of green algae covering the pond." Paez later appeared at the podium and told the board that the smell and mosquitoes made it difficult for families to use backyards and that he had filed a Freedom of Information Act request that had not produced the records he expected.
Other residents said they had seen fish at pond edges and a turtle harmed by passersby. Board members cautioned that under the meeting's listening‑post rules the trustees could not conduct detailed deliberations on non‑agenda items but told residents they would look into the matter. "That doesn't mean that we won't do anything about it or look into it," Mayor Frank Savarino said.
Staff and trustees discussed distinctions between privately maintained association ponds and public stormwater facilities and noted state and county rules that govern treatment options. Jim Zay, speaking as an experienced county board member and resident with stormwater experience, cautioned trustees to check the existing detention ownership and engineering details before committing to actions; village staff said engineering calculations and property ownership records would guide next steps.
No remediation plan or funding was adopted at the meeting. Trustees directed staff to follow up with the resident who spoke and to report back on ownership, recent maintenance records and any regulatory limits on pond treatment.
