Roselle trustees decline immediate change to lead service line policy after public comment

A Roselle resident pressed the Village Board on its lead service line replacement program on Feb. 10, saying the village has misinterpreted federal and state mandates and should expand private-side funding.

The resident, David Yacom, told trustees "there's over, you know, there's 200 homes that... have lead pipes and aren't getting proper water," and urged the village to cover at least half of private-side replacement costs or otherwise use its authority to shut off water where owners refuse work.

The board's staff replied that the village has begun replacing public lead service pipes ahead of mandated deadlines and runs testing for properties with lead service lines. Staff said private-side work is currently supported by a financial-assistance program for qualifying residents and that property owners may sign an Environmental Protection Agency waiver if they elect not to replace private-side piping. A village staff member said, "the cost for us to do private improvements to people's homes would be excruciatingly more costly for the village," noting prevailing-wage and bidding requirements that increase municipal costs compared with homeowner-contracted work.

Why it matters: lead service lines are a public health concern when they contribute to drinking-water lead exposure. The conversation clarified current program scope, remaining need and the board's willingness to revisit policy only if future conditions change.

Details from the meeting: staff reported the village has completed "probably close to 40" private-side replacements through the program and estimated "about a 90 remaining." Separately, the public commenter asserted there are roughly 200 homes with lead pipes; the board did not endorse that figure. Staff said there has been one signed waiver and three nonresponsive properties (two owned by the same person).

Trustees debated whether to reopen the policy. After discussion, trustees decided not to bring the lead-service-line policy back for immediate reconsideration, with the board directing staff to re-communicate the grant program criteria and to provide a status update on replacements for public information. Trustees also said they would revisit the policy if funding or program circumstances change.

The board did not adopt any new requirement at the meeting. The memorandum of understanding brought forward later in the agenda (with Flags of Roselle) will be placed on a future meeting agenda for a vote, and the board scheduled a separate agenda item for a Roselle Sister Cities Italian Committee presentation.