Public works update: basin construction, drought restrictions and stormwater upgrades reported

Village public works staff reported construction progress on a basin project, current drought conditions and several infrastructure maintenance items at the Oct. 7 Ravena Village Board meeting.

Staff said large beams for catwalk supports have been installed on the basin project and that Phase 1 is expected to be completed in October, with Phase 2 targeted for mid‑winter to early spring. The report repeated a village request that residents conserve water and avoid using sprinklers while regional reservoirs remain low.

Public works also reported a 320‑foot stormwater drain installation on Woodlawn Drive intended to reduce excess water flowing onto Wendell; the system has not yet been tested because of a lack of rainfall. Crews cleaned ditches on Jefferson, removed several dead trees, winterized the pool, remulched the playground, repaired the dump truck’s dump body, and cleaned one of the water plant’s two lagoons. Staff said they are still calculating the cost of placing concrete in the cleaned lagoon.

Staff reminded residents that the village leaf vacuum program is active and that only approved paper bags will be collected; black plastic bags will not be picked up. The village reiterated that residents who believe they were missed can call the village office for service.

There was no formal board action recorded on these operational updates; they were presented as part of routine reports and will be reflected in the department’s ongoing work plan.