Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges testing at Sedgwick Park; village says pumping‑station report coming
Summary
A La Grange resident asked the board to test catch basins and soil at Sedgwick Park over contamination concerns; Manager Knight said the village will not conduct basin testing but a recent inspection of an East Avenue reservoir produced a draft report coming in about two weeks, and staff will follow up on grant eligibility for sewer-backup assistance.
A resident told the La Grange Village Board he is concerned about possible contamination at Sedgwick Park and urged testing of catch basins, and he pressed the village for clarity on a separate pumping‑station inspection.
"We need to know that that park is a 100% safe for their enjoyment, and we don't wanna have any cancers coming back in 15 or 20 years," John Pluto said during the public-comment period, urging testing of catch basins near play areas and asking whether the village would conduct independent testing. Pluto also cited Park District minutes and past industrial activity adjacent to the park that he said may have left contaminants in the soil.
Manager Knight said the village does not plan to take a role in testing Sedgwick Park catch basins, but staff will follow up on related questions. On the sewer‑backup prevention grant, Knight explained the program's funding structure: "The way the program is structured is the first $50,000 out of that program needs to be village funds under the purview of the program as it's currently constructed. And then from there, it's the county funds available through ARPA funding..." He said staff will report back on how much of the village portion has been spent and whether county funds can be used for South Lyons Township residents.
Pluto also raised questions about an East Avenue fresh-water reservoir and referenced a 2012 report recommending coating. Manager Knight said an inspection was completed in recent months and "the concern over the reservoir was not founded" with no structural deficiencies noted. Director O'Brien told the board the draft inspection report is expected in about two weeks.
The board offered to provide copies of final reports and to answer follow-up questions by email or at a future meeting. The village did not commit to independent park catch-basin testing that evening and advised residents to submit documented concerns so staff can investigate and determine next steps.
Next steps: staff will confirm the status of the sewer-backup prevention fund, report on whether county ARPA funds are available for South Lyons Township residents, and circulate the finalized pumping‑station inspection report when it is complete.
