Fox River Grove approves expedited storm cleanup, enhanced tree program and shore repairs

Following recent storms, the Fox River Grove Board on Aug. 19 agreed to several measures to speed cleanup and address property and park damage.

Administrator Soderholm said the volume of debris will take over a month for routine staff removal and proposed hiring contractors for tree removal (estimated $25,000 to $30,000) and separate branch chipping services (about $36,000) to complete the work in roughly a week. Trustees agreed to move forward with both contractor services to expedite cleanup.

Trustees also discussed increasing the village’s tree-replacement reimbursement on a limited basis from the current 50/50 program (up to $200) to an enhanced 75% reimbursement up to $400 per property. The program would run until June 1, 2026, or until a maximum of $25,000 is expended; the board reached consensus to implement the temporary program.

Administrator Soderholm updated the board on Lions Park shoreline restoration and proposed that the contractor restore additional areas not included in the original contract for an added $29,900; trustees supported proceeding with that work. The board also agreed to extend the start timeframe for a façade grant at 412 Lincoln because the original 120-day start window had lapsed.

Separately, Trustee Wall raised continued violations at 1005 Route 22 involving semi-truck parking; staff has issued tickets and discussed a potential zoning variance with the owner. The board unanimously said it was not interested in granting another variance and asked the owner to bring the property into compliance with existing ordinances.

The meeting adjourned to executive session at 7:44 p.m. and reconvened and adjourned finally at 7:49 p.m.