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Freeburg reviews sewer investigation, railroad soil borings and right-of-way requests
Summary
Public Works staff reported on a basement water issue on E. Hill Street and recommended a camera inspection, announced required soil borings at the West Apple/Phillips railroad crossing, and said the village will examine vacation requests for Janus and Titan drives while ensuring necessary water/sewer easements.
Freeburg, Ill. — Village public-works staff briefed trustees on infrastructure and rights-of-way issues at the Jan. 21 board meeting, including a localized basement flooding report, planned railroad-related soil borings and resident requests to vacate two short streets.
Public Works Director John Tolan said staff investigated reports of water in a basement on E. Hill Street and found no problem in village mains; he recommended using a camera to locate the source within the private service line. Village Engineer Tim Pruett said SCI Engineers will perform soil borings at the West Apple and Phillips railroad crossing to meet railroad permitting requirements. Tolan and staff plan a site visit to Coulterville’s water plant to review chemical-feed operations relevant to the village’s new water tower ammonia/chlorine feed.
The board also heard a resident request that the village consider vacating Janus Drive and Titan Drive; Mayor Seth Speiser and staff said any vacation would require legal descriptions and utility easements to preserve water and sewer access. In addition, Tim Pruett noted the village submitted a grant application for handicap-accessible sidewalks; the project must be completed by June 2026 per grant terms noted in the meeting packet.
Public Works hosted JULIE locating training to implement a new locating law effective Jan. 1. Village Administrator Matt Trout told the board the St. Clair County Health Department called with questions about the SAVE Site sanitation system, and Trout clarified the village is not the regulator for that system.
What happens next: Staff will pursue camera inspection for the E. Hill Street service, proceed with railroad soil borings under permit, gather legal descriptions and assess required easements for any right-of-way vacation petitions, and continue work on the sidewalk grant timetable.
