Residents urge updated building and fire codes and safer sidewalks at Fox River Grove meeting; board to follow up

Several residents used the public-comment period at the April 5 Fox River Grove board meeting to raise safety and code concerns and to press for restored senior funding.

Gerald Schalk, who identified himself as Fire Marshal and Chaplain and lives at 217 Lexington Ave., told trustees the village's 2006 residential and commercial building code is outdated and asked the board to update building and fire codes prior to approving future downtown development. "The 2006 residential and commercial building code currently being enforced by the Village are outdated," Schalk said, and he referenced a 2009 agreement between the Village and the Fire Department on plan reviews.

Pam Hank, who lives on S. River Road, said she supports adding new sidewalks but is primarily concerned about a ditch in front of her house where children on bikes could fall and be injured. Trustee Schladt acknowledged the concern. Several seniors and senior-group leaders also urged reinstating funding to cover transportation to events.

Clerk Shelley J. Caesar asked the board whether to continue placing fireworks donation jars in local businesses; by straw poll the board favored discontinuing the jars (the minutes note past collections averaged about $40–$50 per jar, roughly $300–$350 total). Resident and poll worker Paige Lord urged staff to alert voters about new polling locations after recent redistricting to reduce Election Day confusion.

Trustee Schladt asked staff to follow up specifically on building and fire codes; the meeting minutes record this as direction to staff rather than a formal ordinance action.