Resident opposes S. River Road sidewalks; board agrees to end nonprofit profit-sharing requirement

During public comment at the Fox River Grove Board meeting on March 15, resident Kim Brotsos (103 S. River Rd.) urged the Board not to add sidewalks on S. River Road, saying the project would remove trees, require moving a large rock in the right-of-way, affect homes close to the street and impinge on a neighbor's brick driveway. Brotsos acknowledged that many people walk that road but said the changes would take away much of the street's natural character.

Administrator Soderholm responded that engineering plans are nearly finalized, that letters were mailed to residents directly impacted by the sidewalk project, and that staff would meet with anyone interested in the sidewalk locations; Soderholm also said the large tree near Brotsos's home "should remain." President Marc McLaughlin said he recognized Brotsos's concerns but emphasized he supports connectivity throughout the Village between parks, schools and shopping areas for residents' safety.

Separately, Trustee Jennifer Curtiss asked that Village Hall make available registration forms required by the Cary Grove Food Pantry for participating households; she thanked volunteer Paige Lord for supplying the forms to staff. Curtiss also proposed eliminating the Village's past practice of requiring nonprofit vendors at Village events to donate half their profits back to the Village, citing the Village's good fiscal standing. The Board discussed the proposal and the general consensus was to discontinue the requirement.

The meeting then moved on to routine consent items and ordinance business. The Board recessed into executive session to discuss personnel and reconvened before adjournment. No formal vote related to the sidewalks was recorded; staff noted plans will be available for resident review and staff will meet individually with affected residents.