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Residents press village on electronic recycling, damaged sidewalks and speeding
Summary
During public comment residents detailed problems with the new electronic-recycling service, asked who will pay for tree-root damage to sidewalks, and urged the village to act on speeding; police said a new traffic unit and radar trailers are being used.
Residents used the public-comment period at the April 23 Midlothian board meeting to press officials on multiple neighborhood concerns, chiefly problems with a newly contracted electronic-recycling service, hazardous sidewalks caused by tree roots, and rising speeding in residential areas.
An attendee who did not give a name said she had to "call Republic twice" and was repeatedly transferred; she said call-center staff told her the program allowed only "one item" (which residents interpreted as one TV) and that inconsistent script responses left small-item generators—cords, baby monitors—confused. "I had to go through a questionnaire thing about trying to get rid of the old baby monitor," the resident said, and added that she and others had lodged roughly four complaints so far.
Trustees and staff said they created a village email address to collect recycling complaints and that they would copy a designated representative on correspondence to ensure residents get service. Joyce Holstein, who identified herself by name and street address, brought a small appliance part to the meeting and said she had been told she could leave only that one small piece for pickup; staff confirmed there will be an electronics recycling event on the village schedule.
Residents also described a hazardous sidewalk near 14835 (a large cottonwood tree has uplifted the pavement) and asked who would be responsible for replacing the driveway apron. Trustees said in some locations grinders and smaller repairs have been used, but very large trees sometimes require removal or more costly fixes.
On traffic safety, a resident who identified himself as Joe Flaws described cars "flying down the street" and a recent crash that ended on a front lawn; he asked for speed bumps or cameras. Police Chief Deon responded that the village has started a full-time traffic unit, requires officers to spend regular time observing side streets, and deploys radar trailers, decoy cars and targeted enforcement to curb speeding. The chief said the department would adjust where officers sit so they can better observe violations and invited residents to join the village traffic safety committee.
Board members encouraged residents to use the new complaint email address and to register for upcoming village events that include a hard-to-recycle drop-off and a cleanup day.
