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Residents press Robbins trustees on water shutoffs as board discusses hiring grant writer
Summary
At the Dec. 6 special meeting residents urged transparency over repeated water shutoffs while trustees discussed a proposed grant-writer contract for Ernestine Berry-Beck; the contract was presented for discussion only and not approved.
During public comment at the Robbins special meeting, residents pressed trustees for clarity about repeated water shutoffs and billing, and a candidate for grant-writing services drew mixed reactions from trustees and attendees.
Samantha Conrad told the board that some households had experienced water shutoffs seven times and urged the village to be upfront about restoration and billing practices. Ms. Williams asked why disposal company prices rose within a year and whether citizens would be able to speak during future planning sessions. Mr. Anderson publicly alleged that the proposed grant-writer candidate, Ernestine Berry-Beck, had previously stolen from the village; trustees did not take formal action on that allegation during the meeting.
Ernestine Berry-Beck was introduced in the discussion as a former Robbins village administrator and the current planner for University Park; the contract presented to the board was for discussion only and was not approved at the special meeting. Trustee Michael Collier Sr. asked what the proposed $2,000-a-month fee would cover; Trustee Tiffany S. Robinson and others said a grant writer was needed ahead of the state’s veto season to pursue available funds.
Mr. Stewart provided an update on the community center and an MWRD project where dolomite was discovered and staged; he said work has stopped while contamination concerns are addressed. The board also announced a $2,000 donation to the Robbins Eagles Cheerleaders.
No hiring or contract award for a grant writer occurred at the meeting; trustees asked for more information and signaled they would revisit the proposal at a subsequent meeting.
