Calumet Village hearing draws mixed responses to plan to vacate part of 9th Street

Calumet Village held a public hearing May 18 to gather community feedback on a Resolution of Intent to Vacate a portion of 9th Street that the council had passed in April. President Rob Tarvis called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.; Trustee Kelly Ryan summarized outreach since April, saying she had met with residents on 9th Street and Scott Street, church officials and the Calumet Depot property owner and that most affected residents favor renovating the Depot but expressed concerns about snow removal and emergency services access.

During the public-comment portion, several residents and other attendees voiced differing views. James Flood spoke in support of vacating the street portion and renovating the Depot; Virginia Dwyer spoke in opposition and referenced documentation she submitted to the Village office for the record. An 8th Street resident identified only as Kelly — who lives next to St. Paul’s Church — opposed the vacation citing proximity to the church. Other attendees raised procedural and fiscal concerns: Sandy raised the potential cost to taxpayers for snow removal if the street is vacated, and an unnamed commenter asked whether the church’s legal review of any agreement with the Depot property owner had been completed. Clerk Lori Weir noted one written public comment had been received and would be part of the official record.

No final action to vacate the street was taken at the hearing; President Tarvis said the council will accept additional public feedback and is tentatively scheduling a follow-up public hearing for June 23, 2026, when the council expects to present results of a proposed survey of residents who would be most affected. The minutes record that technology problems affected remote participation; Peggy Germain, joining via Zoom, raised those issues during public comment.