The Roundup: Lemont Village Board Meeting

The following items were discussed Monday by the Village of Lemont Board of Trustees:

Economic reports

Lemont's economy looks to be on a welcome upswing based on sales tax and housing figures, village officials reported.

Village Administrator Ben Wehmeier noted "a nice increase" in sales tax--more than expected--in the first four months of the fiscal year.

On the housing front, Mayor Brian Reaves said the village has momentum in construction. The village hit 40 buildings this year--"a good sign and more than was expected in the budget," Reaves said.

Lemont has 30 housing starts so far this year, Wehmeier added, which is another unexpected increase.

Development concerns

Development issues surrounding Glen Oak Estates elicited comments from a resident and Lemont Township trustee, who expressed concern about storm water runoff and flooding that might be caused if natural drainage areas are altered.

After the village board approved an ammended annexation agreement for the development, located off Parker Road, resident Jeanette Daubaras questioned whether the area could handle 250 more homes in addition to the Glens of Connemara.

Community Development director James Brown said a study had been done by a company hired by the developer. Mayor Reaves asked for the study to be located and reviewed.

Township trustee Kathy Henrikson also expressed concern about drainage. She said storm water was a problem when work was being done on 131st Street.

"There are existing stakeholders [near the new developments]," Henrikson said. "They shouldn't have to worry [about flooding]. I'm here to remind you of that."

Reaves said the Glen Oaks agreement was revised recently so the project would be completed in more phases, which would avert runoff problems.

State funds for Lemont schools

Citing a recent report of state funding for public schools, Mayor Reaves expressed concern over the amount allocated for Lemont schools.

"I was appalled by the numbers we received," said Reaves, who read a partial list of funding received by nearby school districts.

Of the $415 million Illinois hands out to state schools, Lemont High School gets $53,000, Reaves said.

"That's not even enough for one teacher," he added. 

According to the report, Lemont-Bromerek School District 113A gets $93,000, though the money won't be available until October or November. Reaves questioned how a district can hire a teacher when funding isn't even available at the beginning of the school year.

Reaves said he and the superintendent of Lemont High School will meet to review funding, which he said is based on a state formula.

 Citgo odor

A strong smell of sulfur caused by a burst pipe at the Citgo Lemont Refinery should be gone by the weekend, Mayor Reaves said.

Citgo officials reported a break in a 12-foot pipe at the plant, located near 135th Street and New Avenue. The pipe was shut off immediately and repairs have begun, Reaves said. However, the incident has caused an odor in Lemont and Romeoville.

The Environmental Protection Agency is on site to monitor repairs, and the only potentially hazardous area in Romeoville was cordoned off.

People that have allergies or asthma and may be bothered by the smell are advised to shut their windows, Reaves said.