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WATER/SEWER BONDS & NON- PUBLIC FORUMS CLARIFICATION
We have received calls concerning two items recently acted upon by the Village Board and I want to take a moment to clarify those actions.
WATER/SEWER BONDS
At a recent meeting of the President and Board of Trustees, the Board authorized the pursuit of up to $5.5 million in bonds for water/sewer system improvements. The bonds, if obtained, will fund the construction of a 500,000 gallon elevated storage tank in conjunction with the Village’s water system in Shiloh Ridge subdivision. This improvement will enable the Village to provide a much needed fire rated potable water system in our Downtown.
Over the years we have frequently been approached by business owners seeking to locate in the downtown area but our inability to provide adequate water and sewer prevented them from moving forward. The need for water and sewer infrastructure to support economic development has been identified as a high priority during strategic planning sessions for many years. At the most recent session, the lack of commercial development, sewer and water systems, and diversified housing were the top three weaknesses identified and a recently approved housing development in our Downtown has provided the Village a unique opportunity to overcome all three of those weakness.
Redwood Apartments has been approved to develop 110 two bedroom, ranch rental homes on property located behind Valmar Center and Raymond’s Bowl. The development, which is geared towards empty nesters, will provide a housing product that is currently lacking in our community. The additional rooftops will also increase economic development interest in our Downtown. Each unit will include two car garages, a patio and private access. Roads and sidewalks will be privately maintained by Redwood and the development will be connected to the Village’s wastewater treatment and potable systems. Connection fees from the development will be utilized to help subsidize the cost of the elevated storage tank. Homes currently served by the Shiloh Ridge water system will benefit from the improvement as will new residential and commercial development that occurs in the future. If Johnsburg School District chooses to connect, both the Elementary and Jr. High Schools can be served insuring that sufficient water is available for fire suppression purposes.
In approving the initial bond ordinance, the Village Board took the first step in a long process. At this time the Board has authorized the expenditure of funds to design the elevated storage tank. In the coming weeks, we will continue to proceed with the bonding process. The Board will have an opportunity to further evaluate interest rates and coordinate with Redwood on their construction timeline prior to committing to the issuance of the bonds. We will keep you posted on our progress.
NON- PUBLIC FORUMS
We have also received calls regarding an ordinance recently approved related to the posting of areas within the Village Hall as “Non Public Forums”. Unfortunately, the ordinance has been construed by some to prohibit the public from using the restrooms in the publically accessible areas at the Village Hall. That is not the case. The public is welcome to utilize the bathroom facilities in areas accessible to the public however they are not to be used for purposes of public protest or videotaping others. This action was prompted by an individual who sought access to video certain portions of the Village Hall. Unfortunately, we have seen how easily public forums can turn into gatherings that get out of control resulting in violence. We must be able to insure the safety of our employees and residents conducting business at the Village Hall while providing public safety personnel the means to control unauthorized activities that may result in violence. We also want to protect the privacy of residents and Village staff who want to use the bathrooms from someone seeking to videotape such areas on the basis that it is a “public forum”. It is not.
If you have any questions regarding these or other Village matters, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Respectfully,
Edwin P. Hettermann
Village President
Village of Johnsburg
