Public works projects on hold in Elmwood

Talk about it

ELMWOOD--The Elmwood Village Board opened its April meeting faced with a difficult question: Can Elmwood afford a planned public works project?

Rather than approve green lighting the Winter Avenue project and financing, Trustee Brian Buck shared the news from the public works committee.

“I don't know where the funding is going to come from,” said Buck. “We can't even find $5,000.”

Trustee Neil Boltik suggested, “This might not be the time to do it. We might need to step up and say it's not the right time to take on a loan for $1,000 a month.”

Trustee Bruce Hartung indicated, “We've borrowed from savings to balance our budget three years in a row. And we slashed everything.”

Village President Bill Stewart also reminded the board there will be less tax income as a result of lower assessment values and suggested a referendum. Stewart also underlined the importance of municipal upkeep and that, without regular maintenance, “someday this town will fall apart.”

The board agreed the idea needed to be put before the public and voted to table the project until further investigation.

For more please read the April 25 print version of the Herald.

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