Road issues surface at committee meeting

Members of the Public Works Committee are complaining that some newer streets are not up to Village standards.

At a recent committee meeting, members Lowell Mielke and Sid Audiffred called attention to Cox and Elwood streets on the east side, and Talon Drive in the Grayhawk subdivision on the Village’s west side. Also identified were the entrance to Montezuma Hills and sections along Hickory Point Road. Mielke said dips in the street in the Cox/Elwood area appear to show substandard work by the contractor. Audiffred noted that a serious crack is apparent along Hickory Point Road, and street indentations continue to show up in developing subdivisions as utility cuts are made in the pavement. Both Mielke and Audiffred asked the committee to take a closer look at the problem after Village Engineer Chuck Hunsinger identifies the root cause. Trustee and committee chair Bob Rasho said Hunsinger’s briefing to the committee will come before any recommendation is made to the Village Board.

Funding for recently approved 2010 street overlay projects also drew a question from Mielke, a former Village Board member. “Did anyone suggest federal funds for this project?” he asked, noting that it would be worthwhile for the Board to attempt to find outside funding as they craft their yearly budgets. Hunsinger replied that the current project plans were not set up for grants.

Audiffred stated that communities such as Forsyth should focus on searching for projects that are most in need, rather than developing a plan such as the 2010 road improvements project, which for the most part addresses streets not heavily traveled. Trustee and committee chair Bob Rasho said both viewpoints appear to be valid and will be discussed by Board members at a future time.

In the meantime, Village Administrator Heather Kimmons is turning to residents for their opinions on both topics. “I would like to get a feel for what residents want and what their different opinions are on this matter and if we should look into grant funding for future projects,” she said.

She encouraged residents to e-mail or call her at Village Hall with suggestions for future Village road projects or with their observations of road conditions. “I’m the source to go to for complaints. Communicate with me, and we’ll get things moving,” she said.