Board Meeting: WSBA Scholarships Awarded, Board Talks Water

The Western Springs Business Association honored its 2012 scholarship recipients at the Western Springs Board of Trustees meeting on Monday evening. The four young residents, all employees with Western Springs businesses, each received $1000 each towards their further education—and a plaque from WSBA president Joe Lane.

The scholarship recipients were Andrew Brown, a Brown University student, employee at the  and frequent volunteer, Matheu Bucio, an entering freshman at the College of DuPage and Boone Animal Hospital kennel assistant, William Crawshaw, an employee at , a skilled satirical writer, a volunteer with St. John of the Cross charities and a new University of Illinois Champaign student, and Erin Richards, starting at Notre Dame, an employee at , and a youth basketball counselor active in church mission trips.

“It’s nice that our business people recognize the talents of our young individuals, and do so in a way that counts,” said Village President Bill Rodeghier of the awards. “It’s a very good program, and again, I commend you.”

Water plant and water problems

Trustees and Village staff discussed progress on the Western Springs water plant reverse-osmosis construction, which is estimated to be about 40 percent complete, but has been held up while waiting for the installation of a new transformer.

“We may be slightly pushed back from this transformer issue, but we’re going to try to be as close to on target as possible,” said Public Works and Water chair Trustee Suzanne Glowiak.

Staff also acknowledged recent problems with the Village’s water, in particular the high number of water-main breaks, which were blamed potentially on the dry weather, as well as various construction projects. The dryness has also forced the Village to dip into emergency Well No. 1, increasing the hardness of its tap water.

“We have a little bit of a perfect storm that’s been occurring over the past few weeks,” said Village Director of Municipal Services Matt Supert.

Additionally, the Board considered the idea of providing residents with a postcard or RedAlert reminder about the new watering restrictions, as they have not been being followed by some residents.

Tower stairs reconstruction

Trustee Sheila Hansen announced that design drawings are completed for the quasquicentennial gift: a complete renovation of the stairs in front of the Village’s history Water Tower on Tower Green.

The presented design features concrete stairs and curved black stone walls; the Village is considering alternative construction types for the wall.

The project is planned to begin construction in September.