Voters will help define what lies ahead this year in Westmont when they vote in April to accept or reject a referendum measure to fund various stormwater projects.
The exact question is still to be decided, with options including funding the projects with a 1 percent sales tax or implementing a new stormwater utility fee.
A majority of trustees in early December supported the sales tax option, but several wanted more time to think about what would be a new local sales tax. The other option, a stormwater utility fee, would cost a majority of residents $10 per month, with businesses paying substantially more if they have large impermeable lots. Discounts and credits would be available to those reducing water runoff.
Trustees are expected to vote on the issue Thursday.
“Voters will tell us in April if it is something they want us to do or not,” Mayor Ron Gunter said.
Larry McIntyre, project manager of the 14-member Stormwater Management Committee, has said it will cost about $30 million to correct flooding problems. The village is already moving forward with some projects after securing a $10 million bond.
The committee was formed after rain inundated the town in April 2013, and has identified a variety of “green” flood-control options, new retention areas and infrastructure improvements.
A referendum measure is needed for additional funding because Westmont is a non-home rule community.
Changes to the Village Board and new economic development are expected in 2015.
A Mariano’s grocery store will be built this year, but likely won’t open until early 2016, according to village officials who signed off on a $3 million incentive deal in 2013 with Bradford Real Estate of Chicago for the 71,300-square-foot market. The real estate company also will receive 50 percent of sales taxes generated from the new store.
Gunter said the Mariano’s could be a turning point for other businesses to move to the south end of town, which currently has many vacant storefronts.
“With Mariano’s getting ready to break ground, we already received a lot of calls and inquires (from prospective businesses) about the south end of town,” Gunter said. “Once they see the shovels in the ground, businesses will want to come.”
The Village Board will be getting some new members in 2015 since longtime Trustees Sue Senicka and Bob Scott will not seek re-election, Gunter said. Trustee Steve Nero plans to run for re-election in April.
The Westmont Park District expects to hire an architectural firm to design a new art and recreation center at Ty Warner Park. A $2.4 million Illinois Department of Natural Resource’s (PARC) grant is helping pay for the 10,000-square-foot facility, which may include early childhood and senior programming, cultural and performing arts programs, dance classes and a banquet room for rentals and conferences.
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The facility will also house the Progressive Village Performance Network theater group and the SEASPAR recreation program for people with disabilities.