Dozens of residents participated in a special village board meeting in Westmont to discuss a new strategic plan for 2021.
Their comments and suggestions may be included in the final plan, which is expected to be voted on by the village board in January. In May, the board voted to pay Lynn Montei Associates $23,950 for the design, facilitation and preparation of the plan.
Village officials read the plan out loud last week and then comments began. Resident Lalitha Darbha said the plan should include the concept of intergenerational housing, which would have young people, married couples and senior citizens living and socializing together.
“I like the concept because everyone (at the house) helps each other out,” Darbha said. “I think something like this would be good for the village.”
She said she became interested in intergenerational living after reading an article about it. Darbha and others also said the plan should focus on downtown beautification and ways to attract people to visit and shop there.
Many observed that an obstacle to be overcome is the division created by railroad tracks through downtown. Many residents shop and do business on their side of town or in other communities because crossing the tracks is an inconvenience, residents said.
Trustee Steve Nero, who was brainstorming with a group of residents, said the village’s aging infrastructure needs attention.
“Some of it (infrastructure) is at least 50 years old,” he said.
The strategic plan highlights several important infrastructure projects. They include developing and implementing a stormwater management plan, monitoring and reporting on the progress of the stormwater plan, securing a location for a third water tower and installing it, and continuing to replace aging water mains.
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Highlights in the plan for the downtown include developing a uniform streetscape, creating spaces for gatherings, beautifying the train depot, aggressively enforcing standards with building owners and remediating non-compliant, neglected properties.
“There is a lot of investment here (in the strategic plan),” said Village Manager Steve May. “I am very excited about it. This (the meeting) is the last step and it will be ready for adoption.”
Joseph Ruzich is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai