Fixes likely in Carol Stream farmhouse's future

Carol Stream's historical farmhouse soon may get a mini makeover.

Staff members have been authorized to include the cost of renovations to the village-owned farmhouse in Carol Stream's preliminary budget.

The repairs will include replacing wood siding with vinyl that will match the original material as closely as possible; installing multipane, energy-efficient windows; and replacing the soffit, fascia and window pediments.

Assistant Village Manager Robert Mellor said the work will cost an estimated $55,000 and, if approved, would start this summer and take about a month to complete.

The farmhouse, located along Lies Road, was built in the 1860s, Carol Stream Historical Society President Carole Ellermeier said. The site was a crop farm and then became a dairy farm. The property eventually was donated to the village.

The house holds the historical society's archives and the society is planning to sponsor events at the site this year, Ellermeier said.

The farmhouse's last remodeling occurred about 15 years ago, Mellor said.

“There's a lot of wood siding on it that's kind of deteriorated,” he said.

“We originally had money in the budget this year just to repair the wood and do some painting, but that would be an ongoing maintenance issue.”

The proposed vinyl siding does not require paint and lasts longer before any maintenance would be needed, Mellor added.

He said the project will save money for the village in the long run.

Although staff received the green light to include the work in the village's budget, the financial plan still needs to be approved later this year.

Mellor said officials anticipate the village board will approve the work.

“There's always a chance that they may not, a lot of it depends on our financial situation at that point in time,” Mellor said. “If things stand as they are today, I would say there's a good chance that they would.”