Campton Hills trustees: No lawsuit over Fox Mill land

Campton Hills trustees Tuesday night assured residents of Fox Mill — the village's largest subdivision — that they are not interested in reopening a lawsuit to control and manage some 275 acres of open space that the subdivision's homeowners association maintains.

“They are rumors,” said Trustee Laura Andersen. “We are not intending on acquiring any property.”

More than 60 residents attended the village's first town hall meeting since its incorporation in 2007. Absent from the meeting was Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen, whom trustees voted last week 5-1 to fire effective Aug. 12.

A flier distributed by Fox Mill Homeowners Association President Bill Iwanski in previous weeks said trustees wanted to sue the association for control over the land and that Johnsen was fired because she opposed it.

Residents were worried about costly litigation and the village forming another layer of government — such as a special service area — to handle the maintenance when the 688 Fox Mill homeowners each already pay $1,190 a year to maintain it.

Trustee Jim McKelvie said there was no connection between Johnsen's firing and two trustees getting permission in April to consult with two attorneys at no cost to the village about the Fox Mill development agreement.

McKelvie said the decision to fire Johnsen was “a tough one” and that the board has disagreements but is not divided.

“There is no connection — nothing. One is totally separate from the other,” McKelvie said. “I can't speak to the specifics (of firing Johnsen), but I can tell you we take it very seriously. The board is not divided. This board is going to work together and is committed to the village.”

Trustee Michael O'Dwyer, who lives in Fox Mill, said the initial lawsuit over control over the land was dismissed in March 2016 and the village had no plans to revive it.

“The board dismissed it. That's it. I don't know what's going on, why somebody's stirring the pot,” O'Dwyer said. “Since then there has been no discussion on the topic in closed session, in open session, or any time else.”