Pingree Grove willing to wait for Cambridge funds

Although Pingree Grove officials still haven't received $766,000 owed to them by the biggest developer in town, they are not calling a collection agency just yet.

Officials have faith that by the end of the month they will receive the impact fees Cambridge Homes owes them.

"There's been a constant dialogue between the village and Cambridge, and I think both sides have a better appreciation for each of our respective positions on the issue," said Village Attorney Dean Frieders, describing the talks as cooperative and collaborative.

Earlier this week, the village board came to the consensus that it would be willing to wait until the end of the month for the money, rather than waste legal fees on the matter, said Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey.

Cambridge Homes was supposed to have forwarded $766,000 the the village by July 6. But the money, used by the village for its day-to-day operations, didn't come.

Officials have speculated the developer was holding out because of its unhappiness with negotiations concerning an existing annexation agreement.

Jerry Conrad, senior vice president of DRH Cambridge Homes, previously said that was untrue, but would not discuss the matter further. He did not return a phone call this week seeking further comment.

"I don't believe Cambridge is drawing a line in the sand, I believe they want to work with the village," Frieders said. "The village doesn't want to draw a line in the sand either."

Cambridge called off the negotiations last fall while it evaluated how the declining housing market would affect its bottom line.

The developer recently expressed interest in restarting the conversations, but Pingree Grove refused because it had not yet received its $766,000.

"The village is looking forward to working with Cambridge and looking forward to hearing from Cambridge ... in the context of Cambridge having paid the impact fees that are due," Frieders said.