N. Aurora says ‘no’ to recycling center

North Aurora Trustees Mike Herlihy and Robert Strusz’s last act in office has thrown a wrench into plans to open a recycling center.

The two voted against granting a special-use permit for a center on the Castrol Industrial Products Inc. site at 149 S. Grant St.

The measure lost 3-1, with Trustee Chris Faber also opposing it. Trustees Vince Mancini and Mark Guethle were absent. Trustee Mark Gaffino voted in favor.

Faber and Herlihy want to see any outside storage or recycling metal be done under a roof to keep the materials out of rain and snow.

“I’m not confident about the ability to contain pollutants” and keep them out of groundwater without such protection, Herlihy said. Faber said he is opposed to outdoor storage of materials.

Village President Dale Berman asked in vain for trustees to table the vote. He said he thought the materials can’t be under a roof because they will be moved by a crane, which would not fit.

After the meeting, Faber said he “was fine with bringing the motion back” if the changes he wants are made. Such a motion must be made by a person who voted in opposition. Berman said he and village staff will discuss such changes with the applicant.

Herlihy did not seek re-election in April. Strusz lost to Guethle, Laura Curtis and Ryan Lambert.