The result in Grafton Township hall vote: Confusion

Supporters and opponents of plans to build a new Grafton Township hall in Lake in the Hills hoped Tuesday's vote at the township's annual meeting would be decisive.

Instead, confusion reigned as about 140 township residents first voted against building a new township hall, then voted for awarding contracts for the construction of the new building.

The mixed result left it unclear whether the township could legally proceed with plans for new offices at Grafton Farm Drive and Haligus Road.

Current Supervisor John Rossi and the current township board argue a new, $3.5 million facility is needed to accommodate increased demand for township services like the food pantry, which serves needy area families.

Rossi has said the township would pay back the $3.5 million out of its annual operating budget at a rate of about $170,000 annually for 20 years.

But opponents of the project, led by Supervisor-elect Linda Moore, say a new building is not needed and that the township's space needs can be met at a lower cost.

Although voters would have to approve any tax increase over the rate of inflation, opponents have also claimed that the township would have to raise taxes to pay for the new building.

Tuesday's vote on whether to build a new township hall was tied 70-70 but apparently failed because it did not garner a majority of votes.

"It failed due to a lack of a majority," said McHenry County Board member Scott Breeden, who moderated the annual meeting. "The nays have it."

But just a few minutes later, residents voted 70-64 to enter into contracts for the construction of a new township hall.

One resident summed up the ambivalent result, shouting: "I would like to know how we're going to spend money on a building that never passed."

Moore and the new township trustees will take up the issue when they are seated in a few weeks.

In the meantime, a petition filed by opponents of the new building seeks to put the issue to voters at the next general election.