Firm hired for Cranberry Lake restoration

Hainesville has selected a Round Lake company that will begin the process next spring to restore the woodlands and wetlands surrounding Cranberry Lake.

Native Restoration Services, led by president David Coulter, will complete the five-year project.

"They were interested in the project from the get-go," said Trustee Gary Walkington, chair of the wetlands committee.

Providing the lowest bid for the project of $63,969, Coulter said their close proximity to the site helped keep transportation costs down and the cost lower than other bidders.

Restoring the 80 acres surrounding Cranberry Lake was not an elective issue but was required by the U.S. Army Core of Engineers.

The work will include removing buckthorn, honeysuckle and other invasive species among 80 acres around the lake as well as restoring the foot path around the lake to 6 feet wide.

Coulter attributes the village devoting five years to the project to some forward thinking. He added he recommends to clients three to five years to get native plants established and invasive species completely removed.

"Clients usually do not think out that far," he said. "Our clients did their homework."

Walkington said the first phase will start next March, and the company knows what needs to be done by certain time periods.

Coulter said his company is excited to do this project because completing the work around Cranberry Lake is the first step toward the village being able to do more with the lake.

"The lake can be saved. It can be made into a useful, viable area of recreation," he said.

The village will pay for the work using $10,000 collected through a special service area paid by Cranberry Lake residents. Additional funds budgeted by the village this fiscal year will support the project.

To continue to support the restoration work, the board also increased the tax paid by residents to $45 beginning next year.

The special service area was established by the village to preserve and maintain the Cranberry Lake woodlands and wetlands.

Residents within the special service area, which includes 553 units, previously paid $10 a year, accumulating $10,000 in the account. Mayor Ted Mueller said village ordinance requires the village to collect a minimum of $20,000, up to $50,000.