Island Lake trustee changes mind on park

The Island Lake trustee previously opposed to the size of a park in a planned subdivision switched his stance at Thursday night's board meeting, saying he was now in favor of it.

"I'm not against parks," said Trustee Don Saville, who once called the 7½-acre proposed park in the future Hillside Estates subdivision a monstrosity.

Saville said if trustees wanted the park, which it appeared at earlier meetings they did, he would defer.

"I've even changed my mind," he said, while adding he had other concerns, specifically that the plan for the park, which would include baseball and soccer fields and a "warming center" with restrooms, was not detailed enough.

"That contract should be letter or word-specific," Saville said. "We have had problems in the past with annexation agreements. If we're going to do this annexation agreement ... we should be very, very specific."

He asked board members when they would sit down and discuss the park proposal before voting on it. The Hillside Estates annexation agreement is set to go before the public in the next month.

"Five minutes before we vote on it," responded Trustee John Ponio with a laugh. Ponio said he agreed the board had to talk over the annexation before approving it. "I would like to have a special meeting."

Trustee Deborah Herrmann said the public hearing was an ideal forum for gathering information on the project.

"I have attended a few public hearings," she said. "They're very informative."

Saville added that he discovered an ordinance that requires a park land and recreation advisory committee that would guide the village on just such issues.

"We don't have one of these," he said. "I personally am calling on residents and anyone else that will hear my cries. We need eight people that will fill these positions."