Barrington updates residents on freight traffic, stormwater

Updates on Barrington's legal fight against increased freight train traffic and its efforts to better manage stormwater problems were among the topics at the village's fourth town hall meeting of year Thursday.

Though attendance at the town halls has gradually dwindled from a capacity crowd to 15 residents, village board members still found an audience eager to hear their news and make suggestions.

The village's legal battle with Canadian National over increased freight traffic on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad continues to be a hot-button issue throughout the region.

Village President Karen Darch explained that Barrington's appeal for CN's case to be taken back to the Surface Transportation Board for further review is likely to be argued in the fall with a decision expected around the turn of the year.

Barrington is seeking a reduction in CN's proposed train volume as well as a lowering of Route 14 below the EJ&E tracks at CN's expense.

And even if the village does not prevail against CN, it is seeking federal dollars to pay for the grade separation on Route 14, Darch said.

Trustee Steve Miller said significant spending on stormwater management has been made over the past 18 months.

But in addition to work already done, there are two programs residents can take advantage of to help solve their own continuing problems.

The neighborhood drainage cost-sharing program offers half of such improvement costs to be paid for by the village, up to $10,000. A similar overhead sewer cost-sharing program offers up to $5,000 in village money.

Village board members also spoke about recent successes in economic development and a summer planned with many fun events going under the title "Best Summer Ever."

Trustee Jim Daluga said the village has successfully held onto its crucial Cadillac and Saab car dealerships, and that overall sales tax revenues in Barrington have exceeded the previous year's levels for the past several months. This breaks a 23-month streak in which the opposite was true.

"Best Summer Ever" starts with the Barrington Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 29 and 30 at Cook and Station streets, followed by a Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. May 31 at Cook and Main streets.