Grafton candidates debate new building

Whether to build a new township hall has emerged as the central issue in the two-person race for Grafton Township supervisor.

The township plans to spend $3.5 million to build new offices at Grafton Farm Drive and Haligus Road near Lake in the Hills.

Incumbent John Rossi argues the new building is needed to accommodate increased demand for township services, including the food pantry and the senior transportation program.

"We've got people lined up in the hallways," Rossi said. "It's extremely overcrowded where we are right now."

Linda Moore, a Huntley resident who is running against Rossi in the Republican primary on Tuesday, says the building is not needed and that it is not clear whether taxpayers would foot the bill.

"This election is in essence a referendum," Moore said this week. "If people vote for me, I will not spend the $3.5 million."

Moore said she would meet the township's space needs with a cheaper option, such as finding a business or landlord to donate space, in which case, she said, "You've taken a $3.5 million expense and taken it down to zero."

Rossi said the township has explored alternatives during a multiyear planning process, including building a new township hall at the current site on Vine Street in Huntley.

"The site was not feasible for the size of the building that would be required and the amount of parking that would be required," Rossi said.

The supervisor also disputed that taxpayers would be on the hook for the $3.5 million debt certificate the township has issued to buy the land from Lake in the Hills and build the new township hall.

The loan will be paid back out of the township's annual budget at a rate of about $170,000 per year for 20 years, Rossi said.

"We were able to secure funding without raising taxes and without needing a referendum," Rossi said. "We were able to do enough belt-tightening."

Moore is running on a slate that also includes Don Glogovsky and Jerry McMahon, who are both seeking a seat on the township board.

Moore ran unsuccessfully for the Huntley Unit District 158 school board in 2007.

All four sitting Grafton Township trustees - Lois Brothers, Rob LaPorta, Barb Murphy and Betty Zirk - are seeking re-election.

The township plans to start building the new township hall in March and move into the building in November.