The Village of Hillcrest continues to be under a boil order following two water main breaks earlier this week. Residents were without water for a short time on Monday. Complicating the matter was Tuesday’s heavy rains, delaying water testing until Wednesday.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
HILLCREST — The Village of Hillcrest continues to be under a boil order following two water main breaks earlier this week. Residents were without water for a short time on Monday. Complicating the matter was Tuesday’s heavy rains, delaying water testing until Wednesday.
“The tests were taken today and hopefully we will get good results [Thursday] afternoon,” said village president Steve Dodson.
The village will continue to seek ways to notify residents of pertinent information, including boil orders, or any emergency type situations. During his administration report, Dodson acknowledged the village hall’s phones were inundated calls from residents regarding the water issues.
Dodson again discussed connecting the water mains into Rochelle’s supply.
A public hearing was held regarding the proposed 240-acre solar farm. Representatives from Rochelle Solar, LLC discussed the 40-megawatt project, which would be located on Twombly and Dement Roads. Notices were sent out to 40 property owners near the vicinity.
During the public hearing, several residents spoke in favor of the project, although a couple residents voiced concerns about security and how the facility would be monitored. Rochelle Solar LLC representative Jim Rodriguez explained there would be sensors, surveillance cameras, and monitoring equipment at the solar plant. The area would be secured by an eight-foot wooden privacy fence and would also have a landscaping buffer. The solar panels have a life expectancy of about 20 years.
Following a 30-minute executive session, village trustees approved creating a special use category along with approving the special use permit.
Construction is set to begin next April and is expected to take anywhere between six and nine months. The company will employ 100 people during the construction project.
Dodson said the solar farm will be beneficial to the village and the power going to Rochelle’s substation will help with customer costs.
“It will bring us revenue, brings us tax dollars…we need all the money we can get,” Dodson said. “With the increased revenue things can be upgraded, like our water department, streets, trucks. This will help keep the cost down to all the customers on RMU’s line, so it’s a plus for everybody.”
