Pingree adds more funds to fix broken well pump
By Ryan Klassy For The Courier-News August 9, 2012 10:42AM
Updated: September 11, 2012 6:14AM
PINGREE GROVE — The cost to fix a broken well pump that forced the village to ban outdoor water usage could reach more than a quarter-million dollars.
Trustees approved an amendment to the village’s water and sewer budget for repairs to one of the village’s two wells that has been out of commission for the last two weeks.
The board unanimously approved an additional $100,000 for emergency repairs. The village had previously budgeted $155,283 for engineering and construction expenses for maintenance and rehab of the well.
Village Administrator Ken Lopez said he did not expect to know the extent of the damage until the end of this week at the earliest.
Crews from Municipal Well and Pump have begun pulling up the motor and 800 feet of pipe and cable to determine what caused the pump to fail.
At a special meeting last week, the board gave Lopez the ability to start that work — as well as maintain a village-wide ban on outdoor watering, which remains in effect until further notice.
The village hopes keeping usage to a minimum will keep the remaining well functioning to supply water to Pingree Grove’s 4,000-plus residents.
Lopez said he planned to approach city of Elgin officials to discuss the possibility of connecting with their water system to serve as a back-up.
Clerk appointed
In other business, trustees unanimously approved Village President Greg Marston’s appointment of Michelle Figuerola as village clerk. Figuerola will fill the remainder of a two-year term left by Joanna Wester, who was elected in April 2011 but resigned a year later to spend more time with family.
Figuerola previously was appointed to the clerk’s position in 2006. Unlike the current arrangement — in which she will receive $50 per meeting — she was then a village employee and performed additional clerical duties at village hall. She resigned in November 2010 to pursue other career opportunities.
“I’m excited to have Stephanie on board,” Lopez said. “She is a registered municipal clerk and will be great asset because she’s someone I won’t necessarily have to train.”
