Glen Carbon Board Signs Resolution to Retain Law Firm
by Kathy Turner
GLEN CARBON — The Glen Carbon Village Board on Tuesday, June 25 approved a resolution to retain outside legal representation to file claims for potential contamination of the planned water plant.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) have been identified as ground contamination throughout the United States. Included are the groundwaters in this region. The contamination is the result of multiple companies using chemicals on the grounds. PFAS do not degrade naturally.
Currently, Illinois American Water supplies the water for the Village of Glen Carbon. The Village, however, is in the process of planning their own water treatment plant with the intent to again provide water for residents through their own system. As that planned system may also be impacted, the Village is taking steps at this time to claim the funds needed to treat for PFAS contamination.
PFAS can be treated effectively by local water plants but there are additional costs for these treatments. For that reason, the Village will retain a firm already experienced in assuring that claims are filed for funding those additional treatments. The Gori Law Firm is the firm that will be retained. Attorney Chris Layloff attended the meeting to inform the Board that deadlines are nearing for the first round of claims. It should be noted that Mayor Bob Marcus recused himself from the meeting during this discussion because of his ties to the Gori Law Firm.
It is unknown whether Glen Carbon will be in the construction phase where this first round of claims will impact their plans. But it is believed that it is best to be prepared. And the Village will then be fully protected to file during the second claim cycle.
The retention agreement with the Gori Law Firm will be such that a fee will only be paid if the Village collects on a claim.
In other business, the Village board approved the construction of a Fire Training Center on the property of the Glen Carbon Fire Protection District facility. The training center will be built on the property and used as a training center not only for Glen Carbon but for other neighboring departments as well.
Mayor Marcus made two appointments to committees of the Village, approved by the Board. Joyce Brendel will join the G.L.E.N. Committee and Susan Jensen will become a member of the Cool Cities Committee.
Scooters Coffee was presented the Business of the Month award at the start of the meeting.
The next meeting of the Board will be held on Tuesday, July 9 at 7 p.m.
