South Cook News

Mayor Michael W. Glotz of Tinsley Park addressed a citizen who brought a concern about a pond, which connects to wetlands in the area.

Jack Novosel came to address the board about his concern over the land in the back of his neighborhood. There is a water detention area behind his neighborhood that has not been draining water properly. He said there had been standing water there now for a month and it was drawing in mosquitos and waterfowl that were being destructive and disruptive in the neighborhood.

"But I submit to you that what happens to five people happens to all of us. We're not just loners, we're part of a community" Tinsley Park resident Jack Novosel said. "And as we are affected, the community is affected. We deserve better. You deserve better. The community deserves better than having that detention area continue as it is, we ask you to seriously address this issue." 

Glotz responded to Mr. Novosel assuring him of their attention to that area. Glotz talked him through the entire procedure that they had utilized in attempting to deal with the problem. He explained that because it is a wetland area, there are plants called phragmites that take over very quickly and are difficult to keep up with. Also, there is a layer of peat underneath which is also impossible to work with. 

Over time, the land has grown above the level that makes drainage convenient even though public works have kept the lines open. Glotz also reasoned that because it is classified as wetlands, it falls under the Army Corps of Engineers, which is a very complicated group to collaborate with as they take a lot of time to research, contemplate and organize. 

The village has a plan in place. They have permission from the corps to do maintenance and they have found a company to work with to help fix the detention zone.