Creston Trustees Approve Library Donation, Finalize Farmland Transfer, and Review Village Projects

CRESTON — Village trustees on Tuesday reviewed property maintenance concerns, housing construction updates, and sidewalk repairs, sending letters to owners of neglected properties and considering towing an abandoned vehicle. The board discussed several new homes under construction and directed staff to cite a homeowner for a missing sidewalk while planning to map and budget future sidewalk replacements beginning next spring. Trustees approved a $1,000 donation to the Creston-Dement Public Library to support its annual Christmas in Creston event, which provides gifts to local children, and finalized the transfer of 111 acres of farmland back to village ownership after decades of negotiations tied to the nearby Rochelle landfill, with cleanup ongoing, fencing and brush being removed, some stockpiles remaining until post-closure in 2040, and the creek along the property realigned and protected under environmental agreements; portions of the land will be leased for farming. Trustees also approved up to $11,725 for electrical work on the water tower, authorized a $254,759.60 payment to Martin Company for the storm sewer project with retainage held for final approval, and continued discussions on the placement of a new village digital sign with potential advertising to offset costs, while Village President Tom Byro encouraged review of the 20-year-old comprehensive plan ahead of upcoming community meetings.