One of Flossmoor’s most prominent corporate neighbors — CN Railroad — will respond to resident complaints at Monday’s village board meeting.
Jim Kvedaras, CN’s director of government affairs, is scheduled to appear at the meeting, where he is expected to address concerns from Flossmoor residents and answer questions about the railroad’s operations. Residents who have complained about the railroad are also likely to be at the board meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at Flossmoor Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road.
In a memo to the village board, Village Manager Bridget Wachtel said complaints from residents have increased in the last year.
“Since the merger between Canadian National and EJ&E railroads, complaints have centered around an increased frequency of trains, idling trains, the noise associated with trains starting and stopping, and observations that trains are ‘parked’ along the Flossmoor tracks for increased periods of time compared to the past,” the memo states.
“Residents are complaining that although they are well aware that they live along the tracks, the increased intensity of use of the railroad is impacting their quality of life.”
Flossmoor does not have any authority or oversight over the railroad, Wachtel said. That power rests with federal authorities. However, village officials have met with CN to let the railroad know about resident complaints. Kvedaras, in response to the village’s concerns, agreed to appear at the board meeting
In other business Monday, the village board will consider:
- An agreement with the Linden Group architects for a needs assessment for possible renovations for the village hall complex. Costs of the study are not to exceed $15,000.
- A contract for design engineering for the next phase of the village’s eight-year water main replacement program.
- The village’s estimated 2015 tax levy.