Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board for May 18, 2026

Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board for May 18, 2026

The New Lenox Village Board moved through a busy agenda Monday, May 18, 2026, approving more than $1.9 million in combined infrastructure, recreation and facility contracts — most of which required waivers of formal competitive bidding. The largest single action was a $1,026,930 turf infill contract with the Motz Group to correct deficient material left behind by a previous contractor at the sports complex (see standalone story). Trustees also authorized an early work package with Northern Builders LLC to begin site preparation on the Crossroads Fieldhouse project (see standalone story) and approved two Herrera Construction contracts to add bleacher and playground sun shades at the sports complex, including a $232,550 bleacher shade installation (see standalone story).

The meeting opened with a proclamation marking National Gun Violence Awareness Day, which included a community advocate’s briefing on a new Illinois firearm-storage law and an announced blood drive (see standalone story). Mayor Tim Baldermann also used his report to urge continued resident pressure on Springfield over pending legislation he said would erode municipal local control, an item that included a town hall announcement from a New Lenox Township trustee (see standalone story).

Trustees Lindsay Scalise and Amy Gugliuzza were absent. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 8, 2026.

Consent Agenda Approved in Single Motion

The board approved a three-item consent agenda by unanimous roll call vote. The items included a proclamation recognizing National Safety Month; second reading and approval of an ordinance authorizing the Village of New Lenox to borrow funds from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Water Pollution Control Loan Program for the Water Reclamation Facility (WRRF) Phase 1B1 project; and approval of a contract for engineering services with HR Green for bridge inspection. No board member requested that any item be pulled for separate discussion. The motion was made by Trustee Keith Madsen and seconded by Trustee Katie Christopherson.

SCADA Radios for Pressure Reducing Valve Sites Approved

Trustees approved a purchase of SCADA radios for two pressure reducing valve sites at a cost not to exceed $100,000, with Tri Systems as the vendor. Public Works Director Mark Brow told the board the radios are part of a broader integration effort and that the initial installations will be at the old public works facility on Country Creek Drive and the Tinley Park pump station. The board waived formal bidding before approving the purchase. Brow told trustees the work goes “hand in hand” with previously approved tower radio and server upgrades for the SCADA system.

Village Hall HVAC Phase Two Moves Forward

The board approved a $116,000 proposal with Building Automation Systems for the second phase of upgrades to the Village Hall HVAC system, including new air handlers and components. Phase one was completed last year and is “working well so far,” Brow told the board. Building Automation Systems performed the phase one work. Baldermann confirmed that a previously identified problem in a staff office is a phase two issue that will be addressed under the new contract. The board waived formal bidding before approval.

Christopher Burke Engineering to Oversee Gall-Hawthorne-Fir Water Main Replacement

Trustees approved a proposal from Christopher Burke Engineering for construction engineering services on the Gall-Hawthorne-Fir water main replacement project at a cost not to exceed $184,950. The contract covers shop drawing review, on-site construction observation and contract administration. Approval was needed at this stage to satisfy IEPA loan requirements, even though the underlying construction project has not yet gone out to bid.

Patio Restaurant Gets Open Cut Permission for Haven Avenue

The board approved a request from The Patio Restaurant to open cut Haven Avenue to install a water main connection. Civil Engineer Will Nash told trustees that exploratory digging by the restaurant’s contractor revealed unexpected utilities in the parkway, leaving insufficient room to complete the required water valve and vault installation without cutting into the street itself. Baldermann observed that construction of the restaurant “seems to be moving along pretty quickly already.”

Payroll and Disbursements Approved

The board approved five monthly disbursements totaling $3,356,812, along with a payroll of $577,615.28 paid on May 15, 2026. Trustee Keith Madsen made the motion. The figures were read into the record by Madsen. (Note: dollar amounts are based on the audio transcript and should be verified against the disbursement schedule — see Editorial Flags.)

Concert Series Tickets on Sale

Mayor Tim Baldermann reminded residents that tickets remain on sale for the village’s concert series, including a Sept. 12 performance by Roger Daltrey of The Who and a June 6 show by Brothers Osborne.

No Executive Session Held

Although the printed agenda listed an executive session covering personnel, litigation and land acquisition matters under Sections 2(c)(1), 2(c)(11) and 2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act, the board did not enter executive session during Monday’s meeting. Per village practice, executive session topics are routinely listed on every regular meeting agenda regardless of whether a closed session is anticipated, because the Open Meetings Act bars the board from convening into closed session on a topic not posted in advance. The meeting was adjourned directly following trustee comments.