Village of Maple Park officials discuss liquor licenses, tax levy while outgoing Public Works Director bids farewell at meeting

MAPLE PARK- The Village of Maple Park’s Board of Trustees approved the 2018 tax levy while departing Public Works Director, Mike Miller, received praise and was wished a happy retirement during the monthly meeting on Dec. 4.

An ordinance to add provisions to create a liquor license for a coffee house was also approved, while a resolution to grant the temporary closure of a Village street for a special event next summer will be reconsidered next month.

A lot was covered during the meeting, which began immediately after a brief public hearing of the tax levy. The total levy extension is $221,623. It was $215,945 last year.

Property owners will pay approximately 75 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on taxes payable in 2019. 

Village President Kathy Curtis explained that the equalized assessed value increased by 5.94 percent this year, while it increased by 7.73 percent last year.

Curtis provided an example of a home with an assessed value of $64,500 last year, with an estimated value of $193,500, would pay approximately $11 more in Village property taxes this year.

The modification to the liquor license classification would allow a coffee house to sell beer and wine for consumption within the establishment.

Trustees inquired with Curtis about whom or what is considering bringing a coffee house to Maple Park, but she remained tight-lipped, although she described it as being “like a Starbucks with beer.”

Lodi Tap House’s hopes to have Lou Dog Events and Naperville’s Solemn Oath Brewery to  bring a major event for hundreds of people to its establishment on June 29, but its need for the closure of Main Street, from 309 Main (Lodi Tap House) to Pleasant St. and Pleasant St. from Main to Stage, hit a snag for now.

Trustees shared a variety of concerns with street closures, including the proposed one in of itself while debating if there are better street options, parking concerns with a target of 600 to 700 pre-sold tickets, as well as traffic, while one homeowner remarked about her fears for noise and that her property could be treated like a giant ashtray.

Trustee Brandon Higgins, who abstained from voting since he is a co-owner of Lodi, explained that this event is flattering to the Village of Maple Park.

“They picked us as the place they want to do their summer party,” he said. “They are going to bring a lot of their following and their expertise and put a little spotlight on what this town does.”

Curtis acknowledged that there are a few benefits of bringing new folks into town. They might see a storefront that could become the site of their future business, they might like the community and see the new houses and consider making it their new home, or at the very least, they will come into the community for lunch and the music and the vendors and we’ll get the sales tax.”

Police Chief Dean Stiegemeier and Curtis will meet with representatives from Lou Dog Events on Dec. 12 to discuss the potential road closures and the event further before the board reconvenes in January.

Finally, Maple Park resident Susan Olsen thanked Miller for his latest efforts.

“I’d like to compliment Mike and his group with the excellent snow plowing they did last Monday,” she said. “We were given some pretty excruciating situations with the weather that day as we all know. You guys did an excellent job with that big challenge.”

Lou Larson has replaced Miller.

“Best of luck to you Mike,” trustee JP Dries said. “You’ve been a huge asset to this Village and Lou has got some huge boots to fill.”