Summit residents voice flooding concerns 

By Carol McGowan 

Flooding was on the minds of several residents who voiced their concerns during last week’s packed house Summit Village Board meeting.

A common theme was that flooding during heavy rains, including those that have hit the village this month, has been a problem for decades and continues to be a major concern for homeowners.

Lifelong Summit resident Stanley Lumpkin was among those in the standing room only crowd who voiced concerns.

“It’s a nightmare when we have heavy rain and it has been for years,” he said. “Our sewers are inadequate.  Many residents flood over and over.  They fix their homes, then when another extremely heavy rain comes, they have to do it again. I help my neighbors out.  I feel bad for those that have to deal with this. Other towns have forms for those affected to fill out on the extent of their damage.”

Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez said funding was the big issue.

He said Summit has combined sewers and replacing those would be a costly undertaking.

Rodriguez and trustees did agree to look into gathering information as a first step to any possible aid that may be available.

After the meeting, a form was posted on the village website that asks residents and businesses basic questions to survey the latest flood damage.

The following is posted on the Summit website:

“In an effort to help secure potential financial assistance from FEMA due to the damage inflicted by recent heavy rain, the Village needs to gather data from residents on such damages. Your input is essential.

“Please note that filling out the form does not guarantee financial assistance. Rather, it is the initial part of a process the Village must pursue to help potentially secure funding.”

A suggest was made to have a “town hall” that could possibly include state and federal lawmakers from the area to hear concerns over flooding and determine if there’s a possibility of looking into state or federal funding to help resolve the issue.

At the start of the July 17 meeting, longtime Summit Police Officer Kevin Janettas was promoted to sergeant. He was sworn in by Police Chief Mel Ortiz.

Ortiz also did the swearing-in of Jose Rodriguez and Miguel Pacheco as police candidates.

Each will now go to the police academy for training.

In other business, a cannabis business license for MMXX Capital Partners LLC, 5436 S. Harlem Avenue, was approved pending approval from the Zoning Board.

Two other licenses were approved.  One for Got Dumped Inc., 6120 S. Archer Road.  This is a company for dumpster/storage container rentals.

The other, for El Famous Burrito, 6159 S. Archer Road.

An ordinance was approved adopting the Official 2023 Zoning Map of the Village of Summit.  This is a routine update of the map.

A block party was approved for the 7500 block of 61st Street on Saturday, August 5, from 3-9 p.m.

Argo High School’s Homecoming Parade was also approved to take place on Saturday, September 9.  It will start at 9 a.m. from Summit Park, go south on Archer Road to 63rd Street, then east to the high school.

A resolution was approved for an Intergovernmental Agreement between Summit and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for grant readiness.

This would be used to help fund local engineering and beautification projects in the village.

Two retirements were approved board within the fire department.

Fire Chief Wayne Hanson, who served nine years as chief is retiring, as is Deputy Chief Frank Batura, who spent 57 years serving the village of Summit.

Summit Fire Captain Anthony Anderson will replace Hanson.

Anderson has been with the Summit Fire Department for 28 years.

Stephanie Cole was named EMS Coordinator.

BEDS Plus Developement Manager, Erin Molek, speaks to those attending the Summit Neighborhood Watching meeting. (Photo by Carol McGowan)