Orland puts annexation on hold; appoints interim clerk

Annexations of three areas of Orland Park will likely become a reality, but there will be some time for residents to soak things in and to ask questions.

The village board voted on Aug. 19 to postpone annexing the 1455-14567 S. 82^nd Avenue area, the Silver Lake Drive property and the Silver Lake Dells area.

Not everyone in those areas received informational letters about the proposed annexations.

Mayor Keith Pekau said the village was not in a hurry for the annexations and wanted to be sure that officials and lawyers were able to answer any questions residents had about it.

But the plan will eventually go forward, the mayor said.

“We are planning on annexing this,” Pekau said. “This is going to get done at some point.”

Pekau said that in the past, Orland Hills annexing parts of 167^th Street were a problem for the village and doesn’t want anything similar happening in the future.

“What we care about in the big picture is that Oak Forest or Palos Heights doesn’t annex these areas,” he said. “We don’t know if they plan to do anything or not. But we also know it can happen.

“It is in our long-term interest to get these properties annexed. We would much rather do it voluntarily.”

A handful of residents spoke against the annexations. One suggested the village set up an informational town hall meeting.

Some do not want to see the annexations at all.

“I want to encourage you not to vote in favor of this ordinance today or in the future as you would be subjecting the village of Orland Park to consequences of statutory violations,” resident Cary Shepherd said. “If you do go forward with this involuntary annexation program, the residents will swiftly move for what is termed ‘disconnection’ under Illinois statutes regarding municipal law.”

He explained that it means a majority of residents can vote to undo any annexations the board might make.

Resident Vince Kelly said what the village proposed was illegal.

“Keith clutched his pearls when the governor said we should wear masks,” he said. “But somehow forcing our homes and making us put curbs in and sidewalks and streetlights is not infringing our freedoms.

“What purpose does this serve? We have a lot of questions but no answers.”

The board did vote to annex the properties of 14900 and 14955 S. Wolf Road because it is commercial and not residential.

New clerk in town

The board voted to appoint Brian Gaspardo as the village’s interim clerk after Patrick O’Sullivan resigned due to moving to New Lenox.

Pekau lauded O’Sullivan for his work both on the board and in the community as O’Sullivan was also a longtime trustee at District 230.

He is also looking forward to working with Gaspardo, who will serve until the April election.

“Brian is very accomplished,” Pekau said. “He’s a CPA and a graduate of the University of Chicago. We’re happy to have him.”