The Darien City Council is expected to decide Mondaywhether to spend up to $100,000 and accept a Commonwealth Edison proposal to bury power lines near the site of the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony.
ComEd recently submitted a proposal to the city to bury the lines instead of installing above-ground utility poles at the northwest corner of 75th Street and Cass Avenue.
The company’s initial plan was to install one of the poles a few feet away from the tree traditionally used for the ceremony, which would have made it unfeasible for city personnel to use a lift to decorate the tree, city officials said.
To bury the lines would cost the city somewhere between $80,000 and $100,000, said City Administrator Bryon Vana.
“We do have funds in our budget pretty close to that amount earmarked for improvements in our re-development area that could be tapped,” Vana said.
A second option, not likely to be considered, would cost $220,000 for ComEd to install above ground poles on the south side of 75th Street, Vana said.
ComEd would have paid for installing the poles above ground on the northwest corner of the intersection. The city would have to pay extra costs to change the initial plan, officials said.
Vana said the new proposal could be discussed during the City Council’s Monday workshop prior to the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.
City officials learned two weeks ago ComEd was preparing to install above-ground power lines along the northwest corner of 75th Street after city crews saw flags marking the area.
ComEd was preparing to trim trees prior to installation of the pole, and construction was scheduled to begin Nov. 2, said Scott Coren, assistant city administrator.
Vana said the timing is right for the council to vote on the proposal prior to ComEd starting work.
“We will let ComEd know our decision the next morning (Nov. 3),” Vana said.
If the City Council votes against spending the funds to bury the lines, the city would either have to relocate the tree ceremony or cancel it.
The Darien Park District has indicated it would allow the Darien Historical Society — which organizes the event — to utilize an unspecified park site, according to Park District Executive Director Stephanie Gurgone.
The tree lighting ceremony had tentatively been scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 6.
Peter Pedraza, spokesman for ComEd, said the improvements are part of the utility’s plan to increase capacity to Darien residents prior to next summer.
Darien, IL —
