City seeks utility easements

By Linda Trest, Staff Writer
Posted 10/20/21

Public Works Director Nick Grube addressed the Board of Aldermen at their regular meeting, Oct. 14.  

Grube told the board a significant water leak has developed in Hillside Trailer Park on …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

City seeks utility easements

Posted

Public Works Director Nick Grube addressed the Board of Aldermen at their regular meeting, Oct. 14. 

Grube told the board a significant water leak has developed in Hillside Trailer Park on East Springfield Ave. The utility easement within Hillside only extends 342.6 feet into the park from the south. Grube’s crew cannot reach the leak from the current easement. 

Hillside Trailer Park was built by the late Norman “Red” Mesger, who once held Grube’s position with the city. The trailer park was approved by ordinance in January 1978. At the time, Hillside Trailer Park covered 2.46 acres along E. Springfield. Over the years, Mesger expanded the trailer park northwards until it reached his property on Canaan Road to the north. That property has since been sold and a utility easement to the trailer park was never added to that deed. While Mesger may have given verbal permission for the city to access the north side of the trailer park when he owned the property, it is of no use today. 

The same easement problem may exist in the city’s two other mobile home parks, Pear Tree and Northview, but Grube is still doing research on that. 

Grube asked the board how he should approach the problem. 

Dave Struebel, the city’s attorney halted questions from the board. He advised them it should be discussed only behind closed doors. An executive session had been scheduled for that evening, but only to discuss personnel issues. A resolution to the problem may take some time.