SPRING VALLEY — Resident Dianne Thomas presented a petition to the Spring Valley Village Board Sept. 2 to reinstate Trustee Matt Huepfel to committees he had been removed from. Huepfel was removed from the Public Works and the Emergency Services committees in June, with Village President Theresa Koch citing "unruly behavior, profanity and threatening remarks toward a village employee.” Thomas’ petition had 303 signatures and was tabled due to Huepfel’s absence at the Sept. 2 meeting.

“The board service isn’t always simple. Hard conversations happen, disagreements happen, and emotions can run high. We’re also taught how important it is to honor the responsibility that comes with representing the people of this village. This petition began because many residents felt what happened to Matt was wrong. Using social media to single him out that way was inappropriate. Reprimanding him for being transparent to the community and the statement suggesting that village employees were concerned for their safety was deeply troubling. Village Board members are elected by the people of Spring Valley. The community places trust in you to make decisions that reflect its best interest, and the fact that Matt is consistently re-elected says something. People trust him. We know his character, his commitment and the way he has quietly supported his village for years. He doesn’t do that for recognition. He simply helps people,” Thomas said. “While collecting signatures, countless stories came forward about Matt’s kindness, selflessness and compassion. There were enough to fill pages. Also, his contributions as a board member, both big and small, have made a real impact. Although not everyone was present at the meeting in question, many attended last month’s meeting and witnessed something important. During discussion about fluoride in the water, Matt brought forward education, scientific knowledge and reputable medical information. His passion came from genuine concern for public health and safety.”

The Glade Avenue bridge project is still in the works, moving forward with the previously approved slope fill option. Along with design elements, the village is working on four easements with adjacent property owners before the work can begin.

The board approved updates to the village’s Comprehensive Plan. Trustee Andrea Wallin said community input aided the update greatly.

“We had met for almost two years, I suppose, and we really focused on housing. The chapters we looked at were issues and opportunities, housing and land use elements, we identified strengths of the village, weaknesses and areas where we can perceive some growth and we looked at some different ideas,” Whelan said. “We have put into this a section that asks for a PUD, which is a Planned Urban Development. So, it’s not just throw up a house, throw up a house, throw up a house, they want to plan so that they’ll know what that developed area will look like from beginning to end.”