Village approves contract for summer road work

The Belgium Village Board last month approved hiring Vinton Construction of Two Rivers to do $2.4 million of road work this summer.

Reconstruction of sewer and water mains on East Lane, West Lane, Antoine Drive and part of Park Street between East and West Lane will be done.

The roads are expected to be closed to through traffic into fall.

The village is also borrowing money for water main loop work done last year. The plan was to do it all in one bond to save money on closing costs, Village Treasurer Vickie Boehnlein said, bringing the total loan to around $3 million.

On Monday, the Village Board agreed to offer special assessment options for the roughly 30 property owners who will have to pay for private sanitary laterals as part of the project. Homeowners are responsible for paying for the lateral from the main to their houses.

They may pay the full amount by Nov. 1 without any interest, or pay it all on the 2027 tax bill with no interest.

They may also choose a five-year payment option starting in 2027 with an interest rate of 1%. Payments would be added to their tax bills.

“I think five years is pretty reasonable,” Boehnlein, who is one of the affected property owners, said.

The average cost of the private laterals is $6,000 to $8,000.

Public Works Director Dan Birenbaum said the sewer will require a longer pipe on the east side of East Lane since the houses are set back farther than on the west side.

Property owners are invited to a meeting at Village Hall on Monday, May 18, when more details will be revealed.