Lockport retreats from forced township annexations

In the face of strong protest from affected property owners, the Lockport City Council on Oct. 26 backed away from a plan to forcibly annex adjacent land in Lockport and Homer townships.

Mayor Dev Trivedi and aldermen agreed to meet with the landowners to discuss annexation.

Early in the special council meeting, Trivedi expressed a desire to delay any action until the city can negotiate with the property owners, many of whom object to joining Lockport unless they can get its water and sewer service.

"I would like to provide our city staff the opportunity to work on agreements with those being considered for annexation, to determine when the properties will be annexed into the city and under what conditions," Trivedi said.

Ald. Dick Van Dyke (1st) successfully proposed removing the mandatory aspect of annexation to allow for negotiations. The council unanimously supported his motion to do so.

The two 4th Ward aldermen, John R. Krzos and Robert Perretta, agreed with Van Dyke.

"I assure you that the democratic process does work. We have heard you. I have heard you. Loud and clear," Krzos told the large audience in the Central Square Building. "What I would like to propose would be for the city and for the residents involved to have the opportunity to sit at the table, discuss some time frames, negotiate in good faith and move forward with annexation agreements as opposed to forced annexations."

Ald. Tom Kelly (3rd) vehemently opposed any forced annexations, saying "I'm not doing this to my friends and neighbors under any circumstances."