New Libertyville mayor sees new fire station, water tower in town?s future

LIBERTYVILLE ? A new fire station and water tower are two of the changes Libertyville Mayor Darryl ?Jack? Davison foresees completed in the next two years.

?I think we?ve got a pretty good spark,? Davison said. These projects have been in discussion and planning, and now it?s time to move forward, he said.

A couple different locations for the fire station are under consideration, including the former Roto Fab. Davison expects to open a new station within the next year.

A water tower, situated on the same property as the firehouse, would be erected the following year, Davison said.

The council has been saving for these projects since before Davison took office in January. He said the city won?t have to borrow a lot of money.

In conjunction with a new water tower, Davison said the city?s water mains also need replaced.

?The pipes are too small because they are so old,? he said. Their replacement will improve water delivery in Libertyville and better serve the fire department?s needs in an emergency, he said.

In the meantime, Libertyville is looking to improve its fire service with a ?new? pumper truck, having bid on one that?s used.

Davison credited the council members with taking it upon themselves to search for a new truck, knowing Libertyville?s was near to the end of its useful life.

He said assuming the office of mayor has certainly been ?easier than you might expect because the council is so well versed.?

?They?ve been working hard. They?ve got ideas,? Davison said. ?They all want to help with the progress of the community.?

So far, Davison said his role is mostly that of a facilitator, bringing the council together.

?The more I learn, the more I can trade ideas with them and put in my 2 cents worth,? he said.

Davison said the council also has talked about improving the city?s sewer system and streets, as well as purchasing a larger sander to tackle city streets in the winter.

Using a city website to attract businesses to the community is another idea that?s been tossed around, Davison said.

?We want to let people know we?re thinking about the future and are amenable to working with a company interested in locating in a heck of a nice little town,? he said.

At the moment, Davison said the hot topic in Libertyville is the council?s recent enactment of an ordinance requiring pet owners to vaccinate their pets and purchase tags each year.

Davison said the ordinance serves a dual purpose. If a pet is lost, the tag number can be used reunite it with its owner. Also, it?s a step toward alleviating the town?s feral cat problem.

?We?re trying to protect the public health,? he said. ?We don?t want anyone bit by a rabid cat or dog or attacked by one.?