Frankfort Resident Questions Village’s Lake Michigan Water Survey Process

Article Summary: A Frankfort resident publicly questioned the village’s handling of a recent water source survey during the village board meeting, arguing it was released with limited research and a “shocking dollar amount” from a single source that may have biased the results.

Frankfort Water Survey Key Points:

• Resident Kim Cristelli addressed the board during the public comment period on September 8.

• She asked if alternative water sources used by towns like Mokena and New Lenox were fully researched and compared before the survey was distributed.

• Cristelli suggested the survey was sent to residents before a full long-term cost-benefit analysis was completed, potentially swaying public opinion against the switch.

FRANKFORT – The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, September 8, 2025, faced public criticism over its approach to exploring a potential switch to Lake Michigan water, as a resident questioned the thoroughness and fairness of a recent community survey on the topic.

During the public comment period, Frankfort resident Kim Cristelli thanked the board for researching the issue but raised several pointed questions about the process. She asked if multiple water sources had been comparatively researched before the survey was released to the public.

“Where do nearby towns like Mokena and New Lenox get their affordable water? Have we looked into the work being completed with Joliet as a possible option?” Cristelli asked the board.

Cristelli argued that the survey was distributed with a “shocking dollar amount from only one source” before a complete analysis of long-term costs, maintenance, future growth, and environmental risks was conducted. She contended that a proper business decision requires multiple quotes.

“I don’t know about you, I don’t make a decision based off of one quote,” she stated. “This work should have been completed prior to sending out the survey that included that shocking number with limited research, which ultimately I believe swayed the results of the survey in one direction.”

Cristelli also questioned if the potential impact on property values from having non-hard water was assessed as part of the research.

The board did not respond to the comments, which is standard procedure for public comment periods. The topic was not listed as a business item on the meeting’s agenda.