Sherman, IL (WAND) – It has been months since Comcast subcontractors started work in the Village of Sherman, according to Mayor Trevor Clatfelter. He heard so many complaints from community members about their work that he completed a stop-work order and delivered it to the Comcast teams.
“They are disregarding every rule and regulation that I’ve seen in place,” Clatfelter said. “They have cut cable lines, they have damaged sewer lines, they have backed up raw sewage into people’s houses, they are not fixing sidewalks.”
Clatfelter said more than two dozen subcontractors have been starting projects all over the village, but are not completing them. Instead, they are leaving holes in people’s front yards and cables exposed near sidewalks.
“It’s disappointing and it looks terrible,” said Pam Gray, who had a large hole dug in her yard. She has lived in Sherman her whole life. “We have a lot of families with small children that will run out in front of their mom and dad. They are going to look in that hole … I don’t know if those wires are live.”
Gray is not alone. Her street is littered with large holes, blocked off with caution tape. The next road over has destroyed sidewalks, chunks of concrete left in front yards, and yards full of utility flags.
One neighbor, a dad of three, told WAND News that his home was flooded with raw sewage after Comcast subcontractors punctured pipes near his house. They have to now replace flooring and ceilings throughout the home.
WAND reached out to Comcast, and a spokesperson provided the following statement: “We have reached out to the Village and are meeting with officials today to directly address the concerns raised. We take these matters very seriously and are committed to working with Village leadership and our construction partners to resolve concerns swiftly and safely.”
The Village of Sherman planned an emergency meeting to cancel permits for Comcast. They plan to withhold permits until Comcast makes a plan to fix the damage they have caused.
The Village of Sherman Board of Trustees voted unanimously to restrict boring permits during an emergency meeting Tuesday evening, due to unrepaired damage that has been done to village and private property.
The ordinance will go into effect immediately.
