In a city sometimes more accustomed to its small town roots, the word “growth” can sound like nails across a chalkboard.

In an attempt to dissuade citizens, the school district and governmental bodies from feeling this way, Mayor Greg Sparrow headed a growth summit meeting on Dec. 9, which witnessed an unprecedented number of attendees.

The meeting included nine governmental units and 12 representatives elected officials, including 70th district representative David Wirsing, DeKalb schools’ Superintendent Brian Ali and School Board President Don Robinson, Cortland, Malta and the sanitary and park districts. Sparrow said he hopes to create a 26-person summit committee.

NIU president John Peters and Rena Cotsones, executive director of Community Relations also attended.

“The president has committed his personal activities to this, because he realizes how important [NIU is] to the community,” Cotsones said. “[Peters] cares very much about the quality of life students have when here.”

Sparrow began discussions with the audience by asking if a concerted effort is needed to handle growth carefully, or if it’s an exercise in futility. Sparrow then asked for those opposed to unlimited growth to give a show of hands. In both cases, all arms remained still.

“That told me that somewhere between no growth and unlimited growth that people feel we have to grow or else the city will die,” Sparrow said.

While representatives from Sycamore did not attend, Sparrow said a few pressing needs might necessitate their involvement. Cortland, part of the district impacted by Sparrow’s growth discussions, may in the future expand its school district, which would fall within Sycamore’s school district.

Sparrow said the most pressing issue at the time involves the sanitary district. Ninety percent of the sewage treatment capacity on Pleasant Street in Cortland has prompted the need for additional sewage pipes. With the new subdivision built in DeKalb five years ago, the entire district has reached a capacity level of 72 to 74 percent.

“The community is so concerned about windmills, what about neighboring with another sanitary plant,” Sparrow said.

The prices of adding sewage pipes or constructing a new sanitary plant wouldn’t come cheap, Sparrow said. In order to accommodate a projected population growth of 55 to 60,000 in the district, finding a solution soon would be essential, he said.

Another issue concerning growth is the diminishing of farmland. While Sparrow emphasized that as a concern, he said those types of issues won’t be discussed within the context of his growth committee.

The summit committee is scheduled to meet again at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at University Plaza.