The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
While it is not an issue at this time of year the Stronghurst Village board members held a lengthy discussion on Monday, December 2nd, regarding the burning of leaves in the village. Many with asthma, COPD, etc. have an issue with the smoke during burning season. Ronnie Gittings said that while many do take their leaves to the burn area there are still a lot that burn along the streets with the ashes running into the culverts and clogging them up. Solutions were suggested with no final decision made other than asking Gittings to look into a commercial vacuum so the leaves could be raked to the street and then picked up by the village employees.
Yvonne Knapp was present and will look into grants that might be available for improvements to be made to the lights and sidewalks in the business are. One thing Gittings would like to see is new metal flagpoles along Broadway Street so the flags do not get torn up or wrap around the poles. He may weld up a sample this winter to see if it is feasible.
A bid was accepted from J & J Tree Service for $1800 to remove 2 trees at the Cargill home and 1 tree at the Richey home. This includes stump removal.
Gittings reported the new water line is in on North Street and has passed inspection and they are waiting on the EPA's okay that they can hook residents up. Then it can be covered up and will be done.
The police report for November included: 88.5 hours worked; 8 training hours; 426 miles on the car; 1 verbal warning; 1 service call; 2 agency assists; and 12 business courtesy checks.
There will be a residential Christmas lighting contest again this year with $100 first prize; $50 for 2nd and $25 for third place given.
Mike Nelson brought to the board he will need to be picking a new insurance plan and needed to know how much the board would paid toward it. The board agreed to pay up to $300 per month, the same as they had been toward his insurance.
Bigger Electric was awarded the bid for replacing the lighting on the basketball court in the village park.
The village received $3,891 from Illinois Jobs and it will go into the motor fuel fund.
The board entered executive session for the purpose of discussing Christmas bonuses for employees.
They will give full time employees $200 and part time employees $100.
Present were: President Gary Root; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, David Vancil, Betty Waterman, Tony Anderson, Brendan Schaley, (Deb Hale absent); Employees, Lou Ann Nortrup, Ronnie Gittings, Mike Nelson, Arbry Vancil, and Colton Smith; Guests, Yvonne Knapp and Shirley Linder
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.