The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stronghurst Board Sets Trick or Treat Night

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

Trick or Treat night was set for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 31st, at the regular meeting of the Stronghurst Village Board on Monday, October 6th.

Board members are requesting no one burns leaves the day before or on that day for the safety of the children.

Mike Bohnenkamp asked the board's permission to have Attorney Bill Rasmussen write a new ordinance changing the closing time at the village park to 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. year round, as opposed to 11 p.m. to 6 p.m. that it is now. Rasmussen will write the new ordinance and it will be voted on at the meeting in November for approval.

On a motion made by Mike Bohnenkamp, seconded by Betty Waterman the board voted to raise the wages of the three trustees who will be elected in April 2015, to $65. Brendan Schaley casted the only no vote. Mike Bohnenkamp, David Vancil, and Betty Waterman receive $65 now per meeting and Tony Anderson, Deb Hale, and Brendan Schaley receive $50.

The police report for September included: 150.5 hours worked; 756 squad car patrol mileage; 4 traffic stops; 2 verbal warnings; 2 written warnings; 6 service call; 3 agency assists, 1 arrest; 18 business courtesy checks.

Bohnenkamp reported the estimated liability insurance will run $1400 per year for the spray park, $450 general; $400 for umbrella; and $550 for physical damage.

In other business the board:

• Heard from Randy Jarvis regarding the progress on his mom's yard, the station, and the house he is renovating He also asked permission to run his sump pump line directly to the drop box in the area as opposed to running it on the grass. He received permission since eventually the water will run to there anyway.
• Ronnie Gittings reported a letter had been received from Ann Wetzel, who is having problems with water running on her property. They will cut a ditch down that way so the water will run in it instead of down the road however, the water will still pass through her property. There is a sink hole, caused by a broken tile, but since it is not on city property she will need to take care of that problem.
• Heard, the GPS guys will start the project of locating all meters, valves, and hydrants on October 20th.
• Gittings also reported they had accumulated a bill for the truck wreck, which did damage on North St, getting stuck in the trees and ditch. City employees had to cut trees away to get the truck out. Arbry Vancil has a name they can mail the bill to.
• Heard both city trucks have been inspected and approved
• Heard Lou Ann Nortrup had attended the Downtown Revitalization Workshop for main street workshop and had mailed information to each board member
• On a motion by Tony Anderson, seconded by David Vancil the board voted, with Mike Bohnenkamp casting the only no vote, to give the Stronghurst Booster Club a $750 donation for the Christmas Walk.
• A discussion of Semis parking on the streets was held, due to a complaint having been received. They decided on sending a letter to the individual and ask if they could find another parking place.
• Six signs will be posted in the village park stating the park is under surveillance.
• Hydrants will be flushed from Oct. 20-24, starting at 1:30 p.m. each day.
• A lengthy discussion was held regarding the Stronghurst Police Department covering the Havoc races at the fair ground during Heritage Days, since the grounds are not in the city limits.
• Heard the steps in front of the old Antiquity building are being torn up and dangerous. They will be removed by the city.
• Mike Bohnenkamp told the board they were going to advertise in McDonough County this time for part time police help. A 2 x 4 ad running for a month will cost $239.
• Lou Ann Nortrup reported a letter from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources stated the Spray Park grant is still in the running with 90 on the list.
• Gittings told the board residents don't understand how the pickup of garbage works. He said they put it out and animals get into it and the guys don't pick it all up or they put out too many bags at a time. The garbage men will only pick up 6 bags so if you set out 9 they are going to leave 3. You cannot put your garbage in the recycle bin and electric items will not be picked up.

Present were: Mayor Gary Root; Trustees, Brendan Schaley, Mike Bohnenkamp, Deb Hale, Betty Waterman, Tony Anderson, and David Vancil; Employees, Lou Ann Nortrup, Ronnie Gittings, Mike Nelson, Samantha Swisher, Attorney Bill Rasmussen; Guests, Randy Jarvis, Yvonne Knapp, Shirley Linder

The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on November 3, 7 p.m.