The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Ron Gittings Nominated for Water Operator of the Year

by Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

Ronnie Gittings reported to the Village of Stronghurst board on December 7 that he had received a letter from the  Illinois Water Association a couple months ago stating he was nominated in their contest for water operator of the year.  

He has recently received a phone call that he is one of the 3 finalists and they will be interviewing him shortly. Clerk Lou Ann Nortrup noted the final decision will be made on February 16, 2016

Gittings asked the board for permission to attend the Water Conference that will be held in February.  It will count as continuing education hours and he could get enough hours to carry him for the next 5 years.

The cost is $200 for the 3 day conference. The board asked that he keep receipts for hotel, mileage, and meals and he will be reimbursed.

Gittings said his wife will be going also and he will pay half of the hotel room cost.

GITTINGS ALSO REPORTED:

• The concrete has been poured for all of the park benches and they will put some pads on the two benches they have painted and bolt them to the concrete. The trustees will need to decide by February in regards to painting the rest of the benches so they may be finished by the time they dedicate the splash pad.
• Said the flag still wraps around the angle flag pole up by Fisher's so he is going to make a straight telescoping one and see how it looks.
• Has had a couple of guys from other towns look at the snow plow but so far has only had trade in offers on it.
• Has contacted Shane Reed and a fellow in Roseville regarding the well house heater but they have not gotten back to him.
• Read a thank you from the Senior Citizens regarding the cross walk that had been put up at their building.
• Talked to Alan Ferguson, about putting in the drain for the water tower, but are having to confer with the engineers on what they want done. If the weather holds would like to get it done before spring when construction is to begin.
• The Bank of Stronghurst has not had a meeting yet to put into writing they will give the village ¼ of the lot for the water tower. The village will be able to use the entire lot while the tower is being built and has agreed to mow it until the Bank does something with it.  
• Stated how pleased he is with his two helpers and how they are learning. He stresses safety continually especially regarding the chemicals at the plants.  
• Has received only one bid for a tree that needs to be removed at 305 Dixon St. J & J Tree Service will get the job for $950.

Police report for November included:  Hours worked 162, Squad car patrol mileage 769, Total traffic stops 2, Verbal warnings 1, Uniform traffic tickets 1, Service calls 6, Business courtesy checks 24.

Arbry Vancil and Brendan Schaley attended Mark Andy Jackson's graduation on Saturday. Now that he has his training he can work the streets. Schaley requested the board permission to send Vancil and Jackson to an officer safety class in Macomb. The seminar is 3 days at a cost of $399 each. The board voted to have them attend.

Mayor Root has someone interested in the snow blade and asked the trustees to put a price on it. It was finally suggested he asked $2500 since it is basically new. Root asked why they were getting rid of it and was told Gittings wanted a V shape instead of the stationary one. e.

Mayor Root said he had received a letter from Jason Ford asking that ATVs be made legal on village streets. A discussion followed regarding the pros and cons of the issue. Root said,  I don't have a 4 wheeler but I'd be for it. If 4 wheelers are pushing snow or leveling the ball field, etc. the police are not stopping them. However, if they are just riding, they will be ticketed. Root asked if this was fair. Attorney Bill Rasmussen once again advised the board it is better to not have a policy than to have a policy and not follow it. No motion or decision was made.

In other business the board:

• Tabled Code conflicts until next month.
• Decided the Christmas lighting contest for business and residents would be judged by Arbry Vancil again and will be done by Christmas Day.
• Voted to give Christmas bonuses in the amount of $200 for full time employees and $100 for part time employees. Betty Waterman abstained since she is an employee.
• Heard about the computer glitch that has made the water bills wrong the last couple of months. There was no charge made for water usage over 2,000 gallon. The error was on only the water. The problem has now been fixed.
• David Vancil said there is still potholes, to which Gittings replied they have a load of winter patch so they can work on them
• Jim Spiker commented the insurance bids are due in by December 31 and will need to be voted on in January. Sally Waddell will be invited to the meeting at 7 p.m. and Diana Doran at 7:30 p.m. These are the only two that have shown an interest.
• Betty Waterman reported all businesses must put their recycling bins out by the street as the trucks are too big to go down the alley and it will not be picked up if left in the alley.
• Heard contractors or those remodeling are throwing debris in the village dumpster that shouldn't be in there such as wood, dry wall. lights etc. The container is for trash only.
• Discussed the electrical outlets put in for semis down by Stronghurst Grain. Schaley will talk to a railroad representative regarding these since the railroad owns the property.

Mike Bohnenkamp made a motion, seconded by Jim Spiker to go into executive session at 8:02 p.m. for the purpose of employee wages.

On return, Bohnenkamp made a motion to give Ronnie Gittings a 30 cent an hour raise. Spiker seconded the motion and it passed with Waterman abstaining. g.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. until January 4, 2016 at 7 p.m. with Brendan Schaley as pro tem mayor.

Present: Mayor Gary Root; Trustees, David Vancil, Jim Spiker, Betty Waterman, Mike Bohnenkamp, and Brendan Schaley, Amanda Kane absent; Employees, Lou Ann Nortrup, Ronnie Gittings, Bill Rasmussen; Guests were Randy Jarvis, and Shirley Linder.