The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Village Hits Snag On New Water Tower

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

Steve Herring of MSA Engineering, met with the Stronghurst Village Board on Monday, June 1st, reporting on the status of a grant for a new water tower. It appears the village has met 3 out of the four criteria to be eligible to receive a grant to help with the cost. The criterias met include: 1. Have a good engineering plan approved by the state, 2. Have enough low to moderate income families, and 3. They have enough financially backing to do the rest of the project but, number four is a sticking point as the village is having no complaints about the water, no one is getting ill from it, and there is not a lot of water main breaks.

The board would like to construct a new water tower because of the high cost of maintenance on the old one, as well as the fact it holds less than one day's supply of water. The EPA is pushing for a tank big enough for a 2 ½ day supply.

Herring suggested if they wish to move forward this year with the project, they should go to the local bank and see if there is a possibility of borrowing the money. The estimated cost of a new tower is $1.3 million.

Ronnie Gittings said he would talk to the bank and also check with WIRC to see what it would cost the village to go ahead and apply for the grant anyway.  

Jade Parker informed the board some equipment has been delivered for the splash pad and more will be delivered soon. There is a possibility of the install date being Aug. 3-7th if all works out.

Jacob Irish of FOCC approached the board requesting permission to hold a Farmer's Market on Broadway Street every other Saturday starting June 27th , from 9 a.m. -12 or 1 o'clock. The board agreed the street could be blocked off for this event, and they would request those living in the apartments along Broadway remove their cars for this period of time.

Gittings reported they would be needing a larger hole for the water meter for the splash pad and he had contacted a gentleman about putting in a well pit that would give them better access for closing it down during the winter and whatever else needed to be done, at a cost of $1800.

All members readily agreed this cost would need to come from Booster Club funds as the agreement is there is no cost to the village for this project. The Booster Club will also need to pay for the cost of hooking up the septic tank.  

The police report for May included: 160.5 hours worked; 1052 miles on squad car; 6 traffic stops; 3 verbal warnings; 3 written warnings; 3 traffic tickets; 1 assist; 5 service calls; 2 arrests; 22 business courtesy checks.

In other business:

• heard both of the new full time employees are working and one part time employee is working and the other will begin soon.
• will begin putting in some new sidewalks down in the school area.
• all flowers beds are completed.
• discussed leaf burning, when and if burning should be allowed. Tabled until next month.
• discussed how drug testing should and could be done randomly for village employees. Amanda Kane will see if Eagle View do the drug testing.
• passed an ordinance the village park will be closed from 10 p.m to 6 a.m. April 1st until October 1st. From Oct. 1st to April 1st it will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.  
• Passed an ordinance on no alcohol beverages in the village parks.
• increased the  wages of Katrina Sherman, part time office help, from $8.25 to $9 per hour as per her request. Lou Ann Nortrup requested it be prorated back and the board agreed.
• heard suggestions on repairs and clean up needed in the park, as the park committee, Brendan Schaley, Betty Waterman, and Amanda Kane had toured the park.
• agreed to plant a tree for shade of the memorial bench in the park. Amanda Kane will pick it out from Peters Greenhouse and Gittings will go get it.
• heard of a complaint there is speeding on the street down by the cemetery.

Those present included: Mayor Gary Root; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Amanda Kane, Betty Waterman, Jim Spiker, David Vancil, (Brendan Schaley, absent); Employees, Arbry Vancil, Lou Ann Nortrup, Ronnie Gittings, Attorney Bill Rasmussen (arriving at 7:50 p.m.), Katrina Sherman; Guests, Steve Herring, Diana Taylor, Jade Parker, Jacob Irish, Shirley Linder.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 6, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at city hall.