The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stronghurst Board Hires New Police Officer

by: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

On Monday, November 2nd, the Stronghurt Village Board hired and swore in Danny Moore as a police officer for Stronghurst.

Moore, who lives in Stronghurst, cannot begin his duties until taking 40 hours of training the first part of December. In the meantime it has been arranged that he will ride with Illinois State Police trooper Cory Fox and Trooper Elswick for observation of their duties.

Angie Garson is doing only administrative work for the Stronghurst Police Department as she is employed at the Ft. Madison prison.

Amanda Kane gave the October police report which included: Hours worked 152.5; Squad car patrol mileage 740; uniform traffic tickets 1; Assist 1; Service calls 5; Arrest 3 warrant; Business courtesy checks 20.

Randy Jarvis had met with the zoning board to request permission to build a garage within one foot of the alley. He had previously asked to build 4 foot from the alley. The zoning committee approved his request but left the final decision up to the board. On a motion by Kane and seconded by Mike Bohnenkamp the request was approved. Randy said the garage would not be built until year.

The report from Ronnie Gittings included:

• He had two of the park benches sand blasted by Sebastian Sandblasting and then painted by Stronghurst Auto Body. He said the cost for the benches would be $300 each and there are 16 of them. The cost would be slightly higher if a color other than white is used. It was decided to put these two benches in the park and see how they hold up in the weather and revisit the issue in March as to what to do with the rest of them.
• He also reported on the flag pole he and his helpers had constructed and put up by Fisher's Food Center. He said he will build another one and swap this one out as he feels they can be built without some of the extras and of heavier material at a cost of under $25 each. This was tabled until February when they will make the final decision on design and how many they wish to put up.
• Stated he is going to list the snow plow in a publication that goes to all the towns and see what kind of response they get.
• He also discussed the problem of tree roots growing into septic tanks. He said if the roots grew into the septic tank and then into the customer's pipes the cost was the responsibility of the village. If the roots grow into the customer's pipes and then into the septic tank cost is the responsibility of the customer.
• He reported a safety inspection was made by a Country Companies representative. Everything apparently was in order with the exception of a couple of ground fault plugs which are being replaced.
• He had also met with the MSA representative regarding the communication systems with the well and water tower. He learned with the new system if the tower calls for water and the well doesn't respond he will get a call immediately unlike the one now where he not notified for several hours. He has also contacted the lawyer regarding getting the deed to the land at the Bank of Stronghurst so they can proceed with tearing down the building there.
• The heater at the filter house is now hooked up to the LP tank, but the well house does not have any back up heat. Gittings asked for permission to purchase a blue flame burner unit with a thermostat to be installed. He will need to get three bids or prices before final approval.

On a motion by Kane, seconded by Jim Spiker Gittings will build a cross walk 3 feet wide and with railings to place between the Senior Citizen building and the Legion building. This will take up one parking space.

There was a lengthy discussion on a drug testing policy which Kane had given to Attorney Bill Rasmussen. Rasmussen went over certain parts of the policy telling the board how hard it would be to prove certain points and playing devil's advocate. Rasmussen said, "Most of the time it's almost better not to have any policy than have a bad policy." It was finally decided to drop the policy and incorporate drug testing in the application form when hiring new employees.

In other business:

• Will put a bench, that the village employees have made, at the firing range.
• Tabled the Code Conflicts issue until next month.
• Decided not to go with Asyst Auto pay for the water bills due to the high cost.
• Betty Waterman okayed Diana Taylor to decorate the shelter house at the park for Christmas.
• Tabled the fair housing ordinance.
• Heard 25 more plants will be planted in the park. Gittings said they will mulch around them at a cost of $300-$400.
• Heard no motor fuel tax has been received for 4 months.
• Had a thank you from Curt Eisenmayer and Ross Mesecher families.

On a motion by Kane, seconded by Spiker the board enter executive session at 8:38 p.m.; re-entering open session at 8:45 p.m. All board members agreed to give Danny Moore $12.00 per hour. Next month the board will discuss more about employee wages.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. until Monday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor Gary Root; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Amanda Kane, Jim Spiker, and David Vancil; absent-Brendan Schaley and Betty Waterman; Employees, Lou Ann Nortrup, Ronnie Gittings, Attorney Bill Rasmussen, Arbry Vancil (7:43p.m.); Guests, Danny Moore (7:55 p.m.), Randy Jarvis, and Shirley Linder