The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
Stronghurst- Discussion was held at the July 5th board meeting concerning regulating burning in Stronghurst. Kelsey Guile had presented Mayor Gary Root a petition with approximately 40 signatures for a burning ban that would allow burning 2 days a week. The matter was tabled until the August meeting
David Knutstrom told the board the Morris Street extension on North Street would be about 835 foot. This is for the development he is pursuing for the land behind his father, Richard Knutstrom's house. Knutstrom said Robert Corzatt's business building will be going up before the fall harvest.
Knutstrom is selling some of the land to Peter Rusonelos, which will square up his property. Knutstrom will have plots laid out for housing and Corzatt's business done after the survey is complete. Then they will know where sewer and water pipes would need to run.
The board voted to give Betty Waterman a raise, making her wages $9 per hour. Voting yes was David Vancil and Amanda Kane, while Mike Bohnenkamp voted no. Tommy Crotts, Betty Waterman, and Brendan Schaley were absent.
The board voted to have the new water tower painted navy blue. The lettering was not discussed.
At the August 2nd meeting the discussion continued regarding a burning ban. Amanda Kane volunteered to prepare a new ordinance regarding the burning ban and will bring it to the next board meeting.
Deputy Sheriff Donnie Seitz approached the board in regards to a donation for the sheriff's department to join the West Central Illinois Drug Task Force.
The Sheriff's Department was part of the Drug Task Force at one time when they received a 70/30 federal government grant. The monies have since dried up and the grants are no longer covering the major expenses.
After a lengthy discussion the board members all agreed it was a most worthy endeavor and much needed but, it would take money away from the local police department budget. They felt this would not be in the best interest of the village.
Randy Jarvis, who is doing the surveys for the WIRC housing project has 5 houses left to contact. He hoped to finish them up by the end of the week.
Ronnie Gittings reported the West Central Middle School had a water leak and the superintendent had requested the meters be upgraded. The new meters have a water leak detection system. Replacement cost is approximately $500 each and would have to be installed by a plumber. Mike Bohnenkamp made the motion to replace the meters and Brendan Schaley seconded it. Motion passed.
Gittings said well #4 has been worked on and the water level was down about 10 ft. They are continuing to pump from it every day and disinfecting it and the water level is coming up.
Well #5 has no problems keeping up with the demand for water. Around 70,000 gallon of water per day average is used in the village. The tower is filled twice a day. Once the new tower is built it will only need to be filled once a day because of the larger capacity.
Attorney Bill Rasmussen had received an email from George Hennenfent with a proposed quit claim deed for the bank land where the water tower is to be built.
He had not had time to look over it and was sending a copy to Lou Ann Nortrup and Gittings to check out. If all is in order they will move on from there.
Board members said they had heard from many who enjoyed the fireworks. They plan to do it again next year and Amanda Kane said since it was a county fair she would be approaching the other villages for donations and possibly even do a fund raiser for next year so it can continue without so much money coming out of the village budget.
Police report for the month of July included: 199 hours worked; 945 miles on squad car; 3 traffic stops- 2 verbal warnings and 1 uniform traffic ticket; 2 ambulance assist, 3 Henderson County assist; 13 service calls; 26 business courtesy checks.
Present were: Mayor Gary Root; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Amanda Kane, Brendan Schaley, David Vancil, (Betty Waterman and Tommy Crotts-absent); Employees, Lou Ann Nortrup, Arbry Vancil, Ronnie Gittings, Attorney Bill Rasmussen; Guests, Donnie Seitz, Matt Link, Randy Jarvis, David Knutstrom, and Shirley Linder.
Meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6th.