The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Board Applies For "Safe Pathway To School" Grant

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

At the regular meeting of the Village of Stronghurst meeting on Monday, November 5th, Mayor Brendan Schaley told the trustees they have applied for the IDOT "Safe Pathway to School Grant'.

Following an incident of a child being struck in the crosswalk at school recently the board is looking into ways to make the area safer. The school has since placed a crossing guard at the school.

The grant is 100% funded, with the minimum amount awarded $25,000 and the maximum amount $200,000. If received, the village would have 3 years to use the money and it may be used within a 2 mile radius of the school.

They have already met with an engineer in front of the school, which is part of the process. They have some other information to obtain by November 19th to meet the deadline for the grant.

Mayor Schaley said the engineer informed him that sidewalks need to be 5 foot wide and if they are only 4 foot wide they need to build a passing lane every 200 feet.

WATER TOWER PROJECT

Chris Cooper MSA representative discussed the water tower project and presented the board with a proposed compensation package from Maguire Iron, Inc. for the construction delays on the project. The project came in approximately a month late. Following an executive session the board chose not to accept the offer at this time.

Cooper also apprised the board MSA is close to the dollar amount agreed upon and if they continue to work until project is completed to satisfaction they will need more money.

Agreed upon fees were $121,700. Current total is $115,596.90. Just under the lump sum portion of the agreed upon fees. The agreed lump sum total is $108,900 and they are at $108,500.

Before this project is completed, they will be over the agreed upon lump sum total, and could be at about $3,000 more.

The agreed upon time and material portion of the agreement was $12,800 and they are at about $7,500.

However, record drawings ad completion of punch list items may not yet be complete.

Police Report

Police report for October included: 90 hours worked, 461 squad car miles, 1 total traffic stops with a verbal warning, 5 service calls, 26 business courtesy checks.

In other business:

• approved minutes and bills
• approved the financial statement which showed they were $16,083.72 to the good this last month with no outstanding bills.
• Rob Root thanked the board for the gravel they placed in front of Rival on Main.
• Ronnie Gittings reported they had repaired two water leaks, one on the highway and replaced the shut off valve at Chestnut and Broadway.
• Gittings has had complaints about the smoke from the burn site.
• MST Firemen are using the water in the old tower in order to empty it.
• approved an ordinance in two years all trustees will be paid the same $65 a meeting.
• approved an ordinance in four years, no trustee will be paid if not present at the meeting.
• Veterans memorial will be 10 foot wide and taper to a point. Bank has not yet agreed to having it placed on their property. David Knutstrom will pay for the cement and the lights have been donated. They will purchase the flag poles and flags from the VFW in Bushnell where they can get them cheaper than from a catalog.
• Bruce Caldwell stated he felt there needs to be more stop signs at the school in order to slow traffic. After discussion they will wait and see what the engineer recommends.
• Following executive session the board approved no raises to employees but to make their Christmas bonus checks larger.

Present were. President Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Jerry Nortrup, Bruce Caldwell, Amanda Kane, (David Vancil and Shane Reed, absent); Employees, Hollie Allen, Ronnie Gittings, Arbry Vancil, Attorney Bill Rasmussen; Guests, Chris Cooper, MSA Representative, Rob Root, Pastor Dave Vidler, Virginia Ross, Brian Kane, Shirley Linder

The next meeting will be held on December 3 at 7 p.m.