The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
Stacie Newberry of the Bank of Stronghurst, attended the Village of Stronghurst board meeting on Monday, June 3rd. Newberry told the board the Bank of Stronghurst and Security Savings Bank would like permission to put a lending library in the village park. This is a Warren-Henderson County project supporting "Julie's Little Libraries and Julie McVey Reading Day".
The project will be for early teens on down and will have books available they may take and read. The two banks will complete the project, as well as maintain it. There will be no cost to the village and they would like to erect it near the Doc Pogue Spray Park. However, they will consult Ronnie Gittings, regarding somewhere that does not interfere with mowing. Newberry said she would also contact the Henderson County Library to see if they would be on board since their book mobile does make stops at the park.
The board opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor pro tem Shane Reed in the absence of Mayor Brendan Schaley.
Ronnie Gittings had two bids for replacement of water pipes at the middle school. The bid was awarded to Johnson Plumbing.
Gittings requested they purchase pea gravel to put in the play areas at the park since the wood chips are all gone. He will get a cost for the project and get back to the board members.
The police report for May included: 95.5 hours worked; 632 squad car patrol miles; 2 traffic stops; 2 verbal warnings; 1 uniform ticket; 4 assists with county; 10 service calls; and 22 business courtesy checks. The tires have been replaced on the squad car.
Doug Erickson of Benton Associates brought an engineering service agreement in the amount of $15,000, which the board passed. This for engineering services for the $173,000 Safe Routes to School Grant the village has been awarded. Erickson stated there is a lot of hoops to jump through with the IDOT yet and the bidding will not be let until next spring. The project will include sidewalks, signage, flashing beacons, and crosswalks at the middle school. He stated the 4 or 5 crossing there now will be cut down to two.
The tentative appropriation ordinance was approved and the final proof will be voted on at the next meeting.
The spray park is waiting for a new brain, a new and improved model and once the park is open the hours will be noon to 8 p.m.
A lengthy discussion was held on the park's bathroom facilities that are being used inappropriately, and therefore needs to be locked. Hollie Allen volunteered to open it at 8 a.m. on her way to work and lock it at 4 p.m. on her way home. Other employees and trustees said they would fill in whenever needed.
Reed reported Johnny Johnson will donate and lay sod at the Veteran's Memorial when the memorial is ready. Shane Reed Electric will donate the electricity installation and charge only his cost for supplies. David Knutstrom donated the cement, the Stronghurst Booster Club donated $1,000 toward the poles and Sunrise Sanitation has offered to donate and purchase the flags.
In attendance were: Trustees, Shane Reed, (mayor pro tem); Mike Bohnenkamp, Jerry Nortrup, Mike Swisher, Randy Jarvis, David Vancil, absent; Mayor Brendan Schaley, absent; Employees, Ronnie Gittings, Hollie Allen, Arbry Vancil, Attorney Mariah Wallace; Guests, Lori Hamilton, Virginia Ross, Doug Erickson, Stacie Newberry, Shirley Linder
The next meeting will be held Monday, July 1st at 6:00 p.m.