The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
At the Stronghurst Village board meeting on Monday, May 6 at 6 p.m. Mayor Brendan Schaley announced the village had received the "Safe Route to School Grant' in the amount of $172,000.
There were 165 applicants for the grant and of the 38 given, Stronghurst was one of them.
Schaley said they still had some hoops to jump through before beginning any projects, but that they would not want to do anything until school is out for the summer anyway.
The broad convened with all members present except Bruce Caldwell and Amanda Kane.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag of America, the approval of last month's minutes, the financial report given by Mike Bohnenkamp, and the paying of bills, the board adjourned for the purpose of seating the newly elected members.
Shane Reed, Randy Jarvis, and Michael Swisher were sworn in by Village Clerk Hollie Allen and the board re-opened under the new board.
Tim Teslicka of MTC Communications gave an update on the fiber optic installation, which is already installed from the school north on Elizabeth Street. He has been going door to door and business to business encouraging people to go on the internet and fill out a survey application. The survey is not a contract, they are only looking for a section of interested people so they can expand into another area. One time hook up cost is $50 and the lowest internet rate is $54.95/month.
Menno Hershberger asked where he might set up a stand to sell baked goods and possibly extra produce when available, on a regular basis in town. The Hershbergers live approximately 2 1/2 mile south of Stronghurst and would like to do this on a weekly basis. The board suggested the edge of the park, the shelter house if available, or on Broadway Street. Hershberger will meet with the Henderson County Board of Health and then decide where and when with the board's blessing.
Ronnie Gittings reported Jeff Nichols inspected the playground equipment in the park every morning, but nothing was recorded on paper. The board thought it would be a good idea for Nichols to do a monthly written report for the file so it would be on hand.
Water pipes running under the flooring at the middle school would need to be torn up if a leak should occur. As a solution to this problem Gittings had looked into the cost of a water restrictor and found the cost to be $3500 plus installation He said new pipes could be run along the building and go through the wall to hook onto the meter at an estimated cost of $1,000. The village employees would do the digging for the project. He was directed to get a more direct quote on price.
Gittings said Bruce Caldwell had mentioned the scouts would like to do community service work and he would be willing to donate his time to oversee them paint the benches and tables in the park.
As for oiling streets this year Gittings would like to see Nichols Street and Dixon Street done which would be a mile and a half.
The police report for April included: 90 hours worked; 541 miles on squad car; 3 traffic stops with 2 verbal warnings and 1 uniformed traffic ticket; 8 services call; 1 assist to county; and 25 business courtesy checks.
Police Chief Arbry Vancil said they had some issues at the park and Clerk Hollie Allen had viewed the cameras. Vancil had talked to parents and hopefully the problem is taken care of. This incident brought a discussion of upgrading the cameras, with no decisions being made at this time.
In other business the board:
Present were: Mayor Brendan Schaley, Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Jerry Nortrup, Shane Reed, David Vancil, Randy Jarvis, and Michael Swisher; Employees, Ronnie Gittings, Police Chief Arbry Vancil, Hollie Allen; Guests, Tim Teslicka, Pastor David Vidler, Lori Hamilton, Donna Pindell, Mr. and Mrs. Menno Hershberger, David Knutstrom, Shirley Linder
The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m. until Monday, June 3, at 6 p.m.
From left: Michael Swisher, Randy Jarvis and Shane Reed were sworn in to office as a Stronghurst Village Trustee at the regular monthly board meeting on Monday, May 6, 2019 at the Village Hall.