The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stronghurst Christmas Lighting Winners

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

At the Village of Stronghurst board meeting on Monday, December 7th, the following winners in the Christmas Lighting Contest was announced: first place: Luke Deverell; second place: Dominic DelCarlo; and third place: Chrystal Brown.

The police report for November included: 61 hours worked; 392 miles on squad car; 3 service calls, 20 business checks.

Doug Ericson of Benton & Associates was present to close out School Safety Project's final payout of $15,743.18. Total contract came in at $133,673.68 just a little under the original contract amount. Engineering fees totaled $2,376.

Ericson also said they now have the EPA permit to repair the water lines on Logan and Division Street. The permit is good for a year so with winter weather coming they will wait to begin the work. The board approved the engineering fee of $2500 for obtaining the permit.

Ericson presented each board member and employee with an insulated coffee mug for Christmas.

Ronnie Gittings said Hollie had set him up with continuing education classes on the internet. He has done 3 hours which is good for water and sewer and will apply to his 9 hours needed for the sewer. He has 25 hours for the water plant so there is not a problem there. Six more hours have been scheduled for the coming week.

Mike Swisher, chairman of the zoning board reported: They had issued a permit for a concrete driveway and sidewalk; denied a permit for the building of a lean to on the side of a garage; approved the zoning meeting dates; and presented the new zoning ordinances to the board which were approved.

Due to 9 1 1 calls to be dispatched through Hancock County Police Chief Arbry Vancil will be in need of a new PSIMS system as the system that is used now in the squad car will be done away with. The cost will be $2,500 for a PSIMS Anywhere Setup; $250 for a 1 day/2 session training for an officer and an annual maintenance fee of $375 starting the 2nd year. The board approved the purchase after they have inquired if the training fee could be negotiated. With this system in place they will also need a new hot spot and voted to go with a FirstNet unlimited Smartphone plan for a monthly fee of $38.49.

In other business:

• Heard the finance report was $7,056.58 to the good.
• Tabled discussion and action on the Antiquity building status as Attorney Mariah Wallace follows up with the owner of the building.
• Approved buying 40 SET endpoints and Ultra Sonic Water Meters at a cost or $15,520 with funds to be taken from the Capital Improvement appropriation fund.
• Bid specs for selling the Hummer was tabled until next month.
• Reviewed and approved the IPRF (Illinois Public Risk Fund) work comp insurance renewal for 2021.
• Issued a special event permit to Rivals on Main and Feedlot Grill for New Year's Eve. Last call time 1 a.m. closing time 2 a.m.
• Agreed to hold a public hearing, in regards to rezoning a property on the 700 block of Hwy 94, a half hour before the next regular scheduled board meeting on Monday, January 4th.

Following an executive meeting the board approved a Christmas bonus of $1,000 for each of the 4 full time employees and a $500 bonus for Arbry Vancil

Present: Mayor Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Jerry Nortrup, Shane Reed, Amanda Van Arsdale, Mike Swisher, Randy Jarvis; Employees, Ronnie Gittings, Hollie Allen, Arb Vancil; Guests David Knutstrom, Doug Ericson, Shirley Linder The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 4th at 6 p.m. at City Hall.