The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
At the June 6th meeting of the Village of Stronghurst Board, Mike Swisher, chair of the zoning committee discussed with the board the need for a new fence ordinance. Swisher said the current ordinance is the zoning committee’s biggest headache due to unclear guide lines. The present ordinance states the property must be surveyed and the fence built 4 foot from the property line, unless an agreement is signed with the neighbors. A new ordinance would still require residents to obtain a permit from the village, and the village would need to approve where and what kind of fence could be installed. A privacy fence cannot be built in a front yard, only a decorative fence is allowable. It was decided the board members would study the new proposal and discuss it more at the next meeting.
Chad Kaup requested a variance to build an 8’ deck on the front of his house. A variance was needed as this would put the deck closer to the sidewalk than stated in the village ordinance. The request was granted with Mike Swisher abstaining in the vote.
Ronnie Gittings reported the Henderson County Health Department had paid them a visit regarding standing water between the elevator and North Street. Gittings has talked with Kevin Box, manager of the elevator, and Box is considering installing a new pipe to eliminate the problem.
The health department also told Gittings they have wafers that can be thrown into standing water to eliminate mosquitoes.
Gittings reported that West Central FS has used a lot of water which is not a problem when they get it from the fire station well and not the tower. The problem lies in the fact that the switch to turn on the water is located inside the fire station, which is no problem during the week, but on weekends one of the employees must remain in town to be available for shutting the water off and on. Shane Reed suggested the switch be moved to the outside of the building in an enclosed locked box and then FS could be given a key to solve the problem.
May police report: Hours worked-35; Squad car patrol miles-308; Service calls-5; Village Ordinance Tickets-4 verbal warnings (1 car has been removed); verbal warning on go cart; business courtesy checks-18.
The board voted unanimously to hire Benton & Associates to handle MFT documents and reporting. As the laws keep changing every year it is difficult for the village clerk to do this job.
In other business the board:
The board entered executive session at 7:04 p.m. regarding employment matters.
Upon their return to open session there were no decisions made on the issue of hiring part time help for the village office.
Present were: Mayor Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Janice Smith, Shane Reed, Amanda Van Arsdale, Mike Swisher, Randy Jarvis; Employees, Ronnie Gittings, Hollie Allen, Arbry Vancil; Guests, David Knutstrom, Mr. and Mrs. Chad Kaup, Robert Manning, Benton & Associate Representative, Shirley Linder
The next Stronghurst Village Board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5th, due to the 4th of July holiday on Monday.