The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stronghurst Board Discusses Zoning Permits

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

At the monthly meeting of the Village of Stronghurst board on Monday, August 7th, two zoning permits were approved after discussion by board members.

The first request was from Bobby Avery who wished to bring in a shed to his property. Since the ordinance states only a certain percent of buildings can be on a property, Avery said he would be removing one of the buildings to the farm. The board unanimously approved the permit.

The second request came from Quentin and Tucker Peterson, for a variance, regarding putting a deck on the front of Tucker’s new house being built. The ordinance states a structure must be 20’ from the sidewalk and the deck they wish to build will only be 16’ from the sidewalk. The steps would be 6’ from the walk. The board approved the variance. Possibly next year a sidewalk will be poured on the north side of the property.

Doug Erickson of Benson & Associates informed the board the demolition of the old water tower was completed satisfactorily and the streets have been recoated. He also told the board there is a $250,000 grant available like the one they received last year for $200,000, when they repaired the school crossings, sidewalks, etc.

Ronnie Gittings reported he had saved some of the pieces of the old water tower and was having a knife made out of one piece that perhaps could be auctioned or raffled off. He asked for suggestions of other things that could be made out of the material for keepsakes.

The police report was given by Arbry Vancil as followed: 60.4 hours worked; 144 miles on squad car; 2 traffic stops with written warning; 6 service calls; village ordinance tickets (3 verbal warnings on moving cars; 1 verbal warning for yard clean up); 18 business courtesy checks.

In other business the board:

• voted to purchase the John Deere mower
• approved installing a new camera system in the village park at a cost of $3,817.46
• heard squad car is still not fixed
• heard that 250 of the 390 new water meters have been installed
• need to change the ordinance that residents no longer have to pay half for new sidewalks.

Present were: Mayor Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Janice Smith, Paige Torrance, Amanda VanArsdale, Mike Swisher, Nathan Harden; Employees, Brittany Smith, Ronnie Gittings, Arbry Vancil; Guests, Quentin Peterson, Tucker Peterson, Doug Erickson, Randy Jarvis, Shirley Linder

Due to Labor Day the next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 5th, at 6 p.m.