The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stronghurst Mayor Swears In Three To Village Board

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

Paige Torrance, Mike Swisher, and Nathan Torrance were sworn in as village trustees by Mayor Brendan Schaley on Monday, May 1st. Nate (left) is the newest council member to join the board.

The May meeting was opened by Mayor Schaley at 6 p.m., leading the Pledge of Allegiance followed by roll call, approval of April minutes and bills, and the financial statement of $8,878.39 to the good before adjourning to allow new members to be sworn in.

Second meeting called to order at 6:03 p.m.

Ronnie Gittings reported they will be sending out cross connection surveys to all water customers. Also all customers will receive a notice when there is maintenance work to be done.

Police report given by Police Chief Arbry Vancil: 67 hours worked, 40 hours Juvenile Officer Certification, 228 miles on squad car, 1 uniform traffic ticket, 1 assist, 12 service calls, 1 village ordinance ticket, and 14 business checks.

A new zoning ordinance was presented, discussed and unanimously approved. The main difference being to make the wording more precise and easier to understand. Other changes including fences can now be erected on property lines, thru eliminating having to hire a surveyor. The ordinance states what kind of fencing may be used. You still must have an approved permit from the village before erecting a fence on your property.

The board approved a bid submitted by Iseler Demolition for $56,300 to remove the old water tower. Since the tested paint had more lead content than originally thought the cost was a little higher than expected.

Doug Erickson of Benson and Associates said the company will remove the tower in one day once they are set up. The cement pillars the legs set on will be removed by village employees.

After much discussion the board decided the spray park will be turned on Memorial Day and will run Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m.

Other issues at the park were discussed with a decision made that the restroom would be unlocked at 7 a.m. by village employees and Paige Torrance, with the help of Janice Smith, would lock it each day at 7 p.m. This will begin when the spray park opens.

Also in the discussion of the park, damage and foul language was discussed with possible solutions. Attorney Mariah Wallace stated she has been in touch with the states attorney and that any issues observed or encountered in the park needs to be reported to the police or city hall. This includes the vulgar language that has been heard or if a child pushes another child or whatever, if this is documented then lawful action can be taken and get these problems under control.

In other business the board:

• Heard from David Knutstrom that one lane of the pickle ball court is now open. The surface still needs to be done to make it more playable.
• Approved having a new pump and pipes put in the deep well.
• Approved purchasing new testing instruments for the sewer and water plant.
• No word has been received yet on the old Antiquity building
• Approved hiring two boys, on an as needed basis, to help for the summer.
• Heard from Janice Smith they have not received a bid yet from Ross Bigger for electrical work in the park.
• Approved a $1600 part for the rebuilt zero turn mower
• Mayor Schaley handed out a paper listing the new committee members
• Attorney Mariah Wallace said if they wanted an attorney at every meeting then to let her know and they can change the billing to hourly and have someone at each meeting
• City wide clean up is May 12th

Present was: Mayor Brendan Schaley, Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Janice Smith, Paige Torrance, Amanda Van Arsdale, Mike Swisher, Nathan Harden, employees, Ronnie Gittings, Brittany Smith, Arbry Vancil, Attorney Mariah Wallace, Guests, Doug Erickson, David Knutstrom, Allison Harden, Virginia Ross, Shirley Linder.