The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Garbage Rates To Raise in Stronghurst

By: Shirley Linder, Executive Editor

At the Village of Stronghurst board meeting on March 4th, a discussion was held regarding a garbage rate increase. The fee has not been raised for several years, while the rate for garbage pickup has gone up. The trustees voted to increase the rate on April 1, 2024 from $18.54 to $21.95 with a vote of 4 yes and 1 no, Mike Bohnenkamp casting the no vote. Mike Swisher said a $1.00 increase each year will follow until the end of the current LRS contract. It was noted the state mandates each municipality to have a recycle plan.

Guests included Amanda Jack, representing the Stronghurst Booster Club to inform the board they would be having the Farmer’s Market again this year every other Monday, beginning May 20th until September 9th from 5 to 7 p.m. They would appreciate barricades be put up at 4:30 p.m. again this year.

Janet Bohnenkamp informed the board the Good Friday Procession Walk has been planned. It will take place on Friday, March 29th at approximately 1:00 p.m. following the noon services at the Bethel Lutheran Church. Quentin Peterson is making the cross to be carried and they have 2 trailers lined up, so far, for people to ride who are unable to walk the distance.

Police report for February giving by Police Chief Arbry Vancil, included: 27 hours worked; 141 miles on squad car; 1 assist; 5 service calls; 8 business checks. Vancil also reported a verbal warning had been given Brian Kane, to clean up both of his properties.

Janice Smith, Zoning Committee Chairman, reported that Rich Walker of the Henderson County Highway Department had requested permission to build a new salt building. There was no problem with the request. She had checked with the Oquawka zoning on placement of ramps and was told they require it be 5 foot from the sidewalk. All ramps have to be ADA compliance.

Mayor Brendan Schaley said the school is going to tear down the old concession stand and take out the storage shed to open up for baseball. They will be bringing in a storage container and put on south side of baseball/softball cage.

Mike Bohnenkamp said his wife, Janet, had brought up the idea of involving the community artists to help design the new village signs. He requested input on the ages this should involve, which was decided as high school age and up. Following much discussion Bohnenkamp said he would put guidelines on Face Book, Village Web, and in the Henderson County Quill.

In other business the board:

• approved the financial report of $10,942.97 to the good
• heard two CDs had been rolled over to receive higher interest
• approved Nathan Harden to head up a cook off for the Veteran’s Memorial to be held on July 20th.
• discussed legal representation. Schaley will see if anyone is interested in doing it by Zoom.
• heard children who live across the track are bussed to school. They are picked up at the Jeff Nichols corner.
• heard there are still problems with LRS recycle pick-up. Schaley has been talking to them.

Present were: Mayor Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Janice Smith, Paige Torrance, Mike Swisher, Nathan Harden, (Amanda Van Arsdale, absent); Employees, Brittany Smith, Arbry Vancil; Guests, Amanda Jack, David Knutstrom, Janet Bohnenkamp, Shirley Linder

The next board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1st.