The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Shirley Linder, Executive Editor
At the Village of Stronghurst board meeting on Tuesday, October 8th, the trustees set trick or treat night for Thursday, October 31 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Resa George expressed concern to the board about the cats that are being fed in her neighborhood, saying the neighbor had admitted to feeding 21 cats. Her yard is fenced in since she has 3 dogs and one day a cat got its head stuck in her fence. While she was helping try to free it, it bite her finger, which bled most of the day. Mike Bohnenkamp told her unfortunately there is no county, nor state ordinance or anything on the number of cats a person can have. Therefore there is no city ordinance and they could not do anything to help with the situation.
Ronnie Gittings reported they are progressing nicely putting new water meters in with probably 50 or 60 to go. They have had 4 shut off valves that have broken, two of which have been repaired.
The other two are on properties that they can’t get their backhoe in position to dig up and replace without shutting down both lanes of the highway, which is not very feasible.
The board granted him permission to hire Jones Septic Service, who have a machine that can be used, to do the digging for them.
The police report for September included: 47 hours worked; 61 miles on squad car; 1 service call and 6 business courtesy checks.
Nathan Harden reported regarding the discussion last month on abandoned properties he has spoken to the owner of the Phillips property and they are willing to sell. There is a pending offer and the board will table the issue for now.
Amanda VanArsdale said she would like to see all properties go through the courthouse system, like they did The Antiquity, as opposed to the board taking care of it. She felt that would be fairer to everyone concerned.
Jeff Lionberger of LRE Renewable Energy presented the board with two sample proposals for a solar system.
He said he would need complete information before making an accurate proposal such as site and twelve months of complete electrical data.
He explained there is state and federal funding and that most of the time a home or business will pay for itself in 1-4 years. The board agreed Mike Bohnenkamp and Ronnie Gittings could meet with Lionberger and show him the sites available so he could draw up a proposal.
Dillan Vancil, who has recently purchased the former Rivals building was present to request some financial help with the demolition of the house on the property. The cost for the demolition will be $14,000-$15,000 and he would like the village to split the cost.
Mayor Schaley said he had spoken to the attorney and she felt it was a good idea to help. Amanda VanArsdale expressed concern as to where the money would come from and that there was no line in the appropriation budget for this kind of spending. The mayor said the budget could be amended.
Following much discussion it was voted to provide the help and would have the attorney draw up a contract. Vancil said they will be putting on a 40 x 24 addition and will bring in drive thru coffee and drive thru ice cream, using the present drive through lane. The present building will house a bar and restaurant.
In other business the board:
Present at the meeting were:
Mayor Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Paige Torrance, Amanda VanArsdale, Nathan Harden, (Janice Smith and Mike Swisher were absent);
Employees, Ronnie Gittings, Brittany Smith, Police Chief Arbry Vancil arrived at 6:15 p.m.;
Guests, Resa George, Randy Jarvis, David Knutstrom, Jeff Lionberger of LRE Renewal Energy.
The next meeting will be held Monday, November 4th at 6:00 p.m.