The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Shirley Linder, Executive Editor
At the Village of Stronghurst board meeting held on Wednesday, July 2nd, Doug Erickson of Benton & Associates reported a 90 foot deep test well has been dug by Brotchke Well & Pump.
If it proves to produce sufficient water, then the next step is to figure out what is in the water. This process will take about a week to determine the basics and about a month to complete the water sample tests for approval by the EPA.
If all meets approval the village can begin hauling water from it. In the meantime Erickson reported there is other things being done, the ground has been staked and a plat has been signed.
They are now working on a route for the pipes to be laid and securing the easements that will be needed.
Water superintendent Ronnie Gittings reported that they are hauling four loads of water a day.
They are trying not to take more than 68,000 gallons of water from the well as it drops to 82 gallon per minute when pumping. He had nothing but high praise for the truck driver on his punctuality and work ethic.
There is a huge concern as to how water will be hauled this winter when the weather turns cold. Gittings said he hopes the community is aware this is a severe problem and will conserve wherever possible.
He stated he came upon some children jumping on a trampoline and spraying the water hose. He stopped and told them they should not be doing that and they stopped.
Gittings also reported he had been called a couple of times by groups having a gathering in the park, to open the bathroom.
Previously the board had decided to leave the bathroom closed due to vandalism. It was decided to open it back up and see what happens.
Jim Blender approached the board to see if they could help financially in replacing the bricks that had fallen from the American Legion building.
He stated the bid for replacing the bricks was $12,000 and they had already spent $1,000 in cleaning it up.
When asked what insurance would do he said nothing as it is a maintenance problem and there is no insurance for that.
Blender said there is some donations coming in. Nathan Harden asked David Knutstrom about the Stronghurst Community Corp helping.
Knutstrom said the directors of the Stronghurst Community Corp met quarterly, which will be in August, and he will see if there is any way they can help.
Mayor Schaley told Blender to keep him informed and they would make it happen.
David Knutstrom presented the board with a proposal from the West Central Illinois Recreational Association regarding working on some grants for upgrades to the park.
The committee needed to know if the board would be interested, since the park belongs to the village, if they did all the leg work for the projects.
The upgrades they are looking at is: 1. Tennis court resurfacing, $105,000; 2. Fencing around the entire court, $30,000; 3. Volleyball, badminton, bags, (game court) at the south end of the tennis court, $3,000; and 4. Handicap parking space(s) on the east side of courts with a sidewalk.
David said, “This all comes with a few stipulation: 1. The property is that of the village, therefore grant monies would have to work thru the vNillage; 2. The funding (hopefully 80 to 90% grant money) must go thru the processes and steps; and 3. Improved measures of security need and must be enforced.
A great deal of time, sweat, effort and research has been invested and will continue. It has been demonstrated what occurs when no observation and attention is utilized at the park.
Paige Torrance volunteered to work with the committee on behalf of the board.
Basically, the organization (WCIRA) is willing to do much of the legwork on behalf of the village in order to improve the facilities and the offerings at the park and not the destruction thereof..)
Board members responded they were all for the improvements but could not guarantee there would not be destruction.
It was said the village is doing their park on correcting the situation but it is up to the State’s Attorney to prosecute.
Members of the WCIRA include, Sally Waddell, Deb Gilliam, Donna Painter, Peyton Jack, Grant Robertson and Dave Knutstrom.
Police report for June: 28.5 hours worked; 108 miles on squad car, 4 service calls, 12 business courtesy checks.
In other items the board approved the June minutes; paying of the bills; the financial report of minus $48,857.33; and the Appropriation Ordinance 2025/2026.
They also hired Jackson Timmerman as full time truck driver.
The board entered executive session for the purpose of employment application review. No decisions were made in open session following.
Present was: Mayor Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Janice Smith, Paige Torrance, Amanda Van Arsdale, Mike Swisher, Nathan Harden; Employees, Ronnie Gittings, Brittany Smith; Guests, Mark Burgus, Jim Blender, Norman Menzenberger, David Knutstrom, Doug Erickson of Benton & Associates, Shirley LinderNV