The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by: Shirley Linder Quill Editor
Stronghurst residents will soon be able to take their recyclables to the curb for pick up. At a meeting of the village board on Monday evening, members voted to sign a 2 year contract with Maple City Recycling of Monmouth.
Maple City was the lowest of four bids received, charging $2 a month per household for the weekly pick-up. The other three included Jackson Disposal, Waste Management and REC Recycling (Tom Edmonds).
While recycling in not mandatory for residents, it is a state mandate that villages have a recycling plan. The village board hopes to have at least 40% participation in residents sorting and putting out their recyclables.
There will be no added fees for residents as this service will be paid for by the village from tax money. The board also agreed to purchase the containers at $6 each.
Signs will be posted and a news article will appear in The Quill when the service will begin. The contract isn't signed yet, the containers have not been ordered yet, but when it starts, the recycling containers will be available at Doran's Insurance.
When collection of recyclables start, pick-up day will be on Wednesdays while garbage pick-up will remain on Fridays. The board would like to get both collection days the same in future contracts, if possible.
Lee Klossing and Ron Schaley, both members of the Stronghurst Zoning Board asked board approval for an increase in the cost of building permits. Higher fees would help make this committee self-supporting and be closer to the fees charged by other zoning boards in the area, they stated.
The board voted yes to an increase as follows: Porches, decks and small buildings increase from $5 to $15;
Garages and storage buildings, measuring 20'x 20' increase from $10 to $30;
Other buildings measuring larger than 20'x 20' increase from $20 to $60 and houses increase from $25 to $75.
Mayor Eric Chockley said he had talked with Bob Carmean regarding the possibility of purchasing walkie-talkies for the employees to be able to keep in contact.
The employees present said they feel cell phones for each of them would be a better solution. Eric said he would look into some costs before a decision is made.
The board passed an ordinance establishing "No Parking" signs to be placed on Logan Street near the emergency entrance into the baseball diamond.
Following a closed session meeting, the board voted on the following motion: "give employees pay raises as discussed and future increases in insurance to be passed on to the employees".
No figure amounts were announced or given in the motion so it is unclear what the pay raises were.
The board also voted on the following motion:
"hire the new treasurer, as discussed, upon her acceptance at the same wage" (as the previous treasurer). The person to be hired was not disclosed in the motion.
In a phone call from Terry Myers after the board meeting, he revealed Lori Russell was the new village treasurer.
Present were board members Lawrence Neff, David Vancil, Frank Avery, Terry Myers, Tony Griepentrog and Bob Scott; President Eric Chockley, Eileen Cargill, Christy Keever, Tony Anderson, Bob Carmean, Lee Klossing, Ron Schaley, Deputy Steve Haynes and Dorothy Martin.
The next board meeting will be on Monday, February 4, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.