The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
Stronghurst village board members used their new tape recorder for the first time Monday evening, a month earlier than requested by a new Illinois law.
The tape recorder was bought for two purposes, to help the secretary with minutes and to comply with the open meetings act that requires all closed meetings be tape recorded starting January 1st, 2004.
Lawrence asked if the village would be sponsoring a Christmas lighting contest this year. All members were in agreement not to have a contest.
Much discussion was held regarding purchasing a back hoe for the village. Rod Fox presented a bid for a New Holland, Scott Ford presented a bid for a Caterpillar and Eric Chockley discussed a bid he had obtained for a Case. Since the village will be spending over $10,000 President Chockley said the bid would need to run in the paper for two weeks. Chockley said they would enter closed session and discuss the financial status before a final decision was made.
The board agreed to bill Stronghurst Grain & Mdse. annually for the use of the meters used for parking trucks.
It was voted to give the village employees a $50 bonus for Christmas.
President Chockley appointed Lawrence Neff as chairman of the Law Enforcement Committee.
Bob Carmean reported Richard Knutstrom had requested the road running in front of his development property be widened. The board voted to pay $500 to the County/Township for grader work on the road with the village employees finishing the project.
At 8:10 p.m. David Vancil made a motion and Lawrence Neff seconded to enter closed session for the purpose of talking finances and law enforcement.
Following closed session the board reported they would publish a request for backhoe bids in the newspaper.
Present: Board members, Lawrence Neff, Tony Griepentrog, Juanita Jarvis, Bob Scott and David Vancil; President Eric Chockley; Treasurer Lori Russell; Village employees, Bob Carmean, Tony Anderson and Scott Ford; Deputy Steve Haynes and guest Rod Fox. Absent was member Angela Myers and secretary Deanna Huss.