Hancock County Board

County “Still-In-Running” For Federal Grant for Connable Repairs 

Joy Swearingen, The Quill Correspondent

Hancock County passed the first hurdle in a Federal Community Development grant process that could pay up to $5.2 million to cover repairs on the Connable Road. County engineer, Elgin Berry, reported to the board on April 20, that the county’s grant application was one of 25 requests submitted by Congressman Mary Miller for federal consideration. 

Berry said he applied for $5.2 million which would cover 80 percent of the second part of the Connable Road renovation project, six miles extending from the Ferris Road to Rt. 96 east of Nauvoo. 

“This means we are still in the running for the grant. We made the first cut,” Berry said. “Our application needed 2 letters of support. We got 28 letters. That should say something about the need.” Support letters came from farmers, businesses, schools, EMS and others.

In addition, a resolution for improvement under the Illinois Highway Code was approved for the final payment of Motor Fuel Tax covering the work done on the Connable project last year.

In other road action, the board approved the bid from W.L. Miller for bituminous materials for county and township projects. The bid from Metal Culverts, Inc., was approved for township culverts.

The board approved a certificate of authority to allow the county engineer to buy road salt.

In a special meeting of the county board on April 8, the board agreed to serve as the lead agency to file for a drug court grant renewal. The three-year grant supports drug court services in Hancock and McDonough counties.

Emily Flynn addressed the board, announcing herself as an independent candidate, running for Hancock County treasurer in the November General Election.

A bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln from an anonymous donor, and to be created by artist Stan Watts, was accepted by the board and will be placed in the Hancock County Courthouse.

A tax deed resolution for property in Warsaw was approved.

The following appointments were approved by the board:

- William Shanks to a three-year term on the Nauvoo Fire Protection District;

- George Salrin to a three-year term on the Dallas Rural Fire Protection District;

- Steve Haney to a three-year term on the Blandinsville-Hire Fire Protection District;

- Tony Koehler to a three-year term on the Warsaw Rural Fire Department District;

- Keith Bruns and Tammy Dighton to three-year terms on the West Point Fire Department.