Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met March 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board

The Village of Harristown Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on March 24, 2025 at 185 N. Kembark St, Harristown, IL.  Trustees Kevin Vessels, Les Jenkins, Jay Trusner,  Kurt Terry, Jeff Eller, Financial clerk Teresa Acree,  Budget Officer Rick Laskowski, Attorney Joshua Dubbelde, Clerk Penny Allen and Mayor Evelyn Deverell were present.  Trustee April Bogan was absent.  The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Adopt Meeting Agenda

Mayor requested to move up in the agenda, Seth the Engineer report up. Motion by Trustee Trusner to adopt the meeting agenda and move up Seth,  the Engineer report section.  Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Visitors

Rose Ross-discussed the removal of the clerk from the ballot; making it an appointed position instead of elected.  She said the Board voted to not put clerk position on the ballot but how can the Board remove this when years ago (1990’s) a petition was taken around to have the clerk on the official ballots.  Residents then voted at official election, to have this position elected and to be on the ballot at official elections.  Trustee Trusner stated that this was brought before legal.  She also questioned the shredding of paperwork that the Mayor was doing today.  Mayor stated she was shredding her personal copies.

Ernie and Julie Marsh-they were present to thank the leaders and workers of the Village and Mayor Deverell.  They said this is one village that is working together. Residents are blessed to have the Trustees and the Mayor.  Thanks to Mayor Deverell, Trustees Bogan, Eller, Jenkins, Terry, Trusner, Vessels, Clerk Allen, Financial clerk Acree, Attorney Dubbelde, Budget officer Laskowski, building inspector Watts, zoning Sorentino,  office deputy clerk Peters, public works Closs, Leffler and Hamilton.  They gave gifts to the above from them on behalf of all residents of Harristown.

Dr. Fields-Sangamon Valley School-he thanked Mayor Deverell and Trustee Jenkins for attending a recent meeting.  He discussed projects coming up.  Harristown primary school is in need of updated playground equipment. A preK grant was requested and one item they looked at was the playground.  No equipment currently is at preK level.  The update would be done in 3 phases

Phase 1  make it better for preK.  No metal slides. Currently too many swings on one structure.  Try to remove older equipment.  The school board approved to go thru with the plans he passed out, estimated cost $102,063.28.  He asked the village if there was any help they could provide.  They would like to start this summer.  Mayor Deverell questioned how many children does this prek serve?  Mr. Fields stated approximately 56-60 kids.   The early childhood grant allows the school to pay for teachers and aids and have money for classrooms.  There are no enrollment charges for prek.  Without this grant, may not be able to pay for additional teacher.  Mayor questioned if the playground is not updated, will that mean a grant will not be received?  Mr. Fields stated he was not sure, they haven’t specifically said that but he knows this was the problem they found with the playground.  This will be discussed later in the meeting

Engineer 

NPDES – have received project planning approval. Intent to borrow funds $400,000, not binding unless we get loan. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve as ordinance 25-02 – intent to borrow funds.

Trustee Vessels 2nd. Roll call: Trustee Eller, yes; Trustee Trusner, yes;, Trustee Jenkins, yes; Trustee Terry, yes; Trustee Vessels, yes.  Approved 5-0.

Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve as draft agreement, pending EJ Water agreement to draft. Trustee Terry 2nd.   Roll call: Trustee Eller, yes; Trustee Trusner, yes;, Trustee Jenkins, yes; Trustee Terry, yes; Trustee Vessels, yes.  Approved 5-0.

MFT paperwork has been submitted to IDOT.

CDS Grant – still working on this.  Budzinski hopes to get this for us but currently on hold.

Service line and meter replacement – on hold for funding.

Approve Minutes

February 24, 2025 regular meeting minutes.  Page 4 request to add regarding youth league, “previous donation made last summer”  Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve with additional comment. Trustee Jenkins 2nd.  Approved 5-0.

Thank you note received from SV for the skating donation.

Treasurer Report

Treasurer Acree discussed.  Moton by Trustee Trusner to accept the treasurers report. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 5-0.

checks needing approval

SMS&J                   Attorney                   $ 1560.00   general fund

Smith&Loveless     parts                        $ 2291.83   Sewer fund

Firstech                  water & sewer bills  $ 2000.00   general fund

Total                                                       $ 5851.83

Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve additional checks. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Treasurer Acree had a list of bills that are paid monthly, each over $1,000, she requested if she could have approval to pay these each month without additional approval.  Mayor stated that most of these are listed on a previous list ok to pay. 

Checks in question are:

 General code, United Regional water coop, CEFCU, Macon County environmental, Attorney, Morgan Distributing, Text My Gov, IMOC Utility supply, Illinois EPA. 

Trustee Trusner thinks it would be best to add these to the list so Teresa can get them paid. Motion by Trustee Vessels to add vendors on list to existing list to be automatically paid by Treasurer Acree. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Treasurer Acree passed out insurance quotes; current policy expires in June.  She requested the Board to look at these rates so they can be discussed at next meeting.

Budget Officers Report

BO Laskowski discussed. Budget study session was held last week on March 19.  He indicated we may need to bump up employee health insurance to $38,000; board ok with this. Mayor questioned elected officers; Laskowski moved clerk out of elected to appointed. Motion by Trustee Jenkins to approve report. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 5-0 

Zoning and Planning

Mayor Deverell received a phone call from Rose Hupp.  She stated she is getting bids and once she gets this, she will bring to the board the new plans for Mystic Greens.

Public Works

Mr. Closs discussed.  They have been working on the park and also getting mowers ready

Old Business

Ordinance adopting rules and procedure for public comments at meetings – Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve as ordinance 25-03 , adopting rules and procedure for public comments at meetings. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Roll call: Trustee Eller, yes; Trustee Trusner, yes; Trustee Jenkins, yes; Trustee Terry, yes, Trustee Vessels, yes.  Approved 5-0.

New Business

Mayor said suggestions will be needed for Clerk and possible board member and a URWC Board member.  The Clerk will be appointed.  A current trustee is running for Mayor. Mayor Deverell is currently the URWC board member.

Office closure – Misty will be on vacation; office will be closed April 1st and 2nd.  Board wants to close the office entire week of 3/31/25.

Mayor Deverell stated the village is billed a monthly water bill; Teresa writes a check to the village; is this necessary? Motion by Trustee Vessels to not bill ourselves. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Mayor discussed the last water bills for the residents.  She stated ¼ of them were incorrect.  They were only billed 3 weeks; next time it will be 5 weeks.  The residents that only pay a minimum every month will be adjusted if higher than normal since it will be 5 weeks usage.  Will look closely at next bills.

Attorney addressed Mrs. Ross’ question about clerk position.  He stated a village fewer than 5000 can make resolution to have clerk appointed. Historically in past, if changed from appointed to elected, would have to do a resolution to change and bring to the residents. Will need to look at minutes.  When does the new people need to be sworn in for trustee / mayor?  Mayor said swear in perhaps at April meeting and say not start until May 1st.  Mrs. Ross stated it is done at the first full board meeting after May 1st.

Mayor Deverell asked the boards opinion regarding Dr. Fields’ request.  The Board would like to help. Mrs. Ross stated the village can’t give to another governmental organization.  Attorney will research this.  Board wants to give back to the community.  Mrs. Ross stated need to have work done on the ditches. Tabled school district request. Budget was updated community development from $100,000 to $150,000.

Committees

Personnel – nothing to report

Public works – nothing to report

Finance – nothing to report

Ordinance 

5262 W. Main- Eckhart is the owner and he called; he will start working on this

235 Fieldcrest-Wilderman-speeding, reckless driving, certified notice sent to him

220 S. Camp – Cramer-dogs not properly supervised. Certified notice sent.

235 Heather – Farnsworth-excessive trash, old appliance. Certified notice sent

7975 W Third -Kirkland-excessive trash, old appliance (has since been removed). Certified notice sent.

357 Fieldcrest – building started with no permit. Building inspector issued a stop work order.

Mrs. Ross had a complaint about dog from the apartments on corner of Kembark and Main; the dog is going into the church yard. Mayor will send a notice to them.

Business/Economic/community development 

Harristown Community Park – waiting for parts for the swing (adult/kid swing)  Bid received for fence and gate. Decatur Fence, estimate $4166. This would be fence between pickleball / basketball and back side of pickleball court.  Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve estimate of $4166 from Decatur Fence for the fence and gate, funds to come from business district fund. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Bid for Dirt and Rock work -park needs leveled, rocks and dirt.  Estimate received from Troy Page for an estimate of $5,000, grade, backfill as needed. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve estimate from Troy Page for $5,000 with funds to come from Business district.  Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Teresa Acree will check with the people that are to stripe the courts to see when they are planning to begin.

2025 Fireworks -J&M Displays will provide a shoot team.

Attorney

Attorney discussed the gifts that was received tonight from the Marshs’.  As long as amounts are under $100, should not be an issue, if there are no conflict of interest.

Motion by Trustee Trusner to adjourn. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm

https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/VOH_3-24-2025.docx?1745962001