Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met April 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village of Harristown Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on April 28, 2025 at 185 N. Kembark St, Harristown, IL. Trustees Kevin Vessels, Les Jenkins, Jay Trusner, Kurt Terry, Jeff Eller, April Bogan, Financial clerk Teresa Acree, Budget Officer Rick Laskowski, Attorney Joshua Dubbelde, Clerk Penny Allen and Mayor Evelyn Deverell were present. 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 the Engineer report up. Motion by Trustee Trusner to adopt the meeting agenda and move up the Engineer report section. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Visitors

Mayor requested the visitors to look at the agenda in case they wanted to discuss something

Alysia Matich-President of Niantic park board. She discussed having a celebration in Niantic on June 28 (day of Harristown’s fireworks) since we are not having one any longer. She would like to have a parade, pet show, music and a Sangamon Valley picnic. She was looking at fried chicken with 3 sides. She asked if Harristown would be interested donating to this. Mayor indicated this is on the agenda and will be discussed later in the meeting.

Rose Ross-requested to address the new board. Mayor stated new officers will be installed in May. Mrs. Ross stated she had nothing to say.

Steve Shepherd-Mr. Shepherd congratulated Trustee Les Jenkins on his win for the race of Village Mayor. He also said he would like to be considered for the trustee replacement vacancy.

Engineer

Seth discussed below items

NPDES Elimination project– this has been approved.

MFT- acceptance has been approved

Service Line/meter replacement-on hold. Applied for full fund

Congressional District Spending -CDS Grant- tentatively received $1,000,000 for service line replacement Approve Minutes

March 24, 2025 regular meeting minutes. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve. Trustee Vessels stated page 4 business district $100,0000 to $150,0000. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Treasurer Report

Insurance -Treasurer Acree asked if everyone had a chance to look at the insurance? Blue Cross/Blue Shield appears to be the best. Motion by Trustee Vessels to stay with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and switch to Delta Dental and Vision. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Moton by Trustee Trusner to accept the treasurers report. Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Checks needing approval

Bradford Supply 2 culverts $ 1068.00 general fund ($534 will be paid back by customer) Motion by Trustee Jenkins to approve additional check. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0. Budget Officers Report

BO Laskowski discussed. Motion by Trustee Eller to approve report. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve as ordinance 25-04, 2025-2026 operating budget. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Zoning and Planning-nothing to report

Public Works

Mr. Closs discussed. Received quotes for lawn mower and trailer. Lawnmower quotes: XMark $9,900; John Deere $7,790; Bad Boy $6.999. All are 60 “ decks. Motion by Trustee Trusner to purchase the Bad Boy Mower from Rural King $ 6,999 (service center in Mount Pulaski). Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0. Trailer quotes: Kates Trailer $2,600; Trailers Direct $ 2,395. Both are 12 ft L, Kates is 76” W and Trailers Direct is 75” wide. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve quote from Trailers Direct to purchase trailer for a cost of $2,395. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Old Business

Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve agreement for EJ Water for waste water transportation, treatment and storage. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0.

School Request for Assistance-Primary School playground – Mayor Deverell stated the best way to do this is to do as a TIF project per Jake at Moran. Trustees Vessel and Trustee Trusner would like to give them the entire amount requested, $102,000 and give it all up front. Motion by Trustee Vessels to have Moran draw up a TIF agreement for Sangamon Valley primary school for $102,000 for the playground improvement. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Roll call: Trustee Eller, yes; Trustee Trusner, yes; Trustee Jenkins, yes; Trustee Terry, yes; Trustee Bogan, yes, Trustee Vessels, yes. Approved 6-0. Mayor Deverell will request Moran Development to start drawing up the TIF agreement.

Heather Drive – disregard.

New Business

Wycklesfest resolution-Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve as resolution 25-05, the temporary closure of road from Fairway to Wyckles for the Wycklesfest. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Swearing in new mayor and trustee-Board requested to have a special meeting to swear these positions in before the regular scheduled meeting in May. Special meeting will be held on Monday May 5, 2025 at 6 pm for this.

Purchase of new water meters -Mr. Closs stated he does not believe that some of the meters are reading accurately. Tabled until next meeting

Committees

Personnel – nothing to report

Public works – already discussed

Finance – nothing to report

Ordinance

5262 W. Main- fines have started. Trustee Terry stated people were there today cutting up wood. Mayor said a fine of $75/day has started. Mayor also said the Trustees need to think about the house here also; full of mold.

281 S. Joynt-tree has fallen over fence, vehicles, trash. Dumpster has been delivered and vehicle moved. 201 Western Ave-dumpster behind apartment building not covered

7520 W. Main- dog complaint. Owner of apartment building said no one has a dog any longer Business/Economic/community development

Request for assistance Niantic Independence day celebration-Trustee Trusner was not sure about giving money to another village; we are already giving $25,000 for fireworks. Trustee Eller agreed; he does not want to give to another village. Trustee Jenkins said he will bring this up at the community involvement meeting. Mayor asked Alysia Matich to let us know what Illiopolis says as she is going to ask them for assistance also. Alysia said she was thinking it would cost around $800-$1200 for the fried chicken dinner. The next community meeting is May 7. Trustee Vessels stated that if Illiopolis is interested, he would like for us to consider donating too. This will be brought up at the next meeting after we know what Illiopolis is doing. Tabled.

Attorney

Village clerk position-Attorney discussed. Voters referendum in 1990 to make the position appointed and in 1995, a referendum to make it elected. He said it would be appropriate to adopt a new ordinance acting like the clerk position is vacated. Need to get clerk to serve a 2 year term until the next 4 year term. Appoint a clerk for 2 years. Clerk Allen questioned why they changed from elected to appointed. Trustee Trusner said it was because Clerk missed meetings. Clerk Allen stated why he was pointing just her out when other board members have missed meetings also and that if she is not told about meetings, it is hard to attend. Trustee Bogan said that was not why it was changed. It was brought up to change when the treasurer position was being discussed and changed to elected.. At the regular meeting in May, when appointments are made, a clerk will be appointed with board approval and will serve until next election. Attorney will prepare an ordinance to remove the ordinance where clerk was made to be appointed.

Motion by Trustee Eller to adjourn. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47 pm

https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/VOH_4-28-25.pdf?1747766842