Routine Board Meeting Produces Interesting Tidbits

By Andrea Arens

Last week’s Peotone’s Village Board Meeting lasted a whole 19 minutes but produced some interesting tidbits.

Resident Ed Nelson asked if Aqua tests the water. He asked the board for the multitude of people that complain on social media but couldn’t attend the board meeting. Mayor Peter March said the best thing to do was to try Aqua’s call center but, if there’s no luck there, to call village hall and they’d contact the Aqua rep.

Manager of Public Works Robert Hennke gave a public works update and said public works reviewed the planting of parkway trees. Hennke said he also reviewed the ordinance and found new construction is to have one parkway tree but corner lots are to have two. Hennke said his department is continuing to GIS map the trees, and the crew may be seen out and about taking pictures.

Hennke also has been trying to camera the existing storm sewer downtown; he reported there are a few areas of concern since there are 100-year-old manholes made of brick and mortar. Hennke said to be repaired it may need to be completely torn out and a concrete cone would be put in its place.

Aqua representative Angie Serafini attended the board meeting and shared information on how to receive Aqua updates via their Smart Alert program.

Chief DeMik shared the police department will be distributing clubs for Kia and Dodge vehicles for free to prevent theft. DeMik said it’s a great preventative tool.

Administrator Aimee Ingalls shared that she attended Congresswoman Kelly’s swearing in, and she appreciated the opportunity to remind the Congresswoman of our needs. Ingalls also said the budget process is ongoing, and a presentation will be made to the board in late February. The goal is to move forward with online payments on the web for residents. Ingalls said code issues still are being addressed, with main focal points being the apartment building on Schroeder, the house next to the bowling alley, and 207 Hickory. Ingalls also said the village is reviewing a concept plan from a developer for the northeast corner of I-57 and Peotone-Wilmington Road (where the spoil pond is).

Village Engineer Troy Golem said the lights are coming for the newly constructed Railroad Street parking lot.

Mayor Peter March said Upland Design and Robinson Engineering are putting together plans for Phase 2 of the Downtown Streetscape plan. March said he hoped to have something to present to the board in February.

March also suggested the approved liquor license for Serendipity, contingent upon striping of the parking lot, be extended to allow for the striping to be completed by June 1 due to weather. Owner Mark Baumgartner said they are on the paving companies books. March said if it’s not complete by June 1, he’ll revoke Serendipity’s liquor license.

Upcoming dates: Blood drive February 8 at the Fire Department, February 15 vehicle stickers are due, and Beecher Blacktop Road from Rt. 50 to Rt. 1 will be repaved in the future by the county.