By Jeff Vorva

Wet or dry?

That was the $60,000 question.

The Beecher Village Board decided to spend $60,000 to build a water basin and fountain on the property of the new police building, which will be built at Church Road near Dixie Highway.

Board members went back and forth on the merits of the water basin as opposed to a dry basin. Engineers said a dry basin would save the project $60,000.

“A wet basin would look nice,” said village administrator Robert Barber, before the consensus.

“But if it’s a question of 60 grand, that’s up to you guys. A dry basin would save all of the excavation and all of that.

“I like wet basins, but I would rather spend the 60 grand on the building, but you guys can make that decision.”

Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan Kypuros, who ran the meeting in Mayor Marcy Meyer’s absence, said he could go either way on the issue.

“We have to give it a mindset of forward thinking on it,” he said. “This was sold to the residents, and the residents approved it. We have to make a good investment with their dollars and not just save a penny any way we can.

“Any time we come under (budget) we’re being responsible with taxpayer dollars. I just think of that pond behind McDonald’s and Walt’s and that monstrosity and it’s dry. Debris blows into it, and it’s just a catchall for nothing.”

Before coming to a consensus, the board considered the aesthetics and how this would be an investment for the next 25 years. A formal vote was not taken.

The board also had a consensus with far less discussion on the engineer’s suggestion of using concrete driveway ramps off Church Road and using angled parking in the front of the building given the need to require 20 feet of green space between the road and the project.

Strike up the bands

Trustee Ben Juzeszyn, head of the Economic Development and Community Relations Committee, announced the dates and lineups for the village’s second Concert Series.

The series kicks off June 3 with Iron Horse, followed by Shout Section Big Band on June 18, Infinity on July 1 – as a part of the Fourth of July festival, the E-Z Tones Polka Band on August 6, the Big Dog Mercer Band on August 26, and the Midnight Band September 2.

“In general things are looking good,” Juzeszyn said.

The concerts will be performed at Firemen’s Park.

Beecher bits

•There will be a public hearing at 7 p.m. on February 23 to discuss a special use permit for a tobacco business at 999 Dixie Highway. After the hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission will decide on a recommendation to the village board.

•There will be a budget workshop at 7 a.m. on February 25, and officials hope it will be completed by noon.

•The board voted to award Imagine Nation of Westchester $15,346.33 for the purchase of playground equipment for Hunters Chase Park and Prairie Park.