To All Village Residents:
As we move into 2024, I feel it is important for all to see what their village government has accomplished for them in the past year. There was a great deal done with our limited budget and small staff. Here is an accounting of some of our accomplishments in no particular order:
Capital Projects
• Corning Street sidewalk and other sidewalk repairs
• Resurfacing Mill Trace subdivision with MFT funds
• $3 million Road improvements for 88th Avenue and Wilmington-Peotone Road
Economic Development
• Opening of Peotone Travel Center
• Groundbreaking for Holiday Inn Express
• Opening of Dunkin’, anticipate opening of Charley’s Steak
• Welcomed new businesses downtown, Janski Design, Edit the Boutique
• Abandoned house on Second Street was demolished
• Engineering and Design plans completed for downtown streetscape project. Project is out for bid, with bid opening end of January 2024.
• Obtained grant for pro bono planning services to update our comprehensive bike/walking path plan
Finance Department
• Another clean audit
• Restructured village investments to take advantage of higher interest rates and put more money into general fund
• Received Budget Award from Government Finance Officers Association
• Police Pension fund up to 44 percent funded from a recent low of 21 percent, due to dedication from board to fully fund and transfer to state pool of investments
• Implemented online payment portal for residents to use
Administrative
• Completed Village Hall remodeling project to provide a more secure employee environment
• Applied for and received $900,000 grant from Will County for Conrad Street storm sewer project
• Hired FT Building department coordinator
• Changed building services contractor
Police Department
• Chief DeMik completed his first year
• Fully staffed department by hiring four full time lateral hire officers
• Bought three new squad cars
• Increased truck length enforcement in village
• Enforcement of no parking on sidewalks
• Hired new community liaison for department
• Instrumental in passing comprehensive village parking ordinance
• Many community outreach programs, including sip ‘n stroll, trunk-or-treat, golf cart parade, and lighted Christmas parade; No shave November donation
Aqua
• Still waiting for OK from IEPA to switch over water source.
Public Works Department
• Planted over 70 parkway trees
• Designated Tree City again by Arbor Day Foundation
• Hired two FT employees
• Successful year with branch and leaf pickup, snow plowing, street sweeping, and maintaining village infrastructure
• Flower baskets and banners on downtown poles
Community Events
• Will County Fair, two car shows, Christmas in the Village, Tree lighting, Mill Open House, and others
There are many people to thank for this great year. Thanks to the Administration, Police and Public Works Departments, which are all composed of dedicated and passionate people who carry out the day-to-day business of our village. Also thanks to the Village Board Trustees, who give guidance, direction, and policy for our village. I personally want to thank Trustees Julie Sluis, Gary Hudson, Nick Strba, Shelly Marevka, Todd Sandberg, and Jackie Richards for their dedication and service to our village. Last but not least, I would like to thank the wonderful residents of Peotone. We appreciate your feedback and support!
We look forward to another productive and progressive year in 2024. We look for the continued help and support from our staff, residents, and officials to make that happen!
Happy New Year!
Mayor Peter March
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