By Jeff Vorva

A solar farm took a major step in arriving on the outskirts of Beecher.

The village board voted April 22 to submit a letter of non-objection to the Will County Land Use Department for a special use permit for the TurningPoint Energy facility, which will be located south of West Indiana Avenue and east of South Western Avenue.

TurningPoint Managing Director of Development Jordan Belknap said the project will be on close to 40 acres of land.

He said the facility will create jobs, offers savings on electricity for those who opt in, increases tax revenue, eases the burden on the current power transmission system, improves soil in the area, reduces erosion in the soil, and that it is quiet.

In 2022, the Denver-based company had plans to enter 40 projects in Illinois. According to a news release, for every community the company develops, it will make a charitable community investment commitment. It also has developments in Maine, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Money for police work

The board awarded Scottsdale Arizona-based Axon Enterprise a $49,995.20 contract for body cameras for police officers.

It also awarded almost as much – $44,705 – for a 2024 Ford Explorer from Terry’s Ford of Peotone.

Fourth of July bands

Although the village board has not announced all of the bands performing at the 2024 concert series, the Fourth of July lineup is set.

The rock group Sniper will play on July 3 at the Fourth of July festival at Fireman’s Park. The Ryan Craig Band and Juke Box Hero perform on July 4, South Side Social Club performs on July 5, and Anthem performs on July 6.

Beecher bits

•The splash pad in Fireman’s Park is scheduled a reopen on May 20 and will remain open until an undetermined date in the fall.

•The village’s pickleball courts are open and will be open daily until 10 p.m.

•There will be a hazardous waste drop off event in the village from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 11.

Dropping off is by appointment only. Visit willcountygreen.com to make an appointment and find out the location information for the event.