The Village of Peotone’s February 23 meeting was brief, but resulted in the approval of a couple of summertime special events and a new business.
The first approved event is a car cruise scheduled for Saturday, June 20, petitioned by All Automotive, Cornerstone Coffee, and Kyle Richards. The car cruise is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be held downtown from Main Street to First Street and a section of First Street.
The second approved event is a farmers market that will take place on May 28, June 25, July 30, and August 27, also held downtown, closing First and Second streets for the event. It will be held from 2 to 9 p.m.
Trustee Todd Sandberg asked whether the village would cover the cost of porta potties for the events. Administrator Nick Palmer said the village had not changed the policy regarding porta potties and providing bathrooms for events is not currently required under the village’s ordinances.
“If the village is going to pay for it, I think, to be fair, we should have a policy so all the events that are larger are kind of treated as the same versus just somebody doing something like a block party,” Palmer said.
No more discussion regarding bathrooms occurred, and the events were approved unanimously.
Welcome to Peotone: CEF Pets
A business license was approved for CEF Pets, a reptile pet and supply business owned by Keith and Tracy Macaluso. The business previously was located in neighboring Monee, but the pair decided to relocate to Peotone.
“We’re a little small business,” Keith Macaluso explained, stating he and his wife have two employees at their store.
Macaluso said they have reptiles, snakes, spiders, and feed, so not the “nice fluffy stuff,” but said his business is well established and has a good draw, with people traveling from afar to their shop for their reptiles and supplies.
Macaluso said they intended for the shop to be open within about three weeks from the board meeting, which was held on February 23. They are working on painting and setting up the pet store.
Other Business
Public Works Supervisor Bob Hennke advised the board he is concerned about the salt shortage that occurred this year. He still is awaiting a delivery of salt from the state contract, which is late, and he is continuing to monitor the situation.
“It may come down to salting intersections and not the full road like we do now,” Hennke said.
In other news, Palmer advised the board the overlay district discussions were positive, and the plan commission recommended adoption. It will come before the board soon.
Village President Chris Vieaux let the board know about the new Peotone sign, which is adjacent to the Corner Cafe in the pocket park, and encouraged people to check it out.
‘It’s from the Visit Chicago Southlands, and it’s at its first location, which is the pocket park downtown,” Vieaux said. The village plans to move the sign to various locations for photo opportunities.
Committee of the Whole
Following the board meeting, a committee of the whole meeting was held to conduct a visioning exercise. The board is in the beginning stages of developing a comprehensive plan after contracting CP2 Consulting for strategic planning guidance at the beginning of February.
The visioning exercise allowed the board to gather and exchange ideas about what each board member wants for the future of Peotone. The Village of Peotone is also very interested in what its residents have to say, and is hoping residents participate in its community survey.
Residents can access and complete the survey by visiting: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PeotoneSP.