The Village of Manhattan swore in two new police officers at its August 18 meeting, increasing the police force in the growing village.
“The village board and I are continuing our commitment to strong public safety in Manhattan by hiring both a new full-time officer and a part-time police officer. These recent hires, along with other additions we have made to our department, are crucial to our continued success,” Mayor Mike Adrieansen said.
Officer Robert Badertscher, the village’s newest part-time officer, has over 27 years’ experience in law enforcement and recently retired from the Joliet Police Department. He is a master K9 trainer, involved with the Illinois Tactical Officers Association.
I look forward to supporting the department in any way I can help and thank you for this great opportunity,” Badertscher said.
Full-time officer Nicole Passaglia comes to the department with more than 13 years’ experience and previously worked in another suburban police department.
In other police news, the village approved an $846 settlement to resolve a grievance filed by the Illinois Council of Police regarding a holiday pay discrepancy. The $846 will be distributed among the five officers affected by the discrepancy.
Manhattan Makes Earthrise Approval, Denies Solar Panels
The board approved a development agreement and special use permit with Lincoln Solar Energy LLC, for the expansion of the existing substation at Pauling and Kankakee roads within the village.
Because an existing substation was there, it was already zoned for industrial uses and the village’s plan commission recommended approval of the special use permit and development agreement for the project. Lincoln Solar Energy is part of the Earthrise “Pride of the Prairie” project.
“The project will include improvements to the existing substation, new electrical infrastructure, and two transmission poles connecting the project area to the existing facility. This is only a substation. The company wanted to do solar panels, and the village said no,” Adrieansen said.
Adrieansen said the developer could choose to expand the substation in the unincorporated property across the street from the existing substation in the village, but then the village would not be able to have any oversight or reap any financial benefits.
The agreement calls for the village to receive 20 cents for every megawatt-hour of electricity generated by the project for the lifespan of the project.
Other News
The village approved a geofencing tornado siren system and an agreement with Braniff Communications. The system essentially automates alarm sounding when the National Weather Service issues a qualifying weather alert. Additionally, the system can be sounded locally from the police station or remotely by approved cell phones.
Additionally, the village approved payment for an F-150 snowplow truck for public works, which had already been ordered and a letter of intent previously approved. Due to the amount of time it took to order and receive the outfitted vehicle, the approvals were made in advance for the vehicle. The board approved the payment at the meeting.
The village concluded its Ronald McDonald House Charities Pop Tab Challenge with the villages of Shorewood and Channahon, together raising $715. Each mayor donated $500 of their own funds, adding another $1,500 to the cause.