Storm cleanup in Peotone took less than a month instead of several months, thanks to help from neighboring municipalities and townships. Public Works Supervisor Bob Hennke credited the relationships with Beecher and surrounding communities for the speed.
“It’s nice to have neighbors that help and have good relationships with them. So, we got it done. Something that would have taken a couple of months took less than a month to get done,” Hennke said.
The village also secured its salt delivery before winter prices climb further. Administrator Nick Palmer said the decision was strategic: other communities across Chicagoland are paying significantly more per ton, and some are rationing salt. Peotone locked in supply early.
“I’ve seen in the news other communities … who are paying a lot more per ton and some communities deciding that they’re just going to go lighter on salt,” Palmer said.
“I think you guys made the right decision by getting the salt because I think the price is only going to go up, and we want to be in a position where we have enough to do what we need to do,” Palmer said.
The village’s street resurfacing project on Fourth and South streets is progressing. Engineer Troy Golem told the board it should be fully striped and complete soon. Sidewalk restoration is still pending; Golem will update the board when he has news.
Palmer said the village will have a draft strategic plan ready for board review on Oct. 12. The plan, developed through resident surveys and board visioning sessions, is meant to guide future village decisions based on community input.
Palmer also reported “very positive economic development meetings with some new prospects,” though he cautioned it’s too early to say what will come of them. He’s working with Will South Cook Soil and Water on updates to lead service lines and said more details will come at a future meeting.
In other business, the board voted to declare old printers and electronic devices surplus property for recycling, renewed its agreement to access Illinois Department of Revenue tax information, and approved a permit for the high school’s Homecoming Parade on Sept. 25 at 4 p.m.