There was a special meeting held on October 20th where the board passed a water treatment plant resolution with Brown & Roberts Engineering to rebuild the water plant. Mayor Skip Land said there were some residents that were willing to accept increased water rates if there was a water softener system in place. Land said the system is expensive, costing from $700 to $750,000. After some discussion with the board, they decided to accept rebuilding the water plant and to make space available for a possible water softener system which could be installed in the future.
A Mr. Harrison addressed the board on closing off two alleyways on his properties near Division Street, saying the alleys are never used, and believed he could do whatever he wanted with them. Mayor Land said he had previously talked with Harrison about this and that a resolution would have to be passed to close off any alleyways in the village. Harrison agreed to get together again with the Mayor and work out some kind of solution. Also they will continue to pursue talks with John Schofield about his property.
Kyle Poore will excavate two houses, one on North Division and the Methodist House on West Main Street starting November 20th.
Bond rates will have to go up due to the water project, but not until they receive their money.
The village will receive a Police Retention Grant to retain officers for three years, and they must stay all three years or they will have to return some of the funds.
The board agreed to donate the same amount of money to Wild Bunch Athletics in Norris City as they do to the NCAA (Norris City Athletic Association).
It was agreed to give each full-time employee a Christmas Bonus of $350, up from the $300 that was given last year. The annual Christmas Party is on December 2nd at 5 PM at The 20’s Hideout in Marion.
Wayne McKenzie, Chairman of the Parks Committee said installation of the new cameras at Boyd Park has begun and should finish up Tuesday. He also was granted permission the board to shut the playground down at dark. Board member Joe Skaggs said he has received several compliments from residents about the playground.
Mayor Land said he has sent out five letters to residents on cleaning up their properties and will follow up on them.
In the Police Report for October, there were 15 reports written, three accident reports, two arrests made, 12 traffic stops and warnings, and one citation issued. There was no Animal Report for October.
The board went into Executive Session at 7:46 PM to discuss whether a particular parcel should be acquired, pending litigation.
The next meeting of the village board is on Monday, December 4th at 7 PM.
