 | |  | |  | |  |
Security light at Route 4, Divernon Rd. month away
A security light will be installed at the intersection of Route 4 and Divernon Road probably in the next month or two and a three
way effort to have Divernon Road upgraded were major items discussed at Tuesday's annual Auburn Township meeting.
The light installation at the dark intersection was approved last year but for some reason didn't get into the budget, thus was not
installed. The cost is an estimated $5750 with an $8 per month fee.
George Brown said the light was approved last year, so why are we discussing it. "You were told by the electorate last year to do
it, the money should have been appropriated.
Trustee Bill McKain, one of two trustees attending, said that it was discussed but there was some concern about who would
pay for the power, CIPS or the taxpayer.
Brown said that is a moot issue. It is paid by the township. McKain then motioned that road commissioner Dave Beck, who put
the proposal together, come back with a recommendation in the next month and the Township Board vote on it.
On the subject of the upgrade of Divernon Road, this has been a concern for several years and with stimulus money possibly
available, newly elected Supervisor Marc Landers and Brown both encouraged the township to pursue making it a reality.
The subject has been discussed at both the Auburn School Board and city council meetings on occasions in recent years. Now
that Auburn and Divernon school districts have merged, the need to upgrade Divernon Road along with Kennedy Road, from
Divernon Road to Route 104, takes on added safety significance.
Tim Seifert, a newly elected trustee and present school board president, said the school district has talked to county board
members Sam Snell and Andy Goleman and the district has been ready to go for some time.
Mayor Joe Powell told the Citizen Wednesday that the matter must be a county proposal and that he felt that Divernon was on
board with the project.
Brown added, we need to utilize anybody in town who has any influence to help in this matter, Landers reminding that shovel
ready projects have the best chance for stimulus money, we need to contact our senators.
Beck, who was re-elected in a three man race last week, voiced concerns about the needs he had.
These included money to replace and repair older equipment, saying a 1988 pickup truck was on its last leg. He added the
need for a dump truck plus concerns about a leaky roof in the older maintenance building, summing up saying he was going to
give his older employees a raise.
Clerk Elsie Semanik gave the financial report that showed the township assets of $235,507.80 in its numerous funds.
McKain, who is retiring as a trustee, had the last comments, stating that some of the inactivity, such as the light, was because
of the bickering that took place all year. "Dave (Beck) didn't come to meetings and I hope he will this year. Trustees need to know
what is happening all the time."
Sixteen residents were in attendance which included trustees McKain and Beth Heren and clerk Semanik. Beth Bushnell was
elected moderator for the 35 minute meeting.
A security light will be installed at the intersection of Route 4 and Divernon Road probably in the next month or two and a three
way effort to have Divernon Road upgraded were major items discussed at Tuesday's annual Auburn Township meeting.
The light installation at the dark intersection was approved last year but for some reason didn't get into the budget, thus was not
installed. The cost is an estimated $5750 with an $8 per month fee.
George Brown said the light was approved last year, so why are we discussing it. "You were told by the electorate last year to do
it, the money should have been appropriated.
Trustee Bill McKain, one of two trustees attending, said that it was discussed but there was some concern about who would
pay for the power, CIPS or the taxpayer.
Brown said that is a moot issue. It is paid by the township. McKain then motioned that road commissioner Dave Beck, who put
the proposal together, come back with a recommendation in the next month and the Township Board vote on it.
On the subject of the upgrade of Divernon Road, this has been a concern for several years and with stimulus money possibly
available, newly elected Supervisor Marc Landers and Brown both encouraged the township to pursue making it a reality.
The subject has been discussed at both the Auburn School Board and city council meetings on occasions in recent years. Now
that Auburn and Divernon school districts have merged, the need to upgrade Divernon Road along with Kennedy Road, from
Divernon Road to Route 104, takes on added safety significance.
Tim Seifert, a newly elected trustee and present school board president, said the school district has talked to county board
members Sam Snell and Andy Goleman and the district has been ready to go for some time.
Mayor Joe Powell told the Citizen Wednesday that the matter must be a county proposal and that he felt that Divernon was on
board with the project.
Brown added, we need to utilize anybody in town who has any influence to help in this matter, Landers reminding that shovel
ready projects have the best chance for stimulus money, we need to contact our senators.
Beck, who was re-elected in a three man race last week, voiced concerns about the needs he had.
These included money to replace and repair older equipment, saying a 1988 pickup truck was on its last leg. He added the
need for a dump truck plus concerns about a leaky roof in the older maintenance building, summing up saying he was going to
give his older employees a raise.
Clerk Elsie Semanik gave the financial report that showed the township assets of $235,507.80 in its numerous funds.
McKain, who is retiring as a trustee, had the last comments, stating that some of the inactivity, such as the light, was because
of the bickering that took place all year. "Dave (Beck) didn't come to meetings and I hope he will this year. Trustees need to know
what is happening all the time."
Sixteen residents were in attendance which included trustees McKain and Beth Heren and clerk Semanik. Beth Bushnell was
elected moderator for the 35 minute meeting.
Issue Date: April 16, 2009
