Work on Gordon Drive could be partially
funded
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
Some federal stimulus money may yet be available for a proposed project in the Village of
Chatham that would extend South Gordon Drive to three lanes, from Ramblewood to Hurstbourne.
along with related storm sewer, curb and gutter and box culvert work.
The Sangamon Area Transportation Study (SATS) Policy Committee has reconsidered approving
two projects for the City of Springfield, instead looking to fund projects in other area municipalities.
Over $4.7 million in federal stimulus money has been received, and one project for Sangamon County
and one project for the City of Springfield has been approved.
With the reconsideration, Chatham may be in line for around $600,000, which would only partially
fund the Gordon Drive project. If Chatham receives the money, the box culvert work would be done
first, Mayor Tom Gray said, with additional monies being sought to finish the project sometime in the
near future. Total cost of the project is put at $1.5 million.
In other news from Tuesday's village board meeting:
•The board accepted a bid from Terry Brown for mowing of the Chatham Cemetery this summer, at
a cost of $9,500.
•After discussion, the board accepted a bid of $6,277.50 from Biggs, Inc. for providing sanitary
sewer work in exchange for water main easements along Walnut Street. Village officials had
considered accepting a higher bid from Petersburg Plumbing, but were informed by attorney John
Myers that they are bound by law to accept the lowest responsible bidder, or show cause in a court of
law as to why the low bid cannot be accepted.
•Work at both the new substation site off north Route 4 and the existing substation on south Route
4 continues. Final testing to put the new facility online will be conducted April 13-May 4. There will be
no impact on electric customers during this test period, village officials confirmed.
•Del McCord, Director of Utilities and Administration, informed the board of a proposed TIF District
project, which would widen Walnut Street to three lanes from Route 4 east to East Street.
"We think it would be a good improvement to help traffic flow in that part of town," he stated.
He proposed three 11-foot lanes with curbs and shoulders for bicycles and walkers to exit onto the
bike trail. Discussions will continue.
•At last week's committee meetings, representatives from EMC and Donahue were on hand to talk
about the proposed water plant and answer questions.
Village officials continue to wait for a formal offer from Springfield CWLP before a final decision is
made on going forward with the Chatham Water Plant. Major considerations will include volume of
water available, no boundary restrictions, eliminating distribution fees and related charges and
providing an affordable water source for New Berlin.
•Village committee meetings will be held Tuesday, March 31, beginning with Administration at 6 p.
m.
funded
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
Some federal stimulus money may yet be available for a proposed project in the Village of
Chatham that would extend South Gordon Drive to three lanes, from Ramblewood to Hurstbourne.
along with related storm sewer, curb and gutter and box culvert work.
The Sangamon Area Transportation Study (SATS) Policy Committee has reconsidered approving
two projects for the City of Springfield, instead looking to fund projects in other area municipalities.
Over $4.7 million in federal stimulus money has been received, and one project for Sangamon County
and one project for the City of Springfield has been approved.
With the reconsideration, Chatham may be in line for around $600,000, which would only partially
fund the Gordon Drive project. If Chatham receives the money, the box culvert work would be done
first, Mayor Tom Gray said, with additional monies being sought to finish the project sometime in the
near future. Total cost of the project is put at $1.5 million.
In other news from Tuesday's village board meeting:
•The board accepted a bid from Terry Brown for mowing of the Chatham Cemetery this summer, at
a cost of $9,500.
•After discussion, the board accepted a bid of $6,277.50 from Biggs, Inc. for providing sanitary
sewer work in exchange for water main easements along Walnut Street. Village officials had
considered accepting a higher bid from Petersburg Plumbing, but were informed by attorney John
Myers that they are bound by law to accept the lowest responsible bidder, or show cause in a court of
law as to why the low bid cannot be accepted.
•Work at both the new substation site off north Route 4 and the existing substation on south Route
4 continues. Final testing to put the new facility online will be conducted April 13-May 4. There will be
no impact on electric customers during this test period, village officials confirmed.
•Del McCord, Director of Utilities and Administration, informed the board of a proposed TIF District
project, which would widen Walnut Street to three lanes from Route 4 east to East Street.
"We think it would be a good improvement to help traffic flow in that part of town," he stated.
He proposed three 11-foot lanes with curbs and shoulders for bicycles and walkers to exit onto the
bike trail. Discussions will continue.
•At last week's committee meetings, representatives from EMC and Donahue were on hand to talk
about the proposed water plant and answer questions.
Village officials continue to wait for a formal offer from Springfield CWLP before a final decision is
made on going forward with the Chatham Water Plant. Major considerations will include volume of
water available, no boundary restrictions, eliminating distribution fees and related charges and
providing an affordable water source for New Berlin.
•Village committee meetings will be held Tuesday, March 31, beginning with Administration at 6 p.
m.
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: March 26, 2009