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Sherman Village Board approves purchase of
new dump truck
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board Tuesday night at its 72-minute meeting approved the purchase of a used
2002 Freightliner Dump and Snow Truck, which will allow a significant portion of infrastructure improvements
to be done in house.
The vote was 7-0, with Mayor Trevor Clatfelter also signifying his approval.
The main reason for the purchase, besides the fact that it will replace a vehicle that is not sufficient or
maybe even safe, is to, as the resolution states, “proceed with public infrastructure improvements, which have
become necessary given the recent experience with water levels and significant drainage problems since the
Meredith Drive Underpass Project was completed.”
This truck will also be used for the planned development at Village Center Drive and Business 55.
The truck was bought with a trade-in, through Crossroads Sterling Truck Sales for $39,999.65, “for use in
all of the Village’s Redevelopment Project Areas as designated pursuant to the TIF Act and the other portions
of the Village.”
Three-quarters of the amount due for the truck will be appropriated from the “Special Tax Allocation Funds
for each of the Redevelopment Project Areas”: and the remainder will come from the General Fund and Sewer
Revenue Fund.
The truck is an old Ryder box truck with about 52,000 miles on it which has been inspected often,
according to Public Works employee Bruce Beal, who also said that this arrangement with Crossroads “was
the safest way to get rid of the (old) truck.”
Before that discussion, the monthly treasurer’s report was heard and approved. Treasurer Jeremy
Stuenkel noted the numbers might have sounded a bit skewed, but that is because the village is going from a
cash basis accounting system to a modified accrual system.
Clatfelter noted during the report that there has been a slight uptick in sales tax revenue recently, and later
in the meeting, Village Administrator John Swinford discussed the growth in building permits, from six in May
to 26 currently.
Engineer Dave Booher reported that the ARRA (stimulus package) project March letting is on schedule
with Vasconcelles Engineering; there are some minor changes that need to be made, and Vasconcelles has
two weeks to make those.
There will be a change in the village employees’ payment arrangements; currently a 401(k) is being used
as a retirement mechanism, but not-for-profit entities must instead use 457 plans, which are very similar and
are for government entities.
Clatfelter noted that the Public Works employees have voted to unionize; there is no objection from the
village, and a new contract will be negotiated soon.
A letter noting the change has been sent to the Department of Labor.
Trustee Jeff Mitchell discussed during his report Web site upgrades, including the presentation of a draft
event information form for local groups to use.
“User feedback indicates we need more detailed information on the events,” noted the draft form.
Trustee Krista Sherrock discussed the Census and once again reminds all residents about the
importance of filling out the forms. The village has received brochures and posters to help promote the
Census.
Clatfelter mentioned plans to send out a community-wide letter on village letterhead to further reinforce the
importance.
Emergency Management Director Mike Moos mentioned the possibility of using Nixle as well to spread the
word.
“I think we have some innovative ways to get the community involved,” said Sherrock.
There were four new building permits, according to Trustee Nancy Zibutis, which brought in $1900.
Moos could not provide an exact number of sign-ups for Nixle, but it is up and running; people who sign up
for the service will not have their names sold to outside parties, he emphasized. There have been concerns
about that raised.
Moos has also been reappointed to the Sangamon County Local Emergency Planning Commission.
The village is also partnering with Scott Slater on providing recreational items, like baseballs, mitts and
footballs, for example, for active duty military personnel. There is a box at the village hall for donations, which
will be taken until Dec. 10.
new dump truck
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board Tuesday night at its 72-minute meeting approved the purchase of a used
2002 Freightliner Dump and Snow Truck, which will allow a significant portion of infrastructure improvements
to be done in house.
The vote was 7-0, with Mayor Trevor Clatfelter also signifying his approval.
The main reason for the purchase, besides the fact that it will replace a vehicle that is not sufficient or
maybe even safe, is to, as the resolution states, “proceed with public infrastructure improvements, which have
become necessary given the recent experience with water levels and significant drainage problems since the
Meredith Drive Underpass Project was completed.”
This truck will also be used for the planned development at Village Center Drive and Business 55.
The truck was bought with a trade-in, through Crossroads Sterling Truck Sales for $39,999.65, “for use in
all of the Village’s Redevelopment Project Areas as designated pursuant to the TIF Act and the other portions
of the Village.”
Three-quarters of the amount due for the truck will be appropriated from the “Special Tax Allocation Funds
for each of the Redevelopment Project Areas”: and the remainder will come from the General Fund and Sewer
Revenue Fund.
The truck is an old Ryder box truck with about 52,000 miles on it which has been inspected often,
according to Public Works employee Bruce Beal, who also said that this arrangement with Crossroads “was
the safest way to get rid of the (old) truck.”
Before that discussion, the monthly treasurer’s report was heard and approved. Treasurer Jeremy
Stuenkel noted the numbers might have sounded a bit skewed, but that is because the village is going from a
cash basis accounting system to a modified accrual system.
Clatfelter noted during the report that there has been a slight uptick in sales tax revenue recently, and later
in the meeting, Village Administrator John Swinford discussed the growth in building permits, from six in May
to 26 currently.
Engineer Dave Booher reported that the ARRA (stimulus package) project March letting is on schedule
with Vasconcelles Engineering; there are some minor changes that need to be made, and Vasconcelles has
two weeks to make those.
There will be a change in the village employees’ payment arrangements; currently a 401(k) is being used
as a retirement mechanism, but not-for-profit entities must instead use 457 plans, which are very similar and
are for government entities.
Clatfelter noted that the Public Works employees have voted to unionize; there is no objection from the
village, and a new contract will be negotiated soon.
A letter noting the change has been sent to the Department of Labor.
Trustee Jeff Mitchell discussed during his report Web site upgrades, including the presentation of a draft
event information form for local groups to use.
“User feedback indicates we need more detailed information on the events,” noted the draft form.
Trustee Krista Sherrock discussed the Census and once again reminds all residents about the
importance of filling out the forms. The village has received brochures and posters to help promote the
Census.
Clatfelter mentioned plans to send out a community-wide letter on village letterhead to further reinforce the
importance.
Emergency Management Director Mike Moos mentioned the possibility of using Nixle as well to spread the
word.
“I think we have some innovative ways to get the community involved,” said Sherrock.
There were four new building permits, according to Trustee Nancy Zibutis, which brought in $1900.
Moos could not provide an exact number of sign-ups for Nixle, but it is up and running; people who sign up
for the service will not have their names sold to outside parties, he emphasized. There have been concerns
about that raised.
Moos has also been reappointed to the Sangamon County Local Emergency Planning Commission.
The village is also partnering with Scott Slater on providing recreational items, like baseballs, mitts and
footballs, for example, for active duty military personnel. There is a box at the village hall for donations, which
will be taken until Dec. 10.
Issue Date: Nov. 19, 2009