| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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Sherman Village Board approves raises for
employees
By Byron Painter
Editor
After over 40 minutes of discussion, the Sherman Village Board Tuesday night approved 3 percent
retroactive raises to several employees.
The raises, for the Chief of Police, three Public Works employees, Village Administrator and Village Clerk
and two Emergency Management employees, will be retroactive to their respective annualization date, most of
which will be May 1.
The money was budgeted for this year already, but the raises were held off because of the slower
economy.
The cost to the village will be just under $2800 total and the money will be appropriated on the next
paycheck, which will be distributed next week.
The final vote was 5-0 (Mayor Trevor Clatfelter signifying his approval, Trustees Kevin Schultz and Jay
Timm absent).
The discussion was not without some trepidation from the trustees and mayor, but all of them were
extremely complimentary not only of the work put forth by each employee but also the patience of not getting
raises for many months.
Despite the vote, Clatfelter reminded the board it must manage the budget under “the tightest of
constraints.”
That being said, Clatfelter said he was comfortable moving forward with the raises, and each trustee
spoke in favor, though sharing the same general concerns about long-term finances because of the slow
economy.
One factor that should not be ignored, according to Clatfelter and the board, was that money spent for
“outside services,” like Petersburg Plumbing and Heating, is down considerably; there have been no bills
from PPH since June, since the Public Works employees are able to do much of the work (and actually can do
even more now since they have been vaccinated for Hepatitis B, which will allow them to work on grinder
pumps, for example).
During the discussion, the employees in questions went to another part of the village hall, though the
discussion was held in open session.
The first part of the 90-minute meeting was the treasurer’s report, which took longer than usual as
Treasurer Jeremy Stuenkel continues to adjust the way the report is presented (modified accrual method).
The change is a “work in progress,” Stuenkel said, and the trustees were complimentary of the more
informative nature of the report.
Village Engineer Dave Booher discussed the Village Center Drive project, whose costs by the developer’s
engineers have gone up some 15 percent (roughly from $600,000 to about $695,000).
One of the extra costs would be to synchronize the traffic signals with those of Andrew Road, along with
possible resurfacing and a right turn lane issue to help meet IDOT requirements.
Clatfelter and Booher wondered if the estimates are on the high side.
An agreement with IDOT and the village is not ready for approval yet, according to Clatfelter, but that could
happen at the next meeting.
Village Administrator John Swinford noted that the South Sherman Boulevard property has seen significant
improvements recently, including a new roof and siding.
Trustee Krista Sherrock reported on the Village Children’s Christmas Party, which had over 100 kids in
attendance and had 66 gifts given out, and the census, including plans to work in conjunction with
Williamsville.
Trustee Nancy Zibutis mentioned one building permit, worth $910.
Emergency Management Director Mike Moos said the village is still waiting to hear back on its Storm
Ready Application from the National Weather Service.
Moos and the trustees once again encouraged residents to sign up for Nixle.
Public Works Director Sean Newton noted that the new truck will be arriving very soon.
employees
By Byron Painter
Editor
After over 40 minutes of discussion, the Sherman Village Board Tuesday night approved 3 percent
retroactive raises to several employees.
The raises, for the Chief of Police, three Public Works employees, Village Administrator and Village Clerk
and two Emergency Management employees, will be retroactive to their respective annualization date, most of
which will be May 1.
The money was budgeted for this year already, but the raises were held off because of the slower
economy.
The cost to the village will be just under $2800 total and the money will be appropriated on the next
paycheck, which will be distributed next week.
The final vote was 5-0 (Mayor Trevor Clatfelter signifying his approval, Trustees Kevin Schultz and Jay
Timm absent).
The discussion was not without some trepidation from the trustees and mayor, but all of them were
extremely complimentary not only of the work put forth by each employee but also the patience of not getting
raises for many months.
Despite the vote, Clatfelter reminded the board it must manage the budget under “the tightest of
constraints.”
That being said, Clatfelter said he was comfortable moving forward with the raises, and each trustee
spoke in favor, though sharing the same general concerns about long-term finances because of the slow
economy.
One factor that should not be ignored, according to Clatfelter and the board, was that money spent for
“outside services,” like Petersburg Plumbing and Heating, is down considerably; there have been no bills
from PPH since June, since the Public Works employees are able to do much of the work (and actually can do
even more now since they have been vaccinated for Hepatitis B, which will allow them to work on grinder
pumps, for example).
During the discussion, the employees in questions went to another part of the village hall, though the
discussion was held in open session.
The first part of the 90-minute meeting was the treasurer’s report, which took longer than usual as
Treasurer Jeremy Stuenkel continues to adjust the way the report is presented (modified accrual method).
The change is a “work in progress,” Stuenkel said, and the trustees were complimentary of the more
informative nature of the report.
Village Engineer Dave Booher discussed the Village Center Drive project, whose costs by the developer’s
engineers have gone up some 15 percent (roughly from $600,000 to about $695,000).
One of the extra costs would be to synchronize the traffic signals with those of Andrew Road, along with
possible resurfacing and a right turn lane issue to help meet IDOT requirements.
Clatfelter and Booher wondered if the estimates are on the high side.
An agreement with IDOT and the village is not ready for approval yet, according to Clatfelter, but that could
happen at the next meeting.
Village Administrator John Swinford noted that the South Sherman Boulevard property has seen significant
improvements recently, including a new roof and siding.
Trustee Krista Sherrock reported on the Village Children’s Christmas Party, which had over 100 kids in
attendance and had 66 gifts given out, and the census, including plans to work in conjunction with
Williamsville.
Trustee Nancy Zibutis mentioned one building permit, worth $910.
Emergency Management Director Mike Moos said the village is still waiting to hear back on its Storm
Ready Application from the National Weather Service.
Moos and the trustees once again encouraged residents to sign up for Nixle.
Public Works Director Sean Newton noted that the new truck will be arriving very soon.
Issue Date: Dec. 17, 2009