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Sherman board approves utility line ordinance
By Byron Painter
Editor
At last Tuesday’s almost hour-long regular meeting, the Sherman Village Board unanimously approved
an ordinance requiring future utility lines to be installed underground.
The topic has been discussed at various meetings and is in response to an initial Ameren decision to put
lines above ground in the Village Center Drive development.
As of January 1, 2011, it will be illegal “for any person or utility to erect or construct poles, overhead wires
and associated overhead structures to supply electric, communication or other similar or associated service
to any area,” the ordinance read.
Exceptions, which would be examined on a case-by-case basis, would apply to “temporary and
emergency” lines, with temporary being defined as less than 12 months.
The Village Board would have “sole authority” to grant exceptions, taking into account such factors as the
location of the proposed utility, visibility of the utility from high traffic locations and the existing and proposed
use of the adjacent property.
The exception would also required significant documentation.
The board approved unanimously the tax levy discussed at the previous meeting; it had to be approved by
the fourth Tuesday in December, and also an ordinance authorizing the amendment of the Village’s Tax
Increment Revenue Bonds (Series 2004), for another three years because the TIF life was extended.
The owner of the bonds, Illini Bank, has requested a revised payment schedule to extend the maturities
for three years, now through 2022.
Trustee Jeff Mitchell has been designated the point man on an IDOT Highway Safety Grant application, for
which the requirements have not been finalized by the state yet. It could lead to an additional staffer for parks
and public safety education, among other facets.
Trustee Krista Sherrock discussed the recent Children’s Christmas Party, which had 123 kids sign up for
door prizes.
She thanked the Sherman Athletic Club for allowing the village to use the facility, and the Club has agreed
to let the village use it for next year’s party, though Sherrock acknowledged that the expansion of the party has
led to some cramped quarters on the day of the party.
Trustee Brian Long had two topics of discussion: He brought up the possibility of having some kind of
outdoor movie in the park, which he got several other trustees to volunteer for, as well as a concern about
grinder pump repairs.
In case a pump goes out overnight, Long requested that the police department be notified by the public
works department if an employee goes out, so the police department could monitor the employee in case he
was injured in an accident. Police Chief Eric Smith agreed, noting the only issue could be if the department
got a service call.
During Chief Smith’s report, he discussed the village insurance; the current carrier, Principal, is getting
out of the health care business.
Forsyth Insurance procured two bids as a possible replacement, but both were at least 25 percent higher
than the current rate.
It was decided to decline those bids, with the third option (chosen at this time) to stay with Principal
through the end of the contract. Also, a request has been placed to change the end date to May 1, which would
match up with the village fiscal year and also the union contract, noted Smith.
By Byron Painter
Editor
At last Tuesday’s almost hour-long regular meeting, the Sherman Village Board unanimously approved
an ordinance requiring future utility lines to be installed underground.
The topic has been discussed at various meetings and is in response to an initial Ameren decision to put
lines above ground in the Village Center Drive development.
As of January 1, 2011, it will be illegal “for any person or utility to erect or construct poles, overhead wires
and associated overhead structures to supply electric, communication or other similar or associated service
to any area,” the ordinance read.
Exceptions, which would be examined on a case-by-case basis, would apply to “temporary and
emergency” lines, with temporary being defined as less than 12 months.
The Village Board would have “sole authority” to grant exceptions, taking into account such factors as the
location of the proposed utility, visibility of the utility from high traffic locations and the existing and proposed
use of the adjacent property.
The exception would also required significant documentation.
The board approved unanimously the tax levy discussed at the previous meeting; it had to be approved by
the fourth Tuesday in December, and also an ordinance authorizing the amendment of the Village’s Tax
Increment Revenue Bonds (Series 2004), for another three years because the TIF life was extended.
The owner of the bonds, Illini Bank, has requested a revised payment schedule to extend the maturities
for three years, now through 2022.
Trustee Jeff Mitchell has been designated the point man on an IDOT Highway Safety Grant application, for
which the requirements have not been finalized by the state yet. It could lead to an additional staffer for parks
and public safety education, among other facets.
Trustee Krista Sherrock discussed the recent Children’s Christmas Party, which had 123 kids sign up for
door prizes.
She thanked the Sherman Athletic Club for allowing the village to use the facility, and the Club has agreed
to let the village use it for next year’s party, though Sherrock acknowledged that the expansion of the party has
led to some cramped quarters on the day of the party.
Trustee Brian Long had two topics of discussion: He brought up the possibility of having some kind of
outdoor movie in the park, which he got several other trustees to volunteer for, as well as a concern about
grinder pump repairs.
In case a pump goes out overnight, Long requested that the police department be notified by the public
works department if an employee goes out, so the police department could monitor the employee in case he
was injured in an accident. Police Chief Eric Smith agreed, noting the only issue could be if the department
got a service call.
During Chief Smith’s report, he discussed the village insurance; the current carrier, Principal, is getting
out of the health care business.
Forsyth Insurance procured two bids as a possible replacement, but both were at least 25 percent higher
than the current rate.
It was decided to decline those bids, with the third option (chosen at this time) to stay with Principal
through the end of the contract. Also, a request has been placed to change the end date to May 1, which would
match up with the village fiscal year and also the union contract, noted Smith.
Issue Date: Dec. 30, 2010