| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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Williamsville community event planned for Sept. 18
weekend
By Linda Hughes
Williamsville will hold a community event this fall, but not the Autumn on the Boulevard held in the past.
The village board voted Monday to support a community planned scheduled event Sept. 18, and possibly part of Sept. 19,
in the downtown. The vote came upon the proposal of the Community Foundation. Trustee Janice Beyers said the foundation
does not have enough people to sponsor the former event.
Instead, the foundation proposed a Community Unity Day, whereby churches, schools, downtown businesses and not-for-
profit groups would each sponsor its own activity.
The foundation also proposes a First Citizen Award that would be presented every year, Beyers said.
In regard to a longstanding issue, payment for painting of the water tower in Sherman, Trustee Mike Barnett, who heads the
Water and Sewer Committee, said the situation has improved. Greene & Bradford engineers have received all documents for
all issues except the prevailing wage dispute.
Barnett said he does not want to release payment (to certain subcontractors) until the Department of Labor completes its
investigation into the prevailing wage matter. “The DOL issue could drag on for months, years,” he added.
The board approved an application from David May for a 50 percent matching grant from the Downtown Improvement
Project. May plans to replace nine windows on the second floor and one on the first floor at his building at 101 E. Main St., as
well as to replace a steel door with a glass door.
“The committee decided it merits approval,” Trustee Valerie Patterson said.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $4,253. The city’s share, 50 percent, would be $2,126.50. The city would
reimburse May once the village is satisfied with the completed improvements. The motion to approve the application
stipulated that the village portion would not exceed the $2,126.50. The project is expected to be completed by June.
There is now $9,000 budgeted in the Downtown Improvement Project, Patterson said.
Regarding the July 4 Celebration, Beyers said Brenda Esker will take over the vendors.
In another development regarding the July 4 Celebration, the board agreed to donate $250 to the Sports Boosters, the
same amount as last year. Patterson said she would like for the group to have a booth at the July 4 Celebration to make extra
money — or to participate in any other community event.
Mayor Tom Yokley agreed that the group could participate in other functions, “so we’re not just giving out money.” He
conceded that while it is difficult to get kids to do something during the summer, “it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Yokley appointed Trustee Lisa White of the Finance Committee and Public Works Director Kent Thompson to attend a
meeting on wind farms in Peoria. He said the village might want to consider putting in a wind tower at some point.
The mayor said Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act officers would be appointed at the second meeting in
February, to be in compliance with new state law.
Yokley asked Village Attorney Randall Segatto to draw up an ordinance requiring that contractors who want to do work in
the town register and be bonded. This action comes on the heels of several complaints about poor work done by some
contractors.
“It will prevent citizens from being taken advantage of,” Yokley said.
He asked Patterson to put the information on the village Web site.
Trustees approved a motion to look into having a village manager and to talk about it in June.
The mayor praised the Police Chief Richard Edwards: “I’ve seen the squads out, with lights flashing.” He said he received
four phone calls giving the police department compliments.
Upon the request of Steve Wakefield, the board agreed to expend up to $3,985 for a second soccer field and an additional
soccer field for Kindergarten through second graders.
A motion to write a letter to trash haulers asking them to notify drivers that they are crushing drain pipes under alleys was
passed.
Finally, Yokley said that to be thrifty he is canceling the first meeting in February. He said that if he has to reschedule the
meeting he would notify everyone. He said at the end of last year that, in order to save money, he would occasionally cancel
a meeting when there is not urgent pending business.
weekend
By Linda Hughes
Williamsville will hold a community event this fall, but not the Autumn on the Boulevard held in the past.
The village board voted Monday to support a community planned scheduled event Sept. 18, and possibly part of Sept. 19,
in the downtown. The vote came upon the proposal of the Community Foundation. Trustee Janice Beyers said the foundation
does not have enough people to sponsor the former event.
Instead, the foundation proposed a Community Unity Day, whereby churches, schools, downtown businesses and not-for-
profit groups would each sponsor its own activity.
The foundation also proposes a First Citizen Award that would be presented every year, Beyers said.
In regard to a longstanding issue, payment for painting of the water tower in Sherman, Trustee Mike Barnett, who heads the
Water and Sewer Committee, said the situation has improved. Greene & Bradford engineers have received all documents for
all issues except the prevailing wage dispute.
Barnett said he does not want to release payment (to certain subcontractors) until the Department of Labor completes its
investigation into the prevailing wage matter. “The DOL issue could drag on for months, years,” he added.
The board approved an application from David May for a 50 percent matching grant from the Downtown Improvement
Project. May plans to replace nine windows on the second floor and one on the first floor at his building at 101 E. Main St., as
well as to replace a steel door with a glass door.
“The committee decided it merits approval,” Trustee Valerie Patterson said.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $4,253. The city’s share, 50 percent, would be $2,126.50. The city would
reimburse May once the village is satisfied with the completed improvements. The motion to approve the application
stipulated that the village portion would not exceed the $2,126.50. The project is expected to be completed by June.
There is now $9,000 budgeted in the Downtown Improvement Project, Patterson said.
Regarding the July 4 Celebration, Beyers said Brenda Esker will take over the vendors.
In another development regarding the July 4 Celebration, the board agreed to donate $250 to the Sports Boosters, the
same amount as last year. Patterson said she would like for the group to have a booth at the July 4 Celebration to make extra
money — or to participate in any other community event.
Mayor Tom Yokley agreed that the group could participate in other functions, “so we’re not just giving out money.” He
conceded that while it is difficult to get kids to do something during the summer, “it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Yokley appointed Trustee Lisa White of the Finance Committee and Public Works Director Kent Thompson to attend a
meeting on wind farms in Peoria. He said the village might want to consider putting in a wind tower at some point.
The mayor said Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act officers would be appointed at the second meeting in
February, to be in compliance with new state law.
Yokley asked Village Attorney Randall Segatto to draw up an ordinance requiring that contractors who want to do work in
the town register and be bonded. This action comes on the heels of several complaints about poor work done by some
contractors.
“It will prevent citizens from being taken advantage of,” Yokley said.
He asked Patterson to put the information on the village Web site.
Trustees approved a motion to look into having a village manager and to talk about it in June.
The mayor praised the Police Chief Richard Edwards: “I’ve seen the squads out, with lights flashing.” He said he received
four phone calls giving the police department compliments.
Upon the request of Steve Wakefield, the board agreed to expend up to $3,985 for a second soccer field and an additional
soccer field for Kindergarten through second graders.
A motion to write a letter to trash haulers asking them to notify drivers that they are crushing drain pipes under alleys was
passed.
Finally, Yokley said that to be thrifty he is canceling the first meeting in February. He said that if he has to reschedule the
meeting he would notify everyone. He said at the end of last year that, in order to save money, he would occasionally cancel
a meeting when there is not urgent pending business.
Issue Date: Jan. 28, 2010