| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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ATVs, contractor work discussed at W’ville board
meeting
By Linda Hughes
Consideration of an ATV ordinance and discussion of contractors doing business be required to register with the village
and present certificates of insurance drew the interest of audience members during Monday’s Williamsville Village Board
meeting.
Trustee Scott Butterfield, who heads the Public Safety Committee, said he has been looking over the law, figuring out
what the village can and cannot do as far as allowing and regulating ATVs and golf carts on village streets. He said that at
this point the board does not have an opinion.
Police Chief Richard Edwards has done research on what two other villages have done, Butterfield said, adding that he
would like to do follow up.
Trustee Mark Esker said he has talked with people in Loami, which allows and regulates ATVs on village streets.
There are good arguments on both sides, Butterfield said. A resident brought it to the board’s attention, and decided it is
time to consider the matter. “It’s premature to make a decision now,” he said as the committee has not considered it.
“I would like to see it,” a member of the audience said.
Butterfield urged people to attend a committee meeting March 9 at 5 p.m. at the police station. “I’d like to see a strong
turnout when it’s discussed,” he said. “It’s very important.” Once the committee has data, it will bring the matter to a board
meeting.
An audience member said some ATVs are extremely loud.
Mayor Tom Yokley said people should give suggestions to the committee, which will try to be as open as possible. “There
are pluses and minuses in everything. The committee will give it the due diligence it needs.”
“I want them kept off my private property,” an audience member said.
Yokley replied that an ordinance would allow them to use streets.
Trustee Lisa White said people could also comment on the blog at the village Web site.
Regarding contractors, Yokley said the board was not prepared to do anything that night, but that it will have to make sure
that contractors are registered and present certificates of insurance. The inspection process has been lax, he said. New
roofs are not included in inspections. The village needs to address all of this, and will look at other communities.
Yokley said he wants to have something with teeth in it, so there is some way to get at contractors who do shoddy work.
He has received letters urging the board to pass strict regulations. He suggested perhaps adopting BOCA codes and said
the matter needs to be reviewed by the planning commission.
Mike Felix of the audience said there should be a lot more inspections, and harder ones.
Another audience member said the state code is sufficient and that the village needs to educate homeowners.
Writing new rules should involve contractors, the mayor said.
“I think people should have to have a permit for a new roof,” Don Lyttaker, a builder, suggested.
“We’re in the discussion phase,” Yokley said.
In other business, the board approved appropriations that are 125 percent of the budget. They include $926,252 for the
general fund, $1,348,225 for the water fund, and $246,053 for the sewer fund.
The village was asked to donate $500 for the after prom at the high school. Trustee White, who heads the Finance
Committee, said she would make a recommendation on the donation.
Yokley said he would like to see some involvement by students in celebrations like the July 4 Celebration and Fall
Festival. “In the recent past, we’ve not gotten reciprocal involvement from the school. We encourage you to participate. The
school is our largest asset.”
White said she received a request for a donation for the FFA dinner and recommended a donation of $200 and reducing
other donations. The board will receive four tickets for the dinner. The board approved the donation.
Yokley suggested the board give the tickets to two needy families who could use a night out.
Mike Barnett, head of the Water and Sewer Committee, outlined work the committee is doing to keep better track of
delinquent water accounts and to look at increasing deposits.
Trustee Janice Beyers suggested making sure that contractors are paid up before they are given another water tap.
Barnett said he would have suggested changes at the next board meeting.
After much discussion about setting up a fund and endorsing the Williamsville Garden Club, Yokley said the board would
formally establish a new line item at the next meeting.
The board set an all-town cleanup for May 15 and 16 and the garage sale on May 15.
Karen Humphres, office manager, was approved as primary FOIA officer, with attorney Randy Segatto as assistant,
Edwards for the police department, with clerk Carol Beal as assistant. Heidi Dowell, treasurer, was approved as Open
Meetings Act officer.
meeting
By Linda Hughes
Consideration of an ATV ordinance and discussion of contractors doing business be required to register with the village
and present certificates of insurance drew the interest of audience members during Monday’s Williamsville Village Board
meeting.
Trustee Scott Butterfield, who heads the Public Safety Committee, said he has been looking over the law, figuring out
what the village can and cannot do as far as allowing and regulating ATVs and golf carts on village streets. He said that at
this point the board does not have an opinion.
Police Chief Richard Edwards has done research on what two other villages have done, Butterfield said, adding that he
would like to do follow up.
Trustee Mark Esker said he has talked with people in Loami, which allows and regulates ATVs on village streets.
There are good arguments on both sides, Butterfield said. A resident brought it to the board’s attention, and decided it is
time to consider the matter. “It’s premature to make a decision now,” he said as the committee has not considered it.
“I would like to see it,” a member of the audience said.
Butterfield urged people to attend a committee meeting March 9 at 5 p.m. at the police station. “I’d like to see a strong
turnout when it’s discussed,” he said. “It’s very important.” Once the committee has data, it will bring the matter to a board
meeting.
An audience member said some ATVs are extremely loud.
Mayor Tom Yokley said people should give suggestions to the committee, which will try to be as open as possible. “There
are pluses and minuses in everything. The committee will give it the due diligence it needs.”
“I want them kept off my private property,” an audience member said.
Yokley replied that an ordinance would allow them to use streets.
Trustee Lisa White said people could also comment on the blog at the village Web site.
Regarding contractors, Yokley said the board was not prepared to do anything that night, but that it will have to make sure
that contractors are registered and present certificates of insurance. The inspection process has been lax, he said. New
roofs are not included in inspections. The village needs to address all of this, and will look at other communities.
Yokley said he wants to have something with teeth in it, so there is some way to get at contractors who do shoddy work.
He has received letters urging the board to pass strict regulations. He suggested perhaps adopting BOCA codes and said
the matter needs to be reviewed by the planning commission.
Mike Felix of the audience said there should be a lot more inspections, and harder ones.
Another audience member said the state code is sufficient and that the village needs to educate homeowners.
Writing new rules should involve contractors, the mayor said.
“I think people should have to have a permit for a new roof,” Don Lyttaker, a builder, suggested.
“We’re in the discussion phase,” Yokley said.
In other business, the board approved appropriations that are 125 percent of the budget. They include $926,252 for the
general fund, $1,348,225 for the water fund, and $246,053 for the sewer fund.
The village was asked to donate $500 for the after prom at the high school. Trustee White, who heads the Finance
Committee, said she would make a recommendation on the donation.
Yokley said he would like to see some involvement by students in celebrations like the July 4 Celebration and Fall
Festival. “In the recent past, we’ve not gotten reciprocal involvement from the school. We encourage you to participate. The
school is our largest asset.”
White said she received a request for a donation for the FFA dinner and recommended a donation of $200 and reducing
other donations. The board will receive four tickets for the dinner. The board approved the donation.
Yokley suggested the board give the tickets to two needy families who could use a night out.
Mike Barnett, head of the Water and Sewer Committee, outlined work the committee is doing to keep better track of
delinquent water accounts and to look at increasing deposits.
Trustee Janice Beyers suggested making sure that contractors are paid up before they are given another water tap.
Barnett said he would have suggested changes at the next board meeting.
After much discussion about setting up a fund and endorsing the Williamsville Garden Club, Yokley said the board would
formally establish a new line item at the next meeting.
The board set an all-town cleanup for May 15 and 16 and the garage sale on May 15.
Karen Humphres, office manager, was approved as primary FOIA officer, with attorney Randy Segatto as assistant,
Edwards for the police department, with clerk Carol Beal as assistant. Heidi Dowell, treasurer, was approved as Open
Meetings Act officer.
Issue Date: Feb. 25, 2010