Milledgeville Looks Into Recycling

Mark Wiersema from Wiersema Waste was at the regular Milledgeville Board of Trustees meeting Aug. 3. He introduced himself to the new board members, and thanked the Village for being loyal customers.

He said the company is in the process of purchasing a new truck for waste hauling, and asked for a one-year extension on their contract. The current contract expires November 30, 2010.

President Galen Wirth asked Wiersema about recycling, as he has been approached by citizens to implement recycling again. Wiersema told the Board there were three options: Curb-side weekly; Curb-side every 2 weeks; or one main area where residents can bring their recycling. He will report back to the Board with cost of the 3 options. The Board tabled the issue until the Aug. 17 meeting.

Samantha Fogel, manager of The Other Bar, received permission to extend bar hours until 2:00 a.m. during the Carroll County Fair week. Fogel requested this extension every year for fair week.

Jerry Spencer of JJ's Come Back Inn asked the Board for permission to remain open until 2 a.m. on September 19, as he is sponsoring a fund-raiser for the Carroll County Haiti Mission trip. Spencer also asked if he would be allowed to block off the alley behind his business for the dance and band that same evening. Board approved both bars' requests unanimously.

Spencer brought up the issue of Milledgeville taverns closing at 10 p.m. on Sundays. Some of his patrons have this as their night off work, and he asked the Village to allow later closing on Sunday. A Special Meeting to discuss this issue has been set for Monday, Sept. 21, at 6:30 p.m., and is open to the public.

T-6 Broadband changed their offer to the Village regarding the lease of antennae space on the Village water tower. They offered $200/month instead of free internet for 2 Village locations. Wirth explained that this doesn't grant T-6 exclusive rights, and that other companies interested in placing antennae will have to work around the first one installed. The Board was pleased with this offer.

Computer Dynamics (JC WiFi) has also signed a contract and sent a check for $150, and 3 free sites. They plan to be up and running by September. The Board decided to deposit the money in the Water account to use for payments on the tower, if needed. The action was unanimously approved.

Old Mill residents have had problems with their drinking water. These residents, and some on Evelyn St., are on the same, original Village water line. Residents have submitted samples that are discolored and contain particles. Evelyn St. residents are supplied by a 2 inch service line.

Bob Gasper of Willett Hofmann and Assoc. discussed payment options with the Board. They can agree to be billed by the hour, or go with a "cost with a 'not to exceed cost' policy." Wirth directed the Board to consider these options, adding that both Willett Hofmann and Sharon Pepin, the Village's grant writer, will need more time to investigate these options.

The Board agreed that they want to fix this problem correctly, the first time. There are 4 in. mains on Rt. 40, so a 4 in. line can be tapped into it, as opposed to a 6 in. line, which will save money. This will also "loop" the water service, eliminating any dead-end service. The problem mat be getting an easement from some residents, but hope they will allow it once they understand the problem and the resolution. The EPA will also need to approve the plan. In the meantime, Maintenance Manager Greg Miller will flush hydrants to try to alleviate some of the cloudy water.

The new water tower is officially on line, as of Aug. 31. Miller said pressure is running at 62 lbs. at the Fire Station, and 74 lbs. at Dettman's, "just where we want it to be."

Miller also reported that the work with the "Total Patcher" is done, and the price came in where they expected it to. The county chip & seal work is also done, and they will stripe the roads in a week, as approved by the Board.

The Board received a Thank You note from Dan Todd, Chadwick-Milledgeville Supt. of Schools, for the signs that will be set at the edge of town, honoring the 2008 Academic Excellence Award. IDOT didn't think they could put up the signs, but after Wirth contacted Rep. Jim Sacia, there will now be signs.

The EDA announced that Milledgeville had received a grant as Stimulus money, which means it must be utilized within the next year. As the Industrial Park is on hold, this may become an issue. Pepin will contact the proper authorities to confirm whether this is an outright grant, or stimulus money with strings attached.

The Board entered Executive Session at 8:46, and exited at 8:47. The Board then approved hiring Codey Druce as summer help.

The next Village of Milledgeville meeting will be Monday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m.