Monday’s Peotone Village Board meeting covered a lot, primarily expenditures and improvements within the village.
During the capital improvement workshop, there was a conversation regarding sidewalk improvement. Village President Peter March brought up the section between Gull Landings and the Meadow that, if improved, could improve accessibility.
“We could really use some sidewalks on the east side of town and in the older part on the west side,” Trustee Todd Sandberg added.
“[From] South Street to Ahlborn Street, there’s no sidewalk there at all. If the kids get out of school early, they walk down to Subway, they walk to Gyro Loco, and they have to walk in the street. So, they can take the sidewalk for most of the way, and then they walk the street for like half a block. It’s not a very long strip of sidewalk [needed], probably maybe 100 yards,” Sandberg added.
March advised they would look into it.
Trustees Gary Hudson and Julie Sluis also expressed satisfaction with the facade improvement program. Sluis praised the directional signs and echoed Sandberg’s comments about the need for sidewalks.
Later, there was some discussion regarding these projects’ funding — or lack thereof.
“This is kind of a list of things we could do, but we don’t have that dedicated revenue source, so once some of these funds are gone, we’re going to have to build them back up. So, like the capital fund itself is going to be pretty low or almost non-existent without an infusion of new dollars,” Village Administrator Nick Palmer added.
Sticky Subject: No More Vehicle Stickers
The decision to end the vehicle sticker program, which brings in approximately $65,000 to $75,000 annually, was one of the more controversial topics of the village board meeting — mostly due to the timing of the program’s discontinuation.
Normally, notices go out in December, and people obtain their stickers in January. The village had already purchased its 2025 vehicle stickers, which totaled $1,865.93, according to Palmer. The 2025 stickers could not be repurposed and would be a loss.
Palmer contended that the program burdened staff, and eliminating it would save postage and residents’ money.
“Nick, you weren’t here last year when we did the village stickers, so it’s kind of hard to judge how much time gets eaten up by the staff,” Sandberg said.
“We just heard we’re obviously searching for money. I’d say we wait a year and evaluate the situation after we look at it again,” he added.
Sandberg wasn’t alone in wanting to reconsider its elimination.
“I think it’s kind of too late in the game to try to get rid of it now, especially with, like he said, the budget,” Trustee Nick Strba said, listing expenses the stickers could pay for, from squad cars to sidewalks.
Palmer retorted he trusted what the staff told him, and he had been hired to make decisions about how the staff spends their day. He added that keeping it wouldn’t solve budgetary challenges.
Sluis and the other trustees respectfully disagreed.
“I mean, I understand where you guys are coming from with the extra money and to get a sidewalk done, but I also think the residents need a break, and this is one thing that nobody has ever really liked,” Sluis said.
Richards explained that when it’s time for stickers, administration would spend their days processing stickers and couldn’t get work done, so she agreed with eliminating the program.
“I think we can wait until next year, and we can talk about it again, and it’s going to be the same situation. You’re always going to have things that you think you can do with the money that’s coming in, but I think we should eliminate the program,” Hudson said.
In the end, the board voted to repeal the stickers, with Sandberg and Strba the odd men out.
Farmers Market and Fun Licenses for All
The Corner Cafe received approval for video gambling in its now-enclosed patio area. The vote was tabled at the last meeting after questions about dinner service. The owner said they would have an open menu, including dinner from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tractors for a Cure also received approval for its raffle license, and the Farmers Market road closure was approved after some discussion about how it could affect downtown businesses.
Fun for all except ordinance violators: The board approved a collections vendor to pursue fees incurred by violating village ordinances and building codes, like parking tickets. The village isn’t charged unless fees are collected.
Conrad Street and Schroeder Building Updates
The Conrad Storm Sewer project is waiting on Aqua, Public Works Supervisor Bob Hennke reported. March advised that the village received a grant from Will County for the project for $900,000.
Village Engineer Troy Golem explained the village is working with the school district to move forward. To mitigate disruptions, some discussion took place about when to start the project. He hopes to have a bid opening on February 18. A preconstruction meeting with Ren Construction was scheduled for January 29.
Palmer wanted to reassure everyone that 528 Schroeder is making its way through legal, fencing is up, and they are “turning a corner” toward a resolution.
Misinformed No More
March addressed “misinformation” regarding the water main breaks, noting that Aqua had the opportunity to inspect, repair, and replace water mains prior to downtown construction. Ultimately, March said, it was Aqua’s decision not to replace them.
March later brought up more “misinformation” going around regarding the village allegedly not wanting to work with the school on the sports field, which he contended that “nothing could be farther from the truth.”
Golem noted the fields are also in a flood plain, complicating matters. Palmer said he had not recently heard from the school district regarding the project outside of the last meeting, where the school district did not want to pay for engineering costs associated with the project.
“I’ve worked in other municipalities where we work with other taxing bodies. They paid for it, so we’ll see where it goes, but I just want, for the record, that we’ve tried to work with them. I just think it’s unfortunate that those statements are made,” Palmer added.
Peotone Travel Center Burglar Apprehended
The Peotone Police Chief had good news regarding the burglary at the Peotone Travel Center, as one of the offenders was apprehended. The investigation revealed the three-person crew had committed similar crimes in New Lenox, Matteson, University Park, and Chicago.
The offender was caught while cashing in Lotto tickets and was charged with armed robbery and burglary for the crimes committed in New Lenox and burglary for the theft in Peotone. A second offender was identified, but charges were pending at the time of the village meeting. The investigation is ongoing.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
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