HOOPESTON — The city council learned Tuesday night that Silgan Container Manufacturing Corp. is expanding to the tune of one million dollars.

Jeff Noland, plant manager, said the company is getting ready to add a new shear machine to cut large rolls of steel and will add new floors for the machine and a new dock to the back of the plant.

The property in back of the plant at 324 W. Main St. was deeded to the city by the

railroad when it removed the tracks. Mayor Bill Crusinberry said the city plans to deed that small amount of property to Silgan for the new dock area. Semis would than unload at the back of the building rather than in front.

"We have two businesses each investing a million dollars in improvements in our

community," said Crusinberry. "They aren't going anywhere."

He added that four to six news jobs would be added at Silgan with the addition of the machine.

In other business, the council:

-- Passed a resolution to authorize the mayor to sign a deed to transfer the 100-year-old Willdon Building to Tad Ballantyne.

Ballantyne signed a six-month agreement to spend not less than $60,000 to renovate part of the top floors into an inhabitable apartment by Dec. 15. Also included

in the agreement was that he not strip the marble from the building. If the

deadline is not met, the building will revert back to the city.

"The transfer of the deed now is so that Ballantyne can get financing," said city attorney Paul Manion.

With financing, Ballantyne officially can hire an architect to begin renovation,

according to Economic Director Dana Goodrum.

-- Learned that the Hoopeston Model Railroad Club donated money made from its show last March for playground equipment in Union Park on North Market Street.

-- Learned that Braniff Communications of Crestwood received the bid to replace the old siren with a new siren. The bid of $27,248.05 is inclusive of the labor costs.

"The siren will be remote activated," said Alderman Ed Lotz, "and will save the

city $1,800 a year in telephone service."

-- Learned that the groundwater ordinance for the motel development/Brownfield site at Illinois Routes 1 and 9 was not submitted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency until June 9. Goodrum said it was supposed to be submitted in October 2008. The no further remediation letter notification is expected this week, she said.

-- Learned that Chief Mark Drollinger attended an N1H1 virus emergency meeting recently.

-- Set a street and alley meeting from 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the municipal building.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Hoopeston City Council will meet at 7 p.m. July 21, at the Hoopeston Municipal Building, 301 W. Main St.