OAKWOOD — At the beginning of Monday night¡¦s Oakwood Village Board meeting the board presented Bryan Obenland a plaque in honor of the dedication and commitment he and his late father, D.L. (Donnie) Obenland have shown the Village of Oakwood.

¡§We appreciated everything you and your dad have done for the village,¡¨ said Tom Cook, village president. ¡§The people of Oakwood should know that the newest ball diamond at the park is the result of the work and effort you put in.¡¨

A sign has also been placed in the park honoring Donnie Obenland for his support and dedication to the village.

In other business, Cook presented the board with a proposed sewer rate increase.

¡§We probably should have increased these rates two or three years ago,¡¨ said Cook. ¡§Everything associated with running the sewer department has gone up and the village can no longer absorb these costs. As a municipal utility, we have to bring in enough revenue to cover the cost of running the system.¡¨

The board will be asked to vote on a sewer rate increase of $3 per month for residential customers and a 0.25 percent increase for commercial customers at the November meeting. Residential rates will increase from $14 per month to $17 per month. Commercial customers will see their rate increase from the current 1.5 times their water bill to 1.75 times their water bill.

The increase in rates is due to increased cost for chemicals and equipment. For the past three months the village has had to transfer money from the general fund to the sewer fund to cover expenses. This month the board will be forced to transfer $1,930 from the general fund to the sewer fund to cover expenses. If approved at the November meeting, the rate increase will take effect December 1.

Also Monday, trustees:

ƒÞ Approved the purchase of a new laptop computer, Microsoft software and a printer/scanner for the police department from Alan Woodrum Computer Services of Danville. The total cost is not to exceed $1,500.

ƒÞ Discussed building an addition on the emergency services building. Trustee Doit Roberts presented the board with lot measurements that showed there is plenty of space to add on to the current building. Terry Hume, EMS chief, told the board the EMS needed more storage space for supplies and wider doorways to get the ambulances in the building. He also suggested adding an additional bay for future growth. The relocation of the police department offices and an area to park the patrol cars in the building were discussed. The board authorized Cook to get estimates on the addition to the building.

ƒÞ Approved the construction of a parking area at the park along the east side of the drive. The board approved paying Bryan Obenland $4,848 for labor and equipment to construct the parking area and approved spending up to $3,500 on rock for the project.

ƒÞ Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Vermilion County Highway Department for the Lee Street culvert project. The county will pay $72,500 for its share of the project and the village will pay $84,100 for its share of the project.

ƒÞ Were presented with a property maintenance code ordinance for study. This ordinance will allow the village to address properties that are not maintained. It will spell what actions the village can take against property owners for dilapidated and/or abandoned buildings and what penalties will be set. The board will consider the ordinance at the November meeting.

ƒÞ Approved a resolution condemning the action taken by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in closing Kickapoo State Park. The resolution will be sent to the governor.

ƒÞ Learned that the Catlin Future Farmers of American and Keep Vermilion County Beautiful will sponsor a used oil collection at Catlin High School on Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ƒÞ Learned that there will be an Oakwood War Memorial fundraiser chili supper at Oakwood Park on Nov. 1 from 4-7 p.m. Donations are welcomed and there will be a 50/50 drawing.

Up Next

The Oakwood Village Board will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 in the village office.