8-09-2022 11:31pm

Roscoe trustees narrowly vote to continue Saturday trick-or-treating

Trick-or-treating in Chicory Ridge, Roscoe, on Oct. 30, 2021

This year’s Halloween trick-or-treat date for Roscoe was discussed at the last Committee of the Whole meeting, July 25, 2022. Last October, Roscoe trustees had voted unanimously to change the Halloween trick-or-treat date to the Saturday before Halloween. But this year, some trustees wanted to move the date back to Halloween night. Other trustees wanted the Saturday before Halloween to continue to be the designated trick-or-treat night.

At the Aug. 3 meeting, trustees Sue Petty, Mike Dunn and Carol Gustafson voted to go back to the traditional Halloween night, Oct. 31, while trustees Stacy Mallicoat, Jason Plock and Tony Keene voted to keep the event on the Saturday before Halloween. The tie was broken by Village President Mark Szula, who voted to continue last year’s Saturday date.

That means trick-or-treating in Roscoe will be Oct. 29 this year.

Mallicoat said street parking on the designated Trick or Treat night last year was on the odd side of the street, and will be on the even side of the street this year.

During public comment following the final vote, Cheryl Keller and Beverly Hood, who live in Chicory Ridge subdivision, voiced their objection to the Saturday option. “Last year we were swarmed with kids. Busloads of kids were just dropped off,” Keller said.

“Halloween changed last year. We were overwhelmed with the number of trick-or-treaters.” Hood added. “Please change it back to Halloween night, Oct. 31.

In other business, trustees approved a request by the Roscoe Lions Club for a special event permit for the 112th Annual Fall Festival to be held Sept. 9-11, 2022. The permit includes the use of Leland Park, 5727 Broad Street in Roscoe, and the closure of Main Street up to Broad Street for the parade on Sunday.

Trustees agreed to charge a $100 special event fee.

Trustees authorized an intergovernmental agreement that forms a Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) to assist other law enforcement agencies in Winnebago and Boone Counties.

The Committee of the Whole meeting followed:

Trustees recommended sending Chief Evans and Deputy Chief Hawley to the Midwest Security and Expo Conference, Aug. 18 and 19.

Also recommended were travel expenses for elected officials and staff attendance at the Illinois Municipal League annual conference, Sept. 15-17. The estimated expense per attendee is $1,400. There was no decision on who will attend the conference at this time.

Trustees discussed an addendum to the Intergovernmental Agreement regarding funding and operation of Stateline Mass Transit District (SMTD).

Jim Blevins and Mari Maddocks currently sit on the SMTD Board, representing the Village of Roscoe.

In 2011, when SMTD began, the Village contributed $25,000 a year.

The amount was lowered to $20,000 in 2020 and 2021.

The addendum to the Intergovernmental Agreement asked that the funding be increased back to $25,000 for two years.

Trustee Carol Gustafson suggested payment be contingent on receipt of the SMTD annual budget, a concern she has shared before.

In addition, the Board unanimously voted in favor of extending free ridership to all veterans. SMTD has agreed to do that, citing the encouragement of municipalities such as Roscoe.

These recommendations will be sent to the Village Board and voted on at the next Village meeting, Aug. 16. The meeting begins at 6:30. The public is invited to attend.