Tuesday in municipal government: hens, hiring, fencing, lighting, and a Christmas tree

Because of Labor Day, the City of South Beloit scheduled its regular meeting on Tuesday this week instead of Monday. At the meeting, South Beloit will discuss amending ordinances on fingerprinting and "to allow for the keeping of hens in certain Residential areas." They are expected to approve additional professional services with Fehr Graham for wastewater operator assistance. 

The commissioners will be asked to approve the South Beloit High School Homecoming Parade on September 15, 2023 at about 1:00 p.m. and two special events by the Parks & Rec Advisory Board to be held on September 30, 2023 and October 28, 2023.

The commissioners are expected to approve the hiring of Austin Edgington and Nick Jacobs as full-time EMTs for the Fire Department. They are also expected to approve the hiring of five part-time paramedics and EMTs for the Fire Department. Paramedics are paid $24 an hour, while EMTs are paid $18-19 a hour.

• Brandon Purdy - Paramedic 
• Maria Starr - Paramedic
• DeCarlos Nora - Paramedic
• Conner Churchill - EMT 
• Tara Baldwin - EMT

Corey Flores would become a full-time employee for the Waste Water Treatment Plan for $17.85 an hour.

In Rockton, trustees will get an update from Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli. 

They plan to spend no more than $1,500 for liability insurance for the former Goldie Floberg building. The property at the corner of 58 West Rockton Road and Dorr Road was given to the Village in June. 

Trustee Jodi May will ask for $13,847 to pay Rock Valley Fence to install fencing around Well #10.

Trustee Scott Danielson will ask for $27,694.10, including shipping, to purchase a 20-foot Christmas tree with decorations from Dekra-Lite. The 39th Rockton Christmas Walk will be held Dec. 1-3, 2023.

Trustee Dan Baumgartner will ask the board to approve a low bid of $681,787 from Northern Illinois Service Company for improvements on W. Franklin Street and elsewhere in the Village. Motor fuel taxes (MFT) will be spent on two projects: $40,000 under the Safe Route to School program and $340,000 for other improvements.

In Roscoe, Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management recently sent spray trucks throughout the Village of Roscoe. Trustees will take a final vote on renewing a mosquito management program with them. They are also expected to approve additional design services with Fehr
Graham for the reconstruction of Willowbrook Road and Love Road. 

The trustees are expected to hire Thayer Lighting to furnish and install new lighting in Porter Park Cabin, at a cost not to exceed $15,000. The rules say that normally the trustees take a final vote only after a second reading at a second meeting. But this week they might suspend the rules so they can have the building ready for Trunk or Treat on Oct. 21 from 3 - 6 p.m. 

Trustees are also expected to spend about $1,200 to send elected officials and staff to the 2023 Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference, September 21-23. Three of the trustees - William Babcock, Michael Wright, and Michael Sima - only took office in May. The other trustees say this conference was very helpful for them when they were newly elected.

More News from Roscoe

• Hononegah Forest Preserve celebrates centennial anniversary The preserve was purchased in 1924, the first in Winnebago County.
• What's happening this week in farthest northern Illinois - Friday, Jul 26 - Friday, Aug 2 Many kinds of events this week in Roscoe, South Beloit, and Rockton.