Rockton Township reviewed work and accomplishments of past year

Rockton Township residents, Township Officials, trustees, and Office Manager/Deputy Clerk Kristi Schaffer reviewed work and accomplishments of the past year in Rockton Township.

Township Clerk Judi Gurney led the meeting, alongside Moderator former Cemetery Sexton Jerri Noller. Both Noller and former Supervisor Paul Williams were nominated, with Noller being named as the moderator.

Unlike a regular Rockton Township meeting, the agenda of an Annual Meeting does not include public comment. Residents are able to vote directly on Township business, if they are registered voters.

Under Old Business: Trustee Connie Gleasman referred to House Bill 4625 that is being proposed by Joe Sosnowski to dissolve all Townships with a population of less than 500. Rockton Township‘s population is estimated at nearly 8,000. Sosnowski claims the bill will save taxpayers money.

“Spending less money for the people in the State of Illinois is erroneous,”Gleasman said.

“Township Officials of Illinois (TOI) is a Township organization in the State which the Township is a member of. TOI opposes that bill.”

“Last year the Rockton Township wrote a letter in opposition to this bill and I strongly suggest that we let him know again.”

“We want all Townships of any size to be able to make their decision if they want to join with any other.”

Under New Business Gleasman said, “I would like to see an electronic sign on Township property. I am sure that people will be appreciative of the fact that their memory can be jostled as to when regular or special meetings are.”

“We would be able to put events on that sign and a place where people would be able to gather information about the things that are happening within the Township.”

Noller proposed that the Township try to collaborate with a couple of other organizations to donate to the cost of the sign. “If everybody put money in the pot it would benefit not only us, but would benefit other people.”

Examples of places that have other signs that have proven to be helpful and effective were given.

Noller further advised, “It might be wise for someone to look into what the cost of that would be and to present it to the board, and to look into putting it into the budget. “

Township resident Michael Nolan made a motion for financial transparency. Nolan was a previous candidate for Township Supervisor.

Since this item wasn't on the agenda, a brief discussion took place about future steps to address Nolan's concerns.

Regarding financial reports Gleasman requested that a treasurer's report be done.

Doering said, “As long as I have been the cemetery manager some of the Trustees don't understand the numbers or the reports.”

Both Doering and Williams suggested that trustees meet with Schaffer and the auditors to have a fuller understanding.

Gleasman responded, “I am asking for a legitimate treasurer's report so we can see from the beginning to the end of every single cycle.”

“This township has six accounts and the money is paid from the supervisors account to pay all the claims. We have at no point what we have budgeted. It's not a question of not understanding, but is needed in order to do our job properly.”

Nolan asked how the documents become readily available to the public.

Noller said, “The minutes and bills cannot be seen by the public until after they are approved by the board.”

Schaffer said, “I would like to put this on the agenda when the attorney can be here to make sure that we are doing everything correctly.”

Gurney said, “We pay a lot of money for the auditors and everything goes by the them. Everything has to be correct.”

Reports were given on important aspects of the Township.

Supervisor Randy Johnson read the Township's financial report. Outlined in the report are revenues, expenditures, the Supervisors Statement of Financial Affairs Corporate Town Fund, and an Expenses by Vendor Summary.

Road and Bridge numbers were also shared.

Rockton Township Assessor Dana Adams gave an overview of property sales trends, assessment changes, parcel updates, building activity. Board of Review outcomes, and changes to senior exemption programs.

Cemetery Sexton Chris Doering said, “Last year from April 1 to May 31 of this year there were 30 spaces sold. We had 39 burials, 17 traditional and 22 cremations. In the last five years,we have sold about 30 plots and we averaged 40-45 burials a year.

“Mother Nature hasn't been kind with the wind. Because of the temperatures we have been unable to dress graves.”

The spring cleanup is done, with plans to remove various decorations.

Doering said, “Thank you to Trent and his team for the maintenance on the cemetery for the last couple of years. They have done a great job, the bushes in the old section look fantastic. Executive will be taking over this season and they will be ready to go.”

“In the audit that I helped with we identified that we have at least 15 veterans that were buried in the cemetery that had a veteran marker, and did not have a flag holder, but are not identified in our software.”

“Every Veterans Day we try to recognize our veterans with a flag and a flag holder. I will also be replacing flags.”

“I have to order about 65 flag holders. The money for these is in the budget. I want to make sure that the cemetery is immaculate for Memorial Day. I like for it to look great when the parade ends there and they read the veterans name,” Doering said.

Noller said, “One thing about veterans that maybe a lot of people don't know is that if a veteran served in the National Guard and were never called to active duty, they are not recognized by the military for a flag holder or a military marker. Before a military marker is ordered any recognition has to be done by the family.”

Road Commissioner Trent Kehoe reported, “In the summertime last year we applied aggregate on all of the roadsides.”

We sealcoated a total of 1.3 miles of roads. Township properties were mowed including the log cabin, the rental, the community center, bike path and the cemetery. We trimmed the overgrowth on all of the properties, and did a little extra work in the old part of the cemetery. Multiple flower and plant beds have been weeded.”

“Every year we have tree removal and we paved one mile of Old River Road with the hot mix the county has available now.”

Fall and winter trimming: whenever the weather permitted.

Plowing and salting: “We had two big storms this year where we had some sleet. We used about 400 tons of salt, and have ordered 500 tons for this year. We have already started street sweeping.”

Noller said, “My last comment is congratulations to Randy on his role as Supervisor.” Noller recognized the Township's newest board member Rickie Gomes.

Noller talked about a tree designation. “Executive Director of the Natural Land Institute Alan Branhagen presented Randy Johnson with a nice plaque for the Illinois State Championship certificate for the Black Maple tree on Moody Road.”

“We have another tree out at Phillips Cemetery that is on a list to be nominated that is still in the same category.”

Noller thanked former Supervisor Paul Williams for his tenure and lauded work that was completed on the community center under Williams‘ leadership. “I think that the Community Center is the biggest feather in your hat. I know that the Township Center was a big thorn in everyone's side when it was first inherited.”

“You got lemons and you made lemonade. You did good, it looks very nice.”

Williams replied, “I didn't do it by myself and it is something to be proud of.”

Noller said, “The work that has been done at the Nygren Wetlands Preserve has drawn more people. It is nice to see people no longer parked on the side of the road. We have a nice big parking lot out there now. It would be nice to see a shelter out there. That would be great too.”

Next year's meeting date has been set for Tuesday, April 13, 2027 with a possible consideration of a time change.