Village of Rockton approves free cybersecurity assessment and expensive well repairs

The Village of Rockton board considered several topics at its October 5 meeting.

Trustee Jodi May reported that between Sept, 15-30, the Rockton police department made 189 traffic stops, issuing 104 warnings and 85 tickets. There were  seven traffic accidents, two with injuries, and eleven criminal arrests.

Trustee Justin York informed the board that the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will perform a cybersecurity assessment for the Village of Rockton, including penetration testing, for free. Normally, this would cost $20,000 to $80,000 from a private company. He said, "I'm quite certain they're going to find things," since he was quite certain the Village of Rockton had never done a cybersecurity assessment before. Though it would cost money to fix any problems they find, he said, "I'd rather pay that than pay a criminal" because of a randomware attack. He added, "It's a lot more than just the computers," since the water system and other municipal services also depend on data networks. The rest of the board agreed that Trustee York should go forward with this assessment.

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Returning board member Scott Fridly made a motion to approve Cahoy Group to do emergency repairs for the Village's Well #9 at a cost of $38,830. Trustee May's reaction: "Oh my God... Second." Trustee Fridly said that two check valves had gone bad and replacing them would involve expensive labor, since they are in a well.

Trustee Tyler Seever asked for approval of Resolution 2021-121 to indicate the support of the Village for the Rockton Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant application for the Rockton Road Multi-Use Path. The board gave approval.

The board gave consensus to improve a drainage issue at Colebrook Place by purchasing sod using Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds not to exceed $10,000. The six affected homeowners weren't pleased with the job the contractor did, which left a ditch in their front yards. But sod will work better than seeding it, since it won't wash out. The homeowners would be responsible for watering and maintaining the grass. The consensus must be ratified at the next board meeting, which will be Tuesday, October 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the Village of Rockton's Municipal Center.

On Monday, October 18 at 5:30 p.m., the Village's Administration Committee will consider a Special Use Permit for Outdoor Seating for Al’s Main Street Tap. The sports bar has turned four parking spots into outdoor seating, and the special use permit would make that permanent. Al's attorney Greg Cox said they will potentially add a kitchen area in the future. The special use permit will go before the full board at its November 2 meeting. All meetings are open to the public.