Village will buy emergency generator
Alternate power source needed for water system
Thursday, March 15, 2007
WOODHULL - Woodhull Village Board members Monday night approved plans for installing a generator capable of providing power for the well, booster pump, village building, east lift station and the maintenance building in case of a power outage.Water superintendent Jeff McCready said the Environmental Protection Agency requires the village continually provide drinking water and an available water supply in case of fire.
"This isn't something you use all the time, but is necessary when the power goes out," McCready said.
"With the weather extremes we're seeing, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't need a generator," Mayor Dave Holmes pointed out.
McCready was directed to continue to pursue the project and investigate whether any funds are available to help finance the purchase.
A 100 kilowatt permanent mount generator would be an estimated $24,000 plus installation, McCready told the board.
A public notice will be issued regarding the level of fluoride in the water system, McCready said.
"The level is not to exceed 2. And our level is 2.1, this is not an emergency and the fluoride is natural, from the ground," McCready said.
"This is hardly a significant thing, but we are required to do the notice," Holmes said.
Street superintendent Wayne Mileham said he is planning repairs to the entrance street at the Homestead restaurant and other work using motor fuel tax funds.
The work was approved by the board, including blacktop for the municipal building parking lot, with the cost to be shared with the township and fire department; blacktop Lake and Colleen streets, and approximately 150 feet of North Division Street.
According to the treasurer's report, the village has a balance of $119,245 in the motor fuel tax fund.
Police chief Jim Bethell reported a building permit for a home addition has been issued to Roger and Ellen Boland.
He told the board four applications for the position of police chief have been received and the police committee will schedule interviews March 19.
"The deadline for applications was March 12, and the police committee will conduct interviews and make a recommendation to the board at the April meeting," police committee chairman and Trustee Ed Malcolm said.
Police Chief Jim Bethell will retire this summer.
Trustee Mary Engholm reported on economic development, including plans for the grocery. She said a meeting was held Feb. 26, including an Illinois Department of Commerce representative regarding funding.
"The project is picking up momentum and a meeting will be held early in April. We plan to invite a representative from Alpha, since the area will be served by the business; the project is really progressing," she noted.
AlWood FFA horticulture class members have submitted designs and plans for landscaping at the new municipal building and Trustee Ron Hoburg will meet with the students, adviser Bob Terwilliger and a representative from the township to get the plans finalized as a spring project.
"This is a good project for the kids and it will be good to work with them," Holmes said.
