New Roadside Sign for Village of Atwood

The Atwood Village Board voted to partner with the Atwood Chamber of Commerce and Atwood Economic Development at the regular meeting of the board on Monday, June 8 to purchase a new sign. The sign (pictured above) will replace the existing one at Rt. 36 and the Arthur Road. The sign is in the process of being made and hopefully be erected by the end of the month.

By Doris Elmore

The Atwood Village Board voted to partner with the Atwood Chamber of Commerce and Atwood Economic Development at the regular meeting of the board on Monday, June 8 to purchase a new sign. This sign will replace the existing one at Rt. 36 and the Arthur Road. The sign is in the process of being made and hopefully be erected by the end of the month.

Village President Bill Fleming remarked about the tree removal between the Panhandle Station and Dollar General being done. Legal information to obtain the easements from the three property owners is completed. Once received back, the village will advise the concrete contractor to begin work. Fleming added that Farnsworth Engineering Firm has begun the design drawings and the survey to determine the location of the flood plain and to determine elevations.

Donations continue to come in to the village for the Park Development Project. As of June 8, a total of $15,000 had been received. Residents and businesses are reminded more is needed to construct a good park for residents and guests.

The OSLAD grant application will be submitted in September to request a $100,000 grant for the concession/pavilion/playground. A second round of letters is scheduled to be mailed this month to businesses to request their continued consideration to donate to this project. Anyone wanting to donate to this project should take it or mail to the Atwood Village Hall, P. O. Box 319, Atwood.

Fleming announced the weather has delayed the construction of the new T-ball diamond, so the season will be played on the existing diamond. A big Thank You was extended to John Brandenburg for his valuable and skilled work to prepare this new diamond for the final field product.

During new business the board voted to spend $8,600 for the installation of the new T-ball diamond. This will be the lime and top level, including delivery. Money will come from the Park Fund. Once that is completed, the village employees will begin the relocation of the fencing to the new diamond.

The village received notification of an incentive payment coming from Ameren in the amount of $15,376.62 for the improvement made at the sewer plant. The payment was based upon the efficiency of the new motors and the decrease of electrical usage to power the motors.

The following police report was presented:
41 total citations issued:
13 State Citations
12 Village Ordinance Traffic Citations
13 Written Warnings
3 Non-traffic Village Ordinance Citations
11 Total Crime Reports Generated
5 Total Arrests
3 K9 Deployments
28-K9 Training Exercises for a total of 19-K9 Training Hours

In other business:
1. Approval of expenditures totaling: $47,408.78
2. The final payment for loan disbursement #16 for IEPA Loan in the amount of $114,8729 approved.
3. Approval of the MFT program contract from Farnsworth $59,19
4. Approved the TIF application from Harris Company, 228 W. Magnolia for building expansion for $14,350. Total cost is $71,750. The earlier TIF application was voided.
5. Approved an estimate from Beiler Septics to fix the storm sewer between E. Ash & Camelot Dr. for $13,100 from Street Funds.
6. New tactical vests will be purchased for the Atwood P.D. in the amount of $2,032.80. They have $625 to go toward this amount.
7. Board approved payment of $1,050 for new driveway approach at 223 N. Main.
8. The board also approved a new fire hydrant at Illinois & Hickory for $3,681.
9. After discussion, the board approved the contract with Van Hyfte Grant Lab for $1,200 per month or $12,000 per year. They agreed that the village has benefitted from using this company. Grants have been received and more are in the process of being applied for.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 13 at 6 p.m.