Blue Mound hires part-time officer
Water shut-offs for delinquent accounts ongoing
BLUE MOUND — There has been an increase in domestic violence among adults and disciplinary issues among students. The concerns were presented by the police department in the latest meeting of the Blue Mound Village Board.
There were 50 complaints in the past month, with 26 in Blue Mound and 24 in Macon. The majority were civil matters, which police cannot get involved in. Some matters of note were arising from financial issues relating to the ongoing inflation scourage.
In response to increasing crime, the police department would hire a part-time officer. They also now have updated Taser equipment, which arrived last week. They will be assigned to specific officers and are able to download user activity. Certification training for the Tasers started on October 4.
Water shut-offs for delinquent accounts began on October 5. 47 accounts are delinquent. Past due balances, including late fees, total $3,061.39.
Village planning for traffic solutions
The village is currently seeking solutions for intersections with a poor view of cross traffic where parked vehicles are the obstruction. These intersections can be dangerous at any time. The bigger issue comes during harvest season in the fall months. Adding to the issue is road laid for driveways that are allowing for parking perpendicular to the road.
Updates on ongoing projects in Blue Mound
During October, Blue Mound employees plan to complete projects currently in progress. They include finishing tree trimming, installing culverts at the intersections of College and Depray, and finishing pumping at North Finish Pond for isolation and repair. A new sidewalk route will be in consideration due to the cost of tree removal.
The water main projects are complete, allowing hydrant flushing and testing to begin. The tie-in for the west water tower is also online. Installation of a water meter is still in consideration for water not in use for training and emergency exercises by the fire department. This would mainly be to monitor use. There is consideration of the possibility for the fire department to cover the cost of the meter.
Second installment of ARPA funds received
The village received the second installment of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The installment of $72,947.27 will be for infrastructure projects.
The water tower project is awaiting final approval and guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A grant for the project covered 80 percent of the cost, or $320,000. The receipt of this installment will help reduce how much money they will borrow to pay for the project.
Other matters
One payment remains on the truck purchased by the village. It is currently unknown when that final payment will be.
Two building permits were filed with the village. Both permit requests were residential in nature.
A Trunk or Treat event will be in Stonington on October 20. Meanwhile, Blue Mound will hold trick-or-treating on October 30 and 31. The hours will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The village board reconvenes on October 17 at 6 p.m. On the agenda is an ordinance setting a hearing date for a Tax Incremental Fund district. If approved, the hearing will be on December 5 at 5:30 p.m. It will be open to the public.
The first meeting of November on November 4 will be at 10 a.m.
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
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