Community News
Contentious school board approves project to remove “hairpin” drive
Former board member Dave Griffel addressed the board regarding a plan the Building and Grounds Committee toyed with during his tenure on the board.
Despite vocal objections from at least two of its members, the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted 4-2 to move forward with a $150,000 project to remove the “hairpin” drive in front of Gillespie Middle School and replace it with green space. The project also includes provisions to improve drainage in the area, which is known for becoming a sheet of ice during winter.
The board, however, deadlocked on approval of an alternate bid to repave the east half of Elm Street in front of the district’s administrative offices in conjunction with the main project.
Also on Monday, the board approved the district’s first golf program, set to start during the 2019-2020 school year, and quizzed chorus teacher Alexandrea Weinberg before approving a band and chorus trip to Walt Disney World in June 2020.
Supt. Joe Tieman told the board that DeLaurent Construction, Wilsonville, was the only firm to submit a bid for the hairpin turn-around project. DeLaurent offered a base bid of $150,000—$50,000 under the architect’s estimate—for the basic work. Additionally, the company provided an alternate bid of $26,000 for additional paving in conjunction with the project.
Tieman said the project could be comfortably financed using revenue from the county’s School Facilities Sales Tax collections.
Tieman said the project could be comfortably financed using revenue from the county’s School Facilities Sales Tax collections. After accounting for a $230,000 bond and interest payment for the new BenGil Elementary School debt and a $55,000 payment for the newly completed Middle School science lab, Tieman said the district is sitting on a $400,397 balance in the sale tax fund. Next year’s allocation of sales tax revenue to the district is projected at $350,000 to $400,000. School Facilities Sale Tax revenues are restricted to expenditures for permanent improvements or new construction.
“A year or a year and a half from now, we should be sitting on a million and a half in that account,” Tieman said.
The project, designed by school architect Tom Hyde, calls for removing the paved surface associated with the turn-around, backfilling the area with topsoil and seeding the area with grass. The project also will include the installation of concrete curbing and sidewalks, and installation of stormwater drains. All of the drainage will be underground and will direct water to ditches along Route 16 on the east side of the middle school/high school complex.
Tieman said he met with Gillespie Mayor John Hicks who pledged to work with the school district to get those ditches dug out and cleaned, and to replace crushed culverts under entrances to the Middle School and to the school’s parking lot. Additionally, Hicks reportedly told Tieman the city’s ongoing project to replace water lines throughout the city would not damage the completed project since lines in that area would be installed by boring under the pavement.
Tieman said he met with Gillespie Mayor John Hicks who pledged to work with the school district.
DeLaurent’s alternative bid of $26,000 refers to paving the east half of Elm Street and the south half of Oregon Street for the distance of the project. The base project calls for regrading the west half and north half of those streets, respectively, and repaving to restore the crown and improve drainage.
Tieman said Hicks could not say whether or not the city would participate financially in paving the sections of Elm and Oregon streets unaffected by the project since that would be a decision subject to approval by the City Council.
School board unanimously approves district’s first golf team program
“The alternate bid does not have to be voted up or down tonight,” Tieman said, “which would give me an opportunity to continue working with the city.”
Tieman said dealing with the turn-around has been a topic of discussion for more than a decade. Apart from drainage issues and aesthetics, he said the area also is a safety hazard. During the winter months, the area often becomes a sheet of ice. Students, staff members and visitors picking their way across the ice occasionally fall, though there apparently have been no serious injuries.
“I’m afraid of a severe head injury or a broken ankle or broken arm,” he said. “I’m not saying we would be liable, but it would be difficult to be in a courtroom and have to defend that position when we’ve done nothing.”
Tieman said his goal would be to complete the project before the start of the 2019-2020 school year.
“My recommendation is unequivocally, 100 percent to go ahead with this project and get it done while we have the money,” Tieman told the board. “It will take care of not only an eyesore but also a safety hazard.”
“It will take care of not only an eyesore but also a safety hazard.”
While Tieman assured the board the money is available for the project, board members Weye Schmidt and Bill Carter objected to spending $150,000 to $176,000 in sales tax funds on a problem that might be resolved for less money.
The proposed renderings of the revamped “hairpin” project.
Earlier in the meeting, former board member Dave Griffel addressed the board regarding a plan the Building and Grounds Committee toyed with during his tenure on the board. He said one reason the area holds water is because the grassy area to the west is about four inches higher than the pavement. Additionally, water that drains to the east is impeded by culverts that have been crushed by traffic. The board’s tentative plan several years ago was to use school personnel to grade the grassy area down to the same level as the pavement and reseed it, replace damaged culverts, and clean and improve ditches along Route 16 to carry the water away. The total cost, he said, would have been no more than a few hundred dollars.
The plan never progressed beyond the discussion stage, according to Griffel. There were no engineering studies done and no formal cost estimates. He said board members did talk to city officials who agreed to work with the district on replacing damaged culverts. The district also would have to work with the owners of a nearby Dairy Queen to resolve the culvert issue.
“Water does run that way, but it’s impeded,” Griffel noted. “Would you want to try something like this for a year and see if it works and if it doesn’t, then consider something else?”
“This is an awful lot of money,” said Weye Schmidt, board member. “I don’t think that when we went to voters to approve the school facilities tax that this is what they envisioned spending that money on. I think we need to get rid of the water, but I think we need to come up with a cheaper way of doing it.”
Tieman, however, countered that when he conducted public meetings on the tax referendum, addressing the turn-around was a specific project constituents mentioned.
“The money is there and this is the time to get it done and get it done properly,” Board President Mark Hayes said. He added that he didn’t think there were other viable options for the board to pursue.
“How do you know that?” Schmidt demanded. He said Hyde had not been asked to develop any alternative proposals other than the one presented to the board Monday night.
“It’s tough to take out that much money (from the sales tax account) for this,” board member Carter said, “not that it doesn’t need to be done.”
Brought to a vote, a motion to accept DeLaurent’s base bid was approved 4-2 with Schmidt and Carter voting no. Hayes, Becky Hatlee, Don Dobrino and Dennis Tiburzi voted “yes.” Jenni Alepra was absent.
A second motion to approve the alternate bid for additional paving failed to pass when the board tied 3-3.
Schmidt said he was not comfortable in committing to the alternate bid without knowing whether or not the city would support the project financially. He also questioned the practicality of paving one-half of the street if the city opts not to participate. Hatlee joined Schmidt and Carter in voting against the measure.
Tieman said he would continue talking with the city to determine whether or not Gillespie would help pay for the paving. DeLaurent’s bid is good for 60 days and the alternate bid could be reconsidered by the board at its next regular meeting.
Comments
The Wilsonville Progressive Club will celebrate and host a 90 year Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 11. The party will include a catered dinner, a live band, and fireworks.
Doors will open at 2 pm with a catered dinner being served at 4 pm. The Shane Kessinger Experience (live band) will play at 5 pm, and a grand fireworks display will be held at dusk.
The Progressive Club was originally established in 1934 by the Progressive Miners and was located on the northwest side of Wilsonville’s main street. The Club moved to their new building in January of 1949 and today this is still the current location at 212 Wilson Street in Wilsonville.
Wilsonville was founded in 1917 when Superior Coal Co. Mine No. 4 was sunk and this was the most modern mine in the Superior field. At that time, the little settlement which grew up around the mine was called Wilson. One day a worker paused and asked, “What are we going to name this town?” President Wilson was in office, thus the town was then and there named Wilson until 1919 when it was incorporated and the name expanded to Wilsonville.
The Wilsonville Progressive Club is operated and maintained by an elected panel of trustees and loyal members. The Club is open to the public and membership is always welcome. The large outdoor covered pavilion and manicured grassy side lot offer an attractive and convenient venue for any event along with inside facilities.
If you are interested in renting for any kind of event, call 217-835-3122 during open hours which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4 pm to close, and Sunday doors open at 2 pm. Every Sunday afternoon at 4 pm is the Queen of Hearts drawing and the Club is on Facebook as well.
Comments
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Oak Street in reference to a dog bite.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street to pick up a found item.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a burglary.
An officer was out in the 200 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Schmidt Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Horizon Street in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a theft in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Osie Street in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
Nicholas O. Landolt, 36, of Gillespie was arrested on multiple warrants including one out of St. Clair County for possession for methamphetamine, a second one out of Montgomery County for failure to appear for driving while license was revoked, and a third out of Macoupin County for failure to appear for methamphetamine.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical alarm.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage to her property.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft.
An officer spoke with a female in the 100 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Southern Street in reference to a suspicious person.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property. Melissa J. Hughes, 49, of Benld was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for theft/larceny.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 700 block of Rose Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine Street to assist the Department of Children and Family Services.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 200 block of South Macoupin.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Staunton Road in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to High Street and Gillespie Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of High Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was flagged down at Elm Street and Clinton Street and spoke with an individual in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a suspicious circumstance.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a panic alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Second Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Osie Street in reference to a dog bite. Heather L. Kimberlin, 47, of Gillespie was issued a citation for dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was out with a suspicious vehicle in the alley in the 500 block of Park Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut and South Main Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the Veterans Memorial Park in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle that had been parked there for a couple of days.
Gillespie Police Department was requested for traffic control by the Gillespie Fire Department for a fire on Eagarville Road.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Street in Gillespie in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a suspicious person at the storage units. Kathy J. Henderson, 49, of Sawyerville was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for bad checks
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Maple Street and Macoupin Street. Kenny L. Fults, 18, of Belleville was issued a citation for possession of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespassing. Timothy J. Dalpozzo, 57, of Benld was arrested for criminal trespassing to residence and a Macoupin County warrant for criminal trespassing to a residence.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Street and Chestnut Street and charges are pending crime lab results.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Osie Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a medical call.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an ordinance issue.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Comments
LITCHFIELD, Ill. — HSHS St. Francis Hospital is offering service opportunities to area teens this summer through the 2024 Junior Volunteer Program. Applications are being accepted now through May 1.
Applicants must be high school students maintaining at least a “C” average, be a minimum of 14 years of age by June 1 and be willing to volunteer at least two hours per week during the summer program. Junior volunteers will perform a variety of duties in various hospital departments.
Registration materials are available on the hospital’s website volunteer page at https://www.hshs.org/st-francis/community/volunteer.
All participants in the program will be required to present proof of immunizations for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Varicella (chicken pox). An additional requirement includes attendance at a hospital orientation.
A limited number of positions will be available. For more information, contact HSHS St. Francis Hospital at 217-324-8200.
Comments
-
Community News4 weeks agoSchool district apparently eyeing food management service
-
High School Sports3 weeks agoAnother strong week for Gillespie softball
-
High School Sports3 weeks agoGillespie baseball steamroll Nokomis and fall to New Berlin
-
Obituaries2 days agoDeath of Wanda Kaye (Huffman) Bernot