
An image of one of the referred properties. (Contributed photo/Wilsonville Freedom of Speech)
Two new and two returning trustees, along with the former treasurer and president reelected, were all sworn into office during the Village of Wilsonville’s monthly board meeting held last Monday, May 4. Despite the lengthy agenda without delinquent properties listed as a topic of discussion, one trustee was quick to bring up the topic after notifying the board that his only objective behind running for office was to clean the village.
One trustee in particular and multiple residents in the audience want action taken for landowners with run-down property inside the village limits. The trustee with the most interest is one of the newest members of the board – Bob Carr. Along with Carr, David Day and incumbent Deno Filippini were sworn into 4-year terms last week.
Incumbents John Veres, Tracey Willhoit and Annetta Veres were also sworn into office last week to serve a 2-year trustee seat, treasurer seat and president seat, respected, after the candidates won the consolidated election held in April.
Residents Dave Delaurent and Mark Besserman used every second of their allotted three-minute period to address the council during the public recognition portion of the meeting. The pair had similar interests as they each addressed “eye-sore” properties on Wilson Street and Sawyer Street.
Besserman complained that materials from the torn down structure on 201 Wilson Street are being transferred to 215 Wilson Street. “The EPA states it is illegal dumping when material [is transferred to another property],” Besserman explained. “It is against the law. When is it going to get cleaned up?”
These two guys are making a mockery of the town and it’s time for us to do something. It’s been going on way too long.
Similarly, Delaurent expressed interest about the properties on Wilson Street and questioned why the council would spend $9,000 in legal fees to take ownership of an identified property on Wilson Street, but then returned ownership back to the previous owner who has made little demolition progress. “The city paid for dumpsters for that property and also threw $9,000 out the window in legal fees,” Delaurent said. “The homeowner hasn’t demolished the property in proper time.”
He continued by notifying the village Delaurent Construction will donate their time to demolish any property the village owns in Wilsonville in hopes of making the village a better place to live. “I’m one of the few businesses that pay taxes in this village and we need to get some of these houses torn down,” DeLaurent continued.

Trustees David Day, Bobby Carr and John Veres being sworn into office.
Trustee Bob Carr suggested the village implement a strict time period to clean residences. “I say we give [Allen Amos] 30 days to clean his two properties on Wilson or we start fining him. There are other property owners too,” Carr said during the closing minutes of the meeting. “This is the only reason I ran for office. These two guys are making a mockery of the town and it’s time for us to do something. It’s been going on way too long.”
President Annetta Veres agreed with Carr saying no one wants the town cleaned up more than she does and the $9,000 legal fees incurred by the village referred to by Delaurent took place before she was elected president. Veres said the village couldn’t instate the 30-day cleanup period last week since it wasn’t on the agenda, but she said it will absolutely be on the agenda for the June meeting.
Old Business
The Wilsonville Senior Citizen group reported they raised $1,250 during the chili and soup fundraiser held on April 11 and with the $500 match from the village, the final amount raised was $1,750. The proceeds are going to be used for table and chairs for the community center.
President Veres reported that she could not find the title for the Crown Victoria police car and explained she was going to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to acquire one. The village put the police car out for bids two months ago, but denied the only bid received for the car last month citing it was too low.
New Business
President Veres said the board needs to address the community center agreement in terms of cleaning and deposits. “We need to come up with ideas as far as cleaning or a proper fee for not cleaning, then we need to decide where the cleaning fee goes,” she explained. She turned over agreements from surrounding communities to Bob Carr, head of parks and public grounds, to address during his committee meeting. The board will revisit the topic next month.
Veres continued by saying the Village of Wilsonville will be first on Fleming & Tawfall’s list for the annual audit. She said the audit will tentatively begin on June 1.
Lastly, she said she contacted Illinois Rural Water Association (IRWA) and Ameren. IRWA is going to come out with cameras to run the line regarding the sinking tile on Marcia and Dean while Ameren offers an energy efficiency work program. She explained the Ameren program helps replace older lighting with efficient alternatives and the Wilsonville Community Center is first on the list.
Upcoming dates:
May 16: Veteran’s Caravan will be held with an expected arrival time of 11:30 a.m. in Wilsonville.
May 16: WCO Bingo Fundraiser starting at 1p.m. at the community center.
May 26: All committees meeting.
June 1: Regular business monthly meeting.
June 13: Out of school dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the community center.
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