CALL TO ORDER: A regular village board meeting by President Crubaugh at 6:00pm.
PRESENT: Dave Crubaugh, Chris Hodges, Brian Swan, Rich Stuczynski, Pat Strelitzer, Bob Rausch, & Jodi Patoka
EXCUSED: Rebecca Roberts & Travis Stuczynski ALSO PRESENT: Jenny & Jason Martin
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MINUTES OF APRIL 22, 2025: Approved as presented.
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MAY 6, 2025: Approved as presented.
PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: N/A
PAYMENT OF BILLS: M/S Stuczynski/Swan to approve payment of the bills including the additional list. Roll call vote. Ayes all. M/C.
PROCLAMATION FOR JASON MARTIN, EAGLE SCOUT: Crubaugh read the proclamation aloud recognizing Eagle Scout, Jason Martin. M/S Swan/Strelitzer approve the proclamation for Jason Martin. Ayes all. M/C. Martin explained his Eagle Scout project where he repaired and improved the horseshoe pits at the Rosholt Lions Camp. Exit Jenny & Jason Martin at 6:05pm.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF EXCESS FUNDS BUDGETED FOR WASHINGTON STREET REPAVING PROJECT: This was discussed at today’s Public Works Committee meeting, village staff thinks that the excess funds should be spent on the road repair patches that need to be done from the water main breaks earlier this year. These were not budgeted items. Staff will get estimates for this work and a budget amendment will be done. This item is postponed at this time.
POSSIBLE USE OF BRUSH PILE BY TOWN OF AMHERST RESIDENTS: A draft Intergovernmental agreement has been drafted for both the Town of Amherst and the Village of Nelsonville. The Town of Amherst and the Village of Nelsonville have these agreements on their board meetings for this week and will get back to us once their board has made a decision. M/S Stuczynski/Swan approve the intergovernmental agreements as drafted for both Town of Amherst and Village of Nelsonville. Ayes all. M/C.
ROARK WAY DRAINAGE: Still need to talk to all the property owners along this drainage area. This item is postponed at this time.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR THE 2024 GENERAL ACCOUNT BUDGET: Patoka received an update from Amber at CLA today that they are just finishing up the 2024 audit for the village. There will be some journal entries that need to be entered. Once we receive the JE’s, the remaining budget amendments can be done. The 2024 audit presentation will most likely be in July.
REVISED SEASONAL PERMIT FOR TEMPORARY BEER LICENSE – THOMAS P. ORSUND MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, FREDDIE’S HOME PLATE IN NELSON PARK, MAY 14, 2025 – OCT 1, 2025: The original application was for June 1, 2025-August 31, 2025. A few games have been added to the beginning of the season and a tournament has been added at the end of the season which is the reason for the extension. M/S Strelitzer/Hodges approve the extension of the temporary beer license for the TOMF as presented. Ayes all. M/C.
FENCE ISSUE AT 215 WAKE ISLAND DR: The property owner is now selling his house and has ok’d the village to move the fence to the property line. Received a bid from American Fence for $500.00. Found out the curb stop is beyond the property line; village staff will move the curb stop as well. M/S Rausch/Hodges to move the fence to the property line for $500 as quoted by American Fence. Ayes all. M/C.
BID FROM AMERICAN FENCE FOR ADDITIONAL RAILING AT FREDDIE’S HOME PLATE: The railing on the driveway side at FHP is not safety compliant. Crubaugh will contact the companies that originally donated the fencing to see if they can make a recommendation as to how it can be made compliant. This item is postponed.
PURCHASE OF STIHL POWER SWEEP ATTACHMENT: Saved $1,100 on the recent paint sprayer that was bought and was a budgeted item for 2025. Staff would like to purchase a Stihl Power Sweep attachment with the savings. Received a quote for $779.00 from Jerry’s Small Engine. M/S Hodges/Strelitzer approve the purchase of the Stihl Power Sweep attachment. Ayes all. M/C. REPAIR OF DRIVEWAY BY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ON LACONIA ST: A large pothole has formed at the driveway by United Methodist Church and 203 Laconia St. over the winter from plowing. The village owns the small strip of land between these two properties but it is of no benefit to the village. The committee is looking at dividing this small strip of land up between the four property owners that surround it. This is on hold until the village hires a new attorney. Staff will get a quote on fixing this hole along with the other asphalt patches that need to be done from the water main breaks.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Plan Commission:
- Did not meet in May
Utility:
- Storage capacity study
- Utility operations: Well #1 & #2 Upgrades – Well #1 work will start on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. After speaking with Angel at AECOM regarding the $129,000 change order for well #2, it was discovered that this is not required work that needs to be done. Now looking at getting a price on a generator for Well #1. Also looking at using a new chemical that will remove the iron and manganese that is in Well #3 to make it operational.
- The water tower painting is tentatively scheduled for mid to end of July 2025.
- There are currently 6 meters left to be changed out in Quadrant #2.
Safety:
- Delinquent dog licenses – there are currently 5-6 dog owners that have not paid their dog licenses for 2025. This list will now be turned over to the humane society.
- Received suggestion from village resident to make the first stall in front of the opera house as no parking and making the 2nd stall handicap parking. Also concerned about the parking spots on Lincoln St. near Peace Lutheran Church, difficult to see traffic on Main St. when at the stop sign on Lincoln St.
Finance:
- Future Treasurer’s Reports – have $6,700 variance as of 12/31/2025. Amber @ CLA suggested working with Work Horse to get the reconciliation process in Work Horse.
Personnel:
- Working on the revisions for the new part-time librarian position
Administrative:
- Amplified sound/music ordinance
- Update Library personnel job descriptions
- Gov Card – accept payments via credit card, debit card or electronic check
- Open Book – Thursday, May 22, 2025, 12noon-2pm
- Board of Review – Thursday, May 29, 2025, 2-4pm
- ES&S will be here on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, to service the voting equipment for Village of Amherst, Town of Amherst, Village of Nelsonville and Town of Lanark
Public Works:
- Freddie’s Home Plate update
- Greenwood Cemetery acquisition
- Roark Way drainage
- Parks Ad Hoc committee meeting Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6pm
Tree Board:
- 2024 Tree City USA recipient – 27th year in a row. Will put a press release in the Community Spirit.
Library:
- Kristi Ruggles’ last day will be July 1, 2025. The library board has hired Fran Peplinski as the new library director, who will start on June 1, 2025. Received $11,000 in donations in April. The Summer reading program is ready to go. The Friends of the Library had their book sale recently and made $329.
Fire District:
- Meeting Monday, May 19, 2025 at 6pm.
M/S Stuczynski/Swan to adjourn at 6:34pm. Ayes all. M/C.
Respectfully submitted,
Jodi Patoka
Clerk/Treasurer