GREEN GARDEN TOWNSHIP
JANUARY 10, 2022 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
-Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Don Murday with Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call by Interim Clerk Cherie Newton: Present: Supervisor Don Murday, Trustees Bill Wagner, Mark Kovar and Cherie Newton. Trustee Ralph Dietz not in attendance. Also present Road Commissioner Jim Hilliard. Assessor Jane Bushong not in attendance.
-Approval of Minutes from December 13, 2021 Levy Hearing prepared by Interim Clerk Newton. Supervisor Murday asks for Motion to approve submitted Minutes, motion made by Trustee Wagner and seconded by Trustee Kovar. All in favor, motion carries. Supervisor Murday asks for Motion to approve December 13, 2021 Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes prepared and submitted by Interim Clerk Newton, motion made by Trustee Wagner and seconded by Trustee Kovar. All in favor, motion carries.
-Planning Commission-Planning & Zoning Commissioner Jim Wayman not present; report by Supervisor Murday. P&Z will meet on February 7, 2022 to hear request for renewal of Special Use Permit by new owners of Bill’s Lawn Maintenance. No changes to Special Use Permit other than new owners listed. The matter will be voted on by the Green Garden Township Board at the February 16, 2022 Regular Monthly Meeting. Legal Notice to appear in the Peotone Vedette.
-Road Commissioner’s Report presented by Commissioner Hilliard:
Completed in the past month:
-All plows and spreaders ready to go.
-Added stone to gravel roads.
-Sign maintenance.
-Installed 2 driveway culverts.
-With last snow of approximately 3 inches and wind, trucks were out 2-3 times/day. 60 tons of salt and 10 tons of traction salt spread.
-In-house truck repairs by township mechanic.
Currently working on:
-Truck maintenance.
-Tree limbs cut down, brush removed.
Long-term/future work:
-Hard road surfaces for Dralle Road (2-3 years).
-Scheer Road bridge north of Offner Road to be replaced, cost shared with Will County. Estimated cost for Township is $300,000 (2-3 years). 2
Resident Buddy Schultz questioned salting practices, particularly at 88th Avenue and Monee Manhattan Road. Road Commissioner Hilliard responded they properly spread the salt, it takes time to complete all roads and for salt to take effect.
-Assessor’s Report—Assessor Bushong not present. She did drop off her draft Assessor’s Budget, which is required to be presented to the Board by January 30, 2022. Board’s goal is to pass budgets by April 1, 2022.
-Trustee’s Report—Supervisor Murday reported on township flooding issues in Trustee Dietz’s absence, noting that Trustee Dietz and Road Commissioner Hilliard held a meeting with residents to review areas of concern (meeting date/time was published in the Vedette). The purpose of this Committee is to identify areas of water issues and to identify causes of the problems (state, county or township or personal property issue). This is a process and it is being looked into. Trustee Wagner-nothing to report. Trustee Newton reported that she has forwarded to the County pertinent contact information relating to Statements of Economic Interests for all Board and Planning & Zoning members. The county will contact all members for further information. Also, Trustee Newton met with Chris Russell to discuss new website option for the township. The cost is $500 one-time set-up fee and $200 monthly hosting fee, minimum commitment of 24 months. The Board will consider. Trustee Newton stated that she has been in contact with a few candidates for the Clerk appointment and interviews will be scheduled. The Board will vote at the February 16, 2022 meeting on the Clerk appointment. Resident Karen Murdock questioned senior services in the Township. Supervisor Murday responded that any concerns in the community are a priority to the Board. Another resident, Mr. Tom Becker, asked that everyone realize that the water problems/flooding issues are a very lengthy and complicated process. Trustee Kovar reported that he is looking into tornado/storm notification processes with the County.
-Supervisor’s Report—Nothing to add, other than the County notified him that levied amounts due townships have been delayed due to property tax payment deferments.
-New Business-Already covered in above discussions.
-Old Business-Trustee Wagner reported that the Cemetary Committee is still working on identifying cemetary ownership/management. The next committee meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2022.
-Public Comments-Resident Becker informed the Board that Parker Concrete, 7608 Monee Manhattan Road, is still operating illegally. Will County has ordered cease and desist orders to stop operating and they stopped briefly, then resumed illegally. The Illinois EPA is aware of the situation. Mr. Becker will keep the Board updated on the status with the County.
-Meeting Adjourned at 8:13 pm with a motion by Trustee Kovar and seconded by Trustee Wagner. Motion carried. The next Board meeting to be held on February 16, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE MEETING DATE CHANGE FROM MONDAY 2/14/22 TO WEDNESDAY 2/16/22.
Respectfully submitted, Cherie Newton (as Interim Clerk) for Green Garden Township.