Resident questions memorial bench on village berm; board to discuss memorial policy at Committee of the Whole

Summary

A resident asked why a privately owned memorial bench and other items were placed on a berm near the police station; staff said the bench had been moved from Blackhawk Park and the village paid for the original pad; trustees said a policy on memorial trees and benches will be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.

During public comment on July 10, resident Randy Dvorak asked the board about a bench placed on a berm near the police station and expressed concern about sticks and other items around it. Dvorak said the bench appeared to be a memorial and asked who approved its placement and who owns it.

Public Works Director Joe explained the bench had been moved from Blackhawk Park and that the bench is privately owned by the person who paid for it; he said a concrete pad was poured at village expense and that the owner later paid to replace an unsatisfactory pad. Joe said he did not know the approval process used before his arrival. Dvorak said he thought the placement and the surrounding items were inappropriate and asked the village to remove the sticks.

Village President Amy Jo Wittenberg said the village would put a new policy on the agenda for the Committee of the Whole meeting on July 17 covering memorial trees and benches and other memorial items on village property. Trustees asked the resident to attend that meeting and provide input. No formal action was taken at the July 10 meeting beyond scheduling the policy discussion.