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Riverside Township board approves event permits, building repairs and expands nurses' closet coverage
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Summary
Riverside Township trustees voted unanimously to approve special-event permits including alcohol service, authorize building repairs and a new front-service window, ratify monthly warrants, and expand the township nurses' closet service area after Saint Barbara’s closed its lending closet.
Riverside Township supervisors and trustees voted unanimously on several routine and policy items during their public meeting, including approvals for special-event rentals that include alcohol, an exterior service window installation, repairs to the town hall tower clock, the purchase of four dinner tickets, multiple warrants totaling $25,948.09 (and related warrants), and a formal expansion of the township’s nurses' closet service area after a nearby lending closet closed.
The votes follow a report from Supervisor Wilt that Saint Barbara’s nurse’s closet had closed unexpectedly. Trustees voted to expand the township-run nurses' closet to serve residents of Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield, while excluding a broader expansion into Lyons for now.
Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes of the Aug. 12, 2025 township board meeting — Motion by Trustee DeCausola; seconded by Trustee Heilenbach. Outcome: carried (roll call: Trustee Clark yes; Trustee Heilenbach yes; Trustee Navarro yes; Trustee DeCausola yes; Supervisor Wilt yes).
- Special use approval: auditorium rental for a private 40th birthday party (Saturday, Nov. 8) with alcohol, contingent on required insurance — Motion by Trustee Clark; seconded by Trustee DeCausola. Outcome: carried (unanimous roll call as above).
- Special use approval: Olmstead Society of Riverside request for auditorium and Room 22 on Jan. 16, 2026, with alcohol present and required insurance — Motion by Trustee DeCausola; seconded by Trustee Heilenbach. Outcome: carried (unanimous roll call as above).
- Expansion of Riverside Township Nurses' Closet coverage to include Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield — Motion by Trustee Clark; seconded by Trustee DeCausola. Outcome: carried (unanimous roll call as above). Supervisor Wilt explained the action followed Saint Barbara’s announcement that its nurse’s closet would close permanently; the township said donated durable medical items could be made available to residents of the three named communities and staff would handle administration.
- Approve repair of the town hall tower clock by The Time Center — Motion by Trustee Heilenbach; seconded by Trustee DeCausola. Outcome: carried (unanimous roll call as above). Supervisor Wilt said a family has offered to assist with some costs and cosmetic follow-up work may remain.
- Approve J. Anderson Construction estimate of $16,590 to install a service window at the township office front — Motion by Trustee Heilenbach; seconded by Trustee Clark. Outcome: carried (unanimous roll call as above). Supervisor Wilt noted permitting fees may vary and she is speaking with the village manager about permit relief.
- Purchase of four tickets at $70 each for the Lions Club “person of the year” dinner — Motion by Trustee Clark; seconded by Trustee DeCausola. Outcome: carried (unanimous roll call as above).
- Approval and ratification of warrants for September 2025 (general warrant $25,948.09; utility warrant $1,219.63; payroll warrant $20,568.34; health warrant $3,311.04; community partnerships $18,810; petty cash $109.82; general assistance $8,783.99; food pantry $1,826.66) — Motion by Trustee Heilenbach; seconded by Trustee DeCausola. Outcome: carried (unanimous roll call as above). The board discussed that the warrants and required reports are being prepared for filing with state and county authorities.
Board discussion and context
Supervisor Wilt said the Saint Barbara’s nurses' closet and food pantry staffing and cost pressures prompted the closure at the church’s 40th Street site; the church is continuing a food pantry at its community center but “they just closed” the nurses' closet permanently, Wilt said. Wilt proposed the township expand its nurses' closet coverage to accept donated durable medical equipment from other townships and make those supplies available to residents of Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield. Trustees discussed space and intake limitations; Wilt said the township will screen donations and will not accept soft goods or items that cannot be disinfected.
Trustees confirmed that insurance and required permits will be conditions for rentals involving alcohol and that the township will require certificate of insurance before final approval. For construction and repair work, Wilt said she is seeking village cooperation on permit fees.
Supervisor Wilt also reminded the board of upcoming community events the township will staff or support, including AutumnFest, Monarch Festival and a shred event, and asked trustees to notify staff of attendance. The meeting concluded with an adjournment motion that carried unanimously.
Ending
Trustee votes on the recorded motions were unanimous in favor on all items brought to roll call. The township said it will notify neighboring communities and Saint Barbara’s about the expanded nurses' closet availability and will publish details in upcoming newsletters and at outreach events.
