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Beecher Village Board approves water-main contract, park fencing contribution and grant application
Summary
At its March 23 meeting the Beecher Village Board awarded a water-main contract, approved $10,000 toward park fencing repairs at Fireman's Park, authorized a $52,500 grant application for retail-crime enforcement, and approved several routine purchases and an appointment to the Fourth of July Commission.
The Beecher Village Board on March 23 approved a series of contracts and spending measures, including the award of a water-main replacement contract, a $10,000 village contribution to repair fencing at Fireman's Park and authorization for a state grant application to fund retail-crime enforcement.
In the meeting, Trustee Gardner moved to award the base bid plus option 1 for the Middle Street water-main replacement project to M & J Underground; the amount was transcribed in the meeting record as "$994,000 $957.74." Gardner said the village received a $500,000 ARPA infrastructure grant to offset part of the project and that the remaining funds will come from the water main replacement fund. The motion passed on a roll-call vote.
Trustee Diachenko described a request from Beecher Rec to renovate Field 1 at Fireman's Park, telling the board the backstop fence and dugout fencing are "really gnarled" and that the only contractor quote returned was $19,500. Diachenko proposed a $10,000 village contribution and said the board could use proceeds from the police-station sale or enact a supplemental appropriation. The board voted to contribute $10,000 to the field fencing project.
On public safety matters, Trustee Terry moved to authorize Chief Galvin to submit an Illinois Attorney General Organized Retail Crime grant application for $52,500. Terry said the request would cover flat camera fees of $32,500 and $20,000 for overtime and enforcement; the board approved submitting the application, which has a March 31 submission deadline and an anticipated grant start date of July 1, 2026.
The board also approved several routine purchases and contracts. Trustee Gardner moved to waive formal bidding and accept Baxter & Woodman for construction engineering on the Miller Street water-main project for $92,000; that motion carried. The board approved purchases for mosquito control: $5,578 for an adulticide from Bugabug and $7,145.60 for larvicide bricks from Van Nuys for catch basins throughout town.
During the meeting the board appointed Jessica Woodruff to the Fourth of July Commission by voice/roll-call vote. Treasurer Donna reported the February month-end balances, noting village accounts of $5,400,450.95 and commission accounts of $248,317.12 for combined holdings of $5,648,768.07 and a general fund balance of $1,523,535.13.
The board discussed bidding replacement of approximately 13 Village Hall windows, noting the existing windows date to about 1985 and have failed seals; members asked staff to return with price information. The board also gave consensus for a resident-organized Wine & Cheese Festival at Fireman's Park on April 11; organizers will use an event license tied to an existing liquor license and provide toilets and security.
The meeting concluded with a motion and roll-call vote to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters under section 2(c)(1).
The board is scheduled to meet next in April; any supplemental appropriation to fund the park fencing would be considered at a future meeting.
