Beaver Crossing trustees adopt 1 & 6‑Year Road Plan, approve $507,996.69 pumper down payment and multiple maintenance projects

Beaver Crossing, Neb. — The Beaver Crossing Village Board of Trustees on Oct. 8 adopted the village’s 1 & 6‑Year Road Plan and approved a series of maintenance and capital items, including adding a $507,996.69 down payment for a new pumper truck to October claims.

Trustee Kaely Eberspacher moved to adopt Resolution 25-5, approving the 1 & 6‑Year Road Plan; Trustee Jere Leif seconded and the motion passed on a 5-0 roll call. The plan was the subject of an earlier public hearing opened and closed during the meeting.

The board also voted to add the fire department’s Toyne pumper truck down payment of $507,996.69 to October claims after a report from Scott Petersen, who said the department had seven medical calls and that funding was available for the replacement. Trustee Brandon Mares moved to add the payment; the motion carried 5-0.

On street maintenance, the board accepted a bid from Burton Asphalt to seal asphalt and repair cracks on Dimery Avenue and authorized spending $20,000 for the work. James Burton told the board that a 4‑inch asphalt thickness would cost about $3.50 per square foot. Trustee Jere Leif moved the measure, which passed unanimously.

Park and recreation improvements approved include:

- Authorization of bids from Grounded Turf Solutions to add agricultural lime and topdressing to the softball field ($13,903.92) and the baseball field ($22,381.35); Trustee Kaely Eberspacher moved and the board approved both bids 5-0. The Village will rent a sod cutter to remove 12 inches of grass from the field preparation area.

- Agreement to order a bleacher shield from Topline Steel at a quoted price of $34,500, with a required deposit of $13,450 to be paid from a prior donation fund; Trustee Jere Leif moved to make the deposit and place the order, and the board approved the motion 5-0.

The board reviewed bids for pool house plumbing, doors and flooring with an approximate total project cost of $40,000 and approved spending $15,000 from village funds toward the project; the board also directed staff to apply for an Ihde Fund grant to help cover remaining costs. That motion, made by Trustee Eberspacher, passed 5-0.

In code enforcement action, Trustee Brandon Mares moved to declare the property at 823 Elk St. a nuisance and order abatement; Trustee Ray Foreman seconded and the measure passed 5-0. The owner has 14 days to clean the property; if the Village completes the cleanup, the costs will be charged to the owner and may be assessed to the property if unpaid after two months.

Routine governance items were addressed: multiple sets of meeting minutes were approved (some votes recorded with two trustees abstaining on certain Sept. 10 minutes), the treasurer’s report was approved unanimously, and claims were approved with one abstention by Trustee Eberspacher on the claims vote as noted in the minutes.

The board held the first reading of Ordinance 25-2, which would repeal Section 3-211 (pitbulls and crossbreeds prohibited); no final action was taken beyond the first reading. Village Attorney Matt Blaser provided guidance on design/build projects and will draft a resolution for the board’s consideration.

The board also approved Resolution 25-6, the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance for 2025, by a unanimous vote.

Clerk/Treasurer Peggy Pankoke reported administrative updates including installation of a new copier and a request to use Village Hall for a monthly community prayer meeting; the board approved the request. Trustee Eberspacher moved to adjourn at 9:36 p.m.; the motion passed 5-0.

What’s next: Ordinance 25-2 will require additional readings before any change to the animal-control code; the Village will proceed with pool house grant applications and scheduling of the contracted maintenance work. The board noted a water-utility workshop in Fairbury on Oct. 28 for staff and trustees.