Dorchester trustees approve infrastructure orders, new streetlights and set special meeting for utilities hiring

The Village of Dorchester Board of Trustees on Monday, Feb. 9 approved multiple infrastructure and purchasing actions and scheduled a special meeting to continue a utilities hiring process.

Chairperson Roger Miller opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and read the Open Meetings Act. The board approved the consent agenda (motion by Trustee Nate Hitchins; second by Trustee Tammie Lang), then moved through routine reports and unfinished business.

Assistant Utilities Superintendent Brent Kasl gave the fire report and noted, "The recognition banquet will be February 21." Code compliance officer Jerod Francis told trustees that most properties on the compliance list will not be re-contacted until March and that he will work with Attorney Kelly Hoffschneider on drafting necessary enforcement letters. A deputy from the sheriff's office reported increased speeding near the school during drop-off and pick-up and said several recent thefts are a federal matter with five warrants issued.

On infrastructure, the board approved Olsson Work Order No. 8 (motion by Miller; second by Lang) and asked Olsson representative Shayne Huxoll to inspect safety concerns at the intersection of 10th Street and Franklin Avenue. The board also approved MTZ Pay Application No. 3 (motion by Trustee Nate Hitchins; second by Trustee Nancy Tellez) and accepted a quote from Excel Excavating for replacement manhole covers (motion by Miller; second by Hitchins).

Financial housekeeping included an update from Clerk-Treasurer Jennifer M. Kasl: Brad Slaughter is no longer with Northland Securities and Austin Partridge will be the village's new contact. The village purchased four certificates of deposit for Highway Allocation funds and one for the General Fund; the Highway Allocation CDs must be spent by November.

Trustees tabled consideration of generator quotes until March (motion by Miller; second by Lang) and tabled a proposed electrical agreement with the City of Crete pending Attorney Hoffschneider adding requested language to two items (motion by Hitchins; second by Lang).

Under new business, the board directed Attorney Hoffschneider to draft an ordinance to vacate 8th Street from West Line to Wagner Avenue (motion by Lang; second by Hitchins). The board approved the purchase of four additional LED street lights (motion by Miller; second by Lang) and approved buying six flashing stop signs using keno funds after a request from DPS (motion by Miller; second by Hitchins). A proposed interlocal agreement from DPS was tabled (motion by Lang; second by Tellez).

Trustees discussed a parcel being considered for a proposed bus barn and agreed a public hearing can be scheduled once a specific plan is submitted. To advance hiring for the utilities department, trustees set a special meeting for Feb. 17 at 5:00 p.m. to conduct interviews for Assistant Utilities Superintendent candidates (motion by Lang; second by Miller).

The board entered closed session at 7:51 p.m. for up to 30 minutes to discuss strategy related to collective bargaining, real estate purchases and pending or imminent litigation; the board exited closed session at 8:36 p.m. with no formal action taken. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.

The board did not record roll-call vote tallies in the minutes; motions are recorded with movers and seconders and described as "motion carried" where noted. The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Farmers Cooperative Meeting Room.