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Stilesville Town Board elects 2026 leadership, approves attorney proposal and engineering review for drainage complaint
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Stilesville Town Board elected Barbara Webster president and Ernie Newby vice president for 2026, accepted Abby Vandeventer's proposal to serve as town attorney, denied a rooster variance request, authorized an engineering consultation on a resident drainage complaint, and approved $16,705.15 in vouchers.
The Stilesville Town Board met Jan. 14 at Town Hall and elected Barbara Webster as board president and Ernie Newby as vice president for 2026, approved a proposal from Abby Vandeventer to serve as town attorney, and authorized an engineering consultation to investigate a resident drainage complaint.
The meeting opened at 7:02 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members noted technical problems with the livestream video though audio was working. The Fire Chief, the Town Attorney and the Town Marshal attended; the Wastewater Treatment Operator was excused.
Ernie Newby nominated Barbara Webster for board president; Webster accepted. Webster nominated Newby for vice president; Newby accepted. Jerry Chandler moved to accept both nominations; the motion was seconded and passed 3-0.
The board reviewed a proposal letter from Abby Vandeventer for the position of 2026 town attorney. Jerry Chandler moved to accept Vandeventer's proposal; Ernie Newby seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
During the public-comment portion, resident Lisa Atchison requested a variance to the town's chicken ordinance to allow roosters. Barbara Webster and Ernie Newby explained that the ordinance prohibits roosters and that a variance could not be granted under the current rules.
Resident Jacob Hammond raised a drainage problem and said he had not received an engineer's report from Dale Kruse. After the Town Attorney inquired, the board directed Clerk/Treasurer Kevin Turnbull to contact Mark Sullivan of Midwest Engineering for a consultation. A motion to authorize that consultation passed 3-0.
The Fire Chief reported the department added one new member and tentatively scheduled a drive-thru slider fundraiser for April 25, 2026. The Town Marshal provided the monthly police report and announced Officer Musson is on paternity leave.
Board members reviewed and approved vouchers dated Jan. 1–31, 2026, from the Voucher Register totaling $16,705.15 and voted to pay the monthly claims (motion passed 3-0). A motion to adjourn carried 3-0.
The board took no additional formal actions on the drainage complaint beyond authorizing the engineering consultation; the consultation is the next procedural step.
