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Beecher trustees approve pond-fishing rules, union MOU and wastewater manager agreement; direct scooter ordinance
Summary
At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Village of Beecher Board of Trustees approved payment of $153,169.23 in bills, a memorandum of understanding with IUOE Local #399 Clerical Union, and Ordinance #1433 establishing an employment agreement for the Wastewater Operations Manager; the board also directed the attorney to draft ordinances on fishing in village ponds and electric scooters.
The Village of Beecher Board of Trustees met at Beecher Village Hall on Aug. 11, 2025, and approved a series of administrative and personnel actions while directing the village attorney to draft two new ordinances.
President Meyer convened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. after the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, which showed President Meyer and Trustees Tieri, Smith, Kraus, Diachenko, Stacey and Gardner present.
The board approved the minutes of its July 28 meeting by a 6-0 vote after Trustee Diachenko moved to accept them and Trustee Stacey seconded.
In finance business, Treasurer Donna Lippelt presented the Treasurer's Report. Trustee Kraus moved to accept the report and later moved to approve payment of the list of bills and payroll totaling $153,169.23; both motions carried unanimously (6-0).
On parks and recreation matters, the board discussed permitting fishing in three village-owned ponds under specific rules: hours limited to dusk–dawn, anglers under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, anglers 16 and older must hold a valid fishing license, and catch-and-release only; the Jr. High pond will be excluded. Trustee Diachenko moved to direct the Village Attorney to draft an ordinance implementing these rules; the motion passed 6-0.
The Planning, Building and Zoning Committee presented the Building Department monthly report. The board adopted Ordinance #1432, which grants a variance allowing a front-yard fence on the corner lot at 502 Dunbar Street. Trustee Stacey moved for adoption; Trustee Smith seconded and the ordinance passed 6-0.
Trustee Tieri reported on National Night Out, calling the event well attended; the update noted more than 425 hot dogs and over 400 ice cream cones were distributed and tours were offered every half hour. Trustee Tieri also moved to direct the Village Attorney to draft an ordinance addressing electric scooters, with local fines intended to differ from state penalties; the board approved the directive 6-0.
In executive-session business, the board recessed to executive session at 6:15 p.m. to discuss employment contracts and returned at 7:13 p.m.; the public minutes do not record any formal public action taken while in executive session.
In old-business votes taken after executive session, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with IUOE Local #399 Clerical Union on a 6-0 vote. The board also authorized the village attorney to draft an employment agreement for the Village Administrator incorporating the changes discussed by the board; that motion passed 6-0.
The board adopted Ordinance #1433, approving an employment agreement for the Wastewater Operations Manager, on a 6-0 vote after Trustee Smith moved for adoption and Trustee Tieri seconded.
Before adjourning at 7:18 p.m., Trustee Kraus requested that copies of ordinances be provided in future meeting packets so trustees can review them prior to meetings. The minutes were prepared and signed by Clerk Janett McCawley.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (July 28, 2025): motioned by Trustee Diachenko; seconded by Trustee Stacey; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Approved. - Treasurer's Report: motioned by Trustee Kraus; seconded; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Approved. - Payment of bills and payroll ($153,169.23): motioned by Trustee Kraus; seconded by Trustee Stacey; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Approved. - Directive to draft fishing ordinance for village ponds: motioned by Trustee Diachenko; seconded by Trustee Gardner; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Approved (attorney to draft ordinance). - Ordinance #1432 (fence variance at 502 Dunbar Street): motioned by Trustee Stacey; seconded by Trustee Smith; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Adopted. - Directive to draft electric scooter ordinance: motioned by Trustee Tieri; seconded; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Approved (attorney to draft ordinance). - MOU with IUOE Local #399 Clerical Union: motioned by Trustee Kraus; seconded by Trustee Stacey; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Approved. - Authorization to draft Village Administrator employment agreement: motioned by Trustee Tieri; seconded by Trustee Smith; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Approved (attorney to draft agreement). - Ordinance #1433 (Wastewater Operations Manager employment agreement): motioned by Trustee Smith; seconded by Trustee Tieri; AYES 6, NAYS 0 — Adopted.
What happens next The Village Attorney was directed to draft the two ordinances (pond-fishing rules and electric scooters) and to prepare the Village Administrator employment agreement for subsequent review. The board expects ordinance drafts and any accompanying documents to be provided for review at future meetings per Trustee Kraus’s request.
