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Byron council approves Story Time funding, museum repairs and Main Street lighting purchases
Summary
At its Nov. 11 meeting the Byron Town Council voted unanimously to fund Story Time for six months, approve museum cabinet and desk expenditures, authorize up to $5,000 in purchases for Main Street lighting, and sign the CD26506 Master Streets Plan acceptance letter; staff were directed to resolve utility billing discrepancies and plan an information meeting for landowners.
At a regular meeting Nov. 11, 2025, the Byron Town Council approved a package of small expenditures and administrative steps, including continuing Story Time at Town Hall, authorizing museum repairs, giving limited purchase authority to a contractor for the Main Street lighting project, and approving the mayor’s signature on the CD26506 Master Streets Plan acceptance letter.
Mayor Allan Clark called the meeting to order at Byron Town Hall and noted a quorum of councilmembers: Brandon Hessenthaler, Shae Abraham and Karma Sanders. The council unanimously added a Town Swamp item to New Business and approved the meeting agenda.
The council voted to continue Story Time at Town Hall for six months, funding it at $75 per week for labor and $100 per month for supplies — $400 per month total. Councilman Brandon Hessenthaler moved the funding; Councilman Shae Abraham seconded. Councilwoman Karma Sanders had told the council she had found about 10 regular child attendees and urged that the program be kept organized.
Linda and Denney Neville asked the council to fund museum repairs. The Nevilles said new cabinet locks would cost from $50–$75 to replace in place or as much as $200 to raise, and a new desk would cost about $260; the council approved the requested expenditures after noting that museum line items have not been in the annual budget since 2021. Councilman Hessenthaler moved to approve the locks and desk; Councilman Abraham seconded.
Mayor Clark told the council that Cody Electric may need to make small, occasional purchases during installation of Main Street lighting. The council authorized Cody Electric to make miscellaneous expenditures up to $5,000 for the Main Street Lighting Project. The motion was made by Councilman Hessenthaler and seconded by Councilman Abraham.
On the CD26506 Master Streets Plan, the council approved the mayor signing the acceptance letter. Planning and Zoning Committee member Dan Bodtke said the town must hold an information meeting for affected landowners after Jan. 1 and before the January council meeting to get permission for surveyors to access property; Bodtke added that "once the land is surveyed, no permanent structures can be built in those future expansion zones." He also said a Request for Proposals for bids will be on the December agenda.
Assistant Clerk/Treasurer Tomy Pluhar presented an inventory of town fees and noted inconsistencies in water billing: some properties currently are not being charged monthly, and a few households lack mosquito or infrastructure charges. The council asked Clerk/Treasurer Kristin Sanders to compile a list of properties with discrepancies and asked Public Works to verify whether those properties have ditch access, an intact water tap, and other details that would inform any billing adjustment. The council also asked that residents be notified by letter about potential billing changes.
Mayor Clark announced that autopay for utility bills via Caselle is now operational.
On New Business the council discussed a resident request to clean the drain at the town swamp, which had reportedly not been cleaned for about 20 years and was making field harvesting difficult for neighbor Casey Crosby; council members agreed cleaning the drain was appropriate.
During public communications, Linda Neville asked whether an HVAC company could inspect airflow or install a filter at the museum, citing oil and dust buildup on antiques, and requested removal of the ice machine because of noise and concern about the "potential of Legionnaire's disease." The council did not enter executive session and adjourned by unanimous motion.
Votes at a glance - Agenda, addition of 'Town Swamp': motion by Karma Sanders, second by Brandon Hessenthaler; outcome: approved (unanimous among present councilmembers). - October meeting minutes: motion by Shae Abraham, second by Karma Sanders; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approval of prior month's bills: motion by Brandon Hessenthaler, second by Shae Abraham; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Story Time funding ($400/month for six months): motion by Brandon Hessenthaler, second by Shae Abraham; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Museum locks and desk expenditures (approx. $200 and $260): motion by Brandon Hessenthaler, second by Shae Abraham; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Cody Electric purchase authorization (up to $5,000): motion by Brandon Hessenthaler, second by Shae Abraham; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Mayor signature for CD26506 Master Streets Plan acceptance letter: motion by Karma Sanders, second by Brandon Hessenthaler; outcome: approved (unanimous).
What’s next - Clerk/Treasurer Kristin Sanders will compile a list of properties with billing inconsistencies; Public Works will assess physical tap/ditch conditions to inform any fee adjustments. The Master Streets Plan requires an information meeting for affected landowners after Jan. 1 and before the January council meeting; the Request for Proposals for survey/bid work will be discussed in December.
(Reporting based on meeting minutes.)
