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Grant Park gets new Police Chief  Share
Grant Park has a new police chief, Tim Swanson. It was announced during the August 3 village board meeting. He will receive a salary of $40,472. Swanson will serve both Momence and Grant Park police departments, having been hired by the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department for the dual position. One resident at the meeting questioned whether the arrangement would creat a conflict and whether Swanson would be available when needed in Grant Park. The resident also questioned the possibility of the new chief having to work overtime and the added expense that would involve. He was told that Swanson would be paid a fixed salary with no overtime payment. The resident also wondered if the board was aware that a sergeant on the police force is passing out character surveys on the former police chief, Scott Fitts, and they are only being given to certain residents, rather than to all residents. The board told him that it was aware of this practice and they are taking action on this. A second speaker commended the police department on the fact that the Grant Park Police Department motorcycles were in the lead during the ''welcome home'' parade for Charlie Company's return from overseas on Sunday.
Fire Chief Rich Shronts talked about the proposed fire station construction and the current ordinance for water retention takes over two acres of retention ponds. Out of a total of five acres, more than two acres of their land would be taken over by retention Ponds. He would like to see them reduced to a more reasonable size. The village engineer was not available for the meeting so nothing could be done at that time. A treasury report was given by Treasurer Doug Graves who reported that a letter from the IRS notified him that $130,000 in payroll taxes, plus fees and interest, have not been paid. Illinois quarterly taxes are also past due in the amount of $12,000. Considering penalties and interest, the village could be in debt about $200,000 in taxes alone. Graves also reported that six quarterly payroll tax reports are missing and unpaid, meaning more past due tax accounts. Bob Malkowski brought up the issue of leaf burning in the village. He feels some alternatitive to burning should be found. He was reminded that residents could get tags and bag their leaves for village pickup. He also talked about consolidating two loans Ð one for attorney's fees and one for land by the sewer plant. A motion was passed to have the First National Bank of Grant Park consolidate the loans into a 20-year amortized loan at about 6% interest. Mayor Fred Meyer reported that just one bid was received for the MFT street maintenance program. Grosseau Construction was awarded the project with a bid $27,647.15, which was lower than the engineer's estimate. Due to a computer printing problem, July utility bills were never mailed out. The July and August bills are now being mailed together and both will be due on the August payment date. The village thanked Pat Heninger, along with Steve Green and Jim Rich, who weeded and cleaned up the plantings adjacent to the railroad tracks along Main Street. Sunrise Greenhouse originally donated the mulch and plants for this project. Russell Publications prints several community newspapers each week, serving Will, Kankakee and Cook counties.
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