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Grant Park Village Board meeting  Share
The Grant Park Village board meeting took place on Monday, June 15, with Mayor Fred Meyer, clerk Audrey Lehnert and all trustees present. Also present were Treasurer Doug Graves and Police Chief Ken McCabe. Bills were presented for payment, but there was a problem about funds paid out and revenues coming in. While bills to be paid amounted to $34,561, there was only $6,415 in the general fund. Some of the bills needing to be paid are annual bills, but there is no revenue coming in. Also, the village's payment of the rent and upkeep for the Grant Park Historical Society was questioned, and Vic Frahm, president of the Historical Society, will be invited to discuss these issues with the board at the next meeting. Resident Steve Heckler complained that he has had more drainage problems recently, and he questioned whether the culvert could be cleaned out again. His second concern was about the village thinking of selling the police motorcycle because of the village's financial problems. Heckler is one of the organizers of the ''Toys for Tots'' motorcycle parade, a major fundraiser for the organization, which the kids really love and Grant Park is always a part of. He hopes the board will rethink this and offered to help raise the money so the police department can keep the motorcycle.
Another visitor, Chris Vornhein, offered to buy the motorcycle and let the police department keep it since it is an asset to the community. A treasury report by Doug Graves, village treasurer, estimated that next year's revenues would be about $850,000, but expenditures would be $990,000. Graves said he would like to see the two balance out each other, so some cost-cutting will have to take place. Graves also recommended that the village go to a bi-weekly payroll to help balance funds, beginning with the first pay period in August. Board voted in favor and the first paycheck under this change will be August 14. Interim Chief Ken McCabe reported that the police department is working to reduce costs. Nextel accounts that amounted to over $400 are now just $49.99 per month. Maintenance Superintendent Mike Johnson talked about the flooding in Hamilton Farms. Apparently, the ditch was not done properly at the time the subdivision was created, and it is now the cause of the flooding there. He suggested that the village contact the developer to rectify the problem. Bob Malkowski said he received a letter from Dykstra, Smith, Koelling and Ohm about the 2008-2009 audit and asked that the village retain their services as auditors. The letter suggested the village start on the audit early to avoid fines due to late filing. Mayor Meyer has asked all department heads to curtail spending in their departments, such as overtime or other excesses. The meeting then adjourned. Russell Publications prints several community newspapers each week, serving Will, Kankakee and Cook counties.
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