MCCD Conservation district will help maintain new Richmond park

At a regular board meeting last week, Richmond Trustee Dan Deters recommended that the board create an easement for the McHenry County Conservation District (MCCD) at the new Orlolini Park located near the high school. In return MCCD would help maintain the park and do cleanup work. “The easement will allow the village to help MCCD and for them to help us,” said Deters. Savage said, “We sill send info about an easement before they must spend funds. They need the assurance that we will keep the park as open space.” Deters said he hoped the board would approve the easement before the next meeting on January 19th so that work could begin while the ground is frozen.

The board voted to refund a portion of the last two years worth of water billings to the Kelly’s Leathers business because the those billings included charges for a second floor apartment that altered and incorporated into the business over 15 years ago. The amount of the refund is over $600.

According to Mrs. Kelly who now owns the business, the change was brought to the village board back in the late 1980’s. However st village meeting minutes for that meeting are not available for verification of her claim. Kelly attended a finance committee meeting and a regular board meeting to challenge the taxation that rose significantly in the last few years. At a previous board meeting Village Attorney Dave McArdle said that the board could ask someone to testify about when the apartment was converted into the business structure but the board did not take his advice and gave no reason for that. The finance committee recommended the refund after “considerable deliberation” according to trustee Bruce Hunter.

The village employee health plan will now allow employees to opt out of coverage. To do so employees must prove they have other coverage. “We don’t want them to put themselves in jeopardy,” said Village Administrator Tim Savage. Those who choose this option will receive a cash payment of 15% of the premium charged to the village. Trustee Dennis Bardy thought that placing the caveat about proving coverage could be construed as an invasion of privacy.

The board approved a new sign for Richmond Motor Sales.

Trustee Dan Deters recommended that the board create an easement for the McHenry County Conservation District (MCCD) at the new Orlolini Park located near the high school. In return MCCD would help maintain the park and do cleanup work. “The easement will allow the village to help MCCD and for them to help us,” said Deters. Savage said, “We sill send info about an easement before they must spend funds. They need the assurance that we will keep the park as open space.” Deters said he hoped the board would approve the easement before the next meeting on January 19 so that work could begin while the ground is frozen.

Police Chief Richard Contant is concerned about damage to village property in the downtown area. He says that young people are intentionally breaking slats in the gazebo. According to Contant the nefarious activity usually occurs after dark. Contant asks citizens to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and to call 911 immediately if such activity is spotted.

The final plat for the Prairie Hill subdivision will be discussed at the next meeting on January 19, 2006. All citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting and to participate in making of local government decisions.