The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Present: Campanella, Trustee Rick Houdasheldt, Trustee Ken Russell, Trustee Tony Madlem, Trustee Debi Wilson and Treasurer Jan Miller.

2. The Regular Board Meeting minutes of December 1st. 2010, were approved with a motion by Tony and a second by Debi. All ayes; motion carried.

5. Under Mayor’s Comments: Rick stated that Randy had left a couple of things but

A. Police: Joe stated that Chad was in training this week and did not have time to do the December Monthly Report or the Year-end Report, so will have the report at the February Board Meeting.

B. Building and Park: Debi stated that Gary is still shopping for prices on new trash cans for the downtown area. She also stated that the Oblong Community Service Club will possibly purchase some planters for the downtown area. Debi stated that she had received several positive comments on the new street signs along Main Street (Illinois Route 33). Debi mentioned there has been some more lights repaired along the pathway at the park.

C. Sidewalks and Lights: Rick H. stated that there was nothing to report this month.

D. Street and Alley: Tony stated that he did not have much to report since Debi had mentioned about the new street signs earlier. Tony stated that the sign brackets for the corner of Main Street and Range Street are on back order.

E. Water and Sewer: Ken stated that the permit for Water Line Extension 7&8, north east of Oblong, had not come in yet, but should be here anytime. As soon as the permit comes, the Public Works employees will start on the extensions, weather permitting. Ken stated that the committee had a meeting before the Board Meeting to discuss a letter from Robinson-Palestine Water Commission about a 3% increase in the water rates. The committee has decided not to recommend a water rate increase from the Village to the water customers at this time but will keep an eye on the bottom line for now. Ken stated that the trencher the Village has been using north of town is now up for sale at a price of $15,000. Ken stated that for the asking price the Village would have paid the owner to lay about 2 miles of a water line, so the committee makes the recommendation to purchase the trencher. Motion by Ken, with a second by Joe, for the Village to purchase the trencher for $15,000. Roll call vote ayes: Rick C., Joe, Rick H., Ken, Tony, Debi. Motion carried.

F. Finance: Rick C. stated that he had nothing to report for this month. Jan stated that the Village had received a $1,000 donation from Marathon to go towards the purchase of new playground equipment in Phase II.

G. Development: Tony stated that there was nothing to report at this time.

7. Motion by Rick H., with a second by Tony, to pay the bills that were on the warranty

list and any utility bills, bills that will incur a late charge or reimbursements to employees. All ayes, motion carried.

Dan Cheadle wanted to thank the Board for allowing the police department to have shooting qualification training. He mentioned that there had been a school shooting in Nebraska.