Braidwood Journal

New engine rolls into BFD

Published by admin on Tue, 06/19/2018 - 5:55pm

The Braidwood Fire Department has a new member.

The department’s new Engine 2413 has been delivered, and firefighters are already hard at work prepping the 33-foot 11-inch, 48,500-pound vehicle.

The new engine, built by Alexis Fire on a Spartan chassis, arrived at the fire station on June 12. Engine 2413 will replace the current 20-year-old front line engine.

With all the necessary bells and whistles, the new engine will be able to do what other engines can, plus more.

Summer road work set to begin

Published by admin on Tue, 06/19/2018 - 5:52pm

Get ready for lane closures and the smell of asphalt and tar in the air. Summer road work season has arrived.

On June 12, the members of the Braidwood City Council approved phase two if the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) roadwork projects for the summer.

“We got really good, competitive bids for the initial phase, so we had some money left over. We thought we’d let it out, another section for bids,” explained city engineer Todd Gereaux.

The work was awarded to Austin Tyler Construction of Elwood in the amount of $241,275.

Water line installed to Townes

Published by admin on Tue, 06/19/2018 - 5:50pm

Prepping for new development, the city has moved ahead with plans to complete a water line into one of the city’s partially completed subdivisions.

City public works crews completed a new water line into the Townes of Braidwood last week.

Commissioner Jim Hutton announced the completion of the tap-on line on June 13, which shut down the corner of Cermak and Hickory for a day.

“That will loop that water line through the Townes of Braidwood and back around to Hickory,” Hutton said.

City secures water plant salt

Published by admin on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 5:46pm

The city’s water treatment plant has all the salt it needs for the coming year.

On May 22, the city council approved a salt purchase for the plant to soften Braidwood’s water.

Commissioner Jim Hutton said the city received three bids, with Midwest Salt the low bidder at $103 per ton.

“It’s $3 cheaper than last year, so we’ll save a little money so that helps,” Hutton said.

Cooling centers available when weather warms up

Published by admin on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 5:44pm

Summer becomes official on June 21. But already, the area has seen some extreme heat.

According to the National Weather Service, the heat wave that blanketed northern Illinois over the Memorial Day weekend was the warmest in six years, and, prior to that, heat of such magnitude had not been seen over the holiday since 1977.

Temperatures reached as high as 100 degrees in Morris and 96 degrees at Chicago’s Midway Airport.

The weeks since have had a yo-yo weather effect, with plenty of rain for a cool down and sticky humidity in the sunshine.

Scholastic Bowl team in championship tournament

Published by admin on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 5:42pm

 

The Reed Custer Middle School's Scholastic Bowl team participated in the 37th Annual National Academic Association's National Championship Tournament held June 9-11 in Rosemont.

The team, coached by Julie Nelson, qualified to compete in the tournament by finishing in the top 15 percent during the team's regular season.

Reed Custer competed against teams from several other states including Minnesota, Iowa and Kentucky.

Spay Illinois to be offered in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 5:39pm

Spay Illinois will offer wellness appointments for cats and dogs at     Scruffy 2 Fluffy, 167 E. Main Street #1, Braidwood,  on Wednesday, June 27, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Pets can receive preventative care services at a low cost including core vaccinations, such as a one-year dog wellness package for $69 and a one-year cat wellness package for $30.

These packages include the state required, one -year rabies vaccination. Additional services include microchipping, heartworm testing and more.

To book an appointment or learn more about pricing and services, call 630-961-8000.

City passes balanced budget

Published by admin on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 5:38pm

One month into the new fiscal year, and the city of Braidwood can finally boast a balanced budget for the latest financial term.

On June 1, the council approved the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year that began on May 1 and runs through April 30, 2019 (FY19).

The ordinance shows a balanced budget in the general fund, with revenues matching expenses at $3.59 million.

Projected general fund revenues include:

• $1.1 million in property taxes

• $380,000 in utility taxes

• $450,000 in state sales taxes

• $660,000 in state income taxes

Braidwood sees housing boom

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 5:16pm

Braidwood has seen a housing boom in the first five months of 2018.

Mayor Jim Vehrs said as of June 1, the city has seen its new housing permits grow exponentially, with more permits issued so far this year than the past several years combined.

AmericInn by Wyndham coming to Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 5:14pm

The Braidwood City Council has given the thumbs up to a proposed new hotel at the Reed Road interstate exit.

On June 1, during a special meeting of the council, commissioners approved a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) redevelopment agreement with builder Tony Altiery and his partner, attorney Frank Meents, to construct a new hotel at Reed Road and I-55, inside the TIF III district.