News

Additional Townes sales approved

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:19pm

Eight more vacant parcels inside the troubled Townes of Braidwood subdivision are set to be sold. And it can’t come soon enough for some city leaders.

On March 13, members of the City Council approved the sale of the lots along Cermak Street, located inside the city’s TIF III district.

The lots will be sold to Mike Guinta, owner of Ensure Construction Inc., for a total cost of $49,000, a cost of $6,125 per parcel. Guinta made a bid on the lots after the city advertised for buyers.

Vehrs invites Rauner to town

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:17pm

Braidwood Mayor Jim Vehrs said he plans to bring the state’s lead politician to town.

On March 13, Vehrs told members of the Braidwood City Council that he had a sit down with Governor Bruce Rauner, and the visit went well.

“I met with Governor Rauner,” Vehrs said. “The governor and I had quite a lengthy conversation. He will be visiting Braidwood. We’re working for some stuff here for our police department and, also, for the city, and it was nice to sit down with him one on one and touch base, and let him know that Braidwood, Illinois, is still alive.”

Land considered for enterprise zone expansion

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:16pm

The city of Braidwood will take a closer look at the possibility of including some of its property as part of the expansion of the Diamond Enterprise Zone.

On March 13, the City Council approved a resolution, authorizing the execution of a professional fee agreement with Northpoint Development LLC, the developer of the zone.

The city has been approached by Northpoint Development LLC, seeking to secure the city’s consideration of the expansion of the Diamond Enterprise Zone, some of which would consist of land within Braidwood’s city limits along Coal City Road.

Building clerk gets new title, raise

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:15pm

The city’s building department clerk will get a new job title, along with a raise, to accompany a growing list of responsibilities.

On March 13, members of the Braidwood City Council approved a resolution to reclassify the clerk’s position presently occupied by Donna Geiss.

The city has a collective bargaining agreement in place with the Service Employees International Union Local No. 73, which covers City Hall employees. That agreement provides for the restructuring of the building department clerk’s position, including changes to the job classification and description.

Contractor did, and didn’t cause main break

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:15pm

    Work that will result in a new section of water main under the Union Pacific tracks indirectly caused the water main break that put the entire north side of town under a boil order Friday into Saturday.
    Excavation subcontractors were digging on Kankakee River Drive east of the railroad tracks on Thursday, near the 16-inch water main that will be replaced in the high speed rail project. A new sleeved section will be pushed under the tracks and connected with the existing main.

Kankakee Street crossing closing next week

Published by admin on Mon, 03/19/2018 - 4:46pm

    The contractor rebuilding the Union Pacific Railroad crossing at Kankakee Street announced last week that it planned to close the thoroughfare March 27, according to city administrator Scott Murphy.
    Kankakee Street will be closed from Canal Street to the tracks.
    The closure had been slated to begin March 12, but was delayed waiting for Nicor to address some utility issues, The Free Press Advocate was told.

Boil order continues in Wilmington

Published by admin on Fri, 03/16/2018 - 3:11pm

    Contractors and the city public works department finished repairing a broken water main on Wilmington’s north side around 2:30 p.m. Friday, but residents who now have water at the tap remain under a boil order.
    Residents are advised to boil their water for at least five minutes prior to consumption until the order has been lifted.

City hires new firm for annual audit

Published by admin on Thu, 03/15/2018 - 10:59am

The city of Braidwood will employ a new auditing service when fiscal yar 2018’s financial records go under the microscope in the spring.

On Feb. 27, members of the City Council approved an engagement letter with Sikich, LLP, of Naperville, for audit services for the current fiscal year ending April 30.

Per the agreement, fees for the annual report will not exceed $31,000.

TIF reports will run the city $2,300, while audits of federal expenditures will cost $3,600 each.

Custer makes final push to keep fire services

Published by admin on Thu, 03/15/2018 - 10:57am

Voters in Custer Township will make an important decision next week — fund the local fire district, or wait it out until the district eventually goes belly up.

More than 50 Custer Township residents showed up for a special informational meeting on Saturday, March 10 at The Center in Custer Park.

The board is asking residents to approve a referendum in the March 20 primary election that would increase property taxes. That increase, according to the board, will let the district reopen its fire station on Route 113.

Citywide cleanup set for April

Published by admin on Thu, 03/15/2018 - 10:55am

Residents who have a little more than the weekly trash to pitch will get their chance next month.

On Feb. 27, Mayor Jim Vehrs announced that Monday, April 16, will be this year’s date for the spring cleanup by Waste Management. The annual pick up date allows residents to get rid of their larger items without paying an extra fee.