Water bill readings have 'disappeared' in Neponset
NEPONSET — Where oh where have the water bill readings gone?
Village Trustee Wayne Gerrond told the village board the readings for the June/July water bills “disappeared.” Trustee Tom Weeks questioned how the readings could get lost? Marcus Chapman, village employee, told the board he dropped off the readings as usual in the old city clerk drop box. However, when village resident Heather Holton went to pick them up, they were not there. Due to this situation, Neponset property owners will be getting an “estimated” bill for the months of June and July.
Mayor Carl Rohrig apologized to the residents of the village.
“We will make every effort to make certain that something like this doesn’t happen again,” he said.
Gerrond went on to say that because the water readings were late this month, the following bill would only be for six weeks of service, instead of a full two months. The water bills for August/September should be reflect an accurate usage rather than an estimate.
Gerrond also informed the board on July 25, the village sent out 25 letters to property owners with water bills in access of $350. The property owners were given 30 days from postmark to pay in full, or their water would be turned off.
As of Aug. 19, three full payments and two partial for a total of $1,797.35 have been collected.
On Aug. 18, notice reminders of the Aug. 25 shut-off date were posted on 12 property owners’ doors who are still delinquent.
In other business, Weeks told village board members that he, along with Adam Kelly, were able to place all ordinances and codes of the village, dating back to the originals of 1909, on one convenient CD. This ordinance CD, which has a built-in search engine along with easy to follow guidelines, also has the capability to download any new ordinances or changes to originals.
The CD will be available to village residents as of Sept. 1 at the Neponset library.
Trustee John Pratt discussed his findings with regards to amending the trash, junk, mowing ordinance. He spoke to the villages of Annawan and Sheffield, to see how they handle problems with these issues.
Pratt felt a two-week warning time for removal of junk or old cars and mowing violations, should be shortened to possibly 48 hours. If the village needs to go in and handle the problem, a fee of $100 to $150 would be charged/billed to the property owner. If there is no response, than a possible lien on the owners' property on behalf of the village would be the next step.
Pratt said he is going to continue looking into other villages and solutions to some of the problems with the present ordinance and report back again next month.
In other business, the board:
• Made sure that village residents have the correct number for emergencies and the knowledge of how to use it. The phone number is (815) 875-3344, ext, 10. This number will get you to the Bureau County Sheriff's Office. Once you hear the recording, you must push ext. 10, to be directed to the dispatcher. She/he will take your complaint and either send out an officer, or will make a report for the Neponset officers to receive when they call in and follow up.
• Approved Ken Snyder to take the board seat vacated by Dustinf Landwehr. Landwehr resigned due to moving out of the village.
• Accepted the resignation of village treasurer Laurie Mueller. Her letter stated health-related issues and a complicated work schedule makes it difficult for her to do this job any longer.
• Approved Vicki Bennett as the new village treasurer. Her duties will begin at the next board meeting.
• Hired Sgt. Pat Clapper for the position of part-time officer for the village of Neponset. Clapper has been an officer for 19 years and is currently a full-time officer for Kewanee.
Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.
