Tiskilwa looks at electric options

TISKILWA — Tiskilwa might be going on a shopping trip ... for electricity.

That was one topic of discussion at Tuesday’s village board meeting. A representative from an energy auditing firm, Progressive Energy Group, made a presentation to the board suggesting the village and residents could save money by finding an alternative to Ameren. Though Ameren would continue to be the electric utility, Progressive says Tiskilwa could seek more competitive prices for the actual electricity supply through another company.

After the presentation, the board agreed it would do its own research and decide if it wants to move forward. If the village ultimately decides to check out other options, it could only pursue alternatives for village-owned properties. The board itself cannot not make any decisions for households without agreement from residents first. To do that, the village would seek approval to shop around via a vote on November’s ballot.

In other business:

• The board approved several bills including $1,242.41 to Coyle Truck for repairs to a village truck, $1,580 to Sims TLC for tree removal on Arch Street, and $506.26 to Taylor’s Natural Green Lawn for upcoming lawn maintenance in the east and west parks. Another payment to Bonnell Industries, which installed a snowplow and salt spreader on a village vehicle, was approved on condition the board look into a discrepancy between the quote of approximately $14,000 and the final tab which was around $18,000.

• The village is hoping to set up an electronics recycling day this summer. Board member Steve McKenney spoke with M&M Recycling of Peoria which would come to Tiskilwa for free to pick-up all electronics except cathode ray tube televisions. M&M Recycling will take those old televisions, but charges $10 each because they require special disposal.

• Pow Wow Days planning is already underway. A festival committee member asked the board if it would approve the village hosting a 5K run again this year. The board gave the nod, and the run will be held rain or shine on Aug. 4.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.