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Thursday, February 19, 2015
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Business development ... and tension Commissioners look at business district recommendation By Zita Henneberry zhenneberry@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Tension was high as council members discussed the current business district recommendation at the
Tuesday, Feb. 17, Princeton City Council meeting. Princeton Marketing and Tourism Director Joni Hunt presented the plan recommendation to the council. “It’s a good project for Princeton because it helps fill our empty retail facilities,” Hunt said. She said businesses on the west side of Main Street from Interstate 80 to Backbone Road would be included in a geographical area with an increased sales tax. The 1 percent sales tax increase
would then be directed toward improving the businesses and infrastructure of the area. All business involved have been favorable and approved the agreement at this juncture except for Tractor Supply Co. (TSC), said Hunt. She said the plan is currently working its way up through the TSC corporate office for approval. The night’s recommendation before the council would have been to approve the funds to acquire the appropriate legal preparations and paperwork, said Hunt. City Clerk Pete Nelson said the total cost
in legal fees would amount to $7,500. While Princeton Commissioner Joel Quiram said he appreciated the project, he did not agree with moving forward on the project without approval from every business involved. TSC sells big ticket items where 1 percent could make a difference, said Quiram. He continued, they (TSC) have been active in Princeton for many years and deserve to approve the project before the city spends money
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HUD delivers $304,111 to Bureau County By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
Public housing authorities throughout Illinois were recently awarded nearly $116 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Capital Fund Program. The funding will help make possible large-scale improvements to the public housing units, such as replacing roofs, making energy-efficient upgrades or replacing old plumbing and electrical systems. The Bureau County Housing Authority, which has locations in Princeton and Spring Valley, received $304,111 of the allotted monies. Executive Director Laurel Hand said the housing authority is very fortunate to receive the additional funding each year and has already looked into projects that may be covered by the grant. Most of the projects being considered relate to energy-efficiency. Right now, Hand is looking at purchasing new refrigerators and stoves for the family units, new condensers for heating and air conditioners, window coverings for each unit and installing new handrails through the hallways. Hand said while these projects have been selected, the housing authority doesn’t necessarily have to complete the projects within the next year, but more so the housing authority obligates monies for the projects and puts them into a long-term plan. She said sometimes more pressing projects do come into play, and the housing authority then has to focus on those projects. “We have started to look at family unit stoves, refrigerators and furnaces,” she said. “These are appliances that we can try to reduce energy usage and find what’s going to be the best appliances for our community.” Hand said the housing authority is currently working with engineers from the University of Illinois Extension to research and determine what appliances will provide the best energy cost savings. “The family units pay their own utilities. We do give them allowances; that’s an estimated amount, but if they have
HUD Page 4 Year 169 No. 22 Two Sections - 24 Pages
© Bureau County Republican
BCR photo/Zita Henneberry
Ashes to ashes ... Pastor Scott Schmidt marks the foreheads of the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Bible study group, commemorating Ash Wednesday. Sandra Doan (left) of Princeton prays as her forehead is marked with the ash crucifix. This religious holiday day kicks off the Lenten season signaling the approach of Easter.
Spring Valley agrees to pilot study By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
SPRING VALLEY — The city of Spring Valley has agreed to a pilot study for the purpose of trying out aerator equipment manufactured by RevO2 Solutions of Savannah, Ga. The Spring Valley City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 17, unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the agreement for equipment, which is expected to help treat
the wastewater treatment plant lagoon. Alderman Tom Nesti, chairman of the water and sewer committee, reviewed details about the company’s system and said it would be a good tool to judge how it could service the lagoon. “I think the technology is fine. I think we were all in pretty much agreement that it looks like it should do the trick, and it will also save us on 25 percent of the costs,” Nesti said, referring to the pilot study. “It pretty much benefits the city. It’s a win-win. We really can’t be
hurt by this.” The pilot study is expected to begin within the next month or so and will run through next winter. While the pilot study is at no cost to the city, if Spring Valley ends up choosing to permanently use aerator equipment from RevO2 Solutions, it would receive equipment at a discounted price because of the study. The city could save around $90,000, according to Nesti.
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