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Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 146 No. 37
“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Getting there is half the problem Granville board in quandary over manhole access By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — The Granville Village Board discussed a problem with access to a manhole at the May 6 meeting. The manhole is on a trunkline that may be part of the problem with sewer backup in the village, but getting to the problem is a problem in and of itself.
“I’ve been told there are no easements, so that creates a problem,” Village Attorney Christina Mennie said. “If you want to go to the landowner and ask, that’s one thing. But if he says no, there’s not much you can do.” The manhole is surrounded by property once owned by Alexander Construction Co., but the property has since changed hands and sev-
eral board members noted the current owner has not been very cooperative with the board on the matter. The board is investigating the possibility there were easements in the original plat. However, Mark Burchetta of Chamlin and Associates pointed out it was not uncommon for municipalities to have informal agreements with landowners to allow work on the sewer. Those agree-
ments would not be binding today. “If there’s no easement, how do we repair something that’s broken? If we go in there now and do what we want to do, where do we stand?” board member Lou Verda asked. “What if we want to televise the sewer to find out if there’s any other problems existing in the sewer that are causing problems for the citizens of Granville?” Mennie said the cur-
rent landowner has given permission to look at the problem, but not to do any damage to the surrounding area. Flow through the trunkline has been found to be more than it should be, which may indicate outlets into or near the line that shouldn’t be there. Verda said the only way to know for sure is by inspection, but it is likely field tile from the farm nearby is partially to blame. If so, that would explain why
sewer back-up has been a continual problem since the April 2013 rains. “You’re going to have to have pretty concrete evidence before you can act on that,” Mennie said. In other action, the board: • Learned the North Central Illinois Council of Governments will hold a public hearing prior to the next village board meeting at 6:30 p.m. on May 20 at
Granville Page 3
Cleaning and construction in Mark By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
MARK — Spring clean up and street projects were on the agenda at the Mark Village Board meeting on May 6. Village Engineer Jack Kusek discussed upcoming work and plans for the St. Paul Street reconstruction project. Kusek bought preliminary plans for the board to review on the project which will include improvements in road, curbs, gutters and storm sewers in the area. Due to
the differences in levels of land grades with the storm sewers, the board wants to make sure water runoff does not overwhelm any property near the street. Another issue for the board was concerns over where residents will park during the construction project. After lengthy discussion, Kusek asked to update the preliminary plans again to bring to the next meeting on May 20. The board also discussed potential spring cleaning projects in the
Mark Page 4
No to hog farm County says no, but state has the final say By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
LACON — The road just got a little rockier for the Sandy Creek Lane hog facility. During a board meeting on May 8, the Marshall County Board resoundingly voted against allowing the facility to be built with a vote of 11 to 1. The vote followed a lengthy discussion with several residents in attendance. Marshall County Clerk Melody Weber said the lone board member voted for the measure did so for the 20 possible jobs the Vol. 146 No. 37 One Section - 12 Pages
© The Putnam County Record
facility would bring to the county. The hog facility has to address and satisfy eight criteria in order to be approved. Many local residents stated VMC — the company proposing the facility — had yet to meet any of the criteria, although Weber said the board rejected the proposal citing only five of the criteria unsatisfied. The county board will send a non-binding letter of recommendation to the state Department of Agriculture, stating its rejection of the proposed facility. However, the final decision is out of the county’s hands.
PCR photo/Ken Schroeder
Celebrating Mom Laurie Brester hugs her son Max during a Mother’s Day Tea at Putnam County Primary School on May 9. The tea event is a long-standing tradition at the primary school.
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