“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA
Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 147 No. 2
POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
What will this winter bring? By Donna Barker Shaw Media Service
Keep your fingers crossed … Putnam County may not have a repeat of last winter’s extreme cold and snow. Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel has announced the NOAA Climate Predication Center’s winter outlook shows equal chances
of above, below or near average temperatures, as well as below-average precipitation for Illinois and the Great Lakes region. In other words, it looks like they are not expecting a repeat of last winter for Illinois with its extremely cold temperatures and snowy weather, Angel said. Last year, the Quad Cities area, which includes portions of LaSalle Coun-
ty, had its second snowiest and its fifth coldest winter on record. WQAD News 8 meteorologist James Zahara said he agrees with NOAA’s outlook for the coming winter. “Given the trends we’ve seen, though considered early, it would be quite surprising to experience the same if not worse conditions like we encountered last win-
ter,” Zahara said. “I don’t believe it will come close to the second snowiest winter like we had last year where snow amounts were just over 60 inches. The normal is about 32 inches. So, above normal snowfall is likely, though just over 40 is a good target for now.”
Even temperatures are projected to be not as fierce this winter, Zahara said. Right now, the trend is showing temperatures to be about just 3 degrees below the winter average. “But keep in mind, there are a lot more variables that we’ll be analyzing the next few months that will go into the winter forecast equation,” Zahara said. “This is something we’ll defi-
nitely keep an eye on. Time will tell.” As far as weather for the more immediate fall, Angel said both September and the rest of the fall shows an equal chance of above, below, nearaverage temperature and precipitation for Illinois. The north-central United States is not expected to have below-average temperatures, like it did this summer, he said.
Street rehab continues in Mark By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
MARK — The Mark Village Board made quick work of a light agenda at its Sept. 2 meeting, clearing the workload in 18 minutes. The village’s street rehabilitation continues with work started on North Division Street. The board made a slight change in the details of the project. Formerly, the east side of the street was going to be lined with riprap stone. After some discussion, the board voted to place a curb on the east side. Parking issues in the 100 block of North Milwaukee Street made their way onto the table. After discussion, the board voted to review the village parking policy, to review its regulations and possibly make changes to the ordinance to rectify the current situation. The village storm siren did not go off during the village’s last test day. The village has contacted Ragan Communications, the company that services the sirens, to make repairs as soon as possible.
PCR photo/Ken Schroeder
Good time for a good cause Lena Sartin (left), Levi Zermano and Victoria Domyancich play in an inflatable during the benefit for Tina Myres at the Clover Club in Mark on Sept. 6. Beautiful weather brought an estimated 500 people out to show support and have a good time to help defray the expenses of Myres’ medical treatments for sarcoma. See more photos on Page 16.
Ensuring healthy water in Granville By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — The filtration media in the village water plant will be replaced soon. It is expected the Granville Village Board will approve that action at its Sept. 2 meeting. Village engineer Mike Richetta of Chamlin Engineering presented the board with three choices to replace the media at the last meeting, recommending a breakdown project
Vol. 147 No. 2 One Section - 16 Pages
© The Putnam County Record
which would work around the public works employees’ schedules as opposed to the contractors’ schedule. The cost of the project would be $26,720. Richetta said the money from the $100,000 DCEO grant the village has been awarded would be used to pay for this repair. Richetta also told the board the Motor Fuel Tax project has been approved and will be completed by Oct. 1. In other action, the board: • Was presented with two quotes for replace-
ment of the plow for the International snow plow truck by public works Superintendent Sheli Starkey. A 2-year-old poly 10-foot plow was quoted at $5,495. A new steel 11-foot plow was quoted at $8,819, a difference of $3,324. The board was told the new steel plow would be adaptable to a different truck if in the future a new one was purchased. The board was in favor of approving the new plow but is expected to officially vote on the purchase at the next meeting. Starkey
also stated the contractor who worked on Church Street will meet with her and board member Lou Verda as soon as they are finished with their current job and will work on the landscaping in question. • Was presented with two quotes for a new 2015 Explorer Interceptor by Chief of Police Kevin Moore. The bid from Al Cioni Ford was for $26,929, while one from Roland Auto totalled $27,329. The board voted to purchase the new squad car from Al Cioni Ford. Board
member Jim Pettit wanted to remind residents this squad car is paid for from the vehicle replacement fund and not taxpayer money. • Received the time and date for Granville’s Halloween from board President Doug Gimbal. The village will celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31. The annual parade will line up at 4:45 p.m. and start at 5 p.m. to Hopkins Park. Hot dogs, chili and drinks will be served after the parade with free pumpkin coloring and pictures. Trick-or-
Treat hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. • Voted to accept proposed raises for the village clerk, treasurer, building and zoning officer, meter reader and part-time police officers, as well as a 3 percent base line raise to the full-time employees and secretary. The raise will serve as a guideline for the next three years including the 2015 fiscal year. The yearly wages will now be a line item on the first meeting in April’s agenda. The raises will be retroactive from May 1.