WEDNESDAY
July 22, 2015 • 75¢
KendallCountyNow.com
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR SANDWICH, IL
More road work eyed
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Police station project debated Cost is an issue By PAT WALLIS news@kendallcountynow.com
Photos by Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com
The intersection of Center and Main Street in Sandwich in under construction. Work on several downtown streets continues in the area.
As construction continues in downtown Sandwich, city officials review bids for other street projects By PAT WALLIS news@kendallcountynow.com
Fighting ‘Battle of the Big Butts’ Sandwich football linemen compete at West Aurora / 20
and Griswold Springs roads; East Railroad Street from Grant to Church streets; and Wells, Clark and State streets from East Church to East Railroad streets. State Street is just
east of the laundromat near the end of Railroad Street. Meanwhile, work on several downtown streets continues in the area of Main and Center streets. The area is getting
infrastructure improvements along with the streets. City officials hope to have the work completed in time for the Sandwich Fair in September.
WHERE IT’S AT SFD Call log..........................................2 Obituaries.............................................4 Forum.................................................8-9 Chamber news..................................10 Church news......................................16 Food......................................................17 Home & Garden.................................18 Sports..................................................20
Vol. 31, No. 30 2 sections
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SANDWICH IL PERMIT NO. 30
SPORTS
Main Street is closed at the railroad tracks. The area is getting infrastructure improvements along with the street repairs.
POSTAL CUSTOMER LOCAL
SANDWICH – Even as street work continues in the downtown area, more road work is in the future for the city. Streets in several areas of the city have been selected for improvement, according to Tom Horak, director of Public Works. Bids for the work are under review and could be up for possible approval Monday at the City Council meeting. The council will meet at 7 p.m. July 27 in the city hall annex. The next round of work will involve a number of downtown streets. Hot-mix asphalt maintenance will take place on West First Street from Jones Street to the west end; DeKalb Street from East Sixth Street to the north end; and Sixth Street from Lafayette to Elm streets. Also selected for improvement were: Burr Oak Road at the intersection of Burr Oak
SANDWICH – Sandwich City Council members all seem to agree the city needs a new police station. But Alderman Dave Fraser said “if it means raising property taxes, I won’t do it. We’re in agreement.” The official name of the proposed building is the Public Safety Building. The council discussed at its Committee-of-the-Whole meeting July 20 whether to go ahead with architectural drawings so it’s ready for bidding or to stop the process. The next drawings would cost another $230,000 to $250,000, according to Mayor Rick Olson. It was noted that the city’s budget is $300,000 short. After finishing the budget, the council has to review its finances, one official said. Alderman Pete Dell said there have been significant changes in finances since the council began planning the building. “Cash flow has changed radically. It causes me to pause and reflect,” he said. Olson also pointed out that the city is dedicating more of its budget to get the police pension funded and up-to-date, as well. “I just toured the police department before our meeting,” Alderman Les Redden said, “and there’s no doubt we need a new building.” He continued, “I don’t know how we’re going to make payments for the next 20 years.” It was said that payments would be about $420,000 annually. The matter of whether to continue the process is expected to be on the agenda of the next regular council meeting at 7 p.m. July 27 in the city hall annex. Before Monday’s meeting began, Olson announced that Harvey Heusinger, a longtime employee in the city’s public works department, passed away at age 92. He asked those attending to take a few moments to reflect on Heusinger’s life and service. Heusinger lived his entire life in Sandwich, except when he served in battle during World War II.