by Don Phillips

The Gardner Village Board opened their October 24 meeting hearing comments from residents concerning water main breaks on Pine Street. Mayor Tom Wise, Commissioners Jim Hibler and Dick Hileman and Engineer Guy Christensen responded that the village is preparing bid packages and moving to repair the lines. On questioning from the residents, Hileman noted that it may be six to eight months until the project is completed. The board directed Christensen to advertise the bids with a bid letting at 1:00 p.m. on November 14 at the village hall.

After receiving a bid for slightly less than $50,000 for the extension of water and sewer, the board discussed the letting of bids for the water and sewer extension to the Conger property being purchased for the construction of a Subway Sandwich shop. Jim Hooley, representing the builder of the Subway shop, questioned the percentage of the cost being proposed for the current property owner. The board responded that the original Subway proposal of $15,000 is still acceptable to the board with the remainder of

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the costs to be covered by the property seller and future tenants. Hooley stated he and his partners would close on the land and front their money as soon as the deal with the city is completed. Hileman asked if the developers would be willing to absorb the entire cost of the water and sewer if they do not build the facility to which Hooley responded he would need to discuss that with his partners. Hileman motioned that if the Subway partners would front the costs allocated to the Conger property for the extension, just under $20,000 the village would not place a recapture on the three Conger lots and would then approve the low bid from Brandt Builders. All of the approvals are due by the close of business on October 28. Mr. Hooley assured the board the agreement would be completed in time. The board also approved the civil engineering revisions for the Dollar Store site. Both businesses are considered property on West Main Street near the intersection with Illinois 53 and 129.

Commissioner Hileman presented changes for the Village Hall hours and a change to the November 14 regular meeting of the village board. Hileman proposed adjusting the village hall office to close for one hour for lunch. The new hours will be 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., effective immediately. The November 14 meeting will be held on November 15 to allow the board to have a quorum for the discussion of the tax levee prior to Hileman leaving on vacation. Hileman will present the tax levee with the continuation of the 50% abatement that has been in place the past two years.