BOYCEVILLE — The Village Board will ask for a three percent increase in their water billings. Board member Jonathan Farrell addressed the Board about the improvements that have been made and money expended for the village’s water utility. “It’s been quite a while since we increased our rates, and we should be putting money away for future improvements,” Farrell concluded.
Don Rose, the village’s Public Works Director noted that the water utility has had two three percent increases since 2000. Rose added that the current rate that water customers are charged is $2.44 per thousand gallons used.
The board voted six to one to apply for the increase with board member Bud Gilbertson voting against the proposal.
Police report
Police Chief Greg Lamkin gave his monthly report to the Village Board and informed them that the department’s monthly calls for service “are still elevated over historical norms.” His report indicated that the department responded to 127 calls in October and they have had 1024 calls in the first eight months of this year. At this time last year the department had responded to 878 calls and in 2016 the number of calls through October was 525.
His report noted that they “responded to numerous calls at the school involving students. We have cited two students for violations during October,” and Lamkin informed the Village Board that they arrested one student. He did not elaborate to what the charges were.
Lamkin reported about the “Trunk and Treat” event on Halloween that drew between 200 and 300 kids. He also noted that the “Drug Take Back” program collected 20 pounds of discarded medications and two boxes of sharps, and they were disposed of safely.
Another Crossing Guard
The Board took up the issue of adding another crossing guard to cover the crossing over highway 170 at County Highway K, which is Center Street. “I would like to see a guard tomorrow,” Village President Gib Krueger noted. After the board approved adding a crossing guard, Krueger asked Police Chief Lamkin if it would be possible to get someone there tomorrow, “That would be great,’ Krueger said.
In other action the board approved a new wage schedule for 2019 and issued an operator’s license to McKenna Weber.
