Woman chastises Village for not mowing drainage ditch

BOYCEVILLE — The Village Board heard a complaint from a local citizen about not mowing a drainage ditch located near the backyard of her residence. 

“The drainage ditch in my back yard has not been mowed in four or five years,” Margie Sykora proclaimed to the board at its regular monthly meeting, July 10th.

Sykora claimed that the other side of the ditch had been cut by the village but not on her side. “How can you cut one side and not the other side?” she asked the board, continuing saying….“It depends on who you are.”

Sykora told the board that she was giving the village two weeks to take action. However, Village President Gib Krueger countered with, “We are not going to be down there and do any digging in the next two weeks.” He continued, “That ditch is serving its purpose.”

Sykora said, “I am going to a lawyer and file a suit against the village.” Indicating that she would do that if nothing were done within the next two weeks.

Asked Village advice about building a new church and cemetery

Three men appeared at the Village board meeting to seek information on how to proceed with a plan to build a new church and cemetery within the village limits. The three were Steve Yoder, Kevin Zimmerman and Kevin Shafer. Yoder spoke for the group to the board and said that they were interested in purchasing about eight acres of land in the southwest corner of the village for their project of a new church and cemetery. The land is currently owned by Sharon Seeger.

The group had many questions for the board, as did the board of the group’s plans. Don Rose presented the board with state laws regarding the construction of a new cemetery and indicated that the rule that went into effect in 1991 required an area of 20 acres for a cemetery and that it must be at least 3300 feet from any residence.

But, Rose said that the village by ordinance could reduce those requirements. Apparently a change in the zoning would have to take place before a church could be constructed and the board was asked about what it would take to make that change. One item that President Krueger addressed is that the request for a zoning change would have to been made by the owner of the property.

The board was very supportive of the plan for the new church, but needed many questions answered and they will address those to the village attorney.

The group also asked about renting the Community Center on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings for the meetings. The board put that request into committee to determine if the center is used during that time frame.

In other village business the board heard a report from Police Chief Greg Lamkin who stated that the number of calls in June were about the same as the month before. He noted that most of the time spent was on “Dopers and Burglary”.

Lamkin said that five juveniles have been detained for burglary, and are now in foster homes some twenty miles from the village. He spoke about people that are released from custody just to be returned and reoffend. Board member Bud Gilbertson asked if the board could ask the District Attorney about holding those arrested for a longer time. Lamkin noted that DA is asking for higher bail amounts, but Lamkin told the board that the judges do not go along with that request.

Rose addressed the board about the dying oak trees at Anderson Hills. He said that it is oak wilt and the board asked what it takes to stop the spread of oak wilt and they learned that the oak tress have to be removed and that oak wilt can travel from one tree to another through the root system. 

Rose stated that they could harvest the oak, or just let them die. President Krueger questioned if they were sure if it is oak wilt after he stated that he was in favor of harvesting the oak trees. In the end the board decided to get professional help in determining the best course of action.

Board member Jonathan Farrell addressed the request from AT&T mobility about the lease agreement on village owned property. Basically they are asking the same as they did a year and a half ago and that is to reduce the monthly payment. He had drafted a letter stating that the village was not interested in changing the agreement. 

The board also approved a lease agreement for a hanger space at the airport with Craig Wildenberg.

The board also approved a needs study/assessment of village buildings and approved allowing MSA to submit an application for funding for the Main Street project. President Krueger noted that the village needs to get things rolling, we are just a year or two out, he said.