September 15, 2025 Minutes

A Public Hearing of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was held on Monday September 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm CT at the Village Office. Notice of the hearing was posted and availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice. Present: Trustee P. Bohochik, Trustee J. Stewart, Trustee H.A. Windecker, Trustee K.R. Moore. Also in attendance were: Utilities Superintendent J. McCorkle, Assistant Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, Clerk T. Hedrick, and member of the public Sabrinna Morgan.

Vice-Chairman Bohochik declared the Public Hearing for comments for the Village Budget open at 7:00pm. The Village budget was reviewed. There were no questions or comments made by the public. Public Hearing was declared closed at 7:05pm.

A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:08 pm on Monday September 15, 2025 at the Village Office by Vice-Chairman Bohochik. Notice of the meeting was posted in three public places: Village Clerk’s Office, MNB Bank Stratton, and United States Post Office Stratton. Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice. A poster of the “Open Meetings Act” was clearly visible on the wall, and Vice-Chairman Bohochik directed the attention of those present to the poster. All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session.

Present: Trustee P. Bohochik, Trustee J. Stewart, Trustee H.A. Windecker, Trustee K.R. Moore. Also in attendance were: Utilities Superintendent J. McCorkle, Assistant Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, Clerk T. Hedrick, and member of the public Sabrinna Morgan.

Motion by Stewart and seconded by Moore to excuse the absence of S. Hanes from the current regular board meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.           

OPEN FORUM:

Member of the Public Sabrinna Morgan inquired about tall weeds on private property. A nuisance letter will be sent to the resident and Village will complete the nuisance mowing if not addressed.

Motion by Stewart and seconded by Windecker to approve the previous minutes, claims and treasurers report as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion by Stewart and seconded by Bohochik to approve Resolution 543 setting the property tax request. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.

Motion by Bohochik and seconded by Stewart to suspend the three readings of 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.

Motion by Windecker and seconded by Moore to adopt 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance #221. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.

Motion by Stewart and seconded by Windecker to approve prepaid propane purchase of $5000 from Farmers Cooperative for the 2025-2026 year. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.

Considering horses as a prohibited animal in Village limits was discussed. Without objection it was agreed to postpone the subject until Trustee Hanes was present.

Dog complaint at 412 Baxter was reviewed and discussed. Motion by Windecker and seconded by Bohochik that sufficient evidence was found to send a citation and assess a fine for dog at large regarding the dog registered to property owner at 412 Baxter Street. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Abstain: Stewart. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.

Building Permit for 510 Scarber was reviewed. It was noted that there were no property lines or measurements from edge of property notated on the application submitted. Motion by Stewart and seconded by Windecker to deny application until accurate location of building is obtained. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.

Employee Report: Training for employees was discussed. Motion by Stewart and seconded by Windecker to approve sending employees to October 1, 2025 training with MEAN utility training. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried.

Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: Clerk Hedrick inquired about fencing around the tree and grass dump as a resident stated they drove through the ditch to unload items rather than checking out the key. Employees will ensure that the fence is secured. Sidewalk repair was 508 Bailey was discussed. Utilities Superintendent McCorkle advised that he could do the repair ourselves while also repairing a section of the sidewalk at Pitner Park.

Electricity Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Water & Sewer Committee Report: Utilities Superintendent McCorkle advised that generators have been relocated so that water well and lift station had access to appropriate generators needed in the case of power outages.

Finance Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Health & Welfare Committee: Discussion on vacant property registration and potential unsafe buildings. It was agreed to move forward with the process of collecting registration fee on current vacant properties. Process of declaring an unsafe building was discussed. Without objection it was agreed to designate member of the Stratton Volunteer Fire Department, Dennis Renfro, to inspect 605 Hamilton for potential unsafe buildings.

Park & Recreation Committee Report: Utilities Superintendent McCorkle informed the board that the park restroom and benches were vandalized again. Status of security cameras were discussed. McCorkle advised that he has now been locking the restroom doors during nights and weekends.

Motion by Bohochik and seconded by Stewart to adjourn the meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm.

The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday October 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.