Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Jan. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Mayor Michael Smallwood called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Jason Becherer, Charlie Rogers, Jim Elbe, Jim Mourey, Tim Hopkins and Trustee Reyling answered roll call. Also present were Clerk Lynn Biehl, Police Chief Jason Neff, Supervisor Dean Klein, Village/Zoning Administrator George Liyeos, and Attorney Luke Behme. Reporter Hans Carpenter, Ron Mertens, John Davinroy and several boy scouts and their troop leader were also in attendance among the audience.
CLERK’S REPORT – A motion was made by Trustee Becherer which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to approve the minutes from the Board Meeting held on January 6, 2026, and the January 13, 2026 Special Board Meeting. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT – The Board received a copy.
GOOD OF THE VILLAGE – The Boy Scout leader explained they were there for a requirement for a merit badge.
Ron Mertens spoke explaining an idea he had for another option to run a water line to his property. This will be further discussed at the next Committee as a Whole meeting.
Michelle Schlarman spoke as the executor of her parents’ property at 5747 Sand Rock, she does not want a water line to be installed at the property. They have a buy for the property. The buyer has stated he does not want to tap into Village water. He will be using the well on the property.
POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – All Village employees completed CPR training on Monday. Chief Neff presented the statics for December, as well as statics for 2025. Calls were down considerably compared to 2024.
159 TURN LANE –IDOT approved all geometric details submitted last month. Project Development Report is up for approval next. Upon completion, easement acquisition will begin. Plans, specifications and estimates will be submitted @ the end of the month.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Wikimap information was made public. Grant application information for Park Master Plan received from MEPRD regarding preferred procurement process.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL – Awaiting notification.
OSLAD – The money requested is not going to be awarded to the Village. The earliest a request could be submitted to MEPRD would be July 1st.
RESOLUTION 2026-01 ASSET MANAGEMENT – Trustee Mourey made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to direct Mayor Smallwood to sign Resolution No. 2026-01 Contract for Asset Management Services. Roll call was taken; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. Motion carried.
SAFETY COMMITTEE – There will be a Safety Committee Meeting on February 5, 2026, at 10:00 am if needed.
ZONING BOARD REPORT –
RICHLAND CREEK COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECT- Still awaiting response to jurisdictional letter to help move things along for DRAFT easement agreement with solar project on 159.
HYDAC PROPERTY – No report.
ANNEXATION- Surveyed property (3146 South Illinois) Zoning Board will review on February 2nd.
VARIANCE REQUEST 5616 SAND ROCK-Front building line (90ft) for placement of pole barn in front yard and building height for sidewall (3ft) and peak (1.5). Zoning Board will review on February 2nd.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported they are doing service work on the backhoe. While the weather is colder, they are doing some inside work. They are currently painting inside of the Police Department and then will move to Village Hall.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Behme sat in for Attorney Bruckert. No report.
Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogersto accept the Officer’s reports as given. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE –Mayor Smallwood reported on the Committee as a Whole meeting from January 13, 2026. The items will be discussed further under Committee Reports. Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to approve the minutes from the Committee As a Whole meeting on January 13, 2026. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
FINANCE & INSURANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE BECHERER- No report.
STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS
SMITHTON ENTRANCE SIGNS – Waiting on Ameren to get electric hooked up for the sign at the north end of the town.
FSH CONTRACT – Village Administrator Liyeos will reach out to Joel Boeving, our FSH representative and let him know the Board does not want to sign an extended contract.
POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE
Officer Sunderman Resignation- Trustee Elbe stated this will be tabled until the next meeting.
PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY
HAUNTED TRAIL – Trustee Mourey made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Reyling to allow the Smithton Commercial Club to extend the Haunted Trail to two consecutive weekends. Roll call was taken: Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried. Per Trustee Elbe the dates for 2026 will be October 9, 10, 16 and 17.
PARK TRAIL – PHASE 2 DISCUSSION AND PLAN – Nothing to discuss.
BALLFIELD SAFETY NETTING- This can be removed from the agenda. A work order will be submitted to have this completed.
BALLFIELD LIGHTS PROCEDURE-This will be added to the next CAW agenda.
PARK MASTER PLAN-Nothing to report.
MEMORIAL BENCH- No information yet.
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS
Ordinance No. 1063 Solicitors and Peddlers. – Trustee Hopkins asked the Clerk to read by title only and then made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to adopt Ordinance No 1063 Solicitors and Peddlers. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
ANNEXATION & BUILDING COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE REYLING
BRIA BUILDING & PROPERTY FUTURE PLAN – No update.
MULTI USE TRAIL & MAIN STREET COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS
PROPOSED TRAIL ROUTES – No report.
MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS – No report.
BILLS AND PAYROLL – Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to authorize Clerk Biehl to pay payroll ending January 2, 2026. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
COMMUNICATIONS – None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None.
NEW BUSINESS – None.
Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to adjourn the meeting. All Trustees were in favor. The motion was granted to adjourn at 7:38pm.
https://smithton-village.com/wp-content/uploads/Board-Meeting-Minutes-1.20.26.pdf
