Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Oct. 21.
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 Todd Reyling answered roll call. Also present were Clerk Lynn Biehl, Police Chief Jason Neff, Supervisor Dean Klein, Village/Zoning Administrator George Liyeos, and Attorney Terry Bruckert. Reporter Hans Carpenter and Heather Hagene were 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 October 7, 2025. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT – The Board received a copy.
GOOD OF THE VILLAGE –
ORDINACE NO. 1058 CHAPTER 12 EMPLOYEES (Hagene)- Mayor Smallwood introduced Heather Hagene to the Board. Heather is being hired as the new office clerk starting on November 3rd. Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to have the Clerk read by title only and to adopt Ordinance No. 1058. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes: Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes.
OUTSIDE MUSIC PERMIT REQUEST – A motion was made by Trustee Elbe which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to approve the outside music request from The Roost. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – The Board received a copy of the Chief’s report.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT –
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-15 SCC PARKS GRANT- A motion was made by Trustee Reyling which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to allow Mayor Smallwood to sign and pass Resolution No. 2025-15 SCC Parks Grant. Roll Call was taken: Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes.
159 TURN LANE – Confirmation received from Tony Schenk regarding curb preference.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Meetings scheduled for October 28 for the public at the Senior Center from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. This has been advertised on the Smithton Police Department and Smithton News Facebook pages, our website and will be in the Freeburg Tribune.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL – Grant application was submitted October 15th. Notification to the Board will be 90-180 days.
OSLAD – Awaiting response.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Nothing to report.
SAFETY COMMITTEE – There will be a Safety Committee Meeting on November 6, 2025, at 10:00 am if needed.
ZONING BOARD REPORT –
RICHLAND CREEK-Awaiting draft easement agreement to be reviewed by Village Attorney & On Call Village Engineer. Key points on stormwater during construction & potholing to locate utility lines.
ANNEXATION-Request received from property owners of 3146 South Illinois Street. Annexation plat and legal description is being developed. Once completed, the Zoning Board will be assembled & public notices will be issued.
HYDAC PROPERTY – No report.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported that his department assisted with preparing for the Haunted Trail. They have been working on meter replacements and catch basins the last couple of days. Blocks for the salt building are being delivered. They reseeded the shooting range. The fire hydrants have been flushed and flow tests are complete. They flow tested all the hydrants this time but will put them on a rotation going forward. Dean presented information on options for painting the ball field fences. This will need further discussion. Trustee Elbe let everyone know the Smithton Commercial Club appreciated the public works department help with the Haunted Trail.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – The report will be given in Executive Session.
Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to 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 – Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to approve the minutes from the Committee As a Whole meeting on October 14, 2025. 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.
Mayor Smallwood reported on the Committee As a Whole meeting from October 14, 2025. The items will be discussed further under Committee Reports.
FINANCE & INSURANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE BECHERER – No report.
STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS- No report.
POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE
TORNADO ALARM SYSTEM – No update.
PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY
PARK TRAIL – PHASE 2 DISCUSSION AND PLAN – No report.
BALLFIELD SAFETY NETTING –New netting won’t be installed until Spring.
BALLFIELD FENCE PAINTING – Further discussion needed.
BALLFIELD LIGHTS PROCEDURE – Further discussion needed.
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS –
ORDINANCE NO. 1057-SALE OF SURPLUS VEHICLES – Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to have Clerk Biehl read the title and adopt Ordinance No. 1057-SALE OF SURPLUS VEHICLES. 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 report.
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 the payroll ending October 10, 2025. 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.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to suspend the regular order of business. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to enter Executive Session. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to go back into regular session. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.
No action was taken that relates to Executive Session.
Trustee Rogers made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to adjourn the meeting. All Trustees were in favor. The motion was granted to adjourn at 7:54 pm.
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