HUDSON – Hudson resident Brad Lane received an unanimous vote to be seated on Hudson Planning Commission from Hudson Town Council session Tuesday, Nov. 1 at Hudson Fire Station. Upon receiving the unanimous vote, Lane in to his new post by the Town Clerk. Lane has lived in Hudson for close to 15 years or so, he explained. When not occupied with HPC business, Lane is a sales manager at Jack Lewis Jewelers in Bloomington.
Lane explained his interest in taking on becoming involved in civic politics through the Planning Commission began, he said, when friends convinced him recently to consider being involved in local politics through that governing body. “I plan on being here for a while and I plan on doing my best to help improve the community, and I hope I can benefit in different ways that I can,†he said.
He said he had thought about becoming active within the community but up until his appointment, admitted he “hadn’t really pursued it at all. He and his wife, Meghan, who is a Hudson native, wanted to raise their family in the area, the 39-year-old explained.
“There’s opportunities in the Village of Hudson to grow and attract different things and I’m excited to be a part of that, I should say,†he explained as his reason for accepting the new civic opportunity.
He added he looks “forward to being a fresh set of eyes†as HPC looks at projects which would be sent its way.
Five Trustee Positions Open For April 4 Election: The Village of Hudson has 5 trustee positions open in the April 4, 2023 election. Three positions are for someone to serve a 4-year term and two positions are for serving a two-year term. Those persons interested can pick up a candidate packet at the Hudson Water House. All paperwork from candidates needs to be turned in to between December 12-14. If you have any questions, they can be directed to: allison.brutlag@hudsonil.org.
Research On Solar For Village Buildings Continues: Mayor Dave Brutlag informed Town Trustees he continues to research power consumption history for Town-owned buildings which, to this point is contacted StraightUp Solar, a solar company based in Bloomington. He said officials from that company explained rebates for villages are applicable. He said he asked company officials what the Village needed to do to start the process.
Mayor Brutlag said he was informed the company needs to see Village power consumption records to determine if it would be cost beneficial to make some Village-operated buildings to become solar powered. City Hall and Hudson Police Department would be among the Village-operated building being considered making solar powered.
During the meeting, on another subject, Mayor Brutlag circulated a calendar for 2023 for Village Trustees to review for future events. He also said attended a McLean County Disaster Committee meeting, explaining the committee organizes staged disasters for emergency personnel to prepare for actual emergency events. This committee stages a disaster every three years at Central Illinois Regional Airport, Mayor Brutlag explained. He explained the Village will need to pay annual dues to this committee totaling $50.
He said Hudson could also host a staged disaster in the future to help local law enforcement and emergency squads train for such situations.
After the meeting, Mayor Brutlag added the Village is considering other buildings such as the Town Garage Building to make solar powered, as well. He said the Village wants to see if making the building solar powered “will be a cost beneficial decision for the Village.â€
DCEO and Grants From McLean County: Mayor Brutlag said he’s still waiting for a response from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and from McLean County on the status of grants applied for by the Village with those governing bodies. He said he wasn’t sure if the Village had spent any money provided by the County in the last month, but that the Town has already spent about $35,000 with around $55,000 still available for use.
Public Works Report: Town Public Works Superintendent Denny Engel reported to Trustees slightly over 91,000 gallons were used since the last Trustee session, and a total of 2.8 million gallons have been used in the month of October. Engle added a fire hydrant at the Town cemetery has been replaced due to a leakage problem recently reported.
Engel also reported sidewalk replacement in parts of Town “probably will not get done,†as a result of a concrete shortage he has been contending with for the previous three weeks. He also said a leaking fire hydrant at the cemetery has been fixed.
Board members unanimously approved a resolution to standardize fine amounts for various Town ordinances when violated. Mayor Brutlag explained after the meeting that previous to the Board making the change, ordinance violations could have had differing fine amounts to be paid for them. As a result of the Board approving the change, fines will be more standardized. The change takes effect Dec. 1, the Mayor said.
Hudson PD Update: Hudson Police Officer Chris Lane reported the department gave out glowsticks to youngsters on Halloween. He also reported the Town continues to maintain a radar operation on vehicles in town at North-bound and South-bound Broadway Ave. and East-bound and West-bound Franklin St.
Lane also reported a fallen tree Oct. 28 resulted in a power failure at the corner of West Ave. and McLean Sts. The tree struck a wire snapping it from its pole causing the wire to knock down three power poles. The incident occurred around 5:30p.m. Town Street Department blocked off part of the streets involved, Lane said, adding Ameren Illinois was contacted to restore power. Power was restored sometime midnight and 2a.m.Oct. 29, he said.
Village Human Resources Manual In The Works: Trustee Lynne Norris, who oversees contracts for the Board of Trustees, said she is looking into putting together a new group health renewal plan for Village employees. She said she will also be looking to finish work on a human resources manual for the Town with more about that by next month’s meeting.
She added she is looking to receive new quotes from Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Co. for health insurance, as Village policies are up for renewal. Mayor Brutlag added the policies from Blue Cross Blue Shield need to be reviewed on an annual basis
Holly Jolly Hudson Chair Addresses Public Comment: Bobby Dicken, head of the annual Holly Jolly Hudson campaign approached Trustees in the meeting’s public comments section, asking if the Trustees would consider making a donation toward that effort. He explained the campaign “would like to get some commercial grade lights for the Town’s trees in the downtown district and in the trees in the Town park. He said a company will be hanging the lights for Holly Jolly Hudson, and is hoping to be able to purchase lights “that will last several years.†He said he knows getting such lights cost more.
Dicken said the group is looking for help so that Holly Jolly Hudson can also purchase electrical cords and some fencing.
Town Trustee Kathy Brooks asked if Town Trustees had voted to donate $500 to that group last year. Mayor Brutlag replied, “I believe so, yes.†He told Dicken the Town would earmark that amount for payment by Trustees at next month’s meeting. After Dicken thanked Trustees, Mayor Brutlag thanked Dicken for his group’s efforts “because I think a lot of people had a lot of fun last year.â€
Halloween Committee Thanked: Mayor Brutlag thanked the Town’s Halloween Committee and Town businesses for their efforts when they participated in having a successful “Trunk Or Treat†event on Oct. 29. “I heard it was well done by all the organizations and businesses and well attended by the citizens. And so, I want to thank the folks for organizing Halloween and thank the residents who put up decorations this year.†Numerous residents did decorate their places for the event, the Village President mentioned.