March 17, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, May 23,2023

It’s a big night. They are going to approve the sewer plant expansion and upgrade. (unless someone totally throws me for a curve ball)

Thanks to MX Electric for sponsoring these live blogs. Got an electrical problem call Max!

There are five people here in the audience. I am hoping it’s sewer plant related.

The mayor is doing the IML civility pledge.

“In the interest of civility, I pledge to promote civility by listening, being respectful of others, acknowledging that we are all striving to support and improve our community and understanding that we each may have different ideas for achieving that objective.”

No public comment.
No old business.

SEWER PLANT TIME! #ITSALLHAPPENING

A motion to approve the bid by Schomburg and Schomburg is on the floor. #thankyoujimwagner


Art is making a comment about how he is going to “hold his nose and vote for it.”

Basically, the bids came in higher than expected so I think that’s what he is a little hesitant about but if they do not vote to approve this, I have been told, they will lose $4 million in federal funding.


Art seconded Jim’s motion.

Art talking about how they have to do this because it’s an unfunded mandate from the EPA. Which is true but they also have to do it to increase capacity. I think they could add something like 17 houses with the current plant.

Approved.

Community festival committee time. Basically, they are taking the Community festival under the umbrella of the village for insurance concerns. They are going to appoint people to the committee. #dontcallitthefallflop

Art is saying that the commission should select its own chair. The ordinance says the mayor picks the chair. #itsgoingtobemikepetersorweriot

The Commission has been created. The members are: Mike Peters- Chair, Eric Buzzard, Jim Wagner, Ashley York, Nora Maberry and Kenny Schrock. #ifyouwanttobeavendorhitmeup

Discussing the festival event application now. Dan asking if the pickleball courts will be removed. #theybetterbe #wherewillihostlittleprinceandprincessiftheyarent?

Solar panels at the sewer plant up for discussion. Joe has made homework packets for the board. Basically, they will discuss it again in June. They could put the panels out there and make some $. #gogreen #butprobablynotturbines

Fun fact: They had 214 cars go through Dumpster Day. #somuchstuff They filled 10 to 12 Dumpsters.

In the next month, the village will dig up the bricks on the sidewalk on Main. The bricks will cost $1. You gotta pick your own bricks up though.

Your friend and mine, Reg of the Electric Aggregation group, has reached back out and the new rate is 25 percent less than Ameren. #WHAT??!?! The letters will go out Friday to explain your options about opting out. #whywouldyouoptout? #savethatmoney. You are automatically enrolled unless you opt out.
Your friend and mine, Reg of the Electric Aggregation group, has reached back out and the new rate is 25 percent less than Ameren. #WHAT??!?! The letters will go out Friday to explain your options about opting out. #whywouldyouoptout? #savethatmoney. You are automatically enrolled unless you opt-out.

Tami got a “Nice” email and is sharing it. They thanked the village for Dumpster Day and also complimented Public Works for being awesome. #theyareallawesome The emailer also appreciate brush pick up.

The Taste of St. Joseph committee is wrapping up its plans. June 9. PLEASE ATTEND. GET YOUR PUNCH CARDS AT VILLAGE HALL. Punch cards are $15 and the funds go to Parks and Rec. The village is passing out Frisbees.

Max discussing how the Pickleball group is growing and they could put two pickleball courts courts over the tennis court and share it. Dan asking where the Tennis team could practice then. “I get that pickleball growing but I am not for taking that tennis court away from the girls tennis team.” Davis saying he wants to support the girls tennis team. Max saying he is supporting pickleball but didn’t say to get rid of tennis court. Tami saying that they don’t want to take the court away from the tennis team. They would make it work for both.

Art talking about how he went to a presentation on solar panels and the panels infastructure don’t damage drainage tiles.

Meeting adjourned.

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