Application tabled for Wells
- Fairbury News staff
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
A decision on a liquor application from Wells on Main Guest House & Gatherings, LLC was tabled by the Fairbury City Council Wednesday evening.
The business plans on having a “speakeasy,” or hidden bar, in the basement but local resident Diane Pawlowski pointed to what the city zoning code says. This forced city leaders to delay their decision to the next meeting as an amendment will need to be made.
Section 8.07 of the municipal code states: “Except in the case of clubs, no alcoholic liquor shall be sold at retail upon any premises which has any access which leads from such premises to any other portion of the same building or structure used for dwelling or lodging purposes and which is permitted to be used or kept accessible for use by the public. This provision does not prohibit any connection between such premises and such other portion of the building or structure which is used only by the licensee, his family and personal guests.”
“We would have to go the variance route if we don’t amend this, in my opinion,” stated City Attorney Matt Schrock.
Owners Shawn and Tonya Wells were in attendance for the liquor hearing and the regular council meeting. They noted the bar area is separate from the living space with doors to block it off. They would like the bar to close by 10 p.m.
“We don’t want them interrupting the people staying there,” Shawn told council members.
When asked how Hoffman House got by with this, Mayor David Slagel said it never came up.
In another matter, the Fairbury City Council approved the purchase of a scissor lift from Nussbaum ACE Hardware for the street department. ACE reached out to see if the city was interested in their old lift. Alderman Bruce Weber made a motion for the purchase.
The purchase of two portable radios for the police department was authorized. Chief Chris Edwards said they had been borrowing one from V-COM but they need it back. When two new officers are added, they would be short one radio.
“We really only need one but they sent a quote for two,” explained the chief.
Newer technology is included with these N50 radios which are currently on sale and they are compatible with the Starcom radio system.
A fire department tablet purchase was approved as well. After they did some research, the department found iPads were not working well. They found out the nearby Pontiac Fire Department is using something for a good price. In fact, it is about a third of the price of what the police use. Alderman Jon Kinate made the motion to buy a tablet.
A Starcom contract was approved for Fire Department radios. It will cost $975 a month to have all of the radios on the system. Fire Chief Josh Hoselton estimates the cost at $29 to $31 per unit and an increased cost throughout the contract.
“It’s something we’ll add into the budget,” said City Superintendent Brett Ashburn.
City Clerk Alex Reis noted she is working on the city’s second annual Easter egg hunt at the end of March.
Alderman Jim Tipton said he was approached by a fair board member about borrowing an old city-owned fire truck to display at the upcoming Fairbury Fair this summer for the fair’s 150th.
“Just as long as it doesn’t stay there and stays in the city’s possession,” said Chief Hoselton.
“I don’t see a problem there,” replied Mayor Slagel.
Superintendent Ashburn revealed the clerks would like to do a celebration this summer in honor of our country’s 250th birthday. This would likely be at North Park with a community picnic.
“We were approached and asked if we were going to do anything,” stated Reis.
Chief Edwards reported that all 12 impounded cars are gone from both lots and are at an auction in Clinton. He also spoke about two new police hires who are currently in the academy.
Attorney Schrock suggested the council give authority to dispose of three more vehicles, pursuant to state statute. There will likely be a resolution related to this at the next meeting.
