Council hears street concerns

Work is shown on Route 24, or Oak Street, in Fairbury late in the summer / file photo.

During last week’s regular Fairbury City Council meeting, City Superintendent Brett Ashburn reported that the new stickers for UTV registration have been received.

If someone registers and purchases the sticker, it will be good through the calendar year of 2026. The city will soon announce when the new stickers are available for purchase. Council members approved the use of UTVs on Fairbury streets at the Sept. 3 meeting.

Alderman Jon Kinate expressed several concerns he recently received from Fairbury citizens. One concern was that Pine Street south of the new condos at the former Fairbury Hospital location was too narrow, and it should be converted to a one-way street. Neither the Mayor nor any Alderman supported this idea.

Citizens also expressed concern to Alderman Kinate that recent heavy truckloads of wind turbine parts and wide loads would quickly tear up the newly asphalted Route 24 road in Fairbury. Since Route 24 is a state highway, the City has no authority to regulate this highway.

Another comment by Alderman Kinate prompted a discussion about the City's dumping area on Locust Street, near the water tower. Several aldermen suggested that, unless the dumping area was very muddy, citizens should dump their grass and tree branches against the existing piles. Some citizens drop off branches and grass next to Locust Street, which causes more work by city employees to consolidate the piles to the south.

In other business, the council voted to approve Jeremiah Rinkenberger to replace Tom Bull on the Zoning Board of Appeals. They also voted to continue with the same insurance company for the next year of coverage. A Fairbury Fire Department request to purchase more new hose was also approved.