Late alderman remembered
- Fairbury News staff
- Aug 21, 2024
- 3 min read
A plaque was presented to family members of the late Charles Hoselton Sr. during Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Fairbury City Council.
The plaque commemorates the dedication of Hoselton’s 13 years serving as an alderman for the city and 22 years on the volunteer fire department.
“We really appreciate everything he did for the city,” said Mayor David Slagel.
Hoselton passed away last month.
In another matter, Hoselton’s son, Charles Hoselton Jr., was appointed to fill his father’s position on the city council. Alderman Jon Kinate made the motion to approve the matter.
Hoselton Jr. referred to his own appointment to the council as bittersweet.
“Just like my dad said, our community means a lot to me too and I’m anxious to keep his legacy alive here,” he told Fairbury News after the meeting.
The owner of Varsitee Screenprinting in Fairbury is a past board member at the golf course and wanted to get involved with something else.
“We have a lot of interaction with our local community and it’s always a good thing to be involved in things like being a council member.”
Council members received an update on the new basketball courts at Marsh Park which are coming along, according to City Superintendent Brett Ashburn.
“They should be paving sometime in the next couple of weekends,” Ashburn explained.
Ashburn requested a committee meeting be held next Wednesday at 6 p.m. to discuss dumpsters. The utility billing clerk and street superintendent have been working on a new system for dumpster requests and would like to share their thoughts.
A lab equipment quote for the water treatment plant was approved. Water Superintendent Mike Mellott said the current equipment is old and falling apart.
“The state is requiring us to do more testing than we previously had to do,” stated Ashburn.
“This is something we’d use daily – at least two times a day,” added Mellott.
Amendments to the municipal code book were approved regarding refuse and garbage. This updates the language in Chapter 6.
On behalf of the Garden Club, Alderman James Tipton thanked city crews for getting the Carol Aberle memorial bench repaired and placed in the park.
Alderman Kinate asked police chief Robert McCormick when the council will meet the new officers. The chief said he is waiting to get official word of one officer passing his state test and he hopes to have the officers there by the first meeting of next month.
Alderman Gary Norris referred to a “pretty good” year at the swimming pool which is now closed for the season.
It was noted a retirement celebration will be held at noon this Thursday honoring Bob Ziegenhorn who is retiring after 19 years at the city’s water department.
Street Superintendent Lonnie Rhoads reported oil and chip work was done in the city earlier in the day.
During public comment, a man expressed concerns over the intersection of Sixth and Elm streets having no stop sign as elementary kids get off the bus at that location.
“I witnessed several vehicles that went through the intersection without checking for cross traffic,” he said.
Mayor Slagel said they could verify this with the school and decide if a stop sign is a good idea. The city may have an officer sit there for a day to observe the intersection.
Council members also approved the consent agenda which included the Aug. 7 meeting minutes, check register and overtime report. One sidewalk request was authorized for 212 South Fourth Street with a sidewalk and approach.
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