Small Town News

Village trustees considering a proposal to share employee with Arthur Park District

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Village trustees on Monday evening generally agreed to consider sharing an employee with Arthur Community Park District.

In addition, trustees hired a full-time police officer and made some decisions concerning the new public works building that will soon be under construction on West Progress Street.

An agreement between the city and the park district to share an employee would enable the employee to have benefits with the job, something the employee would not have if he or she worked for the park district alone.

Attorney Ken Crossman said park board president Tim Likens in a telephone conversation asked about the possibility of sharing an employee.

Crossman told the trustees there would have to be an intergovernmental agreement, or contract, drawn up spelling out how many hours the employee would work for the park district and how many he or she would work for the city.

Mayor Matt Bernius said he likes the idea, but trustee Terry Clark was "cautiously optimistic."

"In theory it sounds good, but in reality it could be a nightmare," Clark said.

Attorney Bob Crossman suggested the board consider making the arrangement for a trial period such as one year.

Mayor Bernius said he envisioned the employee working weekends for the city and helping out with water leaks and filling in on emergencies such as water leaks, among other duties.

Bernius will contact park board president Likens and see if the job candidate they had in mind would be interested in the arrangement.

A familiar face will soon be seen patrolling in the city. The board hired Elliott Tinnon, an Arthur High School graduate and Arthur native, as a full-time police officer.

Tinnon was sworn in during the meeting with Jennifer Perrine, village clerk, administering the Oath of Office.

Construction of the new public works building will soon begin on West Progress Street. The board made some decisions concerning the structure.

Trustees decided the color of the steel building will be saddle tan and light stone. The exterior of the front office area will have stone.

The board also authorized Mayor Bernius to the down payment of $25,267.

Public works supervisor Grant Corum reported that hydrants will be flushed early next week.

Some streets and intersections that flooded during the heavy rain on April 8 need some attention. Opening ditches will help in some areas. However, the situation on Ash Street from Lincoln to Route 133 may take other measures to alleviate flooding.

Erica Carter reported this year's electronics pickup in conjunction with Village Clean-up Day will be for two hours only, 10 to noon on Saturday, May 2. In previous years the service was offered all day during cleanup.

Trustee Clark said he had received several favorable comments concerning, the decorative street lights on the West Palmer Street Extension near the Eberhardt Village entrance.

Because it is spring, the board reminds residents that warmer weather will bring out youngsters on bikes and to watch out for bicycles in the streets, especially in the vicinity of the schools.

The meeting was Larry Miller's last as a village trustee. Mayor Bernius presented him a plaque expressing the city's appreciation for Miller's service as a trustee.

The new board will be seated during the next regular meeting which will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 4. Newcomer will be seated on the board with incumbents J.D. Kuhns and Dave Tiffan who were reelected.

Village board meetings are open to the public. The board meets at the Municipal Building, 120 East Progress Street.



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