Tribute in the works to honor those who served on village board

The Gilman Village Board is back to full capacity, after the swearing in of new members at a regular meeting March 10. Lisa Anderson was appointed by the board to fill out the remainder of recently deceased trustee Mike Kinas, while Mark Person was sworn in to fill the vacant trustee position left by the passing of Bob Mechelke some months ago.

In honor of how dedicated Kinas was to the village park, the board discussed installing an engraved bench as “fitting memorial,” in the amount of $878. With that discussion, village president Jane DeStaercke also said she would like to do something for Mechelke.

“Did we have the same thing done for Debbie Sager,” asked trustee Cheryl Rosemeyer, mentioning a former trustee who passed away a few years ago while serving on the board.

Rosemeyer says she doesn’t want to take anything away from Kinas, but would like to see those who have served and passed while on the board, given a recognition. Members talked about making a tribute bench, with individual names listed, but agreed there is more to be discussed on wording and style, before approving the project.

“I think we need more information,” said trustee Eileen Grunseth.

DeStaercke did report a change to the outside of the village hall/library will take place.

“We are moving ahead with plans to put a street clock in the landscaping,” she said.

The village is waiting on a quote for the new feature and hope to have a plan in place for approval by the next meeting.

There was also an inquiry about purchasing land in the industrial park to be used for agriculture, but the village already has a lease agreement with someone else and was unable to fulfill the request.

“The person was quite content with that,” said DeStaercke.

Residents should also mark their calendars for May, as Taylor County is scheduled for an electronic and appliance clean-up Saturday, May 1, so village clerk Candice Grunseth proposed having Gilman’s clean-up the following week.

“Volunteers are appreciated, so if anybody wants to, just let her (C. Grunseth) know,” said DeStaercke.