Repairs to problem areas to take place over the summer on Gilman streets

Road work is set for the summer, after a bid for the work was approved by the Gilman Village Board April 15. Meeting virtually, members agreed to the work on Heagle Street, Gilman Street, Sunset Drive and Babit Avenue, for $82,701.

American Asphalt was the only bid toward the project, which was approved. Clerk Candice Grunseth said there is $62,000 in the village budget for the repairs, as well as $100,000 in restricted funds.

“Basically,thisisourLRIP(LocalRoadsImprovement Program) money and the money that’s been set aside for road repair,” said village president Jane DeStaercke.

Through the LRIP, which the village has applied for, Gilman should receive more than $7,000.

“You don’t get them (LRIP funds) until the project is finished,” said Grunseth.

In her president’s report, DeStaercke informed the board that Jamie Larson has accepted the position as assistant public works director, with his first official day tentatively set for May 4.

“As far as we know, everything is going correctly,” said DeStaercke of the process.

DeStaercke also mentioned that trustees Ericka Bertsinger, Mike Kinas and Cheryl Rosemeyer, saw reelection to the board in the April 7 spring election.

“Congratulations to all you winners,” said DeStaercke.

After a special meeting March 25, where the board approved measures dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic planning, the village office is now closed to the public. Many other health and safety policies are now in place, while events and activities have been canceled, or postponed, until the health crisis is past.

Included in the postponements, is the village’s spring clean-up. Because Taylor County has called off their clean sweep for the time being, DeStaercke suggested Gilman wait to see when the county sets a new date, which would determine the village’s new date.

“Do we want to push ours off?” asked DeStaercke. “If we don’t change our date, we’re going to get all that stuff which could have been taken to the county. That’s usually what happens, right?”

“Right,” agreed village trustee Mike Kinas.

The Western Taylor County Public Library’s grand opening has also been pushed back until a later date. The annual Arbor Day celebration that takes place with the Gilman fourth-grade class, will also not be held, but, the board did go ahead with their Arbor Day Proclamation, naming April 24 as Arbor Day in the village.

“Considering the crisis we have going on…next year when I apply (for Tree City USA standing), we will still meet the criteria,” said trustee Eileen Grunseth.