VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Town Hall
November 17, 2025
7:00 P.M.
The Special Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:01 p.m. on Monday, November 17,
2025. The members present were Nicole Winter, Ruth Foley, Deven Morgensen, Kristy Hesselbacher, Janet Werner, Josh
Altfillisch, Village Clerk, Tami Koons. Also present were Marc Ruden, Cody Austin, Jill Pepin, Jerry and Fran Edwards,
Bill Foley, Tammy Hesselbacher, Greg Hesselbacher, Zach Winter, Sheila Ohms, Marvin Schultz, Kristy Allen, Mark
Travis, Chet VanRaalte, Jim Davis, Meghan Davis, Danielle Shoemaker, Margaret and Steve Townsend, and Dave
Hoftender.
Nicole Winter, Acting Village President, opened the meeting by outlining the agenda and how the evening’s discussion
would proceed. Acting Village President Nicole Winter advised that the focus of the meeting was to review and discuss the
proposed water projects for the village. These proposals are being presented to inform the public, invite questions, and
gather community input. It’s important to note that no decisions have been made regarding moving forward with a loan or a
loan forgiveness program to fund these projects. At this stage, the village has only obtained preliminary cost estimates and
is in the process of confirming necessary permits and engineering requirements. The information shared tonight, along with
the feedback received from residents, will assist the board in determining whether to pursue grant opportunities or other
financing options to move these projects forward. The meeting was open to public comment, limited to three (3) minutes
per resident.
DISCUSSION ON PROJECTS
A) Well House Project – Marc Ruden from Origin Engineering provided an overview of the proposed
remodeling plans for the village’s Well House. The project includes upgrades to the building’s exterior and
the tap line. Following an IEPA inspection, the village was informed of the required installation of a new
sample tap line featuring a smooth nozzle on both the interior and exterior of the building. This mandate,
received in May 2025, is a non-negotiable IEPA compliance deficiency. The village must complete the tap
line installation, using either grant funding or its own financial resources.
Public comments:
Jim Davis asked how much we are talking about – Marc with Origin responded that the tap line is estimated
at $10,000 and the total project cost is a conservative $50,000.
Jim Davis expressed if it is going to cost $50,000 to side an 8×12 building, I might as well go back to work, it
would be nice to have more accurate numbers – Marc responded that we will work with the village to identify
what the village specifically wants to do for the project to obtain a more accurate quote, and the estimate was
for funding purposes only.
B) Jackson Street Project – Marc Ruden from Origin invited people to come up to look at exhibit A. This
project is 560 foot 6-inch watermain on N. Jackson St. and 420 feet of 6-inch watermain down the alley that
connects Washington St. and Jackson St. This project would replace the current 2-inch line that feeds 5
residents and replaces it with a 6-inch line and 2 fire hydrants. This would allow for proper flushing as well.
Public Comments:
Sheila Ohms – What size are the watermains for the rest of the town? – Marc stated that the rest of the
village is on a 6-inch line and these are the only 2-inch line that remains in the village. These residents
would not have the fire protection of those that have the 6-inch line.
Jim Davis – What is the cost estimate? Marc responded that the conservative estimate would be around
$248,500.
Jim Davis – Inquired about how the grant funding program works – Jill Pepin from CFPS explained that the
village must submit grant funding applications to the State of Illinois by March 31, 2026, to be considered
for borrowing assistance. After submission, the state will evaluate and rank the project. Typically, by mid-
June, the village will be notified of the applicable loan rates and amount deemed forgivable, meaning the
portion of the loan that does not need to be repaid (grant funding).
Tammy Hesselbacher – asked for confirmation that the prior year’s forgivable amount was 70% when
the village board discussed this project plan previously. Jill confirmed that when the board discussed this
previously, that was the anticipated amount.
Jerry Edwards – asked if the Fire house watermain project was separate from the Jackson Street project?
Nicole Winter responded that yes, it is a separate project because the quotes we have received do not
make sense to obtain loan/grant funding, and the watermain is unpredictable and could burst in a week or
in 10 years.
Jerry Edwards – you have been talking about the fire house watermain for months. Nicole Winter
responded, yes, we have been discussing the project for a bit, but we have been awaiting preliminary
quotes which we just received at the end of last month. While the board is aware of the project needs, it is
important that the board weighs all options and follows proper permitting requirements if necessary and
obtaining all appliable information takes time.
Jim Davis – Inquired if the project amount for bidding has changed. Per Nicole Winter and Jill with
CFPS, yes, the bid amount is still $25,000 per Illinois state law.
C) Access Road – IDOT Access Road Grant – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has awarded
Scales Mound a $650,000 grant designated specifically for the construction of an access road. The village will
be working closely with IDOT, and the project will be in phases. Cody from Origin presented Exhibits 2 and
3, outlining potential design options for the road. It’s important to clarify that this grant applies solely to the
access road and does not include funding for the subdivision or its internal streets. The access road is currently
subject to a time-sensitive schedule, making it a priority. However, planning discussions around the
subdivision should be considered now to ensure alignment with future development.
Public Comments:
Jerry Edwards – so you are using your $650,000 grant to incorporate it into your new subdivision.
Nicole Winter responded no, Origin is just using these existing exhibits to show where the access road
could go as Origin has not created new exhibits for just the access road project yet.
Danielle Shoemaker – Whose property is along the access road – Nicole Winter advised that the
property is owned by Dennis and Susie Vondran.
Jim Davis – Asked if the board considered having the access road go up through the Holland property as
it could be hard for 18 wheelers to make the corners. The board advised they would look into that option.
Sheila Ohms – Asked if there was a set price for land – The board advised that there is a verbal
agreement set with the Vondran’s to purchase land, but the cost has not been established.
Tammy Hesselbacher – Vondran’s must make sure it is cost effective for them to sell. Who is
responsible for surveying the land – Nicole Winter responded that the village would be responsible for
surveying the land.
Sheila Ohms – will we need to post weight limits? Cody said typically when we design a road, we make
sure it will withstand an appropriate weight requirement so that posting is not required.
Jim Davis – Requested that the board consider keeping projects local instead of paying outside
contractors.
CLOSED SESSION – None.
ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION – None.
BRAINSTORMING – None.
ADJOURNMENT – Foley moved; Altfillisch seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 7:56 PM. All voted aye.
These Minutes were prepared by Village Clerk, Tami Koons.