VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Stone House
December 29, 2025
6:30 P.M.
The Regular Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 pm on Monday, December 29,
2025. The members present were Nicole Winter, Ruth Foley, Deven Morgensen, Josh Altfillisch, Janet Werner, Kristy
Hesselbacher Tami Koons, Village Clerk, and Marissa Marquith, Village Treasurer. Also present were Chet VanRaalte,
Zach Winter, Dave Fosler.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting November 24, 2025. Hesselbacher moved; Werner seconded to approve
the minutes from the Regular Meeting November 24, 2025, to be approved as read. All voted aye.
TREASURERS REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Sandlin Appliance is two (2) months behind and has been unable to be reached at
this time. All other water payments are current. Altfillisch moved; Hesselbacher seconded, to approve the Treasurer’s
Report as presented and to place it on file. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
A) The monthly bills were reviewed. The Board discussed Jarred Altfillisch’s payment for plowing assistance and
emergency snow removal for 16 hours. Hesselbacher moved; Werner seconded that the November bills be approved
for payment as presented. On roll call vote, all voted aye. Altfillisch abstained.
CITIZENS COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A) Citizens Comments – None.
B) SM Chamber – None.
C) Contact Us Submissions – 1) Kenneth Deckert submitted a suggestion regarding the emergency vehicle access road,
recommending Schuyler Avenue as the most suitable option. He noted that it offers three directional choices at
Franklin: left, right, and straight ahead. 2) Jeremy Soppe contacted a board member to express concern about the snow
hill on Burrall being obstructed because he could not reach his plow customers. The board discussed that other
businesses and logistic companies access the road without issue. Altfillisch contacted all residents impacted by the
snow hill and received approval from EMS as they have access to all residents either as normal or alternatively via the
alley. Due to this, the barricades will remain when snow has fallen to allow a safe place for children and families to
sled.
D) FOIA Requests – None.
E) Other – None.
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW REPORT
A) Winter updated the board that Nathan Wills showed up for court on December 17, 2025, and the judge increased the
fine to $300.00. Vernon Wills did not attend court causing him to be automatically liable. The Village will continue to
ticket until the properties are brought into compliance.
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – 1) Chet reported that the generator line froze at the Well House. Altfillisch could not get it to thaw
out; Mulgrew came in to fix it. 2) Chet reported that he took Truck in to be maintenance. 3) Chet ordered reflection
tape for barricade signs. 4) Altfillisch and Chet started the ceiling for the shop. 5) Chet suggested 10 new signs to
replace the current 10 as they are in rough shape. The new barricades are LED so they will not burn through batteries
as fast. Chet will find out what the size of barricade the quote is for. This was tabled until next month.
ZONING REPORT
A) Monthly Report – 1) Josh Altfillisch’s compliance form was approved and completed. 2) Paperwork for Josh Winter
pool/garage/patio was received and approved.
OLD BUSINESS
A) Davis New Water/Sewer Connection – Jim Davis contacted the board to notify that he was having Randy Goodwin
install the sewer for the property the following day. Jim Davis was advised that this is not the proper process as the
board did not have an agreement in place and that moving forward without an agreement may impact on his
reimbursement. The Board has not received a quote for the project from Louie’s Trenching and Jim Davis does not
have a figure to provide currently regarding the water connection.
B) Digital Speed Signs – Nicole Winter provided the board with quotes she received. Illinois does not allow any county
other than Cook County to write tickets from the camera digital speed signs. The board decided that the cost is not
worth the little to no benefit the digital speed signs might offer at this time.
C) Unemployment Benefits Appeal – No update on the appeal status as of today 11/24/2025. Expected to hear for the
Employment Benefits of Illinois by 2/15/2026.
D) Water Tap – Well House – The water tap at the Well House was completed on 12/23/2025 to comply with the IEPA
significant deficiency.
E) Approval of Audit – Nicole Winter spoke with Don, and he stated the audit was in Quality Control and he should
have the final report by next week. Don will attend the board meeting once complete.
F) Tax Levey Ordinance – A copy was emailed out to the board. Werner moved; Altfillisch seconded to approve the Tax
Levy Ordinance. On Roll call. All voted aye.
G) Well House Project – Zach Winter will purchase siding at a discount for the Well House Project. Foley moved;
Werner seconded the purchase of the siding for the Well House Project. On Roll Call, all voted aye.
H) Jackson Street Project – No updates.
I) Holland/Wienen Annexation Agreement – No Updates. Nicole Winter meeting with Hailey Wills next week.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS – Nicole emailed out new committee assignments to the board members.
A) Street/Maintenance – None.
B) Sewer/Water – None.
C) Finance – None.
D) Park & Special Projects – None.
E) Public Events & Safety – None.
F) Trees & Sidewalks – Altfillisch contacted another business to remove trees, and they are interested and will contact us
the first of the year.
G) Ordinance/Policy – None.
H) Development – The board discussed the access road exhibits numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4. The board decided to continue to
review these options further.
NEW BUSINESS
A) Snow Sledding Hill – Al Busch reached out to Nicole Winter to discuss the sledding hill on Burrall. It was confirmed
that emergency services can access the road during emergencies, and snowplows are able to pass through the
barricades. Additionally, the homes in the area remain accessible via the alley. The board has decided not to close the
sledding hill currently, noting that several residents are opposed to its closure.
B) Other – 1) Barron Petraitis contacted the board regarding a plumbing blockage. He initiated work on the blockage, but
the blockage was located on the Village side. Barron requested reimbursement for charges since it was on village
property and he will turn in a bill with his water bill. 2) Ruth Foley will be attending the Mitigation Planning meeting
in January 2026 which is held every 5 years.
BRAINSTORMING – None.
CLOSED SESSION – None.
ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION – None.
ADJOURNMENT – Altfillisch moved; Morgensen seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 7:55 pm. All voted aye.
These Minutes were prepared by Village Clerk, Tami Koons.