VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Stone House
January 26, 2026
6:30 P.M.
The Regular Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026.
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, Mike Sproule, Jerry and Fran Edwards, and Steve Winter. Dave Fosler was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting December 29, 2025. Werner moved; Hesselbacher seconded to approve
the minutes from the Regular Meeting December 29, 2025, to be approved as read. All voted aye.
TREASURERS REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. All water payments are current. Hesselbacher moved; Altfillisch 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
The monthly bills were reviewed. Adding a bill for Nack, Richardson & Nack in the amount of $2,880. Foley moved;
Hesselbacher seconded that the January bills be approved for payment as presented. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
Mike Sproule – Septic Waste Request – Mike Sproule presented a proposal to utilize the Scales Mound sewage lagoon,
noting that it would offer benefits to the existing sewage system. He advised it would produce revenue for the Village. The
board agreed that the first step is to review the feasibility of the proposal with Fehr Graham before moving forward with
any negotiations. Nicole Winter will contact Fehr Graham to discuss the matter and follow up with Mike Sproule afterward.
Audit Presentation – Rescheduled for February 2026 meeting per the auditor.
CITIZENS COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A) Citizens Comments – Jerry Edwards inquired about Montgomery Trucking trash pick holiday schedule and requested
we post in The Weekly Visitor.
B) SM Chamber – None.
C) Contact Us Submissions – None.
D) FOIA Requests – FOIA request received from Judiciocracy LLC and COGS regarding attorney payments. The village
responded to this request appropriately.
E) Other – None.
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW REPORT
A) Nicole Winter has access to the DACRA System which gives her the authority to issue fines, warnings, and vehicle
tow tickets within the village limits as well as Arty Moyer, the Ordinance Officer. B) Nathan Wills appeared for court
last month, but Vernon Wills did not appear so his fines will keep accumulating. C) Nicole Winter issued two (2)
additional tickets for the POD for removal. Nicole Winter will not be able to attend the court date on 2/18/2026 but she
will send note to the Judge. D) Hesselbacher sent letter to Bob Hoftender regarding an unlicensed vehicle which has
been complied with.
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – 1) Chet reported that he has about 18 scoops of salt and if more is needed, Dylan will just bill the
village at the end of the year. 2) Chet reported that the shop ceiling is ready for the furnace. 3) Chet stated reflection
tape for barricade signs have been applied. 4) Chet received the quote questions back for the barricades. Foley moved;
Hesselbacher seconded to approve the purchase of 10 barricades, 6 road closed signs and 6 lights for $3.433.26. On
Roll Call. All voted aye 5) Chet provided 6 quotes for the purchase of a new Ranger as it is due for replacement on the
five-year plan. The board discussed the pros and cons of the quotes and majority decided to go with Full Throttle
Powersports quote. Hesselbacher moved; Altfillisch seconded to purchase the new ranger from Full Throttle
Powersports for $17,957.65. On roll call vote, all voted aye, with the exception of Foley, who voted nay. 6) List the old
ranger for bid – Hesselbacher moved; Altfillisch seconded to put the current ranger out for bids. On roll call vote, all
voted aye.
ZONING REPORT
A) Monthly Report – 1) The Grocery Store is putting on a new roof and asking if they can block off a portion of Main
Steet between the alley and partly in front of Pop-A-Tops Bar to avoid debris hitting cars or costumers for one (1) day.
The permit is currently being filled out. Werner moved; Hesselbacher seconded to approve the grocery store block off
a portion of Main Street for one (1) day for resident safety. All voted aye.
OLD BUSINESS
A) Davis New Water/Sewer Connection – No Update.
B) Unemployment Benefits Appeal – Received a final decision from the Illinois Department of Unemployment Benefits
Appeal Board and they ruled in favor of the Village of Scales Mound.
C) Approval of Audit – No update
B) Holland/Wienen Annexation Agreement – The village obtained the agreement that was signed and will finalize.
Foley moved; Morgensen seconded to sign the Holland/Wienen Annexation Agreement. On roll call vote, all voted
aye.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
A) Street/Maintenance – None.
B) Sewer/Water – None.
C) Finance – None.
D) Park & Special Projects – None.
E) Public Events & Safety – None.
F) Trees & Sidewalks – None
G) Ordinance/Policy – None.
H) Development – None.
NEW BUSINESS
A) Bank Safe –The board agreed to advertise the black safe in the Weekly Visitor for bids. This was approved of last
month.
C) Tree Removal/Stump Grinding – The board reviewed quotes for a dying tree removal. Hesselbacher moved; Foley
seconded for tree removal/stump grinding using Exquisite Scapes Inc. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
B) LP Tank – Shop – Altfillisch stated that Saunders out of Warren, IL would cost $50.00 to lease per year, $1.52 per
gallon, no contract needed this year. Altfillisch moved; Foley seconded to go with Saunders Oil Company for $50.00 to
lease per year, $1.52 per gallon. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
C) Well House – Doors – Zach Winter will obtain quote for a fiber glass door.
D) Meghan Davis – Sewer Reimbursement Request – Nicole Winter exited the meeting room and did not participate in
discussion or action on this agenda item due to a family conflict of interest. Hesselbacher moved; Morgensen seconded
to approve the sewer reimbursement to Megan Davis for $1,796.30. On roll call vote, all voted aye. The board
discussed implementing a policy for future projects of this nature in the future.
E) 5 Year Comprehensive Plan – The Board received an updated draft of the 5‑year comprehensive plan for review and
discussion regarding potential revisions. It was noted that projected costs for 2027 are higher due to scheduled street
repaving, as well as anticipated expenses for paving Village‑owned property and alleys. Preparation for this project
will need to begin in March of this year.
F) February Mayor Meeting – It is Scales Mounds turn to host the mayors meeting, and it will be held at the Old School
Saloon on Thursday 2/26/2026. Hesselbacher moved; Altfillisch seconded to hold the mayor’s meeting in Scales
Mound at the Old School Saloon. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
G) Mitigation Plan Meeting Update – Foley provided an update from the meeting along with the changes planned for
this year. Revisions will need to be made to the Village operations plan, as is required when applying for funding. This
includes updates to land‑use and development sections, water‑related worksheets, and building improvement
information. The current version of the plan is available on the county website.
H) Engineering Firm Contracting – Nicole Winter provided the Board with an email containing updated information for
review. She noted that the estimated project totals differ significantly and emphasized that the figures should not be
this far apart. We are currently awaiting feedback from both Fehr Graham and Origin before moving forward with a
decision. The Development committee will meet before the next meeting and report back to the board with their
recommendations. The county is in discussions with Galena for a $1M contribution to a project for their roads. Nicole
Winter is going to attend the county meeting to present a proposal to the county for a contribution to the access road.
This meeting will be held on 2/10/2026 at 7:00 pm.
I) Other – Chet will be on PTO 3/14/2026 – 3/18/2026.
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.