VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Stone House
September 28, 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, September 28, 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 was Chet VanRaalte, Zach Winter, Jerry and Fran Edwards, Katie Meusel, Sue Meusel, Morgan Kelly, Ron Duerr, and Morgan Jakel.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting August 31, 2026, Closed Meeting Minutes August 31, 2026, and Special Meeting Minutes September 3, 2026. – Werner moved; Atlfillisch seconded to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting August 31, 2026, Closed Meeting Minutes August 31, 2026, and Special Meeting Minutes September 3, 2026. to be approved as read. All voted aye.
TREASURERS REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Foley moved; Werner seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. On roll call, all voted aye.6 CDs are maturing on 10/1/2026; 1) TIF CD maturing on 10/1/2026, renewing for CD for $75,000.00 at 3.78% for 9-months, 2) Corporate Fund CD maturing on 10/1/2026 renewing for CD for $145,000.00 at 3.78% for 9-months. 3) Improvement CD maturing on 10/1/2026, renewing for CD for $70,000.00 at 3.78% for 9-months. 4) Water CD maturing on 10/1/2026 renewing for CD for $75,000.00 at 3.78% for 9-months. 5) Sewer CD maturing on 10/1/2026, renewing for CD for $125,000.00 at 3.78% for 9-months. And 6) Police CD maturing on 10/1/2026, renewing for CD for $11,000.00 at 3.78% for 9-months. Foley moved; Morgensen seconded to reinvest the CDs as presented. All voted aye.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
The monthly bills were reviewed. Hesselbacher moved; Werner seconded that the August 2026 bills to be approved as presented. On roll call, all voted aye.
CITIZENS COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A) Citizens Comments – 1) Katie Meusel from Schapville expressed her request for Halloween to stay on 10/31/2026 (Saturday) as Schapville trick or treating for 20 years has been the night before Scales Mound. If Scales Mound changes their date, it would interfere with Schapville’s trick or treating night. 2) Sue Meusel from Schapville expressed her reasons for Halloween to stay on 10/31/2026 (Saturday) for this year to not interfere with Schapville’s trick or treat. She mentioned they do not advertise the Schapville trick or treating date, it is a tradition. 3) Morgan Jakel expressed her request to move Halloween to 10/30/2026 (Friday) for this year so everyone can participate in all the Halloween events for 2026 due to Galena having their parade on Saturday 10/31/2026. 4) Jerry Edwards inquired about the status of the street construction in front of the funeral home and post office. Chet explained that we are awaiting concrete work from Nick Vondran. He noted that one section of the culvert has collapsed, while another section is showing signs of deterioration. Altfillisch stated that the area was being monitored following backfilling to assess the culvert’s stability before proceeding. He emphasized the importance of avoiding a temporary fix and ensuring a proper, long-term solution. Altfillisch will obtain the necessary measurements this week to help move the project forward as appropriately.
B) SM Chamber – 1) After hours event at the Apple River State Bank in Scales Mound had a good turnout. 2) Chamber Christmas party is 11/29/2026 and the Village will again put up the Christmas lights; board members are available on 11/14/2026.
C) Contact Us Submissions –1) Morgensen reminded residents that a confirmation notice should appear when submitting a Contact Us form online. If No confirmation is received, the form was not successfully submitted and will need to be resubmitted. 2) Butch and Donna Birkett submitted a letter for reimbursement for damage to their home from a tree hitting it during a storm.
D) FOIA Requests – Data Branch submitted a request and was responded to on time.
E) Other – None
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW REPORT – None
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – Chet reported that the sink hole in front of the funeral home is being monitored for additional sinking that may happen before finalizing with concrete. The remaining part of the tube under the ground is starting to collapse that is underneath the Chatterbox. Chet reported that mowing has increased due to the weather. PTI was here to spray the ponds and will be back in 30 days to do it again. Lift station motor went out, and the new motor has been ordered.
ZONING REPORT
A) Monthly Report – Zach reported a couple permits pending signatures. Zoning ordinance lists 2 different building heights and Zach will get some guidance on these heights and report next month. He is advising the board to make a policy on this.
OLD BUSINESS
A. INI Cross Connection – Foley provided Tami, Village Clerk the hard copy of the Cross Connection survey’s collected by Werner and Foley to record and Tami will log the surveys and distribute the final report to board.
B. Environmental Survey – No updated
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. Halloween Date – The Board discussed in great detail and took all views and requested into consideration, including Facebook survey, safety, traditions, times, and high school games. Altfillisch moved; Foley seconded to have Trick or Treat on Friday 10/30/2026 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm for 2026 Halloween trick or treat only, On roll call Foley-Aye, Altfillisch – Aye, Werner – Nay, Hesselbacher – Nay, Morgensen – Aye. Motion Passed to have Scales Mound Trick or Treat on Friday 10/30/2026 from 5:30 pm -7:30 pm.
B. Electric Recycling/Fall Clean up Event – Nicole contacted Eli Humphry for a couple dates and he is available 10/24/2026 or 11/7/2026. The board discussed a combined event for both Electronics and Clean up event. Hesselbacher moved; Foley seconded to have the combined event on Saturday October 24, 2026, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Scales Mound Rec Park, for Scales Mound Residents, all voted aye. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
C. Winter TIF Reimbursement – The board confirmed that Winter met the requirements for reimbursement. Hesselbacher moved; Werner seconded to approve the TIF reimbursement of $20,000.00. All voted aye, on roll call all voted aye, Altfillisch abstained.
D. Park Signage – Chet provided quotes to the board for signage, burn pile signage and school bus stops signs for $365.00 – Foley moved; Hesselbacher seconded to approve the purchase of the park signage. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
E. Rec Electric Sign – Presentation – Morgan Kelly presented a pitch of a new digital sign for the Rec and would like to reference this sign as a “Welcome to Scales Mound” sign and to incorporate everyone that would like to get involved in this project to advertise their messages. Morgan did state that this project is in its beginning stages.
F. Tree Removal Quotes – Cole tree service quote for $6,800.00 for Three (3) trees and Four (4) stumps – Altfillisch moved; Foley seconded to approve the quote from Cole Tree Service for $6,800.00 for Three (3) trees and Four (4) stumps. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
G. Mitigation Plan – Foley updated the board that if we are applying for any grants it needs to be on the Mitigation Plan or it will not be considered.
H. Other – None
BRAINSTORMING – Reminder that there are 3 trustee seats and 1 President seat upcoming and papers are ready, please contact Tami Koons, Village Clerk at scalesmoundclerk@gmail.com. Papers must be returned to the Clerk between November 16 – November 23, 2026.
CLOSED SESSION – None
ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION – None.
ADJOURNMENT – Altfillisch moved; Werner seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 7:51 pm. All voted aye.
These Minutes were prepared by Village Clerk, Tami Koons.