Hampshire OKs funds for alley, street, sign work
By Denise Moran For The Courier-News June 22, 2012 3:06PM
Updated: July 25, 2012 6:38AM
HAMPSHIRE — The village board has approved a resolution for the use of $122,000 in state Motor Fuel Tax funds for roadway-related repair and maintenance.
“The FY 2012/13 budget includes $50,000 in MFT funds for the resurfacing of two downtown alleys and crack sealing on Terwilliger and Warner streets, in addition to $12,000 for the first year of a federally mandated sign replacement program,” Village Administrator Doug Maxeiner said. “Also, $60,000 is included for snow and ice control expenses for salt and calcium chloride. In total, $122,000 in MFT expenditures is scheduled for the current year.”
In addition to voting Thursday to approve funds for streets and signs, the village approved awarding $64,000 to A&E Roofing and Siding Inc. of Aurora for the removal, disposal and replacement of the siding on Well 10/13 Treatment Plant.
The village also renewed its service agreement with Kane County for the provision of 911 emergency dispatch services for village residents.
“The total cost to the village is determined by a base fee and a usage fee, and remains consistent with the prior agreement,” Maxeiner said. “The total fee assessed by Kane County in 2011 was $60,706.57. The agreement caps the increase of any one year at 5 percent.”
Maxeiner added that the cost for renewing the 911 service was $3,000 less than was originally budgeted for by the village.
Raising the roof
In other business, board members approved a zoning ordinance that will allow Jeff Spiczak to raise the roof of his proposed detached garage on South Avenue.
In a letter to the village, Spiczak said: “I am hoping to replace my existing garage with a new garage. The new garage was designed by an architect to fit my requirements and to blend with the house. The same architect has designed a new roof for the house to replace the existing one that is in sad shape.
“According to the inspector, a portion of the new garage roof is above the 15-foot rule for accessory buildings. My request is for a variance in the zoning to allow the portion of the north/south gable that extends above 15 feet to a maximum heat at the peak of 19 feet 8 inches.”
Spiczak said he hand-delivered letters about his plans to all of his surrounding neighbors. None of the neighbors raised objections. The village zoning board of appeals approved the project.
“The ZBA is in place to make decisions like this, and they were unanimous in their decision,” said Trustee Rob Whaley.
“South Street is one of the older parts of town,” said Village President Jeff Magnussen. “I think this is a worthwhile project.”
The proposed garage will have three stalls and a workroom.
“I need a place to work on my truck,” Spiczak said. “My wife gets the roof on the house before I get the garage. We plan on having it done before winter.”
