Village Manager's Message

It was great to see almost all of the Board of Trustees, Village President Cuzzone, State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock, County Board Member Liz Chaplin, County Staff, and Village Staff on site for the Grand Opening of Lufkin Park on Monday, August 19^th. The park has been heavily utilized since the fences came down and it was full on Monday. Two other heavily attended events were Big Rigs and Kids on Saturday, August 17 where it is estimated over 500 people participated and the concert on August 22^nd at Cortesi where about 500 people saw Strung Out.     

In addition to the successful completion of Lufkin Park, staff is pursuing many other projects.  Parks and Recreation Staff held a bid opening with Upland Design on Tuesday for the Lions Park OSLAD Grant. Six bids were received.  A bid opening was held for the 2024 Sidewalk Program (also known as the “50/50 program”).  The village received seven bids.  A contract award recommendation will be presented at the 08/26/2024 Village Board meeting.  Vermont Avenue is now open with a flagger conducting the traffic at the intersection with Iowa Avenue. Installation of new water service will cause water service disruptions in the immediate area on Monday 8/26, the remaining connections of the new water main to the existing water supply system will be made and the old water main will be abandoned.  The VPRC work continues.  The building is now sealed, and flooring will begin soon.  On Thursday we will review bids for signage at the facility. We still look for a December opening.   

The budget process is underway as well. Capital projects have been submitted and we are reviewing fleet requests.  Last week we met again with Enterprise to decide which vehicles we may lease next year, and which vehicles are slated for purchase.   Budget request information went out last week to Commissions as well.

Last week’s presentation in the Local Government Leadership Academy was on Supervisory Feedback.  We will be halfway through at the next meeting.  The next session is on Supervisory Communication.  Officers Kappas and Wilkins graduated from the Academy on Friday, August 16, 2024.  They now begin field training so don’t be surprised by two-person cars for a bit.   Interviews for new Firefighter/Paramedics were held last week as well.  

I met with department heads in staff meeting and individually last week as well as Enterprise Fleet, representatives of the Union project, and the July 4^th Committee. It was a review meeting for the July 4^th Parade.  With a little money in the bank from the last two years, we can begin the search for talent for the parade already.  One thing we will need to make clear next year is that water balloons and hoses will not be allowed from residents and their guests.  Other than that most of the feedback about the parade was very positive.

Matt Harline

Village Manager