Roscoe Trustees vote against S&H Nursery request to annex into the Village

By Jean Seegers

Reporter

ROSCOE – A public hearing was held July 7, prior to the regular Roscoe Village Board meeting. The hearing was in regard to Jamie Swanson, owner of S&H Nursery ,requesting her property, located at 5956 McCurry Road be annexed into the Village of Roscoe.  Swanson was companied by her attorney, Mark McClenathan. The property is surrounded by the Village on three sides.

S&H Nursery is currently in Winnebago County. Swanson said she has complied with all of the County’s requests except their requirement for a 33 percent set-back, which Swanson said would be too small for her business.

Swanson said she needs five acres for mulch production and storage and may move the mulch business to the Sand Trap property in Rockton, which is owned by S&H Nursery.

“Why couldn’t you have decided to do that before we got to this point,” Trustee Kevin Muradian said.

Village President Dave Krienke was in favor of the annexation. Krienke said the business is well established and would bring needed property and sales tax revenue into the Village.

“It would be better to have a thriving business than a tobacco shop.”

Trustee Rob Baxter was also in favor of the annexation. He said he doesn’t know why anyone who wanted to come into the Village should be turned down.

During the Village meeting following the public hearing, the Annexation Agreement Ordinance was voted down, 4-2. Voting against the annexation were Krienke, and Baxter. Trustee Lindsey Swanson abstained.

In other business: The Village draft audit report was presented by Dennis Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt said there were several areas that needed improvement.

Poor communication and misunderstandings may have contributed to the deficiency. Hildebrandt recommended more over-site to make sure accounting duties are carried out. Mark Lee and Associates have been hired to fill the position on a part-time basis.

Trustee Stacy Mallicoat reported on the status of upgrades to the cabin at Porter Park.

Mallicoat said the property needs a new air condition system, dry wall, and bathroom toilet. He suggested using surplus funds ($95,000) for the upgrades.

Trustee Carol Gustafson said the property is expensive to maintain. She suggested de-constructing the cabin and turning it into a simple shelter. “However, the issue of the inadequate water system needs to be addressed right away,” Gustafson said.

While not in favor of turning the building into a shelter, Trustees were in agreement on putting in a two and half inch water line at a cost of $50,000.

The property was originally intended to be a 30-acre nature and education center, but has gotten little use the last few years.

Representatives from Hagney and Associates, Architects and Rockford Health Systems presented some changes to the design for an addition to RHS Clinic on Prairie Rose St.

Since the merger with Mercy Hospital, more space is needed. The clinic will be enlarged, adding 8,800 sq. ft. The MRI unit will be moved to the rear of the building and the stone, glass and brick entrance will be angled on the property.

The next Village meeting and Meeting of the Whole is scheduled for July 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m.