Lighting up and saving in Pecatonica

By Chris Johnson

Reporter

PECATONICA – Progress takes place over a period of time.

Saving money is progress, according to Trustee Steve Eytalis with the Pecatonica Village Board. For months, there has been discussion, with action taken on a switchover to a more economical use of municipal tax dollars. It starts in the streets, in the space overhead.

Finding a more efficient light bulb and changing it over to something that is just as effective, is just common sense, according to Eytalis.

It’s a little thing that adds up. Sometimes it begins with a slight expense, but over time, it pays off significantly, according to Eytalis.

“We, the Board, have already approved a changeover of the lights on Main Street. We want to use a more efficient bulb.”

Eytalis said he brought up the issue recently during the monthly meeting of the Pecatonica Village Board. He explained that he was looking for some answers from the Director of Public Works, Mark Rust.

“I asked about the status of the streetlight deal with Commonwealth Edison. We already owned the street lights and we already voted to replace them.”

Rust replied that the Public Works Department had received the notification and was working on implementing the Board’s request.

“They had been ordered and it will happen. We’ve got a few things going on in the Public Works Department that also requires our attention.”

Streetlight replacement was taking place by Thursday, Jan 28.

The Public Works Department also participated in an intergovernmental informational meeting at the Pecatonica Fire Protection Station, Rust explained.

“We held a meeting with the Fire Department to go over the correct operation of the fire hydrants. We have old pipes in town. Sometimes, if the hydrants are opened or closed in the wrong way, air can build up, similar to what can happen in your home.”

Rust said for those residents with forced steam radiators, the “banging” sound is the air.

With old pipes, that can lead to some major issues.

The Public Works Department also reported to Village Trustees that it might have to purchase a new piece of equipment for the street sweeper.

There are options, Rust explained, but there will be a cost involved, no matter which way the Board wanted to go. There could be a heavier expense, with a new piece of equipment possibly being required.

The Village approached the issue with the understanding it will have fewer dollars to work with this tax season, as the Fiscal Year enters its final quarter.

Discussion is expected to continue during the next meeting of Trustees with the Municipal Board.

The Pecatonica Village Board meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

The next meeting of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The Pecatonica Committee of the Whole will meet on the first Thursday of every month at 6.pm.

This Thursday, Feb. 4, Committee Members are expected to be given their chance to discuss and possibly refine their plans and their needs, for funds in Fiscal year 2016.

Workers were seen on Thursday, Jan. 28, replacing to old streetlights in Pecatonica with newer more efficient LED lights. Over time this is expected to save the village some money. Doug Schroder photo