March 16, 2026 Minutes

A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 pm on Monday March 16, 2026 at the Village Office by Vice-Chairman P. Bohochik. Notice of the meeting was posted in three public places: Village Clerk’s Office, MNB Bank Stratton, and United States Post Office Stratton. Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice. A poster of the “Open Meetings Act” was clearly visible on the wall, and Vice- Chairman Bohochik directed the attention of those present to the poster. All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session.

Present: Trustee H.A. Windecker, Trustee K.R. Moore, Trustee P. Bohochik. Also in attendance were: Utilities Superintendent J. McCorkle, Assistant Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, Clerk T. Hedrick, Michael Hoback with AMGL, and members of the public Jen Moore, Dustin Ladenburger, David Sandmann, Mary Pierson and Sabrinna Morgan.      

Motion by Bohochik and second by Moore to approve the absence of Trustee J. Stewart and Trustee S. Hanes from the current meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

OPEN FORUM: No comments made.

Motion by Bohochik and second by Windecker to approve the previous minutes, claims and treasurers report as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

Motion by Bohochik and second by Windecker to suspend the rules and consider Audit Review prior to unfinished business. Roll call: Ayes: Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

Audit was reviewed and summarized by Michael Hoback with AMGL. Motion by Bohochik and second by Windecker to accept the audit results as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Utilities Superintendent McCorkle presented proposal from Figgins Construction for armor coating of village streets. Proposal was reviewed and questions answered by McCorkle. Motion by Bohochik and second by Windecker to accept and approve proposal from Figgins Construction for armor coating as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

Utilities Superintendent McCorkle requested approval to upgrade the Village cell phone and add a new line with the purchase of a tablet. McCorkle noted there were options for a free phone and tablet with two year agreements. No objections from the board regarding the upgrade on cell phone. Motion by Windecker and second by Bohochik to approve the adding of an additional cell phone line for a tablet. Roll call: Ayes: Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

Emotional Support Animal Request: Motion by Bohochik and second by Windecker to enter executive session to protect the public interest due to possible pending litigation. Roll call: Ayes: Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried. Executive session entered at 7:33pm. Motion by Bohochik and second by Windecker to leave executive session to protect the public interest due to possible pending litigation and enter back into open session. Roll call: Ayes: Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried. Open session reentered at 7:38pm. Bohochik stated that the Village Ordinance requiring two acres of land to house a horse within Village limits will still need to be complied with. Member of the public Mary Pierson expressed her intention to bring the horse to town after April 1^st. Discussion regarding landowners in the area with the required amount of land which could be contacted by Pierson for consideration to house the horse.

NEW BUSINESS:

Member of public Dustin Ladenburger spoke to the board on behalf of the Stratton Community Foundation- Community Activities Committee regarding access to electrical services on Bailey Street for food and vendor trucks for monthly events. Dustin will discuss with Utilities Superintendent McCorkle regarding service after verifying needing voltage.

Fence permit and attached land survey were reviewed. Motion by Bohochik and second by Windecker to approve fence permit at 405 Nebraska Avenue. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

Fence permit at 506 Bailey Street was tabled until more board members can be present.

Motion by Windecker and second by Moore to approve fence permit at 708 Beaver Avenue. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

Motion by Bohochik and second by Windecker to approve renewal of Time Deposit Certificate. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

Utilities Superintendent McCorkle submitted an estimate of cost to complete a cement pad at the lift station to place a generator and shed that will be moved from the north well to the lift station and a cement pad at the utility department shop to place the storage shed that will be moved from the lift station to the shop. Motion by Windecker and second by Moore to approve up to $3000 for cement pour and materials for the proposed projects. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried.

Utilities Superintendent McCorkle submitted an estimate for testing ten unused transformers in inventory. Board members would like McCorkle to inspect transformers to remove those that are known to be unusable.

Discussion on scheduled electrical projects at two locations in the Village. McCorkle has been in contact with a company that is available in April to assist with several needed electrical maintenance items. The board would like McCorkle to assemble a list of needed projects and meet again after reviewing the available budget and have more board members present.

McCorkle discussed maintenance needed on valve for swimming pool pump estimated at $1000 replacement parts. Trustee Moore will do more research on available options. Swimming pool application were reviewed. Swimming pool maintenance and employment tabled until next meeting.

Employee Report: McCorkle would like to require employees to stay within 50 miles of Stratton at all times while scheduled on call. McCorkle inquired about limiting paid training for employees after repeated failures to obtain certification as well as pay increases with additional attained certifications.

Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: Nothing new to report.

Electricity Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Water & Sewer Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Finance Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Health & Welfare Committee: Nothing new to report.

Park & Recreation Committee Report: Update on installation of security cameras at Pitner Park.

Motion by Bohochik and seconded by Windecker to adjourn the meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Windecker, Moore, Bohochik. Nays: None. Absent: Stewart and Hanes. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.

The next special meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday March 25, 2026 at 7:00pm. The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday April 20, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.