Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works/Water Wastewater Committee met Sept. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Dewitt, Garfield, Pence, Brault, Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Marcier

ABSENT: Aldermen Petersen and Muench

GUEST: Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 6:42 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor reported on the following projects:

New Well #12: 16” well has been drilled, screen and casings are set, the well has been flow tested and water samples have been pulled. Should get the results next month. Mayor Marcier asked about that property being in the flood area and Loren stated that lot has never held water before and the well head will be above the flood plain. Loren also stated there will be no water tower on that lot.

IEPA Inspection: The EPA was here on September 9th, and everything went well, Loren is still waiting for the results. There was some discussion that at some point the city will need to switch over to chlorine gas and the city will need to purchase a chlorine analyzer so that eventually this could tie into the scata system. Loren also stated hydrant flushing will be starting the first week of October.

Watermain Breaks: 103 N 2nd St 4” watermain break on 8/23/25, public works went back and replaced 15’ of watermain due to the bad pipe conditions.

Watermain Projects: Belmont and 6th St: now completed except for the restoration, curbs were done today, and sidewalks will be done tomorrow. Brianna to Sycamore 12” watermain: the 400’ of watermain install will be done by the end of the month. S 2nd St Watermain: this 8” watermain is in the design phase and the IEPA has received the permit. TIF funds will be used for this project from Jackson to Cherry to 3rd St. They are also working on the 6” water main along Brianna Dr for the Splash pad.

OSLAD Grant: the exercise equipment is being installed this week, and the watermain extension permit was received. Public works will install this year. Loren stated they are still looking at splash pad equipment and costs and will be ordering yet this year for spring installation. Pickleball quotes are still a work in progress.

Martin Ave Extension: the road is complete, site restoration is still needed along with the pond is not draining as it should, the city didn’t design or install this. There are still some speed signs that need to be put up. There will be a ribbon cutting for the road soon with the Chamber of Commerce.

Cherry St: the bid was awarded to IPC and work is to be completed by November 5th. Oak St Resurfacing: scheduled for a winter bid after the design is completed Street Sweeper: this will run a full route this month

Staffing: 2 employees hired and 2 employees left

Equipment: the VacCon was repaired but is still leaking water, the water pump needs a new head, the parts have been ordered. Loren stated this is a 2017 and should be put on a 5-year plan to be replaced.

New 3 Ton Truck: the bed and the plow will not be installed until after the first of the year, so some minor repairs will need to be made to the old truck before winter Sugar Creek Ct: the trailers are all down, some restoration needs to be done to the ground yet, 8 dumpsters were used at $680 each for a total of $5400

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:10 pm and Alderman Dewitt seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4481