Caseyville’s Village Board met on February 4 with Dan Cary serving as Mayor Pro-Tem. There were three speakers from the floor. First was Rebecca Take. She wanted to thank the board for including the documents they plan to vote on in the online packets for the public to see but asked why the village is paying the village to rewrite ordinances to change language that they are not following.
Next up was Billy Hayes who referenced being harassed on video by three officers that served him with an order of protection a year ago. Hayes said he doesn’t know why two of them are already gone, but he wants the third officer, Andy Reel written up or terminated for what happened last year. Hayes said Reel “is a good guy and I like him a lot, but he got involved in politics”. Hayes demanded trustee Dave Benson review the video and take action. Benson and the village attorney told Hayes to file an official report with the police and fire board if he wants something done as the FOIA requests he sent to not qualify as formal complaints. Hayes then went on to talk about the trees on Main Street that he has been complaining about for nine months that are still growing around the power lines and “making the town look bad”. Again, Hayes was told to go to reach out to any of them the next day to discuss his issues, that public comment is not a time to go back and forth.
The final public commenter, Larry, wanted to know what the Village is going to do about the sewer billing issue residents are having with Illinois American Water. Cary informed Larry that the water company is working with residents and offering assistance to those who need help paying their bill with a one time billing supplement of up to $100 and an extension of up to 60 days interest free. Trustee Matt Modrovsky said that the water company was billing only minimum amounts some months and is now catching up. Clerk Keri Lynn Cary explained that residents can request account summaries from both Illinois American and the village and compare the usage rates. Cary said no one is being double billed and she would be happy to help anyone who wants help reading and comparing their statements. There is also a letter on the village website explaining the billing process, what happened, and what they are doing to help…