Trenton's city council will scale back its meeting schedule starting in March, according to mayor Gary Sellers. Under the current structure, the council meets every Monday night for a work session, and has its official meeting on the first Tuesday of each month.

The work sessions will be scaled back to twice-monthly under Sellers' new schedule. One work session will occur on the Monday of the week prior to the regular monthly council meeting; the other two weeks after that.

Council members and department heads (with the exception of the city clerk) are paid $20 each for their attendance at the meetings. If all nine eligible city officials attend one of the work sessions, the total cost is $180. The elimination of 28 meetings will yield a savings of about $5,000, although that may be partially offset by a marginal increase in committee and special meetings. Payment for committee and special meetings are capped.

Sellers said two work sessions per month is enough. "We've talked about looking for ways to save money, and this is something that will save us money right away," Sellers said. "If something urgent comes up, we can call a committee meeting."

Boards and commissions chair Tom Harpstrite reported that Tony Emig and Sandy Mullins have agreed to three-year reappointments to the city's planning commission; and Holly Maue and Terri Drees have agreed to five-year reappointments to the zoning board of appeals. Darlene Berberich has resigned from the park board. Harpstrite said there are now two vacancies on the park board and one on the zoning board of appeals.

Council member Margaret Conley said Trenton residents should soon receive their United States Census packets in the mail, and encouraged citizens to complete and return them. Census door-knockers will follow up at addresses from which the forms are not returned. "It only takes about ten minutes," Conley said. "There are ten questions on the form." The forms are expected to arrive at all households by March 15, and should be returned by April 15. A full census count will ensure the city receives all federal and state funding to which its citizens are entitled.

The city will maintain the level of health insurance it provides for employees, at a marginal additional cost this year. There is a double-digit increase in premiums, but changes in the number of city employees who participate in the plan mean the city's collective premium will only increase by about $200 for the year.

Water and sewer superintendent Roger Maue reported city workers will drain the pool shortly to complete needed repairs before the summer season begins. There are some small tears that need repair in the pool liner, and the city must modify the grates on the pool's floor drains in accordance with new federal law. Maue is working with Westport Pools of St. Louis to retrofit the Trenton pool's grates.

Council member Darlene Ewers said she had been contacted by an "angry constituent" who had been penalized for failing to pay his city wheel tax and dog license fees by the February 15 deadline. Ewers described a difficult personal situation the resident has been through over the past several months and asked the council to rescind the penalty, which amounted to about $30.

Ewers also noted that the citizen is a volunteer in the city. Even so, the council stood behind mayor Gary Sellers' decision that the penalty should stand. "It's not fair to pick and choose who we're going to break the rules for," said Sellers.

Ewers contended that the penalties have been relaxed in other cases, but declined to cite specific instances. "It hasn't been forgiven during the time I've been mayor," Sellers said. Deputy clerk Carolyn Turner, who typically administers the vehicle and dog taxes, said she isn't aware of any cases where the penalty has been forgiven.

New Baden mayor Dave Brandmeyer on Monday presented his ideas for restructuring the village board's committees to trustees for their review, and asked that they bring their comments and suggestions to a future meeting.

"This is not to approve tonight," Brandmeyer said. "Hopefully we can have a discussion at our (committee-at-large) meeting on the 15th and then have something ready to vote on in April."

The primary changes Brandmeyer outlined included separating personnel functions from the board's finance committee, and eliminating the parks and recreation committee and folding those duties into the community coordination committee.

"I think the finance committee is overburdened with duties," Brandmeyer said. "By creating a personnel committee, we'll be able to split the workload a little bit." In particular, Brandmeyer noted that the board needs to update its personnel policy in the coming year.

Brandmeyer said the parks and recreation committee has fewer responsibilities now that the village has re-established a park board comprised of citizen volunteers.

In other business at Monday night's village board meeting:

The board passed a series of ordinances ratifying village plans for a new tax increment financing (TIF) district and business district along the Route 161 corridor west of New Baden to Interstate 64. In addition to the designation of the districts, the board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Mascoutah schools which calls for the village to return a portion of the "increment" derived from the TIF district to the school district.

TIF funds are raised by capturing any taxes caused by the increase in property values in the district over a specified period of time, while shutting out other taxing bodies from levying against those increases. The board agreed to pay the school district 27 percent of what it would have received from those increases if there were no TIF district, which amounts to approximately 15 percent of the total increment.

The board also passed a resolution recognizing that the TIF district could create future hardships for the New Baden Fire Protection District, by adding firefighting responsibilities that may cause the need for new equipment. By acknowledging that such future costs may occur, the board opens the door for providing financial assistance to the district at some future point, but no specific amount or percentage is defined.

The board approved a new TIF redevelopment agreement with Don Schomaker of SDS Stores, owner of the Kokomo Joe's convenience store on Hanover in New Baden. The board agreed to provide up to $100,000 in assistance for a project to install new gas tanks, create a drive-up window, and complete interior improvements to the building. The total project is expected to cost around $770,000. About $500,000 of the project is eligible for TIF funds. The village agreed to pay SDS Stores up to $25,000 per year for four years.

In a split vote, the board rejected the high bid of $1,825 for a 2002 Crown Victoria police car the village had advertised for sale. Board members Jerry Linthicum and Bob Oster voted in favor of selling the car, with Bill Malina, Dave Gloeckner, and Frank Mastromatteo in opposition, and Christy Picard absent.

The village will be able to use the car in lieu of paying mileage when employees take trips for meetings or training. The current mileage reimbursement rate is 50.5 cents per mile.

The board approved the donation of family pool pass to the New Baden Lions Club for its annual dinner auction, which will take place March 13.

A liquor license was approved for the Four Corners Pizza and Wings restaurant planned for opening later this month. The new restaurant will be located in the Parkview Plaza development on the east end of New Baden.

The board approved plans for a new fence along the Hanover Street side of the village's city cemetery. The new fence will consist of brick and iron work, and will be completely donated by Marvin Spaeth of Spaeth's Welding, who presented his plan to the board a couple of weeks ago.

Trustees ratified the recommendation of the New Baden park board for a contract with the North American Fastpitch Association to have a tournament using village facilities this summer. The contract was approved pending proof of insurance being provided for each of the participating teams.

New Baden's pool renovation project won't take place this spring as had been originally planned. Tentatively, the project has been pushed to the fall while the village awaits its permit from the Illinois Department of Public Health. "We applied in October, and we've been in contact with them ever since," said Brandmeyer. "We've asked for intervention from our legislators, but we want to ensure we can finish the project without affecting this swim season. At this point, we'd be pushing things, and we still don't really know when the permit will be approved."

In addition to mechanical work, the pool grant includes a number of additional attractions. The village is planning the work with the assistance of an Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant that will reimburse New Baden for half the costs. The pool project is expected to cost a total of about $560,000.

Other park improvements including a gazebo, skate park, and fitness stations along the park walking trail bring the total project price to about $800,000, with the OSLAD grant paying about $400,000. The village's half of the project costs will be paid through Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funds.

The work is now expected to begin in late summer or early fall.

-1910-

Burglars made a fairly good haul in Breese Friday at the Commercial Hotel and Saloon. Bloodhounds are being used to aid the officers in the search for the guilty.

B.J. Lager on Saturday bought for $8,235 the one-half interest of the store with two lots in Aviston, and also one-half interest in three vacant lots lying south of Lipsmeier's saloon.

The death of Anna Maria Brennel, nee Kuhn, took place at her home Sunday.

-1920-

Ella, the 17-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schoene, died after a short illness Tuesday.

Trenton plays Centralia in the district tournament at Centralia. According to the Centralia Sentinel, Trenton will be a soft touch for Centralia which in a class by itself. No doubt Centralia is almost ashamed to have to play Trenton.

-1930-

At the home of Rev. and Mrs. Calvert, Clarence Ritzheimer and Miss Muriel Fine were united in the holy bonds of wedlock Thursday evening at 7:30.

Carl Mann and family, who resided on a farm two miles southwest of town, moved to this city and are residing in the Trost residence. Oscar Bassler moved to New Baden.

-1940-

Mrs. Martha Hanke was elected president of the Cemetery Association with Lydia John vice president, Ina Eisenmayer secretary and Lora Tschudy treasurer.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Gieseke of Greenville at Alton hospital.

The Schott Brewing Co. of Highland was formally declared bankrupt Friday by a judge in Springfield.

-1950-

Daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Korte, Mr. and Mrs. George Zarcoff and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tragesser.

Supt. W.C. Dorries was elected president of the Madison-Bond-Clinton Conference.

Micheal Boggy, 80-year old retired miner and formerly of Summerfield, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Michael Hohrein in O'Fallon.

-1960-

Rev. Almar Mueller, the pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church at New Memphis, died suddenly at his home Monday.

Clarence Orschell, Jr. took over Trenton Cleaners from Morris Draper, who is entering the insurance business.

Miss Joan Fischer and Lavern Theising were married February 23 in St. Mary Church.

Mrs. Raymond Goebel, nee Rosalie Rakers, of New Baden died Saturday after a lengthy illness.

-1970-

Joseph Huelsmann of New Baden died March 4 at the age of 56.

St. Paul of Highland defeated St. Joseph of Freeberg 47-23 in the finals of the K of C cage tourney held in the Wesclin gym. Wesclin took consolation honors.

Ben Schleper, formerly of Albers, died March 1 at the Frienship Manor Nursing Home, Nashville, aged 78.

-1980-

Allan Davis was elected president of the Sportsman Club with Joe Weisenfeld as vice president.

Mrs. Fran Achenbach, 62, of Cairo and formerly of Trenton, died February 22.

Roy Trippel of Trenton died February 18 at the age of 73.

The Trenton Sun will be one of 14 Missouri and Illinois companies and organizations to be honored by the Century of Commerce Club in St. Louis.

Mrs. Henry Hagen, nee Rose Holtgrave of Breese, died February 21 at the age of 89.

Leanne Groennert of Wesclin, Cynthia Peters of Central, and Janet Timmermann of Mater Dei won first prize in the Trenton VFW and Auxiliary Voice of Democracy Contest.

-1990-

Fourteen Clinton County taverns, including 7 West and Bierman's Sports Bar in Trenton, were raided by state police. Eighteen person, primarily bartenders, were arrested, and a number of gambling machines were confiscated.

Wesclin's JETS team placed second in competition at Kaskaskia College recently.

Paced by 31 points and 17 rebounds from Paul Lusk, Wesclin Avenged an earlier defeat at the hands of Greenville, beating the Comets handily for the regional championship. The Warriors are rated fourth in the state class A poll.

-2000-

Fortunately, Mary Klasing's utility cart was the only casualty in a Monday afternoon brushfire near her lake just east of Trenton.

Two men were killed Thursday afternoon when a section of concrete wall collapsed on them at the abandoned Albers coal mine site. Both were killed instantly as part of a 165-foot tall coal storage silo fell on them as they were preparing to demolish it.

Wesclin's season ended Wednesday night after a hard-fought loss to mater Dei in the Central regional semifinals.

Clara A. Graesser, 88, of Trenton died Wednesday, February 23 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland.

Verna M. Weil, 92, of Trenton, died Sunday, February 28, 2010 at Aviston Countryside Manor. She was born June 5, 1917 in Summerfield, daughter of Louis and Emma Luettinger, nee Schroeder, and they both preceded her in death. She married Lerus Weil February 26, 1944 in Lebanon, and he died November 12, 1994. Other precedents included brothers Leroy and Homer Luettinger; and sisters Mildred Luettinger and Esther Anderson. Surviving are a daughter, Marilyn (James) Cryder of Trenton; three grandchildren, Christine (Matthew) Mannhard of Trenton, Kimberly Cryder of Trenton, and Kay (Dennie) Shopinski of Robertsville, Missouri; three great grandchildren, Mitchell Mannhard, and Cotter and Ayla Shopinski; and special friend of the family Jeremy (Jenny) Rakers of Trenton. Mrs. Weil was a homemaker. The funeral is tomorrow (Thursday) at 10 a.m. from Moss Funeral Home in Trenton, the Rev. Mike May officiating. Interment College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon. Friends may call this evening (Wednesday) from 4 to 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials to Summerfield Cemetery Association or Trenton Nutrition Center will be accepted through the funeral home.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

Ralph B. Wilke, 79, of Breese, died Monday, March 1, 2010 at his home. He was born May 25, 1930 in St. Rose, son of Henry and Theresia Wilke, nee Goestenkors, and they both preceded him in death. He married Theodora Huelsmann October 26, 1954 at St. Dominic Church in Breese, and she survives at home. Children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, other relatives and friends also survive. The funeral will be Friday, March 5 at 11 a.m. from St. Dominic Church in Breese. Interment St. Dominic-St. Augustine Cemetery. Friends may call tomorrow (Thursday) from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

For full obituary and condolences, mossfuneralhome.com

Minnie M. Tebbe, 97, of St. Rose, died Sunday, February 28, 2010 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. She was born October 2, 1912 in St. Rose Township, daughter of John and Emma Gnaedinger, nee Frey, and they both preceded her in death. She married Victor Tebbe November 9, 1938 at St. Rose Church, and he died July 20, 1983. Children, grandchildren, in-laws, other relatives and friends survive. The funeral is tomorrow (Thursday) at 2 p.m. from St. Rose Catholic Church. Friends may call this evening (Wednesday) from 4 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

For full obituary and condolences, mossfuneralhome.com

Beverly Hellmann, 78, of Highland, died Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was born in Brooklyn, New York September 3, 1931, daughter of Clarence and Sarah Bishop, nee Keener, and they both preceded her in death. She married Ellsworth “Bud” Hellmann February 23, 1957 in Granite City, and he died September 18, 2002. A son, Brian Hellmann of Highland, survives, along with a sister, Priscilla Bishop of Brooklyn, New York. The funeral was Saturday from Moss Funeral Home in Germantown. Interment St. Boniface Cemetery, Germantown.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

Lucille M. Needham, 80, of Breese, formerly of Belleville and Brighton, Michigan, died Saturday, February 27, 2010 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. She was born August 16, 1929 in East St. Louis, daughter of Raymond and Bertha Nichols, nee Witt, and they both preceded her in death. Her brother-in-law, Robert Reiss, also preceded her. Children, grandchildren, and her sister, Sally Reiss of Breese, survive.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

Luke E. Woltering, 24, of Breese, died Saturday, February 27, 2010 in Breese. He was born July 9, 1985 in Breese, son of Eric and Beth Woltering, nee Jansen. His mother survives in Highland and his father and wife Sandy survive in Albers. A daughter, brother, stepsisters, grandparents, other relatives and friends also survive. Luke was a truck driver for SED Trucking. There was a memorial mass this morning from St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese.

For full obituary and condolences, mossfuneralhome.com