With the stucco siding from the O.W. Billhartz Civic Center's west side removed and the crumbling, nearly mortarless brick wall behind it exposed, New Baden village trustees voted on Monday to seek bids to repair the wall.

According to New Baden village administrator Bob Nielsen, the wall has a double thickness of brick, and the outside layer will be removed and replaced with new brick and mortar.

The building, once the gymnasium of the old New Baden school, was reconfigured when the village acquired it many years ago. What is now the exterior brick wall was once an interior brick wall, and the bricks are not designed to withstand the elements.

The solution during the original renovation was to install a stucco wall as an outer covering for the wall, but over the years moisture has seeped and trickled behind the stucco and eroded the brick behind it.

Now, the village intends to replace the old "inside" brick with "outside" brick. The village board has appropriated $100,000 this fiscal year to begin improvements to the civic center. Future projects will involve removing the hockey boards from the gymnasium floor, and bathroom and kitchen upgrades.

For now, the board simply wants to ensure that the water damage is contained and the potential for future damage is mitigated.

The project is being completed using tax increment finance (TIF) funds, which are created by the development of properties and taxes within a specified area of town. Those funds are then diverted to a special village account and can be used only for certain purposes. Parks and recreational facilities are one such permitted use.

The board also approved on Monday a bid-letting for renovations to the south bathroom at New Baden Park, a project that will also be paid by TIF funds.

In other business Monday:

- The board voted to annex into the village the property belonging to village employee Teri Crane.

- Streets were accepted for phase one of the Caylin Ridge subdivision, although the village has not accepted other infrastructure like sanitary sewers or sidewalks. Caylin Ridge developer Ron Harvey installed a walking path and landscaping in one location where a sidewalk was planned, and the village has not approved the change in the plat.

- A request from New Baden Boy Scouts to place a paper collection bin near the O.W. Billhartz Civic Center was tabled after board member Bill Malina expressed reservations.

Malina suggested another location be sought for the collection bin, especially in light of the ongoing improvements at the library and civic center. "We're trying to improve the library, and we're about to spend $100,000 on the civic center, and now we're going to put a dumpster in the middle of the parking lot," Malina said.

He said a similar collection bin had been placed at the location in the past, and the village had it removed after people began leaving refuse and other non-recyclable items there. "We had one there before and it was a mess," said Malina. "It's an eyesore."

Board member Dave Gloeckner said the construction of the collection bin would discourage the dumping of trash and other articles there. Village administrator Bob Nielsen said the company that places the bins takes responsibility for separating acceptable from non-acceptable items and cleaning the area periodically.

Malina suggested a better location could be found, perhaps on another village-owned lot or property, and Gloeckner agreed to table the matter until more options can be considered.

- The board approved allowing residents to install a second "piggy-backed" meter for sprinkler and watering systems that would enable the village to charge them for water, but not force homeowners to pay sanitary sewer charges on water that does not empty into the sewers.

- A series of intrafund transfers were approved, including permanent TIF fund transfers of $18,500 to the civic center fund for repairs to the wall and $24,000 to the park fund to pay for the new lights at the American Legion field; a permanent transfer of $200 from the general fund to the civic center fund; and temporary loans from the general fund of $3,500 to the pool fund and $10,000 to the emergency services fund for ambulance purposes.

New Baden's village board on Monday rejected a request to install a planned unit development which would allow "single-family attached dwellings" or uniplexes in part of the new Eastview Subdivision.

Developers of several dwellings in the area have been seeking the allowance of attached dwellings that would be sold as separate units condominium-style for about two years and have been before the village board and its planning commission and zoning board of appeals on several occasions.

Village code had prohibited single-family attached dwellings until the board passed a code change allowing "planned unit developments" (PUD) about two months ago.

The developers' subsequent request to have the zoning on their properties changed from SR-2 to the new PUD category was recommended for denial by the village's zoning board, and the developers' proposed plat for the PUD was also rejected by the planning commission.

The village board's vote to ratify the zoning and planning recommendations was split, and required a tie-breaking vote from mayor Tim Hoerchler.

Trenton Village Retirement Community has reached capacity and plans to add ten additional apartments to their facility.

Trenton zoning administrator Christine Benson reported to Trenton's council on Monday that she has approved a building permit for Trenton Village to add on to their facility.

Trenton Village LLC, which owns and operates the facility, met with Trenton's Tax Increment Finance committee on Monday also to ask for TIF assistance with the project.

The facility is within Trenton's TIF district, although they did not ask for assistance on the original construction project.

The additional ten units will add about $300,000 to city tax coffers over the life of the TIF district (about another 19 years), and the TIF committee agreed to provide Trenton Village with $100,000 spread over 12 years. The city will be able to use the additional $200,000 for a limited set of purposes, including infrastructure within and leading to the TIF district and other incentives to development.

The Trenton city council must still ratify the TIF committee's recommendation.

TIF works by directing property taxes created by increases in tax assessments in the specified area to a city-controlled account, rather than divvying it up among other taxing bodies like schools, special service areas, townships, and other units of government. TIF districts are limited to either 23 years or 35 years in duration, and in theory provide a mechanism for a more stable long-term tax base for the community.

The Trenton Village project will also create four full-time and five part-time jobs.

- 1907 -

Born to W. Zeisset and wife a boy Sunday.

A committee soliciting funds for a hospital to be built here, reports that several thousand dollars have been raised.

It is no longer necessary to attach the blue "go quick" stamp to a letter in order to secure special delivery. Twelve cents in stamps will accomplish the purpose.

Philip Bassler is having a new residence built on his farm near the southern limits of this city.

- 1917 -

Miss Marguerite Riemann, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Riemann, was united in marriage to Dr. Arthur Heinicke of Ithaca, N.Y. on Sept. 15 in the Planters Hotel, St. Louis

The second contingent of soldiers of the selected draft left Carlyle Wednesday. Among them were seven of Trentonís best known young men: Oscar Hanselmann, Oscar Koentz, Walter Emig, Fred Bayer, Walter Koehler, David Dirks and Arthur Niemeyer.

Mrs. Henry Rakers died in Aviston Tuesday at age 26.

Rural mail carrier John R. Schaefer of Summerfield is going to move to Trenton because rural mail will not be handled at the Summerfield post office any more. He has been appointed carrier of R.R. 2, Trenton.

- 1927 -

Many improvements are being made at the Turner Hall giving more space to the main floor and more seating capacity in the balconies.

The marriage of Miss Wilma Kuhn and Russell Schoene took place Wednesday evening at the Methodist parsonage.

Fire, believed to have been started by burglars, destroyed the plant of Michaelís Lumber & Hdw. Co. of St. Jacob Sunday morning with an estimated loss of $80,000.

Walter Yaeger of New Baden was shot to death Sunday night while resisting holdup men in Ohio.

Louis Germain died Sept. 9 at the age of 83.

- 1937 -

Homer Lee and Miss Vera Weil were united in marriage in St. Louis last Friday.

Sylvester Franklin, father of Miss Ruth Franklin, who gave dancing lessons in this city, died at his home in St. Louis Sunday.

Dr. A.W. Carter was elected president of the Sugar Creek Church organization with J.L. Wilson of Highland as vice president.

Miss Leila Walker, who has been employed by the Louden Beauty Shop the past two years, resigned her position and left for Chicago.

- 1947 -

Jacob Baer, 75, of New Baden died Sept. 17 at the Breese Hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Orschell celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Sunday with a family gathering.

The marriage of Miss Ella Mae Hoffman of New Baden and Walter Thoele of Germantown was performed at St. George Church on Sept. 11.v

R.W. Ziegler and Edward Frank of Highland last week purchased the Rink Jewelry Store in Carlyle.

James Peters, 58, of Summerfield died Sept. 15 in Veterans Hospital at Marion after a long illness.

- 1957 -

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Wright on Sept. 13.

The Zion United Church of Christ of New Baden was the scene of the Saturday afternoon wedding of Miss LaVerne Huelskoetter and Donald Laux.

Claude Bopp is president of the Wesclin seniors, Gerald Beine of the Juniors, and Kenneth Campbell of the Sophomores.

Henry Welling was appointed supervisor of Sugar Creek Township after resigning as alderman of the second ward.

- 1967 -

Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Loehring of Summerfield were surprised with a party on their silver wedding anniversary.

Sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Bohn Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Ron Foppe and a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Drees.

Miss Theresa Hammer was married to Tom Padfield on Sept. 12 in St. Mary Church.

The Trenton Womanís Club entered its fortieth year. Mrs. Mary Pennington is the president.

Airman Third Class Ronald Witt has been selected for technical training at Sheppard AFB, Texas.

Kenneth Graul has joined the junior membership ranks of Holstein-Friesian Association.

Duane Gartside has agreed to serve as scoutmaster for the Trenton Boy Scouts.

- 1977 -

The Wesclin School District #3 reported a total enrollment of 1453, a decrease of 17 from last year.

The 16th annual Kuhn reunion was held at Lindendale Park, Highland, with 133 members and friends present.

Calvin Bassler, 50, died Sept. 9 at his home in Trenton.

Manager Marv Wehrleís Trenton team finished second in the Clinton County Baseball League.

Keith OíMalley of Trenton sank a hole in one on number 8 at Locust Hills Country Club, Lebanon.

Ralph Pitt, 79, of Centralia died last Thursday at the hospital in Breese. He was a native of Trenton.

Chief of Police Robert Vollmer of New Baden died unexpectedly Sept. 7 one week short of his 54th birthday.

- 1987 -

There was a special meeting of the Trenton City Council on September 8 to discuss and approve the final plat of Northland Acres.

The Trenton Womanís Club will kick off their 60th year on September 21.

Donna Henss and Bob Litteken announced their engagement. The couple plans an October 10 wedding.

Mrs. Rose Kampwerth, 84 of Carlyle, died September 9.

-1997-

The second Family Fun Day celebration will be held this Saturday the 13th.

Jami Mariah Satterfield and Jeffrey Ryan Brokering exchanged vows.

American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 1 to 6 pm September 17th.

Wesclin School District starts to serve breakfast.

Ronald G. Wehrle, 64, of Trenton, died Sunday, September 9, 2007 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born June 16, 1943 in Trenton, son of Eugene "Doc" and Margaret "Marge", nee Drees, Wehrle, and they both preceded him in death. Other precedents included brothers Harold Wehrle and Donald Wehrle; a sister, Shirley Kanaske, and a brother-in-law, Matt Kanaske. Surviving are a daughter, Angela (Rob) Wegman of Trenton; special friend Mary "Bougie" Bassler of Trenton; two grandsons, Reiss and Rhett Wegman; a brother, Marvin "Bum" (Joyce) Wehrle; a sister, Phyllis (Don) Zurliene of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Wehrle of Trenton; other relatives and friends. Mr. Wehrle was retired from the State of Illinois after 35 years as a Land Acquisition Agent. He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Trenton, and the Trenton Sportsman's Club. The funeral was this morning (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton, the Rev. Tom Rankin officiating. Interment Trenton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

Florence H. Mueller, 89, of New Baden, died Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at Clinton Manor Living Center in New Baden. She was born February 12, 1918 in New Baden, daughter of Herman and Minnie, nee Determan, Kuhn. She married John V. "Bud" Mueller on May 24, 1941 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden, and he survives in New Baden. Also surviving are her daughter, Carol Ann (Don) Haselhorst of Springfield, Missouri; three grandsons, Darin (Denise) Haselhorst, Clint (Alissa) Haselhorst, and Brent (Shea) Haselhorst; two great grandchildren, Cole Haselhorst and Kayley Haselhorst; a brother, Ernest (Wilma) Kuhn of New Baden; a sister, Betty (Philip "Mel") Lee of New Baden; and two sisters-in-law, Janet Kuhn of New Baden and Jane Kuhn of Florissant, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Cornelius Kuhn, Denis Kuhn, and Joseph Kuhn; and a sister-in-law, Marie Kuhn. Mrs. Mueller was a homemaker, and was retired from Wilbert Vault Company in New Baden. She was a member of St. George Catholic Parish and Christian Mothers, St. George Altar Sodality, and St. George Choir. The funeral was Saturday from St. George Church, the Reverend Gene Neff officiating. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, New Baden. Memorials may be made to Multiple Sclerosis or St. George Parish, and will be accepted through Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden.

Condolences to hempenfuneralhome.com