New Baden's residential growth was center stage Monday night when the village's board of trustees tabled approval of a preliminary plat for the new, 16-lot North Ridge subdivision while approving a lighting plan and water operating permit for the second phase of Caylin Ridge.

The North Ridge subdivision is proposed by local developer Ron Kalmer, alongside County Line Road, north of Clinton Hills and west of Steepleview Estates. The village's planning commission has already reviewed the preliminary plat, but has not yet forwarded a recommendation to the board.

Bill Malina pointed out that the village's comprehensive plan goal to have a street connecting County Line Road to Highway 160 is not possible with the way subdivisions in the area have been developed, and the connector will have to wait until more property to the north is developed.

Caylin Ridge is located in northeast New Baden and is being built by developer Ron Harvey, and most of the 24 first phase lots are sold. The second phase includes an additional 36 lots.

Alongside the growth in housing, the village continues to wrangle with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency over funding for a new sewer plant to serve the village.

The current lagoon system is near capacity, and the village plans for a replacement plant have been approve by IEPA engineers, but the village is also seeking a low-interest loan from the agency, and village officials and the regulatory agency don't agree as to size of new plant the village needs and the IEPA's willingness to fund the entire project.

In other board business Monday night:

The board accepted the only bid received for rebricking the west wall at the O.W. Billhartz Civic Center, to Becker Masonry in the amount of $40,300. The old brick wall--covered in stucco--has been leeching water for several years. The village had the stucco removed this past summer.

Kassen Excavating was the low bidder for building a Third Street extension in the first block south of Hanover, in front of Dr. Robert Farmer's new medical offices. The bid price is $121,616.94.

John Tune was the high bidder for a 1990 Chevrolet pick-up truck the village's maintenance department recently took out of service. Tune will pay the village $1,575 for the truck.

The board approved a request from the New Baden American Legion to stay open later than usual on New Year's Eve.

In an effort to cut down on committee meetings and provide better communication between trustees, the board unanimously approved a new meeting structure that will add a "committee at large" meeting once a month in addition to the regular board meeting.

"For me, it allows me to schedule for the year knowing I'll have that second meeting each month and I can work and have a life and also do village work," said trustee Dave Brandmeyer.

The current committee structure will remain in place, but all board members will be available to discuss matters that come before each committee. Committees will now have four members each. With only three members, two members cannot discuss any business together without the necessity for a public meeting.

The new structure is also likely to be more efficient financially. According to village administrator Bob Nielsen, the village would have saved over $600 this calendar year by eliminating committee meetings through the "committee at large" structure. Board members will be paid for the "committee at large" meetings at the same rate as regular committee meetings, $35.

The board agreed to allow New Baden Boy Scouts to place a recycling depository near the library/civic center property. Residents will be able to deposit recyclable paper in the dumpster, and Scouts will receive a portion of the proceeds to offset their camp expenses.

The issue was first raised at last month's meeting, when trustee Bill Malina asked that other locations be considered before placing the recycling container by the library and civic center, both of which are undergoing cosmetic renovations.

After several other sites were judged less suitable than the civic center site, trustee Dave Gloeckner made the motion to allow the scouts to place the container on the civic center property for 90 days while assessing the success of the recycling program and looking for more suitable placemment options.

After meeting in closed session, the board emerged and voted to suspend future building and occupancy permits for local contractor Roger Fuehne. The village is embroiled in a legal dispute with Fuehne over infrastructure issues in the Country Terrace subdivision he developed several years ago. The village has never accepted responsibility for maintenance of the subdivision infrastructure.

The city of Trenton has helped a number of low-income, disabled residents in town better equip their homes to aid in their daily mobility, but next year, municipalities will no longer have a hand in facilitating the state grants that fund the program.

Trenton has utilized the MARS grants over the past several years through Springfield-based Kolis Consulting. The grants provide 100 percent of the costs to rehabilitate homes to suit limited-mobility residents, based on income need.

This year, according to city councilman Randy Reibold, the process of qualifying residents will transfer to state social services agencies, while the cities will continue to administer much of the paperwork. Next year, the entire grant program will be directed through social services.

Furthermore, Reibold said Kolis will no longer handle the grants. "She doesn't like some of the changes they made in the program and she's not going to write them anymore," Reibold said. He said he had spoken with another grant consultant, who said he will only undertake the process is Trenton is able to qualify at least five homes. "He said for less than five homes, it's not worth the paperwork to the consultant," Reibold said.

Trenton mayor Bob Koentz predicted the shift will mean fewer people will be helped by the grant. "There isn't anybody in social services who's worth their weight in gold... or worth their weight in dirt," said Koentz. "A lot of people need it but they're not going to get much help. I guess the governor needs more money for his airplane, so he's cutting back on helping people."

Residents who believe they may qualify for the grants are encouraged to contact City Hall, but applications must be completed through a social services agency.

Paul Meyer asked council members for their opinions on his plan to divide a portion of his property in northeast Trenton into three lots and sell them off.

There is some question as to whether Meyer's proposal would be considered a subdivision or a minor subdivision, as well as concerns about water service and the access road for the home sites, which Meyer said he wants to maintain privately.

In any case, council members said the plan needs to go before the planning commission for its consideration before they take any action.

Mayor Koentz said city attorney Kristi Vetri expressed concern about future liability, once the initial homeowners have sold and the new owners want the city to maintain the roadway.

Committee on Aging chair Margaret Conley reported the senior meals facility has ordered a new refrigerator and new stove, as well as receiving nearly $8,000 to pay for them and a new computer system at the meal site.

The site's funding agency, Southwest Illinois Area Agency of Aging, provided about $3,800 to pay for the refrigerator and computers, while a private donor gave the facility $4,000 to pay for the new stove. Conley said the meal site is advertising for additional help.

The council agreed to allow residents of Branch Court in the North Creek Crossing subdivision to block off their cul de sac for a block party.

-1907-

L.G. Spies and family and Mrs. Mat. Mueller and son Henry visited at St. Jacob, Saturday.

Mrs. Peter Orschell is seriously ill at her home northeast of this city.

Mrs. Leonhard Kitchen is the happy owner of a Howard Piano recently presented to her by her husband.

-1917-

Joseph Davis departed last Thursday for a trip through Kansas and Oklahoma.

David Williams of Breese spent Sunday with his daughter, Mrs. Jac. Crepps and family here.

Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist church will give their annual Bazaar and supper October 18 at the Turner Hall.

-1927-

J.F. Heinzmann, son Rudy, and Mrs. A. Treffert and son Oscar of Shattuc, visited with Mrs. Roedler and Miss Martha Heinzmann last Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Holtgrave and family of Breese, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Holtgrave and family, Mr. and Mrs. H. Lengermann of Aviston visited with H.B. Lengermann Sunday.

-1937-

The Trenton Fire Co. wish to express their thanks to the public for their cooperation in helping make their dance a success.

Miss Stella Mugele returned home Sunday after spending several weeks in Chicago with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pfeiffer and friends.

Mr. Theodore Klasing and Miss Esther Shafer were united in marriage last October 1st.

-1947-

Francelia Wuest 3 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wuest was selected as the cutest child in the Trentonís photographic contest.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaulberd Emig Monday at the Highland Hospital.

A surprise bridal shower was given in honor of Miss Angela Weisenfeld, who will become the bride of Vernell Quitmeyer on October 4.

-1957-

Herber Heimann, 25, of Albers was killed and two others seriously injured when the car in which they were riding ran off highway 50 and crashed into a tree at 3:45 Saturday morning.

A daughter, Norma Loretta was born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rakers at the Breese Hospital on September 4.

-1967-

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Padfield were wed September 12, at St. Mary Church in Trenton.

Marine Private John Bing-ham completed recruit training at the Marine Corps recruit depot in San Diego, California.

-1977-

Lions Club prepares for Candy Day.

Homecoming queen cand-idates are Mater Dei Seniors Rosie Potthast, Donna Haselhorst (of Trenton), Maribeth Huels, and Alicia Becker.

The marriage of Miss Pat Maue and Jim Haselhorst was solemnized at 1:30 pm Saturday morning at St. Augustine Church in Breese.

-1987-

Army National Guard Private Paul E. Elsing has completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He is a 1987 graduate of Wesclin High School.

National 4-H week is celebrated locally.

Melinda Katherine Deimeke and Donald Arther Deien were married in St. Augustine church of Canterbury in Belleville, on Saturday August 29, 1987 at 3 pm.

-1997-

Police chief Tim Harris resigned without explaination.

Kelly Celeste Crocken and Norman Gregory Bowers were married at 5:30 pm June 20, 1997 at the residence of LTC and Mrs. Norman Bowers in Creve Couer, MO.

Savanna Steck, age 2, is happy to announce the arrival of her sister, Sabrina Marie Steck.

G.I. Jane shows at the Lory Theatre in Highland for $2.

Bernadette A. "Bernie" Elling, 80, of Breese, died Thursday, September 27, 2007 at Caring First Nursing Home in Breese. She was born September 19, 1927 in Breese, daughter of Paul and Mary, nee Wessel, Foppe, and they both preceded her in death. She married Alvin "Blackie" Elling August 19, 1947 at St. Augustine Church in Breese, and he died January 23, 1983. Other precedents included two brothers, Paul Foppe and Louis Foppe; and three sisters, Sr. Regina Foppe O.L.V.K., Agnes Keeven, and Henrietta Schaefer. Surviving are five sons, Tom Elling of Centralia, Lloyd (Robyn) Elling of Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, Lyle (Janet) Elling of Trenton, Bob Elling of Breese, and W. Francis Elling of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; three daughters, Wanda (Kraig) Hudson of Pocahontas, Lois (George) Zollner of Breese, and Ellen (Rick) Isert of Highland; nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren; in-laws, other relatives, and friends. Mrs. Elling was retired from the Illinois Department of Conservation. She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and its altar sodality. The funeral was Friday. Interment St. Dominic-St. Augustine Cemetery.

Full obituary and condolences: mossfuneralhome.com

John H. Schonhoff, 88, of Aviston, died Thursday, September 27, 2007 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland. He was born July 13, 1919 in Aviston, son of Herman and Lena, nee Hanrath, Schonhoff, and they both prceded him in death. Other precedents included two brothers, Clemens Schonhoff and Richard Schonhoff; two sisters, Marie Philpot and Antoinette Schonhoff; and two brothers-in-law, Victor Llewellyn and Richard Philpot. Surviving are a brother, Herman (Marcia) Schonhoff of St. Louis; a sister, Virginia Llewellyn of Chesterfield, Missouri; a nephew, Richard Philpot, and a niece, Barbara Georges, both of St. Louis. Mr. Schonhoff was retired from Alton Box Board in Highland, where he was plant manager. He was a United States Army veteran, serving during World War II. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Parish in Aviston, and American Legion Post 1239 in Aviston. A funeral mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, October 1, 2007 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston, the Rev. Dan Friedman officiating. Burial with full military honors in St. Francis Cemetery, Aviston. Memorials may be made for masses or to the charity of the donor's choice and will be received through Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston, who is handling the arrangements.

Condolences to hempenfuneralhome.com