South Central Reporter

Village of New Baden Board of Trustees met March 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Regular Meeting of the New Baden Village Board was held on Monday, March 3, 2025. The meeting was held at New Baden Village Hall, 1 E Hanover St, with a physical quorum of the New Baden Village Board present. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Zurliene at 7:00 pm.

Present and answering to roll call: Mayor Taylor Zurliene; Trustees Bob Oster, Chris Locke, Cindi Meredith-Wheelan, Rebecca Schomaker, Christine Jackson, and Larry Thoeming. Board Members Absent: None. Staff Members Present: Village Clerk Teri Crane; Village Administrator/ Chief Building & Zoning Official Ricky Johnson; Attorney Luke Behme of Bruckert, Behme & Long, P.C.; Chief of Police Chuck Mackin; Public Works Commissioner Tim Deien; and Ambulance Director Allen Gilbert. Staff Members Absent: Treasurer Casey Weekley.

Finance Committee Meeting

The Finance Committee will meet on March 4 at 5pm to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.

Citizens’ Opportunity to Address the Board

Several residents were in attendance to ask questions and address concerns with the New Baden Village Board about construction of the new municipal building. The new building is designed to house Village Hall, the Police Department and the Emergency Services/ Ambulance. The building will be located on East Cedar Street at State Route 160. Mayor Zurliene stated that the approximate cost of the construction of the building is $8 million; bids are due on March 4, which will provide a more accurate cost for the construction. Holland Construction Services Inc is the construction manager and is responsible for the bid letting. The building is designed by FGM Architects Inc.

Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Schomaker to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of current invoices and minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 18, 2025.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Resolution 2025-03-03-A: Intergovernmental Agreement for the Operation of Ambulance Services

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to approve Resolution 2025-03-03-A: Approving and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of an Intergovernmental Agreement for the Operation of Ambulance Services. This agreement is with the Lookingglass Emergency Services District.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village of New Baden and the Lookingglass Emergency Services District for the Operation of Ambulance Services

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village of New Baden and the Lookingglass Emergency Services District for the Operation of Ambulance Services. The Lookingglass Emergency Services District was formed by referendum at the November 2024 general election. It is necessary for the Village of New Baden to continue to operate ambulance services until the Lookingglass Emergency Services District can do so.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming. 

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Police Dept.: Trade-in of Elite A4 Rifles

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Oster to authorize Chief of Police Mackin, on behalf of the New Baden Police Department, to Trade-in the Elite A4 Rifle, 5 Units, to Rock River Arms Inc for $1,875 total. This trade-in value will be applied to the purchase price of new firearms from Rock River Arms. These firearms were originally purchased from Rock River Arms Inc in 2007.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming. 

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Police Dept.: Purchase LE Enhanced Select Fire CAR A4 Firearms

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to authorize Chief of Police Mackin, on behalf of the New Baden Police Department, to Purchase the LE Enhanced Select Fire CAR A4, 8 units, from Rock River Arms Inc for $13,658.40, minus Trade-in Value of $1,875, for a Total Cost $11,783.40

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming. 

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Park Boosters Request: Purchase Percussion Play Ensemble for The Village Playground

Kayla Gentz, of the New Baden Park Boosters Playground Committee, was present. She thanked Tim Deien and the New Baden Public Works Department for their help in removing the old playground equipment, anticipating the installation of the new playground. Ms. Gentz also stated that Lake Contracting (licensed Little Tikes Playground installers, who will be installing the new equipment) did inspect the existing playground equipment and deemed it unsalvageable; there had been inquiries about churches or organizations acquiring the old equipment.

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to authorize the purchase of the Percussion Play Ensemble as part of The Village Playground for $12,404. This is the inclusive playground that will be installed as part of an OSLAD Grant with the State of Illinois, between the Village of New Baden and the New Baden Park Boosters. The playground will be installed at no cost to the Village; the playground is paid for by the fundraising efforts of the Playground Committee under the New Baden Park Boosters. Since the Village applied for the OSLAD grant in conjunction with the Boosters, all expenditures must be authorized by the Village.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming. 

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Park Boosters Request: Poured in Place Safety Surface for The Village Playground

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to authorize the purchase of the Poured in Place Safety Surface from Ecoturf Playground Surfacing as part of The Village Playground for $107,873.79. Since the Village applied for the OSLAD grant in conjunction with the Boosters, all expenditures must be authorized by the Village.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

There being no further business to be brought before the Village Board, a motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Schomaker to adjourn the meeting.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

https://newbadenil.com/agendas-minutes/