Village of New Baden Board of Trustees met March 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Regular Meeting of the New Baden Village Board was held on Monday, March 2, 2026. The meeting was held at New Baden Village Hall, 1 E Hanover St, with a physical quorum of the Village Board present. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Oster at 7:00 pm.
Present and answering to roll call: Mayor Bob Oster; Trustees Chris Locke, Rebecca Schomaker, Christine Jackson, Larry Thoeming, Deborah Kalmer, and Nicole Pederson. Board Members Absent: None. Staff Members Present: Village Clerk Teri Crane; Village Administrator/ Chief Building & Zoning Official Benjamin DeClue; Attorney John Long of Bruckert, Behme & Long, P.C.; Public Works Commissioner Tim Deien; Chief of Police Chuck Mackin; and Treasurer Casey Weekley. Staff Members Absent: Ambulance Director Allen Gilbert.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Meetings
Trustee Schomaker, chair of the Finance Committee, stated that Finance Committee met before this meeting to discuss the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. The next Finance Committee meeting will be on March 9.
Plan Commission: Public Hearing
The Plan Commission will have a Public Hearing on March 11, 2026, at 6pm for a Special Use Permit at 721 Lila Ct.
Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of current invoices, and minutes from the February 17, 2026, regular meeting. The Consent Agenda also included the approval of the following: 1) New Baden Lions Club request to use Village Park grounds for Easter Egg
Hunt on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 9am to 12 Noon (Rain date 4/4/2026); and 2) Lions Club request for closure of Circle Drive at Village Park for 2026 Easter Egg Hunt.
Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.
New Municipal Building Update
Mayor Oster provided the Board with updates on the new Municipal Building, progressing as expected; it is currently 7 weeks from substantial completion.
Fence for New Municipal Building
Mayor Oster reported that there was an additional bid received, but not included in the bids presented by Holland Construction, who solicited the fence bids for 568 feet of tan vinyl siding. The fence will be paid from the contingency fund for the New Building Project.
A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to table “Authorize Low Bid for Fence for New Municipal Building” until the next regular board meeting.
Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.
Public Works Vehicle Purchase: 2025 Ford F150 Extended Cab
A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Schomaker to authorize the purchase of a 2025 Ford F150 Extended Cab from Morrow Brothers Ford Inc, for $45,628. The purchase of a new Public Works vehicle was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. This new vehicle will replace the 2013 Ford F150 currently used by Public Works.
Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.
Discussion: Potential Change Order for 2026 Sewer Lining Project
Discussion: HMG Engineers and Public Works Commissioner Deien are requesting future consideration for a potential change order to the Visu-Sewer contract approved at the February 2, 2026 regular meeting. The approved contract was for 2,203 feet of sanity sewer cleaning and pipe lining at a cost of $76,333.95. The Fiscal Year 2026 budgeted $100,000 for sewer lining project. Village staff and HMG are proposing an additional 579 feet to the project at the same unit cost per foot ($34.65) as was approved, for an additional total of $20,062.35, which is still under the budgeted amount of $100,000. The consensus of the Board was in agreement and a change order will be brought forward at a future meeting for formal approval.
Permit Fee Waiver: New Baden American Legion
A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to authorize waiving the permit fee for the New Baden American Legion Post 321 for an Electronic Sign that the Legion will be placing at 105 E Hanover St (Healing Hands & Soles Massage Therapy & Spa). Tim Hoerchler, representing the American Legion, was present to answer any questions. He also stated that electric will be placed in the Village’s Right of Way along the sidewalk at that address.
Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.
Plan Commission
Appointment: Jeff Campbell
A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to approve the appointment of Jeff Campbell to the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission is now a complete five (5) member board.
Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.
Request from Metro CW Holdings for Waiver of Franchise/ Right of Way Agreement Application Fee
In December 2025, Metro CW Holdings submitted an application to work in Village Right of-Way for the installation of fiberoptic cable in order to provide telecommunication services within the Village. On the advice of Metro’s attorney, it was requested to waive the required $2,500 application fee, while acknowledging that Metro will pay the telecommunications tax. At a previous meeting, the Village Attorney raised a question about whether Metro had the appropriate permission/ license from the State of Illinois to do business in Illinois; staff has confirmed that Metro possesses the necessary licenses to conduct business in the State of Illinois.
Village Staff recommends waiving the application fee so that review of the application can begin. This matter only concerns whether the Village will allow Metro to proceed with the application without paying the required fee and is not a question of whether Metro will receive the permit/ franchise. Final approval of the initial franchise is given by the Board of Trustees and is a matter for a future meeting.
A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to authorize the request from Metro CW Holdings for Waiver of Franchise/ Right of Way Agreement Application Fee of $2,500.
Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.
New Baden Fire Protection District
Mayor Oster commended the New Baden Fire Protection District for their efforts in extinguishing a double house fire on March 1 (the fire spread from one house to the house next to it). Mr. Oster was able to see the Fire Department in action, the personnel were knowledgeable and professional and he is proud to have them serve the Village of New Baden.
There being no further business to be brought before the Village Board, a motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried; the meeting adjourned at 7:19 pm.
Agendas & Minutes
