A Newsletter for the Forsyth Community September 12, 2019

ILLAGE ISIONVV

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The intersection where Phillip Circle and West Forsyth Parkway meet has been closed in recent days due to the expanding storm sewer project.

With major work well underway on the Phillip Circle storm sewer project, part of the roadway where Phillip Circle and West Forsyth Park-way meet has been closed in recent days.

Engineers with Chastain & Associates LLC had said from the beginning that each of the three roads — Phillip Circle, West Forsyth Park-way and County Highway 20 — will endure some periods of road closure. The closures are part of an effort to keep workers and the driving public safe during the project.

Currently, heavy equipment and materials (including somewhere in the range of 100 concrete pipe sec-tions) dominate the area just north of the Veterans Pavilion in Forsyth Park. It’s that nearby pond that will be con-nected with all the pipe sections mov-ing north of West Forsyth Parkway along Phillip Circle to longstanding flooding problems that originate in and around County Highway 20.

Remember that access to homes

Construction blocks part of Phillip Circle

will be maintained, but access to driveways will be unavailable at cer-tain times, especially when construc-tion is underway directly in front of a driveway.

Remember also that keeping resi-dents informed of the latest news on the project is a high priority; to that end, a construction email subscrip-

tion is available for Village residents. To be part of these communications updates on the progress of the Phil-lip Circle storm sewer construction project, please send an email to: ForsythConstruction@chastainen-gineers.com. Be sure to include in

Grass clippings on roadways have been the subject of stories in this newsletter frequently over the years. Just last month a resident asked that the public be reminded that leaving grass clippings on streets is bad for the environ-ment and a danger to motorcyclists.

Trustee Jim Peck, a longtime motorcycle enthusiast, said at the August 5 meeting that riding a motorcycle over grass clippings on a street is “like riding on oil.” Peck asked Village Attorney Jeff Jurgens to clarify if such an act was a violation of the law and if so how to enforce it.

At the August 19 meeting, Jurgens confirmed that dis-

posing of grass clippings into the street is a violation of the state Litter Control Act. Violations of the act are consid-ered a Class B misdemeanor. With that in mind, Ordinance No. 2019-24 amending Chapter 90 of the Village Code regarding placing materials on public streets and other public property was introduced to make it a lesser offense enforceable by the Village instead of by law enforcement.

“We should use the ordinance,” Village Adminis-trator David Strohl told trustees. “But, there should be

New ordinance regarding grass clippings passes

Library News

Library Card MonthThere’s no better time than Septem-ber to get your library card because it is Library Card Sign-up Month. Your Forsyth Public Library card lets you borrow movies, magazines, audio-books and books for all ages. It also gives you access to digital books, audio books, music and magazines. It’s easy to get a library card. Just bring a photo ID or driver’s license that shows your Forsyth address (or proof of address along with a photo ID), fill out a short form and you will soon be the proud owner of a Forsyth Public Library card. Forsyth residents saved over $680,000 during 2018 by checking out materials from the library instead of buying them, so put your card to work today!

Story TimeFriday morning Story Times return on September 20 with A is for Apple. Each session will feature stories, activities, crafts and songs centered around a theme. Stomp in on Septem-ber 27 for Enormous Elephants. Story times are for ages 2-5, with siblings welcome. No registration required.

Baby TalkParents and caregivers of children ages birth-3 are welcome to join their youngsters for a time of interaction through story, song and play. Baby Talk is every Wednesday morning from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at the library. No registration is required.

Dance with MeDance and learn with your little one at the library. Join Michi Barber from the Dance Centre at 10 a.m. on Tues-day, September 17 as she encourages development through music and dance. Sessions are geared for ages 16 months through 3, but all children not yet in kindergarten are welcome. Come dance for free. No registration is required.

Bookkeepers Book GroupBookkeepers Book Group will meet Friday, September 20 at 10 a.m. to discuss Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression by Mil-dred Armstrong Kalish. Book group discussions are open to any adult, and no registration is necessary.

Adult Cake PopsWho doesn’t love a sweet treat? “Pop” in and learn how to make and decorate your own cake pops. This class is open to anyone from beginner to expert, ages 13 and up. Materials for the class will be provided, so all you need to bring is your appetite. Join us on Saturday, September 21 at 10 a.m. Space is limited, so please call or stop by the library to register.

School is back in session. Several classes from Decatur Christian School visit Forsyth Public Library to listen to stories or check out books. This class of kindergartners listens to back-to-school stories.

Secret Life of Pets 2Don’t miss the showing of The Secret Life of Pets 2 on Saturday, September 21 from 12:30-2 p.m. Make a puppy or kitty cup, and fill it with a yummy puppy chow snack to eat while you watch. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required.

Boy Scout Reading Merit BadgeThe library is partnering with local Boy Scout leader Jonathan Winter-meyer to provide an opportunity for Boy Scouts of America to start earning their Reading Merit Badge. If you are a current member of the Boy Scouts, please join us at the library from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oc-tober 5 to learn to use the resources at the library and begin fulfilling the requirements of your badge.

In case you haven’t driven by lately here’s a look at the modern new Hickory Point Bank building springing up at 165 W. Weaver Road.

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the following in the subject line: “Subscribe to Phillip Circle Drainage Improvements.”

Completion of the project is an-ticipated by the end of the year, with the caveat that, “as with all construc-tion projects, the schedule is highly dependent upon weather.”

If you have questions, please call any of the contacts listed below:

• Jon Closs, Chastain & Associ-ates LLC, 413-7009

• Matt Foster, Chastain & Associ-ates LLC, 422-8544

• Village Public Works Depart-ment, 877-1653.

Dozens upon dozens of concrete pipe sections are laid out neatly along West Forsyth Parkway as the Phillip Circle storm sewer project progresses. The project, expected to be complete by the end of the year if weather allows, is designed to relieve the threat of flooding in the immediate area.

One of the great challenges to the Village in recent years — which is pretty obvious to anyone who comes to town — is the dete-riorating condition of the Route 51 corridor. This stretch of road is vital because it is the community’s main street, and it makes both a first and last impression for visitors, including potential residents and business partners. At the August 5 Board meeting, state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, paid a visit to Village

Hall and briefly addressed that very important subject.

“I understand your needs and the prob-lem,” Caulkins told trustees. “We need to get our corridors fixed; I’m trying to get IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) to the table.”

Caulkins said he would let the Village know if there are new developments on the subject.

Caulkins: ‘I understand’ Route 51 problem

Caulkins

room for discretion on staff’s part.”Strohl said an important consid-

eration would be “how much (grass) is being accumulated.” Jurgens recommended issuing fines for repeat offenders.

“Will there be a warning first?” asked Trustee Jeremy Shaw.

“Yes,” Strohl replied.Peck made the motion, which

was seconded by Trustee Bob Gru-enewald. All votes were Yea, and the motion carried. Environmentally, grass clippings can release pollutants from lawn chemicals and clog storm sewers creating a risk of flooding.

The new Hickory Point Bank, 165 W. Weaver Road, at Weaver Road and Market Drive, is progressing nicely. The sleek, modern design will include three drive-through lanes and over 3,000 square feet of space for a lobby and offices. The new building will replace the bank’s nearby location adjacent to Hickory Point Mall. Hickory Point Bank has five locations in the Decatur area.

Hickory Point Bank taking shape

Village of Forsyth Mayor and Board of TrusteesMayor Marilyn J. Johnson 195 E. Ruehl St. .............................433-3655Kerry Denison 873 Cara Chris .............................. .330-0795 Bob Gruenewald 718 W. Forsyth Pkwy. .....................520-5489Jeff London 255 S. Elwood St. ..........................855-4242Jim Peck 335 Forsyth Parkway .....................433-5700Jeremy Shaw 1274 Raptor Lane ................ (309) 830-0509David Wendt797 Christopher Drive ....................877-2935

Village Hall ....................................877-9445301 S. Rt. 51, Forsyth, IL 62535Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed 12:30-1:30 p.m. for lunchwww.forsythvillage.usEmail: Info@forsythvillage.usTwitter: @ForsythILInstagram: ForsythIL

Forsyth Public Library .................877-8174 www.forsythlibrary.com

Public Works ................................877-1653

for 23 years

Forsyth Fast FactsItems of interest from village staff and recent board meetings

Local Postal PatronForsyth, IL 62535

Presorted StandardU.S. Postage

PAID Forsyth, IllinoisPermit No. 2

Macon Space Self Storage, 1335 S. Elwood St., opened for business this week on September 9. Construc-tion went well as ground was broken in May, with a projected fall opening. Macon Space Self Storage offers a variety of indoor storage options, in addition to outdoor boat/RV storage. For more information, go to macon-spacestorage.com, send an email to matt@maconspace.com or call (217) 615-1375. In the previous Village Vision, it was noted that Niche, an organization that presents data on U.S. colleges, schools, neighborhoods, and com-panies, named Maroa-Forsyth High School the Best Public High School in Macon County for 2020. It should be added that Niche also named Maroa-Forsyth School District an impres-sive No. 34 on its list of best school districts in Illinois — that’s out of 408

districts! Rankings are based on sta-tistics and reviews from students and parents along with data from the U.S. Department of Education. Congratula-tions! Recent posts to the Village’s social media accounts note that a key demo-graphic closely considered by devel-opers when looking to expand in a community is the local median house-hold income. Why? Because median household income is an indicator of both an area’s economic status and its ability to support new businesses. For the record, Forsyth’s median house-hold income: $100,154. The next regular meeting of the For-syth Board of Trustees is scheduled for Monday, September 16, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. in Village Hall at 301 S. Route 51 in Forsyth. Board meetings are held the first and third Mondays of the month and are open to the public.