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GOVERNMENT
Resurfacing work to begin on portions of Kell and North College in Salem on Monday
The City of Salem has announced the resurfacing of portions of Kell Street and North College Street will get underway on Monday. Kell Street will be improved from Route 37 to 332 West Kell near the bridge just east of South College Street. North College will receive an overlay from Boone to Broughton Street behind Salem Township Hospital.
Kombs Koture cuts the ribbon in downtown Centralia
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Kombs Koture boutique into the Centralia business community at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday. Business owner Olivia Pearce thanked friends and family for their help in getting the shop up and running. Pearce says she considers opening this business a great opportunity:
Marion County Board on split votes moves forward on window replacement projects
The Marion County Board has voted 8 to 5 to move forward with a $400,000 window replacement project at the courthouse. The acceptance of the bid from Gardner-L and M Glass of Taylorville is contingent on the board finalizing a loan at its next meeting to pay off the project over a ten to 15 year period.
Examination for former Library building shows some issues, Committee members announced
An examination of the former Evans Public Library Building shows there are some issues, as work continues to potentially see the building become the Telecommunications Center for Fayette County. During Monday’s joint meeting of the Vandalia City Council and the Fayette County Board, Mayor Rick Gottman and Alderman Andy Lester...
Special Use Committee Meeting Held
A Special Use Committee meeting between the Fayette County Board and the Vandalia City Council was held at the City Hall on Monday, July 22 at 4 p.m. for the purpose of discussing issues of solar and zoning and an update on the former Evans Public Library building. Surprisingly, there were only five residents attending, three of which spoke. A 14 page draft of an Ordinance amending the Vandalia Zoning Code at Section 17.06.140 was handed out. This covered the requirements to erect, construct, install, or maintain a Small Solar Energy System, including “adequate roof access…allowed for emergency personnel”, cautionary labels, and dimensions. Included was an item stating, “Reflection angles from Solar Collection surfaces shall be oriented away from residential buildings.” Dimensions and placement of these residential panels was also outlined. Mayor Ricky Gottman added that a pole mounted panel was something new. Attorney for the City Ryan Connor said that these models could not exceed 22’ in height.
City of Vandalia Planning Commission holding Public Hearing on Monday, more discussions on Solar projects expected
The City of Vandalia Planning Commission will be holding a Public Hearing on Monday afternoon, where it is expected there will be more discussions on solar projects. The agenda for the last Planning Commission meeting on July 1st called for potential modifying of Zoning Regulations in Agricultural District. But, the large crowd on hand was interested in discussing solar projects—especially the one that is planned within 1.5 miles of the Vandalia City limits. At the end of the July 1st meeting, Mayor Rick Gottman said there would be an opportunity for more individuals to voice their opinions at the meeting coming up on Monday.
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