Venango Trustees adopt 2025–26 street program, raise utility rates 3%
The Venango Village Board approved its 2025–26 street improvement program, renewed its street superintendent certification and voted to raise utility rates at its regular meeting Nov. 11 at the town hall.
Chairman Thomas Tines called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Trustees present were Tines, Cody Miller, Troy Grothman and Dennis Ekdahl. Trustee Christina Farnsworth was absent. A quorum was declared, and it was noted that meeting notices and the agenda had been posted at the town hall, community bulletin board and post office. The Open Meetings Act was available for review.
Trustees approved the minutes of the Oct. 14 regular meeting on a unanimous vote.
Miller presented the treasurer’s report. As of Oct. 31, the village checking account held $84,064.20 after $66,475.53 in credits and $66,034.28 in debits for the month. The CRA/TIF fund had a balance of $413,060.86 following one credit of $28,011.47 and one debit of $75,000. The Keno account balance remained unchanged at $103,430.67. The board voted unanimously to accept the report.
At 7:35 p.m., the board opened a public hearing on the 2025–26 One- and Six-Year Street Improvement Program. Street Superintendent Anthony Krajewski presented the proposed plan for village street projects. Following public discussion, Grothman moved to approve Resolution 2025-11-2, adopting the One- and Six-Year Street Improvement Program as presented. Miller seconded, and the motion carried on a unanimous vote. The hearing closed at 7:50 p.m.
The board then approved Resolution 2025-11-1, authorizing the signing of the Year-End Certification of City Street Superintendent form for 2025, and separately approved the Year-End Certification of City Street Superintendent for determining incentive payment for the period Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2025. Both actions passed unanimously.
In related action, trustees voted to hire Krajewski (License No. S-1021, Class A) on contract as the village’s street superintendent from Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026.
Dennis Demmel spoke to the board about the Perkins County Community Foundation and its work assisting local communities with projects.
Reports were given on the village’s water, sewer, trash and streets. The board also discussed progress on the new village well.
Trustees approved using Keno funds to enhance the Veterans Memorial area. Grothman moved to pay $799.97 from Keno funds for the purchase of three flagpoles to be placed near the memorial, and Miller seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
An audit waiver request was tabled for future consideration.
The board then voted to increase village utility rates. On a motion by Grothman, seconded by Miller, trustees approved a 3% increase on water, sewer and trash rates for both residential and commercial properties, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
The board publicly thanked Linda Chillemi for cleaning out the flower barrels on Pennsylvania Avenue.
A public forum was held at 8:53 p.m., with seven guests in attendance. Current mail was read into the record.
Trustees then approved payment of monthly claims as presented, including payments for utilities, street work, culvert repairs, publication, office supplies, trash service, audit work, legal fees, water testing, payroll and payroll taxes. Keno expenditures included payments for the well house and the new flagpoles.
Miller moved to adjourn at 9 p.m., seconded by Grothman. The motion carried unanimously.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 9, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the town hall meeting room.