The Huntley Farmside

              SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HUNTLEY SINCE 1960
Clie JSuntlep jfarmsiitie
HUNTLEY, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1993^- VOLUME 32, NUMBER 44
m
USPS 580-360
New Administrator Sees Huntley Growth
As Great Challenge To Preserve Community Spirit
By Tracey Schwartz
"I'm not kidding, when I say this is a great professional challenge," says Robert L. Nelis Sr. of his new position as the village administrator for the Village of Huntley. "As a person with a planning background, it gives me a chance to plan a city, and that's a fun thing to do."
Nelis started last week as the new permanent full-time village administrator. Although, it isn't a totally new situation for him. He's been serving Huntley as a part-time temporary administrator since late October.
Nelis had heard last fall of a possible opening in Huntley through an informal networking group of village managers he is part of. Guessing that filling the position would be difficult for Huntley late in the year, Nelis offered to take the job on a part-time temporary basis. As a resident of Chicago, Nelis says he had no intention of working here permanently because of the commute. However, the longer he remained here the more he found the people here were really interested in handling growth in their community correctly. So in December when Village President Jim Dhamer asked him to apply for the permanent position, he seized the opportunity and was hired after review with several other applicants.
Nelis' job of administrator seems to be one largely comprised of communicator and coordinator. Nelis says one of his roles is to act as a coordinator between the village departments that have their own specific duties; Police, Public Works and Building; on issues of mutual concern. One example, and one of Nelis' first tasks this spring, is the village government budget.
Zoning Administrator is another hat Nelis wears in Huntley. Residents and developers can talk with him about village rules and attitudes with respect to zoning and building.
In addition, Nelis will serve as the Village Planner
Grafton Board Increases Assessor's Salary, Renames Wernecke Road To Borhart Road
Rob Nelis says his new position as village admini¬ strator Huntley is a great professional challenge.
by writing a new comprehensive plan. The old one is just two years old but already outdated. Nelis feels that the old plan was not specific enough and did not require the village government to set specific standards in terms of the bottom line of what kinds of development will be accepted into Huntley.
Nelis also acts as an intergovernmental communicator. He represents Huntley on the Council of Mayors, the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC), and the McHenry Municipal Risk Management Association, an insurance pool of which Huntley is a member.
With a masters degree in urban planning (MUPP) from University of Illinois Chicago Circle Campus, Nelis comes to Huntley with extensive experience. He has worked as planner, personnel director, assistant manager and
administrator for a variety of municipalities including Willow Springs, Burr Ridge, Oak Park and Woodridge, IL. As a consultant, he has written Gilberts' second comprehensive plan. Island Lake's comprehensive plan, Aurora's residential zoning ordinance and two neighborhood redevelopment programs for the southeast side and New Chinatown in Chicago.
Raised in Hinsdale, IL, Nelis now lives in Logan's Square on the near northwest side of Chicago with his wife. Sheila, and three children; Lisa, 14, Robert L. II (Luken), 11, and Kateri, 8. Sheila who also has a masters in urban planning, just began a new job with the Latino Institute in Chicago. Nelis coaches his youngest daughter's soccer team and serves on the finance committee of St. Aloysius
continued, on page 2 .
The regular monthly meeting of the Grafton Township Board of Trustees was held February 11, 1993 at the Grafton Township Building at 7:30 pm., Supervisor Ruth presiding.
The following officers were present: Ruth, Kobia, Trom, Ziller, Borhart, Hight, Ottley, which constitutes a Quorum. Absent: Richard Enstrom.
The Board requested that Dan Darst act as Town Clerk prot em in the absence of Dick Enstrom.
The minutes of the January 14, 1993 meeting were presented. A motion was made by Ziller and seconded by Borhart to approve minutes as presented. On voice vote, all aye, motion carried.
The Treasurer's report was presented. A motion weis made by Ziller and seconded by Borhart to approve the report with the following correction: Balance January 1, 1993 Town Fund Savings from $91,028.51 to $91,028.91. On voice vote, all aye, motion carried.
The attached listing of bills was presented for approval. A motion was made by Ziller and seconded by Trom to approve all bills presented. On voice vote, all aye, motion carried.
Assessor reported an increase in property transactions and new building permits since 1989 through 1993. Due to this increased activity, the proposed assessor's salary for the ensuing term is as follows:
1994 = $24,000.00;
1995 = $24,720.00;
1996 = $26,461.60;
1997 = $26,225.45. Increases are 3% per annum beginning January 1, 1995. A motion was made by Trom and seconded by Borhart to approve the assessor's salary. On voice vote, all
aye, motion carried.
Road Commissioner reported on snow plowing and road patrol activities. Underground electric and telephone service is being installed with the cost being shared equally by the town
fund and the road and bridge fund.
Harold Borhart requested that Wernecke Rd. be renamed Borhart Rd. A motion was made by Ziller and seconded by Kobsa to rename the road Borhart Rd. On voice vote, all aye, motion cturied. Borhart abstained.
Supervisor Ruth requested $15,000.00 be moved from the town fu^d savings account to the town fund checking account. A motion was made by Ziller and seconded by Trom to move $15,000.00 from the town fund savings account to the town fund checking account. On voice vote, all aye, motion carried.
The board decided to invite Catholic charities to visit at the March meeting to discuss referral service.
Supervisor Ruth reported that a letter had been received from Ist National Bank of Marengo stating that in addition to the federal insurance on deposits of $100,000, that the bank insures deposits to the extent of $200,000 beyond the federal insurance.
Supervisor Ruth advised of the March 6, 1993 seminar in Rockford, IL for township officials. A sign-up sheet was passed around for those that wished to attend.
Supervisor Ruth commented on a letter from township officials about new legislation being proposed.
The Disability Act was discussed regarding its impact on the Township and its employees.
The next regular monthly meeting will be March 11, 1993 at 7:30pm. at the Grafton Township Building.
Budget hearings were set for the April meeting and the Town Clerk will publish and post Hearing notices.
Being no further business, a motion was made by Ziller and seconded by Borhart to adjourn. On voice vote, all aye, motion carried, /s/ Richard Enstrom, Clerk These minutes are subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.