Putting the city first
<span>With a standing ovation from those both in front and behind the city council table, Chester City Clerk Nancy Eggemeyer was honored for her years of service to the city on Monday.</span>
<span>Eggemeyer is retiring at the end of this year after 34 years with the City of Chester and a variety of city officials heralded her tenure during the city council session.</span>
<span>"I've never been around someone with this much honesty and integrity as her," said Chester Mayor Tom Page. "I will miss her."</span>
<span>City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover also extended his praises.</span>
<span>"I don't know if the citizens know how much you've done for the city," he said. "I've seen your car here (at city hall) on Saturday, I've seen your car here on Sundays.</span>
<span>"You really have put the city first."</span>
<span>Eggemeyer was later presented with a plaque, on behalf of the city, by Page. Even with the reflective tone of the meeting, there was still some moments of levity.</span>
<span>"Nancy and I started about the same time…," Alderman Mike Blechle began.</span>
<span>"She looks a lot better than you do," Page jokingly interrupted, sending a round of laughter through the council chambers.</span>
<span>"She keeps us in line, me especially," Blechle later said. "It has been a joy working with you."</span>
<span>Eggemeyer fought back tears as Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert and Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey also extended their thanks.</span>
<span>"I wish Nancy the very best on her retirement," said Coffey, in a Tuesday statement. "I have always had a great deal of respect and admiration for her.</span>
<span>"As the mayor indicated during the city council meeting, she is an incredibly honest individual and will give you her opinion and advice without sugar-coating it.</span>
<span>"I appreciate everybody's support over the years and I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of the ladies in the office," Eggemeyer said.</span>
<span>Page later appointed Bethany Berner, also the city's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer, to replace Eggemeyer as city clerk effective Jan. 1. Berner will also be the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund authorized agent.</span>
<span>"I have all the confidence and faith that Bethany will step up to the plate on this," Page said. "I look forward to working with her.</span>
<span>"She's a very, very sharp person and I'm pleased to appoint her."</span>
<span>Page also appointed Marty Reynolds as the new sewer treatment plant superintendent effective Jan. 1. Reynolds is replacing longtime Superintendent Kenny Surman, who is also retiring at the end of the year along with Parks Superintendent Kevin Diercks.</span>
<span>Page said Surman and Diercks will be honored during the council's next meeting on Dec. 21.</span>
<span>"Kenny is headed out to pasture," Page said. "I don't know if it will smell better than the one he was in."</span>
<span>Roundup</span>
<span>nThe council appointed Mary Beam as a part-time telecommunicator for the Chester Police Department, replacing a telecommunicator who had recently resigned.</span>
<span>nThe council approved authorizing City Clerk Nancy Eggemeyer to transfer funds on an "as-needed" basis to the water/sewer operating fund from the general fund and the natural gas fund "until such time that the city receives payment from the State of Illinois.</span>
<span>nThe council approved the annual tax levy ordinance in the amount of $835,567. The breakdown is as follows:</span>
<span>Municipal Auditing Tax - $21,000</span>
<span>Liability and Workmen's Compensation - $109,865</span>
<span>Social Security and Medicare - $97,325</span>
<span>IMRF - $110,773</span>
<span>Total Corporate Fund - $149,604</span>
<span>Total EMA Levy - $2,000</span>
<span>Total Band Levy - $10,000</span>
<span>Total Park Levy - $20,000</span>
<span>Total Fire Protection Levy - $100,000</span>
<span>Total Library Levy - $90,000</span>
<span>Total Police Pension Levy - $125,000</span>
Committee Reports
<span> - The council approved two pay estimates and two change orders to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals relating to two different projects.</span>
<span>An amount of $4,,221.65 (change order) and $174,724 (pay estimate) were approved for the reconstruction of the Opdyke Street/State Street interesection.</span>
<span>An amount of $3,053.79 (change order) and $10,226.26 (pay estimate) were approved for the Garfield Street project.</span>
Department Heads
Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey reported on the following:
<span>- Resignation of part-time telecommunicator</span>
<span>- Grace Church active shooter training</span>
<span>- Vehicle inspections</span>
<span>- C.O.P.S planning</span>
<span>- Chester High School active shooter training in January</span>
<span>- New squad car delivery next month</span>
<span>Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert reported on the following:</span>
<span> - Eight calls for service in November, including a few mutual aid calls</span>
<span> - Josh Louveau starting firefighter training in January</span>
<span> - Wildland firefighting class</span>
<span> - Meeting with new Holiday Inn Express officials regarding fire sprinkler system</span>
<span> </span>