Published: September 03, 2008 09:57 am      

City takes ownership of Girl Scout house

Hoopeston will use property for several events

HOOPESTON — The Girl Scout house in McFerren Park became the property of the city recently due to a technicality in a contract between Green Meadows Girl Scouts and the city.

A problem arose when the Hoopeston Youth Council, which provides summer activities for area youth, was told a charge of $200 would be assessed for use of the building by Green Meadows Girl Scouts.

"For the last four to five months, Paul and I have been working on taking control of the Girl Scout house," said Alderman Carl Ankenbrand.

According to research by Ankenbrand, Eugene Warner of the parks department and Paul Manion, city attorney, the house was made available to Green Meadows Girl Scouts in 1958. The organization had 40 years to record its ownership of the building and was responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the building. It neglected to do either.

The Green Meadows Girl Scout organization was apprised of the recording fact in a letter from Manion. As a result, the Girl Scout house became the property of the city, which will use it once again for the art show, the Hoopeston Youth Council activities and other events during the year.

"I am very thankful we have Paul on our side to accomplish things for the city," Ankenbrand said.

In other business:

-- Heard that Mayor Bill DeWitt will recommend someone to fill the Ward 1 alderman’s seat at the Sept. 16 meeting. The person will replace Chuck Davis, who resigned due to his mother’s health.

-- Heard a recommendation for the new economic development director will be announced at the next meeting, according to Alderman Brandon Hamilton.

-- Learned a water main leak in the 100 block of South Market Street was monitored during the weekend and is now in the process of being repaired.

"The water main in that area is over 100 years old," said Alderman Bill Crusinberry. He added that the water main in front of city hall is 120 years old. "This is something we will have to be deal with in the near future."

-- Learned that John McBride of ERH Enterprises Inc., the company in charge of the water treatment plant, was concerned about major power outages during the winter or in a major storm that could shut the treatment plant down. The computerized gauges would then have to be rerouted to manual and be monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the safety of Hoopeston’s water.

According to Crusinberry, McBride brought in a huge generator at his own expense to alleviate that problem. The generator is in the process of being connected, according to Crusinberry.

-- Tabled bids on the demolition of a derelict house at 602 East Main St. until the next meeting. The building is owned by Edward Beasley and Selda Lopez.

According to Alderwoman Nancy Stipp, once the house is demolished, a lien by the city will be placed on the house for the cost of the demolition.

- Learned that several parents of home schooled children would like an amendment to the curfew ordinance to give specifics about home schooled children to prevent a violation of the curfew during regular school hours.

WHAT’S NEXT

The next meeting of the Hoopeston City Council will be 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at City Hall, 301 West Main Street.