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Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal News Editor

    During its first meeting in the new village hall and public safety building Monday night, the New Baden Village Board tackled resident concerns ranging from tournament parking enforcement to sidewalk maintenance.
    One of the evening’s most discussed topics was parking citations issued during a recent baseball tournament at New Baden Community Park.
    New Baden Park Booster board president Justin Dunning voiced concerns about the citations, saying numerous visitors received tickets for parking on the grass during the event, which featured dozens of baseball teams and attracted participants and spectators from across the region.
    “I don’t think anyone should be ticketed in the park when coming to activities for parking on the grass,” Dunning said. “That includes sporting events, the Farmers Market, the chili cook-off and June Jamboree.”
    Dunning noted that the Park Boosters have hosted events in the park for six years without parking issues and questioned why citations were issued during the tournament while grass parking has been common at other community events.
    “At the park, you can park in the grass for the Farmers Market, and then the very next week, you can get a ticket (for parking in the grass) for supporting a Boosters sporting event,” he said.
    Dunning said that it was “frustrating” that sponsors of the boosters, volunteers who prepped the fields, and grandparents of players coming to town all received tickets for parking in the grass when the same standards are not being held for all events.
    “They park in the same spot they did for the Farmer’s Market yet receive a ticket because it is a sporting event,” said Dunning. “From my perspective, it seems like a direct shot at the Booster Club who has spent countless hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars making it a great place.”
    He said he was told that he needed special permission and designated areas for the “overflow” parking, but their event did not need additional parking accommodations.
    Dunning emphasized that his comments were not directed at organizers of other events, including the Farmer’s Market, but wanted there to be consistency in enforcement.
    Dunning said he asked Mayor Bob Oster if the Farmer’s Market could stop parking on the sports fields.
    “Mostly the corner fields by the four-way especially since the Booster Club has spent over $10,000 the last three years treating those areas for weeds and trying to make the park look better and attract more people to our town,” said Dunning.
    He added that the Farmer’s Market is a fantastic event and is great for the community, however, there is really no need for overflow parking.
    Dunning said he was seeking some “grace” from the Village regarding parking enforcement during a softball tournament that is scheduled for this weekend, and is expected to include over 70 softball teams.
    Mayor Oster said he has attempted to reach out to Dunning about options for overflow parking, however, Oster said that no one has been willing to meet with him to discuss the matter.
    Dunning responded that the Boosters have tried to have conversations with the mayor in the past, without success.
    Following discussion among board members, Mayor Bob Oster said he planned to speak with the police chief about finding a reasonable solution and indicated he would meet with Dunning to further discuss the issue.
    Sara Masterson-Holtgrave, speaking on behalf of the New Baden Lions Club, presented plans to construct a “Blessing Box” outside the O.W. Billhartz Civic Center.
    A “Blessing Box” is a small, publicly accessible, outdoor cabinet used to distribute food and basic necessities to community members in need, similar to a “free library.”
    The board was in favor of the project, and planned to approve the item at the next board meeting.
    Wesclin High School student and Eagle Scout candidate Emmitt Biggs addressed the board regarding his Eagle Scout project, which will involve sanding and repainting picnic tables located beneath the pavilions at the community park.
    The board was in favor of Biggs’ project, and will make the approval official at the next board meeting.
    Resident Stephen Sinkey addressed the board regarding sidewalk maintenance during winter weather events.
    Sinkey encouraged the village to take a more proactive role in clearing sidewalks following snow and ice storms, particularly to assist elderly residents and those with mobility challenges.
    “I love this community and I love everything we do, but I’m trying to help provide a service for those less fortunate,” Sinkey said.
    In other business, trustees approved a resolution adopting an updated Personnel Manual and Employee Handbook.
    Village Administrator Ben DeClue said the handbook had not been fully updated or formally implemented since 2003.
    “This revision marks a significant update, most of which is to current practice and to adopt requirements imposed by state law,” DeClue said.
    Updates include modernized language regarding the role of the village administrator, as well as the inclusion of Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) leave and Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA) provisions.
    The board also approved participation in the ComPsych Employee Assistance Program through the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative (IPBC).
    DeClue said the recent passing of New Baden Police Officer Dave Jordan highlighted the need for additional employee support services.

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