Oglesby to cordon off part of east wall at Senica Square

Oglesby will put up a snow fence 5 feet around the east wall of Senica Square, but the City Council decided Monday closing the green space altogether was unnecessary.

Mayor Dom Rivara read aloud a letter from the advisory committee recommending the gates be locked until further notice. Engineer Jim Clinard said he inspected the wall, and while there is a risk of falling brick, a snow fence is sufficient to protect the public.

“I have no concern about the complete collapse of that wall,” Clinard said.

Commissioner Jason Curran said he was “a little surprised” by the closure recommendation and was further satisfied with Clinard’s recommendation that periodic inspection of the wall would be sufficient.

“I’d like to proceed with the idea of getting tables and benches with the idea of hosting more events at Senica Square,” Curran said.

Separately, masks now are optional at Oglesby City Council meetings. Earlier Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker issued an executive order lifting the mask requirement in public places. Rivara and Curran removed theirs during the meeting as did members in the spectator gallery.

Commissioner Carrie Lijewski, a health facility administrator, noted hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and schools (for now at least) still require masks and urged people to stay apprised as controls are lifted.

“There aren’t going to be any vaccine police asking, ‘Have you been fully vaccinated?’ ” Lijewski said.

Finally, any business owner interested in upgrading their lighting should call City Hall: Oglesby will help eligible businesses dip into a reimbursement program run by the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.

Commissioner Jason Curran said the IMEA has a reimbursement program for lighting upgrades and other energy-efficient improvements. Oglesby used to get back up to $9,200 but that figure has soared to $16,300 and there’s room for businesses to seek reimbursement, too. Businesses should call before July 1.

“If it doesn’t all get utilized? No problem,” Curran said. “We’re going to use it all up.”

In other matters, the council:

• Approved the appointment of Mike Benjamin to the Police Commission Board, replacing Matt Glupczyski.
• Approved the appointment of Mark Vandewyngaerde to the Police Pension Board, replacing Tom Porter.
• Adopted part-time wages (no benefits) to attract a journeyman lineman at a rate of $51 per hour ($53 for crew supervisors) as the city has so far been unable to attract a full-time lineman.
• Announced the citywide 50-50 raffle is up to $7,000, buoyed by a city contribution of $6,000.