Freeport council address concerns over damages

The Freeport Village Council met for their regular monthly meeting on May 8, opening with the pledge of allegiance.

Two village residents came to the meeting, Jim and Tana Fortney, to speak about recent issues they’d been having with the sewer work being done to their property at a garage on Main Street. The couple shared that the property has been damaged, with large ruts being left in the yard and equipment was stored without permission. They said that the concrete out front was damaged by the heavy equipment being used and that Border Patrol put a tap on their property that they did not sign for.

Jim asked council who would be responsible for paying for all the damage.

Mayor Larry Wells advised that he would have to take up the damages with the county as the village is not responsible for the project, nor any damages incurred because of it.

During old business, council got an update about the fence at the park. It had been decided at the last meeting that the fence needed to be removed. Dan Snyder said the project had not yet been started.

Council moved on to new business which included a concerned citizen sharing that the handicap sign outside the library was in desperate need of replacement. She said the sign was faded, it leaned, and it was difficult to see. Council member John Koch proposed that the village buy a new sign.

Wells will be reaching out to Border Patrol soon for advice regarding a slip on state Route 342. Originally, council wasn’t sure if the slip was in village limits but it has since been discovered that it is the village’s responsibility to repair it.

Council president Shelly Patterson made a motion to update a village ordinance on weed control and litter. The ordinance needs to have updated fees outlined. Council plans to have letters sent out to homeowners and renters who are in violation of the ordinance.

There was a sewer/storm drain that was damaged by Border Patrol, which the village is looking into repairing. Village Administrator Bill Morrison has gotten two estimates, one from Baker Construction and one from Stull Excavating. Koch suggested they get a third estimate, just to cover all their bases. It’s fairly standard for council to seek at least three estimates before moving forward with a project. Wells said he would get an estimate from Border Patrol when he was able.