Village of Ladd Village Board met Feb. 24
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Ladd Village Hall, 121 N. Main Avenue. Village President Frank Cattani called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Roll Call and Attendance
Present: Trustees Patrick Flanagan, Jan Martin, Dan Nelson, Brad Nicholson, Molly Thrasher, and Bernie Victor (6)
In Attendance: Clerk Rhonda Bezely; Deputy Clerk/Billing Clerk Julie Koch; Administrative Assistant Samantha Sarosinski; Engineer Adam Ossola; Police Chief Jacob Frund
Approval of Minutes and Financial Transactions
Trustee Thrasher motioned, seconded by Trustee Nicholson, to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2026, regular meeting as presented.
Ayes: Flanagan, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher, Victor – Motion carried (6)
Trustee Nelson motioned, seconded by Trustee Martin, to authorize payment of bills totaling $175,156.99
Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher, Victor, Flanagan – Motion carried (6)
The Treasurer’s Report for January 2026 was reviewed. Trustee Flanagan motioned, seconded by Trustee Nelson.
Ayes: Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher, Victor, Flanagan, Martin – Motion carried (6)
Correspondence and Public Comments
No correspondence or public comments were presented.
Committee and Department Reports
Trustee Thrasher of the Park & Recreation Committee reported the 2026 Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10:30 am – 11:30 am. The event is for the children and grandchildren of Ladd residents. Meet at War Memorial Park, 301 S. Main Avenue, at 10:30 am.
Engineer Adam Ossola went over detailed information on costs to consider and on which direction the Village may want to go in applying for this Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant, which is due in the fall of 2026. Several scenarios were presented, and it was determined that the Village will first hold a Public Meeting to gauge how taxpayers feel about installing a 5 ft. sidewalk or an 8 ft. pedestrian path from the RR tracks on East Cleveland all the way out to Spring Creek Drive. Easements from homeowners will be necessary depending on the ROW size and the sidewalk vs. pedestrian path. The Village will inform residents of this Public Meeting so we can hear from homeowners and taxpayers about their feelings on this possible project. The application fee is $5,000 plus engineering, plus 20% responsibility by the Village, with an approximate project cost of $2,500,000.00. Trustee Nicholson asked about locating the walking path on the North side of East Cleveland Street. There is concern that people who use it will have to cross East Cleveland to get to it. This was discussed approximately 30 years ago, and the farmers were not in favor. We will start with a public meeting to discuss this project. President Cattani asked Ossola if he had a chance to look at the flags that Chris Brandner placed, indicating his desired location for a field entrance. Ossola had looked at this, and several trustees did also. It was mentioned that the area marked is not on the crest of the hill. It seems like a safe place to locate this entrance. Ossola will determine the size, and then Brandner will be responsible for all material and labor to install the entrance.
Police Chief Jacob Frund presented the council with a quote for a 2026 Dodge Ram to replace the 2017 Ford used by the Police Department. Frund reviewed all features included in the quote, emphasizing that they meet the minimum requirements for the department’s needs. The council reviewed options for 36, 48, and 60-month terms and rates before selecting the most suitable. Trustee Martin made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2026 Dodge Ram from Piehl Motors for $56,414. The purchase of $56,414 would be financed through North Central Bank with a 48-month term at an interest rate of 4.53%. Trustee Nicholson seconded the motion. The freight fees are approximate; if they are higher, we can pay this from the general fund. The council feels this vehicle needs to be lettered, which will be paid out of the general fund, and also when Chief Frund gets a price from Piehl’s. This decision aligns with the department’s budget and financing strategies.
Ayes: Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher, Victor, Flanagan, Martin – Motion carried (6)
Old Business
Updated information on Panasonic Toughbook – Bezely discussed with Bill Swanson from Itron Support, concerns about the Toughbook’s reliability and its ability to read meters. Bill explained that our IT team or Itron Support can install meter reading software on our laptops as a backup method in case the Toughbook fails. This software can be added at any time, ensuring readiness when needed. Additionally, Bezely informed the council that the Field Collection System (FCS) has a planned end-of-life date of December 31, 2028. Itron recommends transitioning from FCS to the newer SaaS-based Temetra mobile system within the next one or two years to ensure continued support and functionality. This is a cloud-based app that runs from the website.
New Business
Karyl Adams spoke regarding a water leak and requested a refund of her sewer charge due to the water going directly into her back yard, not into the sewer. President Cattani stated that the Village has not refunded sewer fees for any other water leak or when pools are filled. The Village has no way to measure sewer usage. Karyl stated that when she lived up in the Chicago Suburbs, they refunded residents all the time. Trustee Victor feels the Village should help out with water leaks. Bezely stated that although everyone feels bad for people with a water leak, Ladd is too small to absorb these costs. The rate structure actually allows for every resident who pays for sewer usage to get 200 cu. ft. of sewer each month for free, because water minimum charges are for 300 cu. ft., and sewer minimum charges are for 500 cu. ft. Karyl found no comfort in this information.
Ordinance #1206 – Granting a Request for Variance filed by James J. Bernardi. Trustee Victor inquired about why we needed this ordinance. Bezely stated she was not 100% sure, and perhaps the council should table it until Atty. Barry is present and can explain things. This was tabled until the March 10, 2026, meeting.
Ordinance #1207 – Amending Wage Rate for Part-Time Police Officers beginning with 3/1/2026 payroll. Trustee Victor motioned to pass Ordinance #1207, Amending the Wage Rates for Part-Time Police Officers as outlined in the Ordinance. Trustee Thrasher seconded the motion.
Ayes: Thrasher, Victor, Flanagan, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, President Cattani – Motion carried (7)
Resolution #1208 Establishing the Village of Ladd Events Committee. Trustee Nicholson motioned to pass Resolution #1208 establishing the Village of Ladd Events Committee, and Trustee Victor seconded the motion.
Ayes: Victor, Flanagan, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher, President Cattani – Motion carried (7)
Resolution #1209 Appointing Members to the Village of Ladd Celebrations Committee. Trustee Nicholson motioned to pass Resolution #1209 appointing members to the Village of Ladd Celebrations Committee. Trustee Victor seconded the motion.
Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Victor, President Cattani – Motion carried (5)
Abstain: Flanagan, Thrasher (2)
Resolution #1210 Authorizing Execution of Agreements for Celebrations Committee Activities.
Trustee Victor motioned to pass Resolution #1210 authorizing execution of agreements for Celebrations Committee Activities, Trustee Nicholson seconded the motion.
Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher, Victor, Flanagan, President Cattani – Motion carried (7)
Weed Abatement Quote for the 2026-2028 Seasons. At the last council meeting on 2/10/2026, Ring Lawncare was awarded the Grass Cutting for the 2026-2028 seasons as the low bidder. Stacie Ring told the council that she has a relationship with True Green, and they are willing to bid on the Weed Abatement under Ring Lawncare, as a subcontractor. The council stated that it would be fine, so Stacie obtained a quote for 3 years (2026-2028), along with getting a copy of their Pesticides Certification from the IL Dept. of Agriculture. This quote was provided to the council. After some confusion and a lengthy discussion, Trustee Nicholson motioned to hire True Green to handle weed abatement for the Village of Ladd, with all billing through Ring Lawncare. Trustee Nelson seconded the motion.
Ayes: Nicholson, Thrasher, Flanagan, Martin, Nelson – Motion carried (5)
Abstain: Victor (1)
Donation Request from Spring Valley Red Devils Youth Baseball – No actionÂ
Donation Request from Events Committee for Ladd Daze & America250th Birthday. Several trustees are in favor of a donation to this event, and trustees stated that this is for Ladd Residents, and they don’t have a problem donating. The council would like to sponsor something sizeable or give an amount that would be helpful for the Committee. After Event Committee members, Patrick Flanagan and Samantha Sarosinski, asked the council to wait until the March 24, 2026, meeting to decide on a donation amount, since they have started a donation campaign and would like to see how it goes.
Special Event Liquor License for Ladd Daze. Trustee Nelson motioned to approve a Special Event Liquor License for the Village of Ladd – Events Committee for Ladd Daze, July 17-19, 2026. They would also like to waive the fees associated with the license. Trustee Victor seconded the motion.
Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Victor – Motion carried (4)
Abstain: Flanagan, Thrasher (2)
Announcements and Future Initiatives
• Clerk Bezely announced that Ameren selected a primary and secondary location for the 138 KV line they are bringing north of Ladd from Peru to Princeton.
• Clerk Bezely announced that President Cattani will be speaking at Ladd Public Library on Thursday, February 26th, at 6 pm about his trip to Fanano, Italy, this past fall, and also about the delegates and people coming to Ladd from Fanano on September 11 & 12, 2026.
• Clerk Bezely mentioned the Village purchasing a large banner for the America250 Celebration to hang across Main Avenue. Discussion ensued. The cost was $623.00 for a 3 ft. x 30 ft. banner that will say Welcome to Ladd with a patriotic theme in red, white, & blue.
• Clerk Bezely announced that there is a Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, March 6th, from 12 – 5 pm at the Ladd Community Center. We don’t have many people signed up yet, so if you’re eligible, please consider making an appointment.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Trustee Thrasher motioned, seconded by Trustee Nicholson, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher, Victor, Flanagan – Motion carried (6)
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
https://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-02-24-MINUTES.pdf
