Village Board Report – September 23

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on September 23rd:

• Adopted an ordinance approving a Special Use for property at 7407-19 N. Milwaukee to operate a 61 seat restaurant/family fun center. 
• Adopted an ordinance approving a Special Use for property at 7777 N. Caldwell to operate a retail apparel shop.

Village Board Report – August 26

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on August 26th:

• Voted to elect Robert M. Callero as Acting Mayor (see prior story). 
• Approved the creation of a commercial solid waste franchise and awarded the franchise to Groot Recycling and Waste Services.  Awarding a franchise to a single hauler will increase efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions and save our business residents an average of 35 to 40 percent on hauling costs.
• Approved an agreement with Ives/Ryan Group, Inc. to create a comprehensive landscape plan for all Village buildings and public spaces.
• Approved the bid of Central Salt Company of Elgin to provide up to 4000 tons of road salt for the upcoming winter season.  Bid price was $83 per ton.
• Approved the renewal of a collective bargaining agreement with the Niles Firefighters.  The agreement is effective May 1, 2008 and extends to April 30, 2012.

Callero Named Acting Mayor

The Niles Village Board elected Trustee Robert M. Callero to the post of Acting Mayor Tuesday night.   Callero will serve in the position until April 2009 when regular municipal elections are held.

Mr. Callero fills the office left vacant by the retirement of long-time Mayor Nicholas Blase.  Blase served the Village for 47 years prior to stepping down on Monday.

Mr. Callero was appointed as Village Trustee on April 25, 1995, and has been a Niles resident  since 1958.  He is a representative to the Niles Police and Fire Pension Board since January of 1975 and a member of the Village’s Cable Committee, Finance Committee, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Committee and Environmental Practices Committee. Mr. Callero is a certified public accountant and has worked in Niles since 1960 when he and his brother formed Callero & Callero LLP, CPA’s and Consultants.   With his knowledge of business and finance, he wants to keep Niles government fiscally responsible for its citizens.

Mayor Blase Retires After 47 Years

Mayor Nicholas B. Blase has announced his retirement after 47 years of service to the Village of Niles.

In a letter to the community, Mayor Blase stated that he will “be retiring as Mayor of Niles on August 25, 2008″.  The retirement is effective one day before the monthly Board meeting to allow Trustees to appoint an Acting Mayor to serve the remainder of Blase’s term (April 2009).

According to the letter, Blase “had no intention of running again because at 80 years of age and 47 years of Mayoring, I am tired.  I am retiring early so a Mayor candidate can start campaigning now without the question ‘is Mayor Blase going to run again?’”

Blase went on to say that he will be endorsing a candidate later this year.

“I’m going to stay in Niles – get involved in the next Mayor campaign and be available for anything the next Mayor and Board want me to do.  I have every confidence that out Niles Village Board will continue to provide service that is consistent with the past.”

In closing, Blase wrote “It’s been my honor to serve you and our employees.”

The resignation will be dated August 25, 2008 at 5:00 PM.

Village Board Report – July 22

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on July 22nd:

• Voted to approve a Planned Unit Development at 8801-8985 N. Milwaukee.  The owners of the recently opened ASSI Market will redevelop the entire twelve acre site.  Plans call for a new hotel with spa, additional retail space and improved parking. 
• Approved the renewal of an annual lease with Golf Mill for the Teen Center space.  The teen center provides a safe and welcoming environment for teen learning and interaction.
• Approved the low bid ($300,430) from Lampignano & Son Construction for the 2008 Water Main Improvement Program.   Work will be done on Crain St. between Oketo and Harlem.
• Approved the bid of Loverde Construction to demolish the salt storage dome.  The contract for a new dome was approved at the June 2008 Board meeting.

Village Board Report – June 24

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on June 24th:

• Voted to approve a licensing requirement for residential rental properties.   The license must be renewed annually and will require successfully passing an annual Village inspection of each unit.
• Approved an easement agreement with School District 63 to allow the construction of a new sidewalk near Gemini Junior High.
• Approved a proposal by Dome Corporation of America to construct a new salt dome at the Public Services facility at a cost of $99,460.
• Approved the low bid from Schroeder & Schroeder to reconstruct a public alley at a cost of $96,601.

ShredAmerica Rules!

Two Niles residents and two of their friends are making an epic 850 miles trip – on longboards!  Mike Kosciesza and Arthur Swidzinski are on their skateboards riding from Chicago to New York City.

They’ll be videotaping their monthlong trip — and all of the adventure and drama they encounter — and making it into a documentary called “Shred America.”

The Mayor of Niles, Nicholas Blase, has contacted the longboarders “on the road” and has wished them a safe and successful trip. 

Check their progress on the ShredAmerica blogsite.

 

Hello world!

Welcome to Niles, Illinois WebNews!  This site is sponsored by the Village of Niles and will provide Village news and comment from Village officials.  Our residents will always be welcome to send in a comment or question.