Due to the snow storm and snow removal there will be no parking on Main Street Until Further NoticeWhen it seems the rest of the world is slowing down, it’s a busy time at Village Hall. In part it’s the municipal calendar of Village elections in March but also we are preparing our annual budget and for significant infrastructure projects: the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Well #3 and the Reservoir Water Storage Tank. We are also involved with labor contract negotiations and are making sure we are ready for the continuum of Winter storms.
So while the Village sleeps there are Department Heads that are a bit sleepless trying to figure out costs for materials and the proposed projects throughout the coming year. We measure ourselves on what we can accomplish as we try to anticipate the window of opportunity to get work done.
Over time I’ve been impressed by this process and the incredible effort it takes to prepare and finalize a budget and to make the ideas/aspirations/inspiration into accomplished projects. It is the coalescence of the Village Board and our various Departments that determines what will be done, the cost involved and most importantly the financial ramifications it may have on our residents.
Today an ice storm has quieted our community. Village Hall was closed as was my store, so although home, I ZOOMed my way through the day – a meeting with the Chamber, then our Engineering Consultant on the Wastewater Plant Project and on and on… I’m grateful for the ability to connect and to do business even in the worst of weather but a Winter nap would have been such a welcome addition!
So, yesterday a small clay pot with a hardy little marigold with multiple blooms was delivered to my office. A marigold in winter and a certain joy that connected me to my son and to life. It reminded me of the happiness we find in the small rituals of life and even during the dark days of the year is the anticipation that all will be well and spring will return.
