Due to the snow storm and snow removal there will be no parking on Main Street Until Further Notice“A Day’s Work”
I often say that we are very busy at Village Hall but what does that mean? Right now, it’s a combination of many activities.
We are in the midst of a budget which involves all departments and the Village Board. The lion’s share of the work rests in the Treasurer’s office and this work which began in January and will be ongoing for the next month. Once the budget is set the baton is passed to the Village Clerk, who is the Receiver of Taxes. She is responsible for the tax levee, sending out tax bills and then collecting. What I wrote in one sentence is an extraordinary amount of time and work, sometimes with challenges and always about ensuring the process and reporting is done accurately
This year is the added layer of an election. The Clerk is responsible and runs the election process and procedures. This work began over 6 months ago. An election has many moving parts that have to be deftly coordinated and scheduled. A roster of candidates, petitions, a creation of an official ballot, absentee ballots, filing from candidates, ensuring election inspectors are available and prepared, all leading up to a long day at the polls.
Meanwhile, daily work needs to be accomplished including critical training of current employees but also new employees. We have a new Water Billing Clerk who is learning the complexity and responsibilities of that position. Daily tasks in the office are many and the most important is the interface with the public. It often feels that there aren’t enough hours in the day.
Simultaneously we are also working on Labor Contract negotiations for our Department of Public Works. This occurs every 3 or 4 years depending on the previous contract.
This is a snapshot of an extremely busy Village Hall. The men and women who comprise the staff are not only hardworking but proud of what they accomplish daily. The reason is a level of professionalism but also dedication to their community and the continuity and betterment of local government. What I appreciate is the openness for change, sharing of ideas and a willingness to look at tasks with fresh eyes and insight. It’s through that ability that we grow.
