River Forest Meeting Roundup

Couldn't make it to Tuesday's special 7:30 a.m. River Forest Village Board meeting? Patch has the recap:

Police cruisers purchased: Trustees approved the purchase of two new Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers for a total of $47,132. The money is part of the 2011-2012 budget's capital equipment replacement plan, which also calls for the future purchase of two police utility vehicles.

Sign ordinance approved: The village board put an ordinance on the books regulating the placement of temporary signage in River Forest. Those looking to erect a temporary sign must now apply for a permit and comply with a 15-point list of requirements, including certain limitations on the sign's content and size. The permit fee was lowered to $50, down from $100.

Keystone timeline extended: Citing a lack of funding, officials at Keystone Montessori asked the village board to consider the extension of a deadline for the school to complete some first-floor masonry work at the facility, 7401 W. North Ave. The extension was granted.

Contract awarded: Minooka-based Magic Hands Tree Service was awarded a $36,185 contract for the removal of 45 trees throughout the village, a continuation of an existing six-year tree pruning cycle. Most of the trees scheduled for removal have been affected by Dutch Elm disease.

Proclamation declarations: The village board recognized a long list of upcoming designated awareness events. The list includes Police Week, All Heads in Helmets, Motorcycle Awareness Month, Crop Walk Day, Emergency Medical Services Week, International Building Safety Month, National Public Works Week and Mental Illness Awareness Month.

Reports OK'd: Also approved at the meeting were the monthly reports from village finance director Joan Rock and village administrator Eric Palm. Rock's report offers totals on village expenditures for March (the $1,174, 909.66 total includes general fund expenses and payroll) and an outlook on revenues. The report accompanies this story.

Palm's report welcomes aboard trustee-elects Carmela Corsini and Colleen Horrigan and incumbent Susan Conti, who won the seats in the uncontested April 5 elections.