Morris OKs safety upgrade to dangerous crossing

MORRIS -- Drivers will soon be safer crossing at the junction of Liberty and Chapin streets, under action taken by aldermen Monday night.

The council voted to pay $76,660 to Ayers Electric to install traffic signals at that intersection. The motion passed with a 6-1 vote. Alderman Randy Larson voted no.

Alderman Donald Barkley was absent as he recovers from a broken hip due to a fall almost two weeks ago.

Traffic signals have been absent only at that one intersection of Liberty Street for decades to make it easier for school buses to make their routes, Mayor Richard P. Kopczick said.

However, now with increasing traffic on Liberty Street, driving conditions have become more dangerous.

Accidents have occurred there and traffic signals would make it much safer for drivers to navigate that junction, said Chief of Police Brent Dite.

Separately, two new contracts were approved in connection with the new municipal services building. The council voted to pay $15,000 to the building's architects, Gillfillan Callahan Nelson Architects, to provide technical specifications for installation of computer and telephone services.

The firm will also handle the bid letting for this project. This $15,000, as well as the undetermined total cost of the communications system, is in addition to the $8.6 million bill for the construction of the building.

The council also agreed to pay Gordon & Backhus Glass $678.50 for a key-control system software package for the new building.

Both these motions passed with a 5-2 vote, with Larson and Alderman Donald Matteson voting no.

Also, the city has taken steps to sell part of its five-acre portion of the blighted Federal Paper Board property.

The council voted unanimously to order a topographic and property line survey for the property located at the northeast corner of East and North streets, with an intention to sell the 1.10-acre portion to Habitat For Humanity.

• Granted a business and liquor license to Dianne Breslar for The Pub by Chapin's at 200 Gore Road.

• Approved a request by Grundy Bank to block two parking spaces in front of the bank from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 for its annual coat drive drop-off.

• Approved a request by First Presbyterian Church to hand out free cocoa to shoppers on Dec. 4.

• Approved a request by the 5K Walk for Cancer committee to hold its event on May 31, 2010.

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