LaHarpe intersection construction work could start in early June

LaHarpe Mayor Ken Brown had a preconstruction meeting with Laverdiere Construction and Ameren about the work on intersections along Rt. 9 through the city.

Laverdiere wants to begin work in early June. Two utility poles need to be moved and J.U.L.I.E. must locate buried utilities before work begins. If the weather cooperates, the work can be done in three to four weeks.

The city is still looking at which way to divert traffic off of Rt. 9. They are also determining a grain truck route to the elevator.

A cornerstone of the original LaHarpe High School from 1899 is now a memorial at the city park near the veteran's memorial. Bob Shutwell found the cornerstone. The Class of 1952 bought a stone with inscribed information about the cornerstone and put it next to the cornerstone in the park.

The cornerstone was laid at the original LaHarpe High School on May 11, 1899. The school building was destroyed by fire on Dec. 5, 1927.

Alderman Todd Irish asked for a curbstop or two be put in front of it to protect it from vehicles.

The council is working with Brian Hillyer to find a place in LaHarpe to put his refrigerated semitruck trailer overnight. The truck needs to run at night to power the trailer's cooling system. Alderman Derek Helmers recommended a concrete slab near the mulch pile. It can fit two trailers and is not located close to resident houses. A small amount of gravel may be needed to help with turning.

To avoid waking neighbors, Hillyer is dropping the trailer off in Burlington, Iowa, driving to LaHarpe, then driving back to Burlington to pick it up, costing him time and money.

“Brian has always been good about working with us when there has been a problem,” said Brown.

A light pole snapped off at its base of concrete near city park early Sunday morning due to high winds. Traffic on Rt. 9 was diverted for a time until work crews arrived. Brown said he has not heard whether Ameren is replacing the pole.

Paperwork is being gathered by city officials as part of a $10,000 grant application by the city for the senior citizen center. The money is needed for repairs to the house. The city has to apply for the grant since it owns the center.

Improvements to city hall are partially completed, but the council expected more work was to be done. Some of the windows were repaired for water damage, but not all of them. The west wall of city hall was painted, but none of the other walls were painted.

“I was under the impression that we were having all the windows repaired and that they bought enough paint to paint all the walls because they were afraid they couldn't match the color,” said Brown.

The council approved spending $300 to $400 each on refurbishing three welcome to LaHarpe signs. John Louden is doing the work, which includes repainting, fixing letters, sanding, and caulking. The signs are nine years old. This style of sign normally does not last past three to four years before needing repairs.

The council decided to cover the stained glass windows at the mausoleum after one window was broken last weekend.

Aldermen were reminded that the Budget Committee meeting is at 6 p.m. on May 19.

The city is looking for the owner of property at 308 S. 1st St. A tree located at the property needs to have a branch trimmed that is hanging over the street. The city is also notifying three property owners to mow their yards.

In other news, the council:

€ Accepted a recommen-dation from the Finance Committee to hire Austin Johnson to work in the water department beginning June 1.

€ Asked employees to conserve fuel.

€ Approved Reusch, Butler and Associates of Macomb to do the city's audit for $3,750.

€ Approved a Summerfest parade permit for Aug. 9.

€ Canceled the next council meeting, scheduled for Memorial Day, May 26. The next council meeting is at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 9.