Freeburg mayor names Chris Remick public works director; board hears finance, zoning and police updates
April 01, 2026 | Freeburg, St. Clair County, Illinois
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Mayor Seth Speiser announced the appointment of Chris Remick to replace Public Works Director John Tolan, who is retiring at the end of the year. Board members and staff offered welcomes to Remick following the announcement.
The Finance Committee, chaired by Trustee Tom Carpenter, reported at the Nov. 17 meeting that the income statement is approximately 63% year-to-date and overall finances are doing well; Trustee Carpenter flagged two line items for follow-up (payments to High Tide Technologies and Catalis LLC). Administrator Matt Trout said fund and account balances are up compared with the same time last year.
Trustee Dana Miller summarized Legal/Ordinance Committee business. She said zoning and nuisance property reviews yielded no new action. On development updates, Village Engineer Tim Pruett noted a property adjacent to the bus garage is outside village limits; Pruett also reported Dairy Queen will reopen with a ribbon-cutting at 9:00 a.m. and Country Mart presented a fundraiser check to the Food & Clothing Bank at 10:00 a.m.
Trustee Miller also described Ordinance #1808 (rezoning 10 Southgate Drive). The minutes state the Combined Board previously voted 4-3 to approve the rezoning; a related Special Use Permit passed 7-0 so the new tenant need not wait. Miller described Ordinance #1809 as a debt-authorizing ordinance required to submit the village's loan application to the Public Water Supply Loan Program for a water project; Tim Pruett explained the purpose of that ordinance to the committee.
On public safety and personnel, Trustee Elizabeth (Lisa) Meehling reported Chief Mike Schutzenhofer met with St. Joe's parishioners to review security plans and training and said the K9 enclosure installation is pending an electrician. Chief Schutzenhofer summarized 123 calls since the last committee meeting. Administrator Matt Trout said the village has received a number of applications for the open crew worker position and that the leaf machine was discussed by committee members.
The board listed upcoming meetings and then adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
The Finance Committee, chaired by Trustee Tom Carpenter, reported at the Nov. 17 meeting that the income statement is approximately 63% year-to-date and overall finances are doing well; Trustee Carpenter flagged two line items for follow-up (payments to High Tide Technologies and Catalis LLC). Administrator Matt Trout said fund and account balances are up compared with the same time last year.
Trustee Dana Miller summarized Legal/Ordinance Committee business. She said zoning and nuisance property reviews yielded no new action. On development updates, Village Engineer Tim Pruett noted a property adjacent to the bus garage is outside village limits; Pruett also reported Dairy Queen will reopen with a ribbon-cutting at 9:00 a.m. and Country Mart presented a fundraiser check to the Food & Clothing Bank at 10:00 a.m.
Trustee Miller also described Ordinance #1808 (rezoning 10 Southgate Drive). The minutes state the Combined Board previously voted 4-3 to approve the rezoning; a related Special Use Permit passed 7-0 so the new tenant need not wait. Miller described Ordinance #1809 as a debt-authorizing ordinance required to submit the village's loan application to the Public Water Supply Loan Program for a water project; Tim Pruett explained the purpose of that ordinance to the committee.
On public safety and personnel, Trustee Elizabeth (Lisa) Meehling reported Chief Mike Schutzenhofer met with St. Joe's parishioners to review security plans and training and said the K9 enclosure installation is pending an electrician. Chief Schutzenhofer summarized 123 calls since the last committee meeting. Administrator Matt Trout said the village has received a number of applications for the open crew worker position and that the leaf machine was discussed by committee members.
The board listed upcoming meetings and then adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
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