Willow Springs board reappoints volunteers, names CPA treasurer and greenlights Lions Park fitness project

The Willow Springs Village Board on April 9 approved multiple administrative appointments and authorized work to install fitness equipment at Lions Park.

The board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-R3 reappointing volunteers to village boards and commissions. The reappointments included Christine Mahalik, Jason Vi and Kathy Thali to the Beautification Commission; Feder Mesta and Kevin Maloney to the Planning and Zoning Committee; and Steven Spettic and Neil Anderson to the Police Commission. President Netderm asked for the motion; Trustee Carr moved and Trustee Kennedy seconded, and the measure passed on a roll-call vote of those present (Trustees Ara, Kennedy, Posh, Sprinkle, Carr and President Netderm recorded in the minutes as voting “I”).

The board next approved a resolution appointing Wonderful Watson CPA as village treasurer. Mr. Watson was present for the meeting. The board voted to approve the appointment by roll call; Trustee Kennedy was recorded as the second on the motion.

Trustees also approved Resolution 2026-R5, an agreement to authorize contractors to obtain working permits from IDOT for construction and repairs within IDOT right-of-way. Trustees described the item as a housekeeping measure needed so vendors and contractors can continue work in the rights-of-way; the resolution passed by roll call.

To support the planned Lions Park fitness project, the board approved a contract with Keith Cartage & Excavating (PO Box 34, Willow Springs) to install a concrete pad and approved a separate proposal from Nationwide Fixture Installations to supply and install the fitness equipment. The minutes record the concrete pad contract amount as 'not to exceed $29,44' (amount as spoken in the meeting transcript is unclear) and the fitness installation at $32,000. Trustee Posh moved to approve the concrete-pad quote and Trustee Kennedy moved to approve the fixture installation; both measures passed by roll call.

Finance committee business included approval of warrants and payroll dated April 9, 2026. The meeting record lists the warrants and payroll totaling $4748.9 as read at the meeting; trustees noted that roughly 60% of that total represented payroll with the remainder dominated by insurance and related costs.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural and administrative: appointments to boards and commissions, the treasurer appointment, an IDOT working-permit agreement, and two contracts to advance the Lions Park fitness and site work. The board held a public comment period but recorded no public speakers.

What happens next: the Lions Park project will move to implementation under the approved contracts; the treasurer appointment places Wonderful Watson CPA in that role going forward. The board adjourned at 7:20 p.m.