By Craig Rigg
At the Monday, Feb. 2 meeting of the Colchester City Council, aldermen approved numerous purchases for the Colchester Police Department.
The purchase of a Weapons Pack, a secure vehicle storage system for weapons, for the chief ’s squad car was authorized at a cost of $1,400, along with a Tonneau cover and drawer system approved for the police truck at a cost of $3,000. In addition, a MiFi system (mobile WiFi) for both police vehicles at a cost of $100/month with initial cost for each device at $198. The MiFI system produces an in-vehicle hot spot for a secure high speed network within and around a police cruiser which allows for real-time connection and transmission of data.
The council also approved a contract for J & M Display at a cost of $3,500 for fireworks for the 2026 Labor Day Celebration and additional insurance for the fireworks and carnival; one-time bonuses for two city employees for their extra work repairing a broken water main in sub-zero weather overnight Jan. 25; and the attendance of council member Catherine Louderman to attend the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs conference in Springfield Feb. 25-26, including the $275 registration fee and hotel charges of $158, plus mileage and expenses. In addition, the council approved a $185 license for LOCiS (cloud based software for local governments).
In other business, the City of Colchester will participate with the upcoming community’s ZIP Code Day on June 23 by installing safety fences along the railroad tracks on the Prairie and providing posts to install painted plywood sheets in the City Park. The City also will provide assistance in setting up the Prairie grounds as needed.
At the Jan. 5 council meeting, approval was granted to enlarge the Giving Gardens plot across from the post office from 20x40 to 20x60. The council also voted to acquire the services of the Hart Southworth & Witsman firm to serve as the City’s bond counsel for the upcoming sewer improvement project. The council heard the first reading of Ordinance 2026-01 to incur a loan and to issue waterworks and sewerage revenue bonds not to exceed $2 million to defray costs of acquiring and constructing improvements to the waterworks and sewerage system. The second reading was waived.
