City Annexes Right of Way West of Marion
State right of way along New Rt. 13 westward from Interstate 57 to Broeking Road was annexed this week to Marion by the City Council.
Robert Hall clothing store is included in the annexation.
This council action paves the way for businesses along the highway that want city service to petition for annexation into the city.
In previous actions the council had annexed the Motel Marion property on West Main Street and the right of way along New Rt. 13 eastward and the 10 acre site of a new Church of God.
Liquor License
Walter Thurmond and Helen Thurmond, operators of the motel, received an available liquor license after the annexation.
A $12,224 contract was awarded by the council in December to the Thomas Harris Construction Co. of Marion to extend a 6 inch water line 3, 609 feet to the Church of God and to install a 4 inch line 768 feet from New Rt. 13 to the Ramada Inn.
L.E. Broeking paid $1,031 of the costs to extend a 4 inch line eastward from the Church of God. The Ramada Inn paid $1,913 of the costs of the line.
The council let a $22,294 contract to the Mitchell Contracting Co. of Herrin for installation of an 8 inch sewer line from Old Rt. 13 south to Boyton Street, about 1,500 feet, in December.
Tap-On Fee
A $500 tap-on fee is expected to pay the remainder of the $9,280 costs for the water lines back to the city, Commissioner Adolph Fluck said.
Mayor Robert Butler is negotiating with the Fabick Machinery Co., which will be served by the sewer line, to be annexed into the city.
Pay raises were given to Marion employees by the council in December. In effect, the pay hikes compensated for a cost-of-living increase, Fluck said.
The base pay for five day a week employees in the street, water, sewer and cemetery departments was raised $10, to $360 a month.
Police and firemen received $30 increases to $420 a month. Police radio operators received a $25 a month raise to $300 a month. They work six days a week.
Street Supt. Ralph Cash and Cemetery Sexton Elmer Cline received $25 increases to $450 a month.
Extend Franchises
The council extended Central Illinois Public Service Co. franchises for electricity, gas and street lights.
The gas and electric franchise is for 50 years, to the year 2016. This extends the previous electric franchise, which had 37 years to run, for 13 years. The gas franchise, which had 11 years to run, is extended for 39 years.
The street light agreement is for 10 years, an extension of two years to 1976.
The new agreements were negotiated with the company by the council after changes in city facilities.
The city installed gas heat in the city hall, for which it receives 12,000 therms free a year. This amount is expected to be slightly more than enough to heat the building through the winter.
The city also receives free 50,000 kilowatts of electricity a year, sufficient for the city hall, fire station and eight street lights on the Public Square government buildings.
The council added 25 new street lights in September, which made necessary the new agreement. The city pays $35 a year for each street light.
The council has approved the ordering of 160 street signs and brackets, to cost $1,400 to $1,500. Most signs, yet to be received and installed, will be replacements for existing signs.
A new police car was purchased by the council from J.C. Ford Inc. for $2,017 and trade-in of the city’s 1964 model car.
The council also approved purchase of a 1955 model, three quarter ton pick-up truck for $125 from Homer Askew for use in the relief workers drainage project.
Promotions
Promotions and appointments were made by the council.
George Holland was named water plant Superintendent in November at a salary of $500 a month. Bert Swafford was named his assistant at $400 per month.
Ed Killman was named water department laborer and James Guill a meter reader. Killman will also learn to be plant operator.
Holland succeeds Everett McDaniel who retired after suffering a heart attack.
Don Holland was named assistant sewer plant superintendent at $400 a month. The position has been vacant.
Kenneth Bugler was named a police radio operator to replace Joe Luther Jr. who resigned because of ill health.
Claude Musgrave was named operator and maintenance man in the cemetery department.
Gary Hastings was named a sewer plant operator. Kenneth Edwards was named dogcatcher.
McCarty Named
The council re-appointed Dr. Dave A. Waterbury to a three year term on the police and firemen merit board and the Rev. J.D. McCarty to a five year term on the Marion Hospital board of directors.
On the parking commission, Roy Campbell was appointed to the unexpired term of Allen Booten, who moved from the city and Gene Cox to the unexpired term of Carl Sorgen, who resigned.
Dr. James Felts was re-appointed to a seven year term on the zoning and appeals board.
The council completed purchase of parts for a rodding machine and has cleaned out more than 2,000 feet of sewer mains. An incomplete machine was purchase in 1962. It was idle for four years.
(Southern Illinoisan, March 9, 1967)