Grant may get nutrition program in Steeleville out of the red

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Steeleville Village Board of Trustees at last week's meeting learned the village had received grant money for the senior citizen nutrition program.

The program has been running in the red, but a $35,000 grant from the Area of Aging of Southwestern Illinois should keep the program functioning at the break-even point for another year, according to Mayor Mike Armstrong.

The funds will become available October 1. The village will be able to apply to extend the funding for fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

The nutrition program is $21,000 in the red. First National Bank of Steeleville donated $5,000 to the program last week, as well. The Steeleville Eagles Club has scheduled a fundraiser for the program-a chicken dinner-on June 13.

The board raised the rural fire subscription fee by $10 to a total of $60.

The board toughened up rules concerning the school grounds. All visitors to the schools will be required to report to the office and show identification. Individuals asked to leave the school grounds will be required to remain at least 500 feet from the property.

No one will be allowed on school property after sunset unless an activity is taking place, although the public walking track will remain open.

The board voted to send out water, sewer, and trash bills monthly instead of quarterly, as has been the past practice. Monthly billing is expected to begin in July.

The village zoning map was changed to designate property to the east of the Dollar General store as commercial.

The board banned the sale and possession of K-2, a synthetic form of marijuana, in the village.

The town's Halloween ordinance was amended. Convicted sex offenders are now prohibited from turning on their porch lights during the village's trick or treat hours as well as from handing out candy or any items to children.

A special use permit was granted to Lindsay Gall to operate an in-home pet grooming business,

A cleanup of gasoline-contaminated soil at the old Huck's store site continues to be problematic for the board. They took no action on a third request from Martin and Bayley, which owns the property, to prohibit drilling for water within a 225-foot radius of their property. The board is waiting for Martin and Bayley's representative to contact all affected property owners within the designated area.