Maryville Board Sets Mayor’s Salary for Next Year
by Kathy Turner
MARYVILLE — The Maryville Village Board on Wednesday, Oct. 2 approved an ordinance setting the salary for Mayor for the next fiscal year. The action was necessary because the elected position will change from a full-time to a part-time position.
Currently the Mayor of Maryville, Craig Short, holds a full-time position. As such, it is his responsibility to oversee all staff and departments of the Village. However, the Village has decided to hire a full-time Village Administrator and has started the process to fill that position. That means that after the next election, slated for April of 2025, the position of Mayor will move to a part-time role and the Village Administrator will take on the responsibilities of oversight of staff and departments.
The hiring process for the Village Administrator has moved to the first interview stage for candidates identified after a national search. The Board is working with a search firm that specializes in filling municipal positions.
The ordinance approved by the Board on Wednesday will change the salary for the part-time Mayor to $1,250 per month. Mayor Short has decided not to seek re-election so the position is open to candidates. Anyone interested in seeking the position of Mayor must complete a petition for the County, available on the County Clerk’s website, and file beginning November 12th for a spot on the April ballot.
In other action, Mayor Short presented a proclamation recognizing Maryville Elementary School as a Blue Ribbon School. The school is one of only 18 in the state to receive the designation and one of only two in southern Illinois. School administrators, teachers and staff were on hand to hear the proclamation declaring October 2, 2024, Maryville Elementary School Day.
The Board also approved a resolution to allow the Village Attorney to move forward with demolition of the property located at 107 South Lange Street in the village. The structure on the property has been determined to be a hazard by village departments and has even been found to house transients. The structure will be demolished as soon as the courts approve the request.
Donn’s Tree Service was approved as low bidder to remove four trees and stumps at the entrance to Pleasant Ridge Park. The bid was $5,000.
The Village Board received a letter of resignation from Toni Geisen from the Parks and Recreation Committee. She cited personal commitments that keep her from her committee role as a reason for the resignation.
The Kiwanis Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 19 at Fireman’s Park. It will include a Bark in the Park Dog Show where costumed dogs will be eligible for prizes. There will also be entertainment for families, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and food trucks. The fire department will use the day to highlight October fire prevention month.
During staff reports, Shane Fulton of the Building and Zoning department reported that 12 permits were issued in September. In addition, he has been handling some maintenance enforcements in the Village and will include the results in his next report. Shane is also working with the Board to interview an assistant for his department.
The Maryville Police Department responded to and/or initiated 1180 calls in the month of September. They issued 182 citations and assisted at 15 accidents. The police participated in a fundraiser in September in support of their Shop with a Cop program for the holidays. Anyone wishing to contribute to the cause may do so by contacting the police department.
The Fire Department responded to 148 calls for service in October. Included was a call to Barry Wilson Funeral Home of smoke in the building. Chief Dankenbring reported that they arrived on scene within 4 minutes of being called to find that a worker at the facility had located the problem – a smoking light fixture – and they were able to immediately put the fire out without need for hoses and equipment.
The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on Wednesday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m.
