SYCAMORE - Sycamore village council met Tuesday night and clarified information regarding the possibility of Sycamore volunteer fire and EMS becoming part of a joint fire district.
Mayor Matt Boucher said the Sycamore department had voted 21-4 to participate in a committee, consisting of representatives of the McCutchenville fire, township representatives, a council member from Sycamore and a member of Sycamore's department. The meetings are for fact-finding, said Boucher, and no decision has been made.
Councilwoman Darcy Zimmerman volunteered to represent council with Councilman Ralph Decker as a back up.
Decker also informed council that he, Council President Vicki Weininger, and Police Chief Richard Blankenship participated in an experiment in estimating cars' speed. The group enlisted some residents and had them estimate the speed of cars in two areas of the village while also utilizing a speed gun to get an exact speed.
Decker said the residents overestimated the speed of vehicles. On South Sycamore, 21 vehicles were clocked at an average of 29.9 mph in a 35 mph zone, while in "old town" near Kilbourne Street 28 cars averaged 42.2 mph in a 45 mph zone. Decker feels this gives credence to his theory that some residents sometimes have concerns over speeding when it may not be the case.
Councilman Dave Myers asked Village Administrator Chuck Clark about a meeting with the railroad. Clark said a meeting has been set up for Sept. 7 to discuss the possibility of placing gates at a crossing where a woman lost her life recently.
Clark also questioned the status of credit cards for the fire department and was told the fire chief is to sign the application soon. The cards will be used for fueling emergency vehicles. Clark said the current fuel tanks probably will have to be relocated when the new water treatment facility is built due to regulations.
A water committee meeting is 3 p.m. Sept. 4 in council chambers. Council is to meet at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11.
