James Penix

The council reviewed and approved bills, excluding three specific items. Updates were provided regarding sewer engineering and operations, including repair efforts for frozen waste lines. The council took a motion from the table to approve an invoice for backhoe rental. A proposal to update the interior of the Village Hall through volunteer labor was discussed, and a committee was formed to oversee the project. The Golf Cart Committee provided an update on the draft ordinance and registration processes. The council announced a public hearing for budget amendments and the proposed budget, and scheduled a special meeting for further budget review. Council and public comments addressed potential salary raises and safety improvements for the village building.

The council reviewed and discussed the 2025-2026 budget amendments and the 2026-2027 proposed budget in detail, with assistance from the interim finance officer.

The council held a public hearing regarding the 2026-2027 budget. During the new business portion, the council adopted both the 2025-2026 budget amendments and the 2026-2027 annual budget. Additionally, the council discussed village blight concerns, including the need to address property code violations and local maintenance issues such as uncollected leaf piles, and reviewed the status of police camera procurement.

Key discussions included the approval of the agenda, which was amended to include updates on Sewer Operations and Sewer Engineering under Old Business. Financial matters involved approving bills totaling $85,535.68. Old Business updates focused on the completion of Sensitivity Training Classes by the President, sewer operation issues related to pump 7 and the need to order ferric acid, and updates on treatment facility works, including the installation of flow meters. Under New Business, the Council discussed improvements to the Village Office, expressing appreciation for a DPW employee's offer to renovate the hallway and suggesting he present a sample or meet with a potential building committee. The Council appointed a member to the position of Street Commissioner. The topic of renting a backhoe due to repair delays on the Village's own unit (waiting for a turbo from China) was tabled pending the drafting of a rental contract. During public comments, a resident raised concerns about the Golf Cart Ordinance timeline, and another resident proposed establishing a food pantry, which the Council supported in concept but required relocation due to liability issues.

The Village of Carleton Master Plan outlines a long-term growth and development vision, aiming for coordinated and controlled expansion while preserving its small-town character. Key strategic pillars include fostering a strong sense of place through downtown revitalization, enhancing livability with diverse housing opportunities, promoting economic growth and mixed-use development along main corridors, maintaining robust public infrastructure and transportation, and encouraging inter-governmental collaboration for regional land use and infrastructure planning. The plan projects development and demographic trends towards 2050 to guide future decision-making.