Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for May 13, 2025

Officials Sworn into Office: Clerk Kelly Baltas administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected officials. Taking the oath were Supervisor James F. Walsh and Trustees Eileen Fitzer, Paul Woodcock, Mark Yunker, and William “Bill” McGrath. The township’s collector and assessor are scheduled to be sworn in this December before taking office in January.

Township Joins County-Wide Ride Service: Manhattan Township is now officially part of the new Access Will County program, a dial-a-ride service offering transportation to township residents throughout Will County. The service area also includes parts of southern Cook County. Residents can contact the county’s Mobility Manager to sign up for the service.

Road Project Updates: Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas reported that the Baker Road Bridge project is approximately 25% complete. The township has received a $56,000 installment from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the project’s funding. Meanwhile, invoices for the Kankakee Street Bridge project have begun to arrive.

Utility Connection Fees Discussed: The township is considering connecting the Road District shop to the village’s water and sewer system. The current tap-on fee is $26,000 for a 2-inch water line and $100,000 for the sewer line. The Village of Manhattan has offered a five-year payment plan, but officials were advised that the fees are expected to increase annually if they delay the decision.

Dahlman Farm Property Split: The owner of the former Dahlman Farm, a 6-acre property at the corner of Smith and Kankakee Streets, plans to divide the lot into two 3-acre parcels. According to the board, the Village of Manhattan does not object to the split, and the new lots will meet frontage requirements for driveways on Kankakee Street.