Manhattan Township Meeting | June 2025

The Manhattan Township Board passed its two largest annual fiscal items on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, unanimously approving township and road district budgets that together total more than $3.1 million. The budgets will fund all local government operations and infrastructure work for the fiscal year ending in March 2026. For more on the budgets, please see our full story.

The board also approved a $3,000 donation to Will County Community Concerns and received updates on major bridge projects on Baker and Kankakee Roads.

Assessor to Consider Server Purchase: Assessor Joe Oldani informed the board of an alternative to leasing a new computer server for $800 per month. The township could instead purchase the new server outright from the vendor, Velocita, for $13,530.16. Under this option, the township would still pay $199 per month for a total backup service. The board will consider this capital purchase for long-term savings.

Land Use Request on Kankakee Street: A Will County Land Use case (ZC-25-051) has been filed for a vacant 6.54-acre property on Kankakee Street. The property owner is requesting a map amendment to rezone the parcel from E-1 to E-2, which would allow the property to be subdivided into two three-acre lots. The proposed lots would meet the E-2 zoning requirements.

Garage Easement Concern Resolved: Supervisor Jim Walsh reported that a potential issue with a new garage being built in a township easement by a Ranch Oaks resident has been resolved. After speaking with the resident, it was confirmed the new garage will not be in the easement. Furthermore, an existing building and its concrete apron that are currently on the easement will be removed.

Generator Project Awaiting NICOR Approval: The township is still waiting for a response from NICOR regarding its plan to add a generator to the township building on Wabash Street. The project cannot proceed until the utility company determines whether the existing gas line can adequately supply fuel to the generator.