Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Manhattan for March 3, 2026

Village of Manhattan Meeting | March 3, 2026

The Manhattan Village Board met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to address village operations and listen to community concerns. The board heard a detailed presentation regarding opposition to a massive 6,000-acre solar farm proposal and the threat of over-industrialization in the region. In legislative action, the board approved the purchase of a $13,758 wastewater trash pump and hired two full-time Public Works maintenance laborers.

For comprehensive details on these topics, please read the full standalone articles. Other notable actions and reports from the meeting are summarized below.

Village Prepares for 32nd Annual Irish Fest:
Village officials are finalizing preparations for the 32nd Annual Irish Fest scheduled for the upcoming weekend. Police Chief Gulli noted that the parade route will feature a detour this year to address past complaints about residents being unable to navigate through town for an hour. Additionally, organizers have assured the village that dedicated crews will be active on Saturday and Sunday mornings to manage trash cleanup. Trustee Justin Young publicly thanked the police and public works departments in advance for their heavy workload during the busy festival.

Water Main Upgrades and Well 7 Progress:
Public Works reported that Airy’s Inc. has officially completed the water main installation on Manhattan Road, stretching from U.S. 52 down to Gallagher Road. Landscaping restoration for the project will commence once the weather breaks. Additionally, the new vessel for the Well 7 rehabilitation project has arrived and was successfully maneuvered inside the building. Following Irish Fest, crews will begin the next phase of infrastructure improvements with the Front Street water main project.

Villas of Prairie Trail Development:
Village staff informed the board that the single-family phase of the Villas of Prairie Trail development will be presented to the Plan Commission this month. The Village Board is expected to review the final plat for the subdivision during a subsequent March board meeting, which is anticipated to trigger a substantial increase in local building permits.

Manhattan Demons Wrestling Recognized:
The board took a moment to congratulate the Manhattan Demons wrestling team, who successfully took first place at the recent regional tournament. The team will be advancing to sectionals this coming Saturday.

Board Approves $760,000 in Bills:
The board unanimously approved the March 3, 2026, bills list via the consent agenda. According to the invoice register, the total payout for the period was $760,907.51, net of invoices and credit memos. Major expenditures included $280,388.70 to Airy’s Inc. for the Manhattan Street water main project, $46,767.20 to PT Ferro for the Front Street water main, and significant monthly health insurance premiums.

Early Voting Underway at Village Hall:
Clerk staff reminded residents that early voting is currently available in the meeting room at the Manhattan Village Hall. Polls are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will remain open through March 13. Early voting at this location is restricted to Village of Manhattan and Manhattan Township residents only.