In a 5-1 vote last night, village officials in Hillcrest committed $40,000 for the solar panel project.
The village is working with Heavenly Winds of Compton. The solar panels would be located behind the village hall building. The lines would go underground to the pump house.
The village is currently paying between 800 to 11 hundred dollars a month for their electric bill. The savings could range between 400 to 525 dollars each month.
Randy Salsbury voted against the proposal. Rich Elliott was absent from the meeting.
If the village does not get the $60,000 in state grant money for the $100,000 project, they will not install the solar panels.
The board heard a presentation from LR Comunications in Leaf River dealing with wireless internet service for residents in Hillcrest. They would like to install 3 to 4 dishes and wiring on the cat walk of the water tower.
The contract with the village would be for 5 years. Village hall will have free internet service. The monthly cost for a home would range between $35 to $59 a month. No finals decisions were made last night by the board.
There was some discussion about the future of Regional Ready Mix on River Road. Board President Kim Whalen said that the company is currently looking for a new location.
Residents were also concerned about them starting before 7am each day.
The village also received word from the Illinois Department of Transportation that the speed limit for Illinois 251 will be dropping from 50 to 45 miles per hour in the near future.
