HUNTLEY – Grafton Township is facing the potential of having to shut down by mid-April due to its continued financial difficulties.
As of March 19, the township was operating out of a town fund that amounted to $129,753. Supervisor Linda Moore acknowledged that the township may feel the strain come mid-April but believes some additional revenue, including a check from a liability insurance company and the possibility of an early payment from the Village of Huntley for its annual $10,000 for transportation services may carry the township.
According to a Daily Herald report, the township is expecting $500,000 in property tax money in late May or early June, which is when it would be able to reopen its doors, should it shut down. Moore did not offer any specifics on what a shutdown would entail during an interview.
“I think we just need to take it as it comes,” she said.
Another current issue the township faces is funding repairs for the Grafton Township bus. The bus has a faulty injection pressure regulator valve and needs a new high pressure oil pump, among other needs. An estimate for this work from Tom Peck Ford totaled $2,700, according to Moore.
During the March 14 Grafton Township meeting, Moore brought the question up to the board of whether the repairs should be paid. No vote on the matter was had, because the cost remains an estimate and not a bill. Trustees did express their thoughts on the matter, however.
“I want the bus running, so fix the bus. Fix it. Period,” trustee Barb Murphy said, adding that the township should seek additional estimates.
Trustee Jerry McMahon also agreed the bus needed to be fixed. At this time, there is no estimate on when the bus would be up and running again should the township decide to pay for its repair.
In the meantime, those who ride the township bus can call Faith in Action at 815-455-3120 or Senior Services Associates at 815-356-7457 to inquire about their transportation services.
