PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
MINUTES … The board looks over the meeting minutes from the previous meeting as the fiscal officer reads over them before approval.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Amboy Township Trustees met for their regular session on Monday, February 23, 2026.
The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. The board approved minutes from their previous meeting as well as the bills.
The board reviewed development activity from the past year with a list of permits approved in Amboy Township during 2025. The list included lot splits as well as permits connected to new construction and other projects. In total, 41 permits were approved during the year, and trustees briefly discussed the report and how those approvals are circulated.
Revision of the township’s zoning code is underway. The updated code appears close to being completed, and once the draft is ready to advance, the township will reach out to schedule public meetings and public hearings.
Trustees discussed several provisions expected to be included, including language that would prohibit shipping containers as accessory structures.
Trustees noted that while some property owners use them creatively, others place them in ways that appear unkempt, and regulating appearance consistently would be difficult if the township allowed some but not others.
It was noted that existing containers would be treated as grandfathered, but the updated code intends to stop new ones from being placed under township zoning.
Discussion also turned to data centers and how zoning authority differs between unincorporated areas and the Village of Metamora. The current draft for the unincorporated area of Amboy Township would not allow data centers anywhere under township zoning.
It was also clarified that the township has no control over zoning within the Village of Metamora, which operates under its own jurisdiction. Trustees talked through how conditional use works and how the Village of Metamora’s board of zoning appeals could review proposals.
Cell tower regulations were another zoning-related topic raised during the meeting. Trustees were told that a previously discussed cell tower proposal, which had raised concerns from a resident, has not moved forward. No application has been received.
However, the draft zoning changes would remove cell towers from being permitted by right in agricultural districts, requiring a conditional use permit instead. Under that structure, proposals would go before the board of zoning appeals for review rather than being decided through the zoning office.
The meeting then shifted into fire department updates, with Fire Chief Jessica Geer outlining several compliance and training items currently being addressed.
Chief Geer reported speaking with the State Fire Marshal’s office about fire code reference materials and said she was advised it would be cheaper to purchase printed versions through the International Code Council. Geer wants to confirm exactly which code books and update materials are needed before returning with a final purchase recommendation.
Geer also reported that she has enrolled in a fireworks training course to ensure the department is prepared to handle requirements if a fireworks display is requested in Metamora or Amboy Township.
Chief Geer also reported that inspections for Holy Trinity and Evergreen are in the process of being scheduled, noting there have been scheduling conflicts to work through.
An update on ESO, the department’s records management software, was provided as well. Geer emailed and called about canceling the fire portion of the software system and is currently in correspondence to get that portion ended.
On the EMS side, Geer spoke with Four County about providing EMS training, with a cost quoted at $1,500 per year. The program would provide 12 months of training, with 10 months covered by Four County instructors and two months, July and December, requiring local instructors.
Chief Geer said the association agreed to cover the cost, and EMS training is expected to begin in March with a different group than the prior program.
Equipment planning was also discussed, including the department’s 4-gas meter, which Geer said has not worked consistently for some time. She reported that she sent the unit out for evaluation and asked for both a quote to repair it and an assessment of whether the unit is worth repairing given its age.
Geer also reported that annual testing is scheduled for extrication tools, hoses, and ladders, and that fire extinguisher servicing is due in March.
Trustees also heard about a quote for station alerting speakers that would allow audible alerts throughout the station, including areas where alerts are currently hard to hear.
The estimate discussed was around $800 for a system involving several speakers, a base station, and supporting equipment. Trustees approved the purchase of the alerting speakers and equipment.
Trustees were askedto approve two new volunteer firefighters for the department. The names provided were Dylan Steiner and Nicholas Fisher.
Steiner was described as Firefighter II certified and currently enrolled in EMT schooling, with plans to volunteer while working to complete that training.
Fisher was described as returning after prior conversations and agreeing to volunteer. Geer also said she has an interview scheduled with a paramedic-only applicant and noted the department has seen increased interest connected to wage adjustments.
Cemetery and office updates were also discussed, including the Wreaths Across America program. Officials said the program appears to be renewed and has a strong chance of being fully funded again this year.
Exit signs for the office building were reported as received and ready to be installed.
Trustees also discussed an ongoing issue of having no additional keys available for new volunteers at the fire station, and officials talked about exploring options, including contacting a locksmith to determine whether keys can be produced or whether locks should be changed.
Road maintenance planning took up a significant portion of the latter part of the meeting as trustees reviewed February road sign placement and discussed proposed projects for the upcoming season.
Trustees talked through a mix of chip seal, crack seal, and striping work, including how certain items would be bid and which work would be handled through the county versus other contractors.
Among the projects discussed was a chip seal plan for County Road 4-1 from County Road 120 to County Road T, along with crack seal work on several identified line items.
Trustees also discussed striping on multiple roads, including County Road 6 between US 20 and County Road S, County Road 4 from County Road 120 to the state line, County Road U through the village limits, and County Road 5-1 between US 20 and County Road S.
Trustees also discussed coordination with the Village of Metamora on service expectations and shared maintenance concerns. Officials referenced the village’s appreciation for plowing assistance and discussed whether additional help could be provided, including mowing and other seasonal work.
Trustees weighed the practical limits of township responsibility versus village responsibility, while also acknowledging that township equipment and emergency vehicles routinely travel village roads as part of daily operations.
In new business, trustees noted they had received a letter tied to the county’s ongoing effort to address future solar and wind development.
Officials said the Fulton County Commissioners plan to consider adopting a resolution designating unincorporated areas of Fulton County as a restricted area for future solar and wind development, with the vote expected at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10.
Trustees also referenced an upcoming engineer’s office meeting scheduled for 8 a.m. on Friday, March 6, where the upcoming construction season and other updates are expected to be discussed.
The meeting closed with a discussion about countywide EMS levy planning and changes tied to funding distribution. Trustees said the commissioners are planning to place an EMS levy on the November ballot and discussed how redistributed funding could affect local departments.
Trustees indicated their funding could increase to about $700,000 depending on the final structure and impacts tied to property taxes, noting county officials expect to know more by August as those discussions develop.
Trustees then moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters at 7:56 p.m.
Upon returning from the executive session, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.