A year that will live in infamy for many of us due to a virus, with its never-ending unpredictability, providing a roller coaster of emotions, constant stress of having to analyze every decision we made whether it fit proper ‘Covid protocol’.
Masks, handwashing, social distancing, touchless as much as possible, sanitizing, wipes etc. etc. Cancellation of many community events were the norm but as discouraging as it might have been, Edgertonians adjusted and went on…
In the Village of Edgerton, the Village Team met the challenges straight on, pulling back in certain areas and yet pushing forward in others. Accomplishments were made in the area of infrastructure by completing one block in each direction of Hull St with new storm and water lines while repaving streets and adding new sidewalks. Business Alley West was repaved with savings from the Hull St project.
General cleanup was begun in several areas of the community with volunteerism being displayed on many small projects such as fire hydrant painting and landscaping in Town Park and the Miller Park Shelter House.
Generosity flowed through donations allowing much of these projects to be funded by residents at a minimal cost to the Village. Utility help was also made available for those in need, provided mostly anonymously by Edgertonians for Edgertonians… total donations in 2020 were somewhere in the vicinity of $10,000. Something to be promoted and celebrated. In times of trouble, Edgerton takes care of not only themselves but friends and neighbors.
New residential home construction along with new business construction in the midst of uncertainty during a pandemic reveals the underlying hopeful positive outlook to the future in 2021. The Village website updates and the beginning of a Facebook page has reconnected local government with its people and provided a listening ear and avenue to communicate with its shareholders.
Looking into this year, the Laubach Dr / Miller Park project will continue with a new phase working to eliminate the decades long problem of flooding in the eastern portion of the property, it will take time.
In our parks, new equipment, lighting and overall cleanup will continue to lift pride in areas that have been in some places, embarrassing… our youngest residents deserve safe, quality equipment to play on.
The start of sidewalk projects will be a focus to make sure our students can safely travel to and from school. One of the biggest untapped resources is the river, we will be looking for ways to access and utilize it along with developing our crown jewel property with unlimited potential, the Town Park.
We have many challenges in front of us, but with new faces in place with our already outstanding team of employees and a new resolve, lets continue to work together and find ways to do things in Edgerton that will live long beyond ourselves, like those who have before us…