Jersey County Board Chair Pam Heitzig has investigated the disposal of stained-glass windows from the County Courthouse after complaints last month that they were valuable.
Heitzig told the board Monday that the large windows that covered two walls of the County Board room contained lead and asbestos and needed to be disposed of properly.
"I did further research on the stained-glass windows. I have copies of the Certificate of Analysis from International Asbestos Testing Laboratories, which state that there was lead and asbestos in the paint around the windows," Heitzig told the board. "I spoke to a representative from the lab who said we did follow the correct procedure in disposing of the windows."
The Jersey County Administration Building formerly was a Methodist church. Several months ago, the board replaced the stained-glass windows in the board room with clear, energy-efficient windows.
Last month, residents John Houseman and Don Mellenthin told the board they believed the windows may have been valuable. Houseman said the Methodist church should have been given an opportunity to purchase the windows. The contractor who worked on the project, Jun Construction, disposed of the windows.
"I also have a Non-Hazard Special Waste and Asbestos Manifest from Jun Construction showing how and where the windows were disposed of," Heitzig continued. "I also have a letter from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which states that no historic properties were affected, and therefore they had no objections to undertaking the planned proceedings. As a county government, we must follow EPA rules, and in this situation, we did."
In other action Monday, the board approved salaries for the county assessor and code administrator for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. The assessor's salary, which has been frozen since 2008, will be raised 2.9 percent to $53,414. The code administrator's salary will go to $52,367 the first two years, then to $53,414.
The county is sponsoring an electronics and appliance drop-off spot on the first Sunday in August, September and November. People who need to dispose of old electronic equipment and appliances can drop them off at the parking lot of the Jerseyville Banking Center at 201 W. Exchange from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The service is free, but tax-deductible donations will be requested to cover costs.
The board voted to abate the levy for the 2008 series General Obligation Bonds. The bond payment will be made using the Public Safety Tax revenue, so a levy won't be necessary.
The board approved the Tourism Committee recommendations to donate $2,500 to the Jersey County Victorian Festival, $800 to the Jersey Farmers and Artisans Market, and $800 to the Grafton Art Fair from the county's Tourism Fund.
Two 96-inch pipe culverts will be replaced on Bowman Station Road in Fidelity Township at a cost of approximately $25,000. The township and county will split the cost.
