Hancock Village Board moving forward despite financial challenges

The Hancock Village Board Meeting moves forward with determination during their regular monthly board meeting on May 12, despite recent financial issues. Newly elected members attended, including President Jim Hamilton and Trustees Jillian Steele, Dave Kujawa, Deb Lackey, and Bill Zick.
The meeting opened with an Annual Organizational Meeting in which Hamilton assigned committee roles. The regular board meeting followed, where the board sold three vacant lots on Oak Street by accepting the highest of five bids. Forms were signed, and down payments received.
The Board spent some time determining which bills to prioritize and agreed to hold off on paying others until more revenue comes in via loans still pending approval. Zick and Lackey have been working with their current lender, who recommends they apply for funding through the Board of Commissions of Public Lands. Lackey has already started the process of applying for aid by fulfilling their requirements.
Top priorities to the Board include relationships with the Town of Hancock and Town of Deerfield, who share ownership and responsibilities of maintaining area amenities such as the local Fire District, the Hancock Community Center, the Hancock Library, and the Boat Patrol for the lakes in the area. The Village Board feels strongly about fiscal responsibility and maintaining trust with its neighbors to provide these vital services to the residents in our communities.
In other business, the Board approved the following:

• Operator’s License for David Z. Holland for Refuel Pantry.
• Special Event Vending Permit for Jillian Steele/Hancock Market for a Vendor Fair & Road Closure on Main Street on May 17, 2025.
• Class “B” Beer Alcohol Beverage License for Hancock Sportsman’s Club.
• Temporary Class “B” Beer Alcohol Beverage License for Hancock for Hancock Park Restoration Inc (HPR Inc) at Hancock Park for the 3rd Annual Fish Lake Festival on June 7.
Changes in Village personnel include accepting the resignation of clerk/treasurer Tonya Nigh, posting help wanted ads for a new clerk/treasurer and one part-time maintenance worker, and adjusting the payroll period for the police officers to coincide with the rest of the village personnel payrolls.
The board tabled discussions regarding hiring Kerber Rose, selling the campground, and purchasing Village email service for later dates when they have funds to support these decisions.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the date and time of the Village Board’s monthly meeting will be changed to the 3rd Monday of every month at 6 p.m., beginning in June. The next regular monthly meeting will be held on June 16.