Village residents may not have a place to ice skate this winter.
“We are still having a problem finding a place to put the ice rink,” Trustee Kathy Briquelet told the Iola Village Board at its Dec. 8 meeting.
As chair of the Parks Committee, Briquelet continues to search for a good site before ordering the plastic base for a rink.
“It doesn’t make sense to buy it if we can’t use it,” she said.
The first proposed site was at Taylor Field, but it was determined that the ice may not melt in time for the spring baseball season.
Briquelet is currently considering a site near Iola Sentry Foods, but is concerned about liability issues.
Village Attorney Bruce Meagher said the ice rink should be covered under the village’s liability insurance as “authorized use with permission.”
The board discussed putting the ice rink on Lake Iola, but agreed there would be a problem with snowmobiles driving on it.
Burning issues
Possible changes to the village’s open burning ordinance were discussed at a public hearing held during the board meeting.
Several citizens recommended extending the current times of 6-10 p.m.
“The only thing I’m asking you to do is to change the hours,” said Mary Devine. “It’s dangerous to burn after dark.”
Devine suggested that the hours be extended to “anytime during daylight hours.”
Other people at the hearing agreed that some daylight hours should be added. The public also questioned why the ordinance does not allow burning on Sundays.
Board President Joel Edler reminded the public that the village has a dumping place for yard waste, so they do not need to burn it. He also reminded people that burning garbage is illegal.
The board agreed to adjourn the public hearing until Monday, Jan. 12, when Fire Chief Charles Fritz should be able to attend.
“We owe him a little courtesy as the fire chief,” said Trustee Richard Anderson.