Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Township Board of Trustees for August 14, 2025

New Lenox Township Board of Trustees Meeting | August 14, 2025

The New Lenox Township Board focused on community welfare and employee benefits at its meeting on August 14, 2025. A key moment came when a Life Scout’s presentation on traffic safety prompted the township to coordinate immediate and long-term solutions with the Village of New Lenox and Will County. For more on this community-driven initiative, see the full story.

The board also addressed fiscal matters, unanimously approving a 12.54% increase in health insurance premiums to renew its employee medical plan. This decision came after reviewing quotes and determining the current provider remained the most viable option. Additionally, reports from officials highlighted a summer surge in food pantry usage as families prepare for back-to-school costs. For more information, please read the full articles on these topics.

Senior Housing Waitlist Remains Long:
Supervisor Cass Wennlund reported that the waitlist for the township’s senior housing apartments remains lengthy, estimating a 3-to-5-year wait. Currently, 49 applicants are waiting for a one-bedroom unit and 34 for a two-bedroom. Meanwhile, flooring upgrades in the apartments are progressing on schedule, and a recent meeting between township officials and residents to address concerns was described as “positive and productive.”

Surplus Truck Sold for $7,500:
A Ford F250 truck that the township had deemed surplus due to being “seriously rusted” has been sold. Supervisor Cass Wennlund announced that the vehicle was sold to the highest bidder for $7,500. The funds from the sale will return to the township’s general fund.

New Policy Coming for Oil Recycling:
Trustee Martin Boban reported issues with the township’s used motor oil recycling program, noting that individuals have been contaminating the containers with other chemicals, including fuel. To address this, Boban will meet with staff to develop a new policy for recycling oil and antifreeze, which may include locking the containers and setting specific monitored hours for drop-off.

Transportation Department Plans for Vehicle Replacement:
The township provided 549 transportation rides in July, generating $2,267 in income against $405 in fuel costs. Trustee Patty Deiters reported that one of the fleet’s primary vehicles, a 2016 Toyota Prius with 172,000 miles, is nearing the end of its service life. The township plans to budget for its replacement in the next fiscal year.

Cemetery Fund Reports Net Income for July:
Trustee Annette Vogt provided the financial figures for the township’s cemeteries for the month of July. The cemeteries generated $24,915.92 in income against $3,730.30 in expenses, resulting in a net income of $21,185.62 for the month. Vogt also noted that some maintenance is needed at both cemeteries.

Blood Drive Scheduled for August 28:
Collector Phil Juarez announced that a blood drive will be held at the Village of New Lenox on August 28. The event will run from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to participate and donate.

Annual Report Filed with State:
Clerk Lynn Eckhardt gave a brief report confirming that the township’s accounting firm, Hearne and Associates, has successfully filed the recently approved annual financial report with the state of Illinois. This completes the township’s yearly audit and reporting requirements.